by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media [album released Jan. 26, 2023]
Looking for some tasteful and soul-soothing modern electric guitar music to get your head bopping?
Adarsh Arjun is a gifted weaver of melodies as an independent solo artist from Kerala, India, with a treat for you.
Adarsh Arjun is a gifted weaver of melodies as an independent solo artist from Kerala, India, with a treat for you.
His impressive and often joyous sounding debut album Aches and Echoes will turn your aches into distant echoes. It's a no-brainer for fans of progressive rock like Dream Theater or Yes and guitar-man Steve Howe (who has many instrumental guitar solo albums).
What's different about Adarsh to Western ears is how he is subtly impressed upon as a composer by Indian culture- most notably in his beautiful irresistible melodies and motifs. There are embellishments by guest instruments like a sax solo on Hide N Seek, violin, piano and marimba or glockenspiel and more. He also surprises with some very tasty jazz chordings, leading songs down unexpected paths.
There's some exceptionally beautiful and haunting themes on Aches and Echoes. For example the pristine ambient atmospheres in parts of songs like Heartsick.
Adarsh has the skill to impress other guitarists but he uses it with restraint, honouring the inspired melodies that are kings of his songs. He moves through clean and distortion guitar tones easily and keeps the album balanced in that sense, so that it's not full-on rock, or metal, or Djent all the time. There are plenty of unique twists in his compositions without relying on tricky time signature manipulations (though there are some).
My only minor suggestions for improvement would be to hear the bass a bit more prominently, though it's generally present and sitting soundly in the mix. Songs like I Can't Breath have complex bass lines worth noting. Also a real live-recorded drummer's touch is always an asset but practically speaking, up-and-coming artists can tailor and program great sounding drum tracks 'in the box', which Adarsh has clearly done with this recording. I like the cool production tricks like he pulled at the end of Moments to Memories.
This is a beautiful and inspiring album full of pristine and quiet moments gracefully flowing into harder rocking dynamics. It is light and upbeat throughout- no downer music here. Also, there's nothing at all pedestrian about any of the songs- they each stand uniquely, freshly offering ideas for listeners. I'm super-impressed and highly recommend this new artist without reservation.
Be sure to watch my interview with Adarsh Arjun here: https://youtu.be/jd1xnPmLkcY
