MAKTUB

MOTHERJANE cultivates a heavy rock style based on twin rhythm and solo guitars - sometimes reminding me of the band Enchant. They are one of the most popular rock acts in India and a slight asian touch refers to their origin. In Europe and USA relatively unknown they are trying to conquer this other continents now with wide scope.

Applying the prog standards 'Maktub' is somewhat unusual consisting of short and compact songs with a total length of little more than 40 minutes which is equivalent to a vinyl production. But this is all made on a high standard and worth it to take some time to explore. Besides the striking guitar work Suraj as the frontman is the other band's attraction fitted with an excellent voice.

Compared to the forerunner album you can listen to a more diversified skilled music with a wider bandwith, arranged with great accuracy. Broken starts melancholic balladesque asian flavoured with acoustic guitars but switches soon to heavy riffing bordering to prog metal. As another album's trademark catchy impressing melodies can be explored for example on Chasing the Sun or Mindstreet. The title song Maktub is provided with a spacey sitar background as well as several other guitar overdubs and made out very powerful afterwards. And the short Ode to Life is the ultimate emotional ballad ever.

A great find for fans of fresh, sophisticated guitar dominated rock music - 3.5 stars.