(RockAndMetal.com) (04/26/04)

By Michael Bennett

NEW YORK, NY, USA - Lush string arrangements, thoughtful songwriting, and fantastic guitar playing, are some of the first things that spring to mind when listening to BUDDAHEAD's forthcoming debut album, "Crossing The Invisible Line," slated for release Tuesday, May 4th on Sanctuary Records.

Buddahead (a.k.a. Raman Kia) delivers an intensely emotional album while paying homage to the pioneers who influenced him.

Heartfelt tracks like 'Outside' are reminiscent of Harry Nilsson, while 'Strong,' and 'Take It All Away,' -- one of the albums peak moments -- soar to Jeff Buckley-esque grandeur.

Recorded in Los Angeles and New York, Raman and the team of producer Don Gilmore (Good Charlotte, Linkin Park) and mixer Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, Sheryl Crow) have created a rich and complex album awash with energy, emotion and struggle that expresses the conflicts, fears, confusion and hopes of Raman's life.

"Crossing The Invisible Line" unravels like personal journal entries.

The cinematic string arrangements heard throughout the album were conducted by none other than David Campbell (Beck's father), and Blues Traveler front man John Popper contributes his signature harmonica sound and vocals on the song 'Invisible.'

Veteran drummer Jim Keltner was also a part of the sessions, contributing on several tracks.

But what kind of name is Buddahead for a band? Well, you'd have to ask lead singer Raman Kia to get the answer to that.

Iranian born, UK raised and now New York based Raman Kia was introduced to singer-songwriter Leona Naess upon one of his first trips to New York City.

Upon arriving at her apartment, Leona took one look at Raman and said "Come on in, Buddahead."

For the rest of the evening, Raman's friends joked with him about the name bestowed by her on him.

But when it came time for Raman to name his band, it was the one name that kept coming back to him.

"Crossing The Invisible Line" features eleven songs, including the first single 'When I Fall.'

"I felt like I was constantly trying to cross an invisible barrier," Raman says of the album's title.

"And all these forces were trying to push me not to cross it."

"The writing was extremely hard because I was striving to take a step in the same direction as some of the greatest songwriters of our time. I'm not saying I'm there, but this is the direction I want to go on."

"So I put myself in very tough competition and I became very critical of myself. I questioned myself over everything."

Considering how natural and effortless Buddahead sounds on "Crossing The Invisible Line," it's surprising that the creation of the album was no mere labor of love.

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