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The Changcuters widens horizon
Bandung-based rock band The Changcuters has returned with its fourth studio album under major label Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia
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Bandung-based rock band The Changcuters has returned with its fourth studio album under major label Sony Music Entertainment Indonesia.
Unlike its previous albums, Visualis, can be enjoyed by those outside of its fan army, 'The Changcut Rangers'.
It is apparent that each of the band's five members has improved their musical techniques, but the band has chosen to stick with its gres music, a self-made term for a blend of garage, rock-n-roll, hip hop, blues and whatever genre that works.
Lead vocalist Tria said during the album launch late last year that band members had spent two years learning more about music individually, which resulted in each bringing something unique to the production table.
Although it is undeniable that the album has the signature work of renowned sound engineer Stephan Santoso, Tria, guitarists Qibil and Alda, bass guitarist Dipa and drummer Erick have proved that the band earned their popularity not only based on their unusual hairdos and stage wear.
The album is meant as the first of a trilogy, a second attempt at a trilogy for the band, the first of which closed with Tugas Akhir (Last Task) in 2011, the year when the band ended its contract with Sony.
With 12 tracks, the album is unexpectedly wistful, with less blaring strums and off-pitch screams from Tria.
The album's first track, 'Paradoks' (Paradox), calls for people to accept differences in society. Other songs that tell it like it is are 'Generasi Pantang Tua' (Never Get Old Generation), 'Lestarikan Sang Pohon' (Conserve the Tree) and 'Dari Kami untuk Para Pemberani' (From Us for the Brave).
Now that most band members are married with kids, The Changcuters has gone softer but they have not lost their ability to produce lyrics that are both catchy and witty, even in songs about love and romance.
The crux of the record, the mouthful 'Mengapa Sahabat Pacarku Lebih Cantik dari Pacarku' (Why My Girlfriend's Best Friend is Prettier than My Girlfriend) is about a man who has made a decision and stays true to it ' tapi janji sudah terikat/tak akan ingkar hingga tamat (but the knot is tied/won't break it until the end). Or in 'Wow Deborah' ' karena 'ku yakin 'ku bisa memilikinya/Deborah namanya/bersamaku kau pasti sempurna (because I'm sure I can have her/Deborah is her name/I will make you perfect).
Tria's vocal in 'Akhirnya Indah' (Beautiful at the End) are unheard of. The haunting falsetto soulfulness combined with the melody makes it a hopeful song.
The self-lacerating album, in short, is fun from start to finish. Amid the reemergence of recycled/mashed-up oldies, Visualis may not be an eye-opener but surely is a mode changer.
