The Bicycle Days – ‘42’ EP

The Bangalore/Los Angeles quartet seems to be on the upward swing only after releasing their EP in March. Indeed, ‘42’ is the defining moment for the alternative/psychedelic rock band.

Many people have different definitions and expectations from psychedelic rock. I, for one, have been more into the neo-psychedelic movement, while also being acquainted with music from the 1960s. But to put The Bicycle Days into either of these categories would be inappropriate. They’ve got to be the Indian variation of psychedelic rock. You’d think Veenas, Sitars, and Tablas when you hear me say that, but TBD manages to add much more to Indian Psychedelic Rock – which can take a new form thanks to The Bicycle Days and other bands like Rosemary and Until There Is Light.

The Bicycle Days (TBD), as a band name, originated in reference to the events from events of the first LSD trip. So yes, while Psychedelic Rock remains to be the general category TBD fits into, it clearly gains influence from progressive rock, ambient music, post-rock and electronica.

’42’ has an existential theme running throughout; with the band themselves stating so, with special reference to the songs ‘27’ and ‘Zen’.

The album opens with an ‘Intro’ that is laced is spacey layers and modulated vocals. Screeching guitars soon get scratching as it fades into ‘Something Human’, which the band describes as a “social commentary.” The first track can always play a vital role establishing the feel of the album, and this track being more rock n’ roll, centered around a bunch of riffs, is certainly heavy to say the least, but it would fail to meet the expectation of any one who liked the intro. Lyrics to the song, on the other hand, are inspiring as vocalist Kartik Basker sings, “This can’t be a lie, Santa in the sky.”

And again, in typical psychedelic rock fashion, before you even realize, you’re into the layers of ‘Psychonaut’. The track features the band’s “dead hero” comedian Bill Hicks towards the end.

‘27’ is probably the band’s proudest moment in ‘42’. The 6 and-a-half minute song brings out a progressive, psychedelic feel that is so concrete that it defines the sound of the band. It also defines ‘42’ to be a dark, psychedelic journey with layers of guitars, most of it screaming out to you. The vocals crawl on with carelessness at times and determination at other times on ‘27’.

‘Circles’ is almost like a collage of several, short movements – light and repetitive at first, but moving on to ‘Indian’ riffs and solos, if I may say so. After the riffing, a drum-solo employing builds up into a fierce breakdown and ends with a bang.

‘Zen’ is the last song on the EP, or so the band wants us to think! I felt a hint of disappointment knowing this was the last track. And with the band’s minimalist, stripped-down approach to this song, I felt they really shouldn’t end the album this way. That thought strengthened on hearing ‘Zen’ fade out, but a few 10 seconds later, a murmur begins an outro track. Typical messing-around stuff, essential for any psychedelic album. I go to press the stop button as the outro fades out, and unexpectedly, I hear a bass line that remind me of Massive Attack, or Trip-hop, to say the least. Vocals soothe in to confirm that this indeed is a bonus track – a gift from the band, for buying the album, probably. The bonus (or hidden) track brings out the electronica side to TBD, but its still very much psychedelic.

EPs generally leave the listener wanting more, and this was definitely the case with ‘42’. A solid record, with much inter-twining that ensures that there isn’t an uncomfortable distance between each track.

The Bicycle Days are currently touring and promoting ‘42’. If you’re in Bangalore, you can pick up a copy by emailing thebicycledays@gmail.com with your address and contact details.

Myspace : www.myspace.com/thebicycledays