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Music Review-Curious Toys by Harsha Iyer

Edited By: on November 23, 2011
Harsha Iyer
In this age where the world adores Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Madonna etc, our own country has many undiscovered musicians. One such budding talent in the indie rock genre is Harsha Iyer. A 19 year old musician, Harsha has arrived at the Chennai rock music scene with his maiden album Curious toys(CT). And here, at Cupidspeaks, I am happy to review CT.

Curious Toys is a twelve song album. And each one is enjoyable in its own way.

1.I Find You Boring(1:59)
The first song of the album makes you wonder who this cool guy is! It is a peppy number with a fantastic BGM. My first impression of Harsha’s vocals is that he has got a unique voice, that is electric. Contrary to the name, I found this song quite interesting!
2. Over-cautious(2:51)
The next one in the album has a brilliant opening musical to boast about. The lyrics are my favorite here and they are quite meaningful. The song is about those mad drivers and the crazy world. The best part is perhaps, the soothing melody running throughout the song.
3.Addiction(3:25)
This song is my second favorite in this album. True to the name, I’m addicted to this one! The chorus is purely lovable and captures the right spirit of the song. I love the lyrics too. Especially this one-”Man’s addiction is loyal than his wife”! Whoa!
4.Off the switch(2:11)
Off the switch is one number where you can actually get to know the real intensity of Harsha’s vocals. He has poured his heart out and has come up with a fabulous song. The lyric goes “I’ve had enough, I’ve had enough, so Stop!” But am never gonna stop listening to it! It keeps you hooked!
5.Money(3:28)
Right from the start till the end, this song has an eerie feel about it. Breaks all stereotypes and scores with it’s uniqueness. This is one song which actually defines the meaning of “rock music”. Must have on your playlist!
6.Not yet dead(3:18)
The opening musical is soothing and wonderful! This song is the one of the coolest ones in this album! It clearly speaks about death, courage and hope in life. I loved the lyrics especially “Its a wonderful world, so don’t get the people let you down”. The music and the lyrics are in perfect sync and make the experience quite soul-stirring!
7.On the Edge(2:50)
This song took me by surprise! A perfect melody in a rock album! It’s possibly the best ! The interludes, chorus and Harsha’s vocals all blend to give a masterpiece! The lyrics are a delight here. Look at this one “Tomorrow I may be history, but that doesn’t stop me being none”. Superb, isn’t it?
8.No say(3:6)
No Say is all about love/friendship. The melancholic rendition of Harsha makes you marvel at the different facets of his vocals. This song is sure to make you feel the pain with it’s raw music.
9.Leader(3:12)
This number can be called rebellious. The BGM, lyrics and the vocals all convey the power and the universal craving for leadership. Might take some time to get used to it, but quite a different one.
10.Toys(3:2)
One of the best songs of this album is “Toys”. The lyrics are rich and the song has an infectious enthusiasm. Quite a spirited rendition from Harsha. A song I would recommend, if you are sulking. This one would give a boost to your energy, seriously!
11.Fear(2:57)
This song creates a haunting effect, sending a chill down your spine. It lives up to its name and is sure to be everyone’s favorite. A number to watch out for!
12. Useful somewhere(3:06)
This one is kinda fast paced. The unusual yet lovable lyrics makes your eyebrows raise :) Clearly talks of a confused soul who feels he could do something worthwhile. The BGM makes this number quite interesting.
On the whole, Harsha’s debut album Curious Toys is one of the best albums ever composed by a debut musician. The album has foot-tapping, peppy numbers, which you can never let go! Be it the vocals, percussion arrangement, lyrics, song mixing, recording, production(a feat which Harsha has single-handedly achieved)–everything is professional  and unpredictable. He has the uncanny knack of composing songs that people love! Harsha Iyer is indeed a musical prodigy and a talented guy to look out for!!!

Download the songs here-http://harsha-iyer.bandcamp.com/album/curious-toys

I also had the wonderful opportunity to interview Harsha. This is the humble guy has got to say…Read on!

1. First of all  tell me something about yourself and how you got into music.
Harsha: Well i always did enjoy listening to music a great deal even as a little kid…music was always around in my house because my dad was a big listener too…so by the time it was 11th std and i picked up the guitar and started writing my own songs , music was something that came to me quite instinctively… and it was something that i totally loved and realized its what i want to do…
2. Where do you get the inspiration for your music?
Harsha: inspiration for the music…i don’t really know..it comes from outer space (hehe)..its something beyond me…i guess from the crazy world in my head which is inspired by all the music of the world that i have listened to…lyrics -all the characters and stories that i see around life..all the various situations and incidents we sometimes find ourselves trapped in…or find others experience…what i hear about etc…
3.What were your feelings wen CT was released ?
Harsha: im happy that CT is out…it took a while to finish and its satisfying to see it all completed and up online for people to listen to…and more satisfying when lot of people actually love it and connect to the music..
4. How has the response for CT been so far?
Harsha: the response for the album have been amazing…very positive…its slowly spreading thanks to the internet..listeners from chennai , banglore, pune , mumbai , and dubai , singapore , thailand and all are hearing it and liking it etc and spreading it more too…so its been great..
5. How you balance education and music? That must be kinda tough!
Harsha: Haha, I’m 19 yrs old, yes but I don’t go to any college (luckily). my parents are very supportive… I’m into music full time. I study on my own at home, so I have a lot of free time on my hands to focus completely on listening to the ocean of music out there, writing my own songs, recording my songs, playing live shows, and managing only this etc…
6. I would love to know more about your future projects.
Harsha: Future projects – putting out more great albums..im currently working on my 2nd Solo album…its complete different from the first one..New Songs New explorations..it should be out By March…you can find more updates on it on My Facebook page..do watch out there..http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harsha-Iyer/267420853284035Live Shows are on the list too once the next album is out..
7. Okay, so what are your hobbies?
Harsha: main hobby listening to music…other hobbies would be photography and watching Good Movies etc…
8. Who would you call as your role model? And one more question-Tell me about the support you’ve received from your family and friends.
Harsha: well my realistically biggest role models around here are my dad and kishore krishna( chennai based band-Adam and the fish eyed poets) … then up on the great musical influences list there’s patti smith , the beatles , nick cave , bob dylan , ray charles , elvis costello , radiohead , hans zimmer , ennio morricone etc too many to name…. And the support from my family..my parents have been my biggest source of inspiration and constant encouragement..always let me do what i really loved…so all thanks to them only first…my friends have also been supportive and also helped spreading word of my album etc thanks to them too…
9. What’s your message for your fans and well wishers?

Harsha: John lennon once said..”When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life”…i think everyone alive can learn from that..
Thank you Harsha. Thus we come to the end of our interview. Harsha has indeed made a mark with his album Curious Toys and leaves us craving for more! He is surely gonna make us all proud with his compositions. This is Sowmya and Cupidspeaks wishing him a very good luck for his musical career. Keep rocking Harsha!


  • Harsha Iyer
Sowmya Swaminathan

About Sowmya Swaminathan

Commerce student , passionate writer cum blogger, book-worm, cricket freak, music lover, channel hopper, chocoholic and an enthusiastic foodie. http://myspace-ss.blogspot.com/

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