Album Review: Blackstratblues : The Universe Has A Strange Sense Of Humour

Hi,
    My name is Surjo, and I'm a professional musician. The songs you're hearing (hopefully) are from my first album 'The Key Has Turned' which you can buy here.

   The album up for review is by one of my favourite Indian musicians, Warren Mendonsa, as his guitar alter-ego Blackstratblues. I have heard 3 of the songs before, when I saw the band live at NH7 in Kolkata last year, and they killed it there, so I do have high expectations from the album. It's his 3rd solo album, and it's called 'The Universe Has A Strange Sense Of Humour'.

   You can buy 'The Universe Has A Strange Sense Of Humour' here.

'Renaissance Mission' starts off the album, with an almost wild energy. There is something about Warren's guitar tone, that almost reminded me of Hendrix, and that particular brand of hard picking on a riff through a Marshall. The unison riff following the lead riff is pretty cool. Keep in mind, that this is majorly an instrumental album, so that's where the meat and potatoes are. The improv section has a really cool tone, and that's one thing you can always count on Warren to have in his songs, is innovative and spot-on tone. Adi Mistry on bass provides a real steady background along with Karsh Kale on drums. The sound has become very textured and almost ethereal, with Warren's guitar cutting through. The lead riff is a keyboard riff, and is reminiscent of the Jan Hammer stuff. Real cool. 

'Come Anyway' features Nikhil D Souza, and the start is very reminiscent of a quicker 'Bombay Rain' and the sound is real close to 'Fireflies' by Indus Creed. Once the words start, there is a lot of REM feel in it. The guitar tapestry is quite beautiful. It's a slide guitar solo, so cool points for that. 

'Anandamide' starts off with a riff that could start off any soundcheck at any rock gig. I don't know why, but the snare reverb gave me that vibe. Good modal changes on the initial theme, with switches between major and minor thirds. The univibe on his tone, brings back a lot of Pink Floyd memories. I've had a conversation with Warren regarding his approach to improvisation, and he's a guy who likes to keep his improv under strict control. The last line of the chorus is full on from 'Achilles Last Stand' from Led Zep. Lengthy improv after the 2nd chorus, no major pyrotechnics involved, but the lead-up to the bridge is pretty sweet. Cool points for song title, although I am having difficulty deciphering it. 

'E Major Blues' starts off with a really warm riff, and showcases some of Warren's admired melodic sensibility. The organ stabs colouring the chorus are very good, and the pans on them give them a distinctive flavour. Did I say Warren has great guitar tone? The bass drum is a bit too loud for my taste in this song. Some Buddy Guy type prolonged bends make their way into the improv section. Overall really nice.

'Folkish Three' I've heard before, from the Gearhouse Sessions, and also NH7, like 'Renaissance Mission' and 'E Major Blues'. I think the Indian rhythm with the syncoptation on the hi-hat just lend this song a whole new level of cool, and the guitar riff just blends in something funky. The vibe is relaxed, and just tears loose in the chorus. The improv starts off softer and calmer than the rest of the song, before picking up the intensity towards the end and running into the chorus. The song is quite dynamic with feel and rhythmic changes. The song has a lot of talking in one section, reminding me of Pink Floyd's 'Money'. I'm curious as to what is being said in those sections, almost sounds like news telecasts. 

'Little Rascal' starts off cute, almost like a lullaby, but then there are some modal shifts that introduce more tension in the sound. There is some Jeff Beck in there, with the whammy bar in hand style of play. Warren is just a master of controlling tone. The command he has over his sonic armies is something most guitarists would give their pedalboards for. 

'The Universe Has A Strange Sense Of Humour' starts off real gentle, with the univibe working in magic with an almost flute-like sound from the keyboard. The first guitar lick reminded so much of Mark Knopfler's smoothness in the beginning of 'Brothers In Arms'. I tried to categorize the songs I've heard so far, but have just realized that it's not possible, and that the album needs to be heard many, many more times to truly get a grip  on it. It's unlike his first album 'Nights In Shining Karma' where the lead melodies were so freakishly strong, that your opinions were instantly formed. The melodies here aren't that strong, but there is a lot to the story, and it does merit a few more listens to unravel the mystery, because one thing about the album is for sure, is that it is listenable. 

'Two Sides Of The Same Coin' closes the album, and starts off with a simple acoustic guitar strumming along, before some 'Aaaahs' join in with a slide guitar to lend it some of that ethereal vibe. The lead melody is almost depressing in a way, and is a departure from his normal lead melodies which normally are filled with hope. More 'Pink Floyd' influences shine through. An almost DTish end to the breakdown with a cadenza. Then the music stops, and starts off again, and this time it sounds like the rebirth of 'The Ventures', with a rock 'n' roll riff and some almost country-style pentatonic stylings. Did 'The Ventures' have such double bass movement?? He he, fun. 

This album is not meant for players looking for pyrotechnics, or those looking to steal lightning-fast pentatonic licks. At no point in the album does it seem that Warren is stretching himself to play any of the ideas. The album instead could be used as a lesson on how to arrange and construct music. An enjoyable listen, never grating, never slow, never boring. While I don't see it having the same clear hit potential as 'Nights In Shining Karma' it is a very stout album.