Album Review - Album: Topiwalleh Band: Swarathma

Album Review

Album: Topiwalleh Band: Swarathma Rating: Swarathma’s latest offering, a 10-song album titled Topiwalleh, is a package of musical refreshment in a true sense. The Bengaluru-based folk rock band has recreated its trademark musical storytelling style of harping on a social message through a musical medium — the hard-hitting, witty lyrics lashing out at issues like the state of affairs, corrupt politicians and the darker facets of society like child abuse (the track Ghum is centred around this), religion (Yeshu, Allah Aur Krishna) etc, blended with high energy notes that translate into a one-of-its-kind musical drama. And all this with an impeccable stage show makes the album, and of course the band, stand out! While the album is certainly a delightful treat for the devoted followers of the band, it is nothing less than a pleasant and gripping musical chant for a first time listener too. The album opens with the title track Topiwalleh, a daringly honest, playful mockery of the politicians — ripping apart their several ‘social stints’. Duur Kinara is a spellbinding, mellifluous Kannada-Hindi motif with artist Shuba Mudgal’s sonorous voice for embellishments. Tracks like Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Mukhote, Khul Ja Re and Yeshu Allah Aur Krishna, capture the raw, earthy elements, the folk-rock fusion, and high voltage energy — which are both contagious and consistent. However, watching the band play these songs live is an experience unmatched, and purists may complain that the visual ethos and the performance charm do not translate completely on to the tape. But if there was something called a socially responsible music, without diluting the sensory pleasure even by an iota, Swarathma’s Topiwalleh sure would have defined it aptly!