The album kicks off with its title track, "Answers," which has a good groove, with a bit of funk. It's a song about looking for answers, so a good place to start with lines like "Saying goodbye to my past" and "Not knowing what to find." There is a gentle, kind of soothing aspect to the vocal delivery. And when he sings, "I'm ready to face it all," he brings us along with him. And the music itself helps us face whatever it is we have to face. The violin is a natural part of the sonic landscape here. Then "Lot Of Things" contains a really nice intro, the drums creating an unusual and engaging rhythm, while the violin creates an interesting atmosphere. "You said a lot of things to me in the past/Most of it was not true/You've got a lot of guts to lie to me," L. Shankar then sings. Truth isn't always easy to come by these days. People are now quite comfortable with dishonesty. In this country, it is basically patriotic to lie now. In addition to the rhythm of the drums, the rhythm of the vocal line has a certain appeal. "It takes a lot more courage to tell the truth than a lie," L. Shankar sings here. Maybe that's true, but I find it's much easier to tell the truth. Who can be bothered to recall lies? It would be too much work remembering what was told to each person. I don't have that kind of extra time.
"Innocent" takes on more of a rock vibe in certain sections, as L. Shankar sings, "Don't let no one stop you," particulary in the guitar work. This song offers some advice, such as "Don't lose your light within" and "Follow your instincts" and "No matter what happens/Try to keep your innocence." I sometimes think that much of our adult lives is spent trying to recapture what it was we had during our childhoods, that sense of wonder, that sense of play which can be considered innocence. And isn't that interesting? L. Shankar sings, "Everyone is born innocent/When they come into existence." I appreciate those lines. They are quite a bit different from the craziness I was fed in my childhood, that we are born as sinners, a horrible thing to tell children. I love when the violin begins to soar in the second half of this track. L. Shankar delivers some fantastic work. Juliett Rose delivers some wonderful backing vocal work. That's followed by "Heaven And Earth," one that L. Shankar wrote a while back, a song about a natural disaster, the 2004 tsunami. Something like that reminds us how small and powerless we are when faced with nature. Our plans, our desires, our joys, our relationships... all can be wiped out in a moment by an indifferent natural force.
From a power without, L. Shankar then takes us to "Power Within." Here he sings, "So many people have different ideas/How I should live my life/They have nothing else going on for them." I suppose those lines have always been true, but they seem particularly relevant today. And L. Shankar adds how people are apt to offer their opinions on what you're doing, whether those opinions are solicited or not. He also points out, "What they say and what they do/They are totally different things." This is a song about finding the answers within yourself, and it offers this bit of advice: "Never try to hide who you are." There is no point in doing so (unless, of course, you're a horrible person). Then there is a sweeter, more contemplative vibe to "For You." "I've been waiting for you/It's been a long time/I never felt this way/With anyone before." Yes, it's a love song, about a love that happens perhaps a bit later in life. And maybe that's better, because we're better prepared for it, right? We know ourselves, and so are in a position to really get to know another person for who she or he really is. This song is also about a larger picture, as he sings "Actions do affect people/It's all about giving/Expect nothing in return." This track features some beautiful vocal work.
"You only live once, so live a good life," L. Shankar sings in "To Live." I wish people would keep this in mind. There is probably nothing after this, so make the most of this life. He then sings, "Live every day as if it's your last day." That, however, might not be the best advice, because if you happen to wake up the next day, you'll be forced to address the consequences of all you did the previous day. "What would you do if you knew you had only had a day live/What are the things you'd want to do if you had a day to live?" Good questions. Time is so brief, so take chances, do the things that make you happy. No tomorrow is promised, and there is no eternal reward. This is it. "There is no such thing as perfection/Nothing lasts forever." There is a brighter energy to this song. It's followed by "Calm Down." "No need to stress over things you can't control," he sings here. A difficult lesson to put into practice. It's no easy task training our bodies and brains to let go of stress, but this music should help. There is a pleasant, uplifting vibe to this track. The album concludes with "Thinking" (something that people don't do enough of these days). "I can't stop thinking about you/Can't get you out of my mind," L. Shankar sings at the beginning of this one. This track features a good beat and some nice guitar work. "You're the first thing comes to my mind when I wake up in the morning." Is there any better thought to start a day?
CD Track List
- Answers
- Lot Of Things
- Innocent
- Heaven And Earth
- Power Within
- For You
- To Live
- Calm Down
- Thinking
Answers was released on October 17, 2025.
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