Nitish Pires: “Am I Evil” – focusing on the melodic and accessible aspect of his musical work

Nitish Pires began his musical journey in 1999 with the formation of the Rock band Nakshatra, releasing one album – “Gulfam” – entirely penned by Pires, and released on Universal Music. In 2007 he ventured into a solo career writing two albums – “Sarhadein” and “Chauraha” – as well composing music for TV adverts for companies like Vodafone, Nokia and Fila. He also put together an entire movie score for the feature file Soch Lo. Though having his hometown in Goa, Pires has travelled extensively promoting his work. After a 4 year world backpacking adventure that started in 2014, he accumulated over 200 songs, using his mobile recorder in the most disparate locations. On return to his home base, Pires whittled that number down and turned it into a cohesive 11 track album entitled “Am I Evil”.

Nitish Pires has found a formula for melodic rock that makes this album an irresistible experience, as he blends it with various rock flavors. As on his other records Pires traces the right balance of melodic vocals lines, mighty guitars and catchy hooks. He manages to never drown in triviality with his songs, and simply delivers quality material, over and over again.  The mid-tempo album opener “Fade Away” is the perfect example.

His vocals are outstanding, the keys and guitars are a treat and the rhythm section pushes hard. This song reflects all Nitish Pires’ trademarks and is a well-chosen opener. A number that brings the more emotional side to the forefront is “Crazy BC-AD” which is a power ballad. The songs marks a haunting and epic moment on the album before the rock n’ roll gears are shifted with “Johny 006”.

To spice things up Nitish Pires invited Maxim Antonov, who composed the guitar lick in “Big Black Wings”, as well as having the album mixed, mastered and co-produced by Siddharth Barooa. But there can be no doubt that it was Nitish Pires himself who gave this album the sound that’s needed for such a powerful melodic rock production. I believe that Pires is also a great arranger and musical producer, and he is the one who took the responsibility to co-produce “Am I Evil”.

Together with Barooa, he did a great job, because the sound quality of the album is amazing clear, but with that essential amount of weight (because it’s a Rock project after all). The instrumental power is excellent as well, while focusing on the melodic and accessible aspect of the musical work.

Melodic intro to full force rock is our entrance to “You Fake”. One must admit that Pires’ moody to soaring voices are just a natural fit for this genre. If you want to indulge in vocal ecstasy, this is the one track, together with “Need You”, to dive in to.

For those inspired and lifted by riff-heavy hard rock rhythms, the back to back “It’s My Way”, “Happy Nuclear” and “Not Going Mad”, delivers this explosive formula in bucket loads. Strong placement and song structure, multi-faceted approaches, powerful vocals and sharp guitar skills, make sure you can’t go wrong with these tracks.

So if you love music with a big picture and grandiose atmospheres, you have to give this album a shot. Nitish Pires’ rock pedigree is undeniable and the result of his work is suitably stratospheric. Needless to say, this means class is stamped across this release, with its drifting melodies and rasping guitar melting into one fusion pot of harmonious sound.

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