STUPIDITTIES

Stupiditties - The "un-metal" compilation. Don't you make presumptions looking at the title or the artwork, because this album is truly one-of-a-kind and happens to be quite brilliant too. An ennui.Bomb release, this features 18 rock/alternative bands from all over India. No metchul, sir. Wonly rock. It was originally planned to be a punk rock compilation (possibly the first in India) but I guess they couldn't find that many punk bands here. No surprises there, punk hasn't really picked up in India.

Delhi based Descant's Forth Track taken off their "Mad Ambition" EP is the perfect album-opener. Catchy and upbeat, it gives a feel of things to come. "Only Human" by Skinny Alley is one of the best tracks on this album. Varying tempo and insanely infectious. Jayashree Singh is a brilliant singer..and what a voice! Mumbai bands Aftertaste and Split unleash raw rock 'n' roll energy with kick-arse choruses. Glowworm by Cassini's Division is well written...one can sense the haunting desperation in the vocalist's voice. Human Abstract sounds a lot like Rage Against The Machine. "Re Serve" is a cry against the Reservation Bill...it didn't leave me inspired or much impressed. Decent track though. LBG (Little Babooshka's Children) is a Chennai band. They have, in their own words, "no talk of Satan, or death and destruction". "Bad Children" is just pure fun! Hypnosis and Half Step Down have a classic rock feel to them. Cyanide's "My Bitch" is alright but gets boring too soon.

As promised, Stupiditties has a lot of variety - with a jam and some electronica too! Something Relevant makes for chilled out easy listening. There are a couple of punk songs thrown in too. Tripwire and ForceField are simple, fast and catchy - everything punk's supposed to be. Tripwire's "Frozen Portrait" is cheekily titled, possibly taking a dig at Demonic Resurrection. Heh. The Superfuzz belts out perfect garage rock, I must say! "4 Times and Once After" is a clear winner. It's time for electronica now. Medusa's Beep Off is so bloody catchy I could dance to it...3 minutes of awesomeness!
"I tremble, J parties"
The album signs off with Grossing Decency, erstwhile called Asshole, which, although good, shouldn't have been the last band on the bill.

The booklet provided has all the information on the bands featured. Plus, amazing production.

Conclusion : 9/10. This compilation is truly a collector's item and I'd recommend it to anyone wishing to try some good Indian rock music.