The advantage of labeling yourselves Alternative is that you have a vast universe of sounds you can experiment with, and it will still be in perfect limits. “It’s not heavy, it’s definitely not Metal, its Alternative, yes that’s what it could be, that’s what it really sounds.” WHITE BERYL makes use of this advantage well in their first E.P. It is a mix of funky, alternative, pop tunes and while you’re scratching your heads trying to figure out possible relations between tracks, WHITE BERYL tells you to stop and just appreciate the music as it comes along.
BRACT is a terrific way to start the album. One, it’s got delicious rhythm work, containing just the right amount of reverb on the guitars and two, the vocals, which seem to effortlessly glide through. They also pack in a solo in the middle, and it becomes a track full of intense drama. DANCE INTO MY HEART changes the mood from the first track, and turns it upside down. It’s a funky, peppy number, and lyrics befitting a woman in a pleasant dreamy state. Rhythms score again, the bass is delightful, and in my opinion, they could have done with a better last one-minute, when it became unnecessarily heavy, as compared to the lighter first three quarters.
DOUCHEBAG brings a mix of heavy funk-isms and road-isms in the music after the melodrama earlier. This one could score well at live venues with its various antics including a “Wanna be a douchebag?” in the chorus. LIES is one of those songs that appears great at the outset, but listen to it a couple more times, and the excitement fizzles out. PLANET X is unlike anything we’ve heard on this album. It’s a two and a half minute Instrumental, and seems to go the spiritual road with its vocal renditions.
Some tracks of the 21 minute E.P start off promisingly, and then somehow lose track midway. For a first E.P, the band has done well in exploring the different sounds that it is capable of producing, and one can say they are good musicians undoubtedly. But the whole difference between starting off well, and engaging the listener till the end is the question that I think WHITE BERYL must come together and work upon. “The lady in the band”, I felt, has the capacity to shoulder more responsibility, and should try and take full charge of the song ahead after it’s begun so well by the instrumentalists. That was probably what was missing.
Bottom Line
A decent first effort and barring a few areas that need work, something that WHITE BERYL can proudly wear up their sleeves, till they get back to the studio the next time. Listeners! Go for it, the new alt-rockers in Delhi are here!
