Album Review of "Introducing"
By Renu Kansal

I wanted SO much to like this album; a friend had shown me the video for the single “Rock Tha Party” and I thought it was quite the catchy, upbeat, head-bobbing little indo-pop song. Perfect timing, as summer is upon us. So I hunted high and low and bought the full album.

The Scandinavian duo known as Bombay Rockers was actually conceived with a different vision in mind. Singer Naf (Navtej Singh Rehal) met producer-team WCA (Thomas Sardorf and Janus Barnewitz) several years ago, and the original collaboration explored western instrumentation and hip hop grooves, set as a backdrop to Naf’s Hindi and Punjabi vocals. WCA undoubtedly brings amazing production and creativity to the table, as evidenced by the first song Bombay Rockers released, “Ari, Ari, Ari- part 1”.

	Bombay Rockers Website
	Rock Tha Party Video

Starting out with chunky guitars that Limp Bizkit or Anthrax might appreciate, and following up with a flute solo might sound crazy, but this arrangement blew me away. As soon as Naf begins singing, with a strong, unaffected voice, the track comes together solidly. The Punjabi lyric is safe, but not predictable, and it’s infectiously danceable. I enjoyed it so much; I was doubly pleased to find “Ari, Ari, Ari- part 2” later in the album. The reprise is a little less mosh pit, and heavier on the dancehall-bhangra feel, but is equally as enjoyable as its namesake, part 1.

“Rock Tha Party” is a nice danceable single, good as a base track to any party or road trip. The arrangements are good and the punctuation offered by a baroque string section is not invasive—rather it brings a nice punchy drive to the rhythm. The lyrical volley between Naf and Thomas is sharp, funky, and comes together with such syncopation and flow. It’s not rocket science, and it won’t change your life, but this song is contagiously catchy. Plus the video [see Related Items] is a real trip.

From there I have to say I was thoroughly disappointed. Rather than the expected gratuitous one or two throwaway tracks, the overly predictable pop frosting that fills up this album leaves only 2 or 3 decent songs. This is exactly why CD sales are spiraling downward and iTunes and similar alternatives are booming; if only 2 songs on an entire CD are worth a listen, you can bet I’m too kanjus to plunk down $17 for a CD that’s going to wind up as a drink coaster by next week. Even the Intro and Outro tracks are decent, strangely enough, which makes me think these guys are good producers, great with remix, sampling and drum programming, maybe even good musically, just not so hot when it comes to innovating a strong lyrical hook. I’m not asking for Kabir, people, but lyrics that are somewhat clever or insightful isn’t too much to ask for, is it? These lyrics sound like a horny Dr. Seuss. And unfortunately it seems to coincide with Thomas coming out from the control room and getting in front of the mic as the second vocalist; the tracks on which he takes lead vocal are glaringly amateur.

I’m torn between which features the more ridiculous lyric. So here are some of the top contenders:

“Substitute” A send up to the selfless women in booty-call relationships, taking sloppy-seconds from the man’s full-time woman. You can see the ridiculous rhyme coming and think to yourself oh no, they won’t possibly go there… but they do, with such poetry as “I’ll give you a call if my girl’s not home, and you can stop by so that we can bone.” Oh yes they did. Ick.

“Name & Number” is about a nightlife loving intoxicated and single young man, out on the town trying to find a little companionship. Brace yourself, here comes the flow on the chorus: “If I sound kinda dumb, it’s because I’m really drunk.” I’m reminded of Cypress Hill’s 2004 comeback attempt, hinged on a single called “What’s your Number?” and that song sucked hard, too. (And obviously failed to yield a successful comeback, as you say “Cypress who?”)

As far as the overall package is concerned, somebody must be joking. Is this an independent record label? I can bet Bombay Rockers don’t have a manager, agent, or a record label rep, because this material would have gotten squashed. Musically it’s fair, really it is, but the English lyrics are so trite, banal, and puerile… I think their success would be better if they went back to the original formula of Naf singing and Thomas co-producing. It’s really Thomas’ English lyrics that seem to degrade the overall value of the songs.

Having already seen the multicultural duo thing done so well by Stereo Nation, or fun dance-pop by Rishi Rich Project and Jay Sean, perhaps we have high standards. But Stereo Nation could pass the mic with grace, smoothly, naturally, like a relay team handing off a baton, whereas the multilingual attempts on Bombay Rockers’ album are more like the sonic equivalent of learning to rollerblade. On gravel.

If two or three songs are all it takes to convince you to buy a full CD, then this may be worth it to you, because those two or three songs are stand-alone fantastic. But consider buying four, so at least you have a full set of coasters to offer party guests, while you crank “Rock Tha Party.”

Photographs courtesy Bombay Rockers website