Bliss Logic – The Big Thaw

Bliss Logic is a Mumbai-based trio comprising of Lima Yanger (vocals & lyrics), J.D Thirumalai (bass) and Lindsay D’Mello (drums). I first heard of this band while reading about the Bombay segment of SaReGaMa’s Underground series and was pleased to see a rock act in the electro/dj heavy track listing of that album.

This band plays an interesting mix of rock and jazz with bits of electronica thrown in. There’s a dreamy quality to the entire album with ambient soundscapes swathing the songs. The opening track of the album MSV (More Soft Vibes) begins with a wailing slide of the guitar and I was hooked 30 seconds into the song. The feeling continues with Wednesday (featuring a sound bite from the father of the nation), New Message and Tryin’ to the cajoling Window. Everyday could apply to a lot of situations in one’s life especially love the way Lima sings about lousy Sundays. The electronica factor goes way up in The Big Thaw but that’s probably a lot to do with Randolph ‘Func’ Corriea playing on this track. Ride has a strange lyrical combination of pornstars and breakfast while Sheera (which is eaten for breakfast in many parts of India… OK it’s been many hours since my last meal) is all about acoustic guitar bits and harmonies. All of which is ended by Spill in a distinctly uptempo fashion.

Lima Yanger is singer with the soul of a poet. His lyrics are poignant and reflect an emotional side which is expressed through his words. J.D’s bass playing is akin to a slow drink of whisky – smooth with just the hint of something unidentifiable. It isn’t surprising that Lindsay is a much-in-demand sessions player. He has the grooves and the funk and his drumming is tighter than… insert rude joke about nuns and crossed legs.    

Being heavyweights of the sessions circuit means you are part of an elite group of the city’s musicians and Bliss Logic certainly has lots of friends in this circle. The guest musicians featuring on this album read like the who’s who of the Mumbai music circuit - from Sanjay Divecha to Randolph Corriea to Paresh Kamat to Abhijit Nalani to Dhruv Ghanekar and many others.

The songs on The Big Thaw wouldn’t sound out of place in a classy lounge or at a shack by the beach. And that for me is the beauty of this album – a coming together of different  worlds and sounds. On the back of the album jacket, there’s a small blurb which contains some wise words from the band – Get Cozy + Switch off Mobile + Send Fumes + Play loud + Drift…

Sound advice for the best way to listen to this album.