When Tejas Narayan and Sheldon Fonseca decided to form a band soon after they finished with school, they didn't want the limelight to ever stray from the music. It explains why they had no particular reason for calling their band Kastadyne. "I still don't know what it means," admits Narayan, when asked. "We were playing with words, and sometimes tell people it's a reference to castor oil and dynamite."

Another thing they decided to do, pretty early on, was forego touring in favour of studio recordings alone. "We tried live performances," Narayan explains, "but gave up because we couldn't pull off the sound we wanted." That sound - influenced by artistes as diverse as REM, Bob Marley and Radiohead - filled their well-received debut album Eleven Complaints, and continues to evolve in the follow-up, Hover.

Recorded over two years, it is described by the duo, rather unusually as "alternative rock with electronica". The funny thing is much of it works - from the steady bass of Digging Deep Down to the jazzy Leecher, the very catchy Mortal Moonlight of the Untidy Soul to Come Hover over Earth, which sounds like something Massive Attack could have supervised. There are lyrical standouts too, like What Will You Buy Next? and Flamboyant Citizen.

Considering they won't grace a stage near you anytime soon, the only way to listen to Kastadyne is to order their album online. They intend to keep it that way.
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KASTADYNE is back in the scene with their second album HOVER and with this release they have just proved why people look forward to underground music. On this record the band seem to be on the Indie Rock side incorporating some jazzy melodies but the overall execution has to be appreciated. With their debut release ELEVEN COMPLAINTS, the band themselves had an impact on listeners mind and I was one amongst the few. Every track on the debut album was very neatly composed and decidedly carried out, particularly LIVE AS INDIA and VICTIM OF MY ANGER which escalates to the point of absolute high-spirit, like the very best songs of highly talented bands. I always fancied their musical style.

After listening to this album, one can easily conclude what KASTADYNE must have been doing these 3 years - IMPRESSIVE would be an understament. Actually speaking about HOVER is pretty difficult, as it has already marked its place in my music library. If we talk about the real highlight of the album then it has be the KASTADYNE's lyrical effort, a whole lot to be praised. To every song that you hear on this record, after its completion you would be just left with few words "Yeah, man that's true". ! To talk about the music in here, the album basically consists of compositions that are related to the abstract and the real world and as always some social awareness messages. The band actually knows when to say enough is enough when writing their material. The tracks on HOVER do have reflections of the bands old alternative rock style but sharpened them with new ingredients to grab listeners attention who are looking for melodic vocals and soulful lyrics, also quality instrumentation in a right direction. The band really show that with their latest release they tske their music seriously and are willing to reach new heights in the genre.

HOVER opening track starts-off with impressive vocals and an ear catching tune, speaking about the personal struggle of an individual's life. Next comes the track LEECHER, which I think is a perfect radio single which is more like a jazz or indie influenced track. The track has an ear pleasing melody and infectious rhythms that just stick to your ear walls. The third track of the album MORTAL MOONLIGHT OF THE UNTIDY SOUL actually reflects KASTADYNE's work and ideology, like how an individual gets trapped in today's world just for the sake of money, killing your talent. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE, the next track is in very much relation with the previous track. Next arrives, WHAT WILL YOU BUY NEXT one of my favorite beacuse of its lyrical content which speaks about the resources depletion on planet earth which human being does for comfort, without thinking about the coming future.  EVIL WOMAN goes out to be my personal favorite from the album, an anti-girl track, which is the only heavy track that instantly sticks to your brains with frenzied guitar riffs. But, don't worry girls, the band has something for you people, which the last track of this beautiful album YOU ARE THE LIGHT, which doesn't seem to be the real band's style and with this song I think there's a whole lot to discover KASTADYNE.

All in all, HOVER is a fantastic album. It's really hard to expect such an album nowdays even in the mainstream that has a collection of songs that exceeds basic listener's satisfaction. The album also reflects the bands F**K U attitude towards the current musical trend. The duo-artists really don't care about what is popular and, and all they want is to create something creative. If I had to complaint something about the album, I would point out the sound production that varies with some of the tracks but that really doesn't matter much and can be simply avoided as you get into the rhythm when you give a multiple spin to the CD. Do yourself a favour and get the CD.

Bottomline: Hover is conceptually rich and musically unique, in it's most simple form! (Recommended)
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