Music Review : 42 Kms

Music Director - Parik,Tubby
Singers - Mahalakshmi Iyer, Roop Kumar Rathod, Shreya Ghosal, Udit Narayan, Gayatri Ganjawala, Sonu Nigam, Clinton Cerejo ...
Lyricist - Shahab Allahbadi

This is one album that one picks up with absolutely zero expectations. A project that has been in making for long (it was earlier titled 'Marathon'), 42 Kms is releasing at a time when the word 'marathon' is becoming more and more identifiable, at least in the metros. Still, a film that is aimed for a niche audience with music by relative newcomers (Tubby & Parik) and lyrics by Shahab Allahabadi, 42 Kms doesn't really make you overtly excited about what's in store in its music.

Opening track 'Chand Zameen Pe' takes its inputs from 'Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai' [Gangster] and 'Aksar' [Hijack]. Add to it the voice of KK and you know that the inspiration here isn't coincidental. Featuring Rags & Clinton, 'Chand Zameen Pe' is an inspirational track about the protagonist's belief in conquering the world with sheer hard work and determination. A number with a Western setting to it, 'Chand Zameen Pe' may have ordinary lyrics but is perked up to an extent due to contemporary arrangements and some good singing.

Set in hip-hop genre, 'Zara' sees Sonu Nigam getting all husky in his rendition. Even though the beats here are catchy with backup vocals by Storm adding on to the hip-hop appeal, there is something still missing in the number that could create a good overall impact. 'Zara', which also appears in a forgettable 'remix version' sees Gayatri Ganjawala entering the scene 100 seconds into the song. In fact her presence still manages to perk up the proceedings a little and though there is no chance for this ordinary track to travel much distance, it may not be a bad watch on screen if aided by some seductive moves!

A number with a predictable base to it, 'Ai Meri Zindagi' is a conventional track about living life and being positive about the day to follow. A kind of number that has been heard a zillion times before, it may well have been somehow exciting if only the music and the singing were energetic. However, the composer duo follows a conventional route while Roopkumar Rathod and Mahalakshmi Iyer merely go through the motions only to make 'Ai Meri Zindagi' an overall forgettable outing.

Shaan seems to be the only person on the scene who thought that by being ever-so-youthful and excited, he could make things happen for 'Marathon'. He succeeds to an extent as well and even though the tune here is nothing new or extraordinary, it at least is peppy in sound due to a decently paced rhythm. Sunidhi Chauhan's entry on the scene is good as well though the 'antara' portion is in complete contrast to the vibrant 'mukhda'. An ordinary number but still better than the rest.

However, the worst is reserved for the end and what's even more pitiful is the fact that it has Udit Narayan and Shreya Ghoshal at the helm. A number straight out of 'Aayi Milan Ki Bela' and 'Nadia Ke Paar' days, 'Aate Jaate' is so boring and pedestrian that it starts making the rest of the album good. A love song set in a village, 'Aate Jaate' justifies its title and is best forgotten just 'aate jaate'!

42 Kms is a below average album that doesn't stand a chance. Except for 'Chand Zameen Pe' and to some extent 'Tumse Milke Hua', there isn't much that leaves any impression whatsoever.

Music Review : Gulaal

Gulaal

Music Director - Piyush Mishra

Singers - Rekha Bharadwaj, Rahul Ram, Aushim, Piyush Mishra, Shilpa Rao, Swanand Kirkire

Lyricist - Piyush Mishra

EXPECTATIONS

Films made by Anurag Kashyap have more often than not boasted of a defining soundtrack. We saw it recently in Dev D and a couple of years back in Black Friday. Even the music of Paanch was ahead of it's time and if re-released today could do wonders with rock genre finally finding acceptance in Bollywood flicks. No wonder, when Anurag goes rustic with Gulaal, one looks forward to what new he has in store this time around. Agreed that except for Dev D, music of his other films haven't been able to penetrate the mass market but still, one has to give it to the filmmaker for at least trying to be genuinely different.

MUSIC

And different he is for sure as the music of Gulaal kick-starts with 'Ranaji'. Composed and written by Piyush Mishra (who is in fact the composer and lyricist for the entire album), the number is a modern day mujra which is as whacky as it gets. After 'Emosanal Atyachaar', this is yet another quirky number making an appearance in an Anurag Kashyap film. There are references to quite a few real life issues in the song (all in light humor though) and one just hopes that there are no controversies around it in days to come and it is accepted with as much interest and enthusiasm as 'Emosanal Atyachaar'.

The mood changes immediately with the arrival of 'Yaara Maula' which is a haunting soft rock piece that is dark & disturbing and comes with a thump. 'Yaara Maula' does turn a little theatrical, especially towards the end, but that doesn't take away from the impact it manages to create. Same is the case with 'Sheher' that has a revolutionary mood to it. The longest track in the album (lasting seven and a half minutes), while the theatrical mood remains intact for it, one looks forward to see how it is presented on the big screen.

An even better number comes in the form of 'Aisi Sazaa' which is yet another haunting and dark number about loneliness. One thing common to this song too is its disturbing nature (as is the case with the entire album) and in this context, Piyush Mishra and Anurag Kashyap get it right once again.

'Duniya' takes one back into the 50s and is a number based on Guru Dutt's 'Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye To' [Pyaasa]. A sad number which is quite heavy in nature and reaches it's crescendo with the arrival of key words 'Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye To' [which are presented verbatim in the song], it brings back the genre of music that has been long forgotten.

LYRICS

Sample the lyrics of 'Ranaji' that go as: 'Rana Ji Mhare Gusse Mein Aaye, Aiso Bal Khaye, Agiya Barsae, Ghabrae Mharo Chain; Jaise Door Desh Ke Tower Mein Ghus Jaaye Aeroplane'. Though it's this reference which kick-starts the soundtrack of Gulaal, there are quite a few other digs on topics such as Uncle Sam, Afghanistan, mineral water, democracy etc. that bring in a socio-economic humor to the proceedings.

What follows next is a motivational number 'Yaara Maula' which revolves around creation of an army for the purpose of liberation and independence. Hard hitting and just right for the situation, it is followed by 'Sheher' a little later in the album. Ditto is the case with 'Aisi Sazaa' which has some poetic lyrics by Piyush Mishra that have to be heard at least 3-4 times to be comprehended in entirety. However, 'Beedo' has a fun mood to it and doesn't turn out to be a typical mujra that we have been exposed to for years.

'Raat Ke Musafir' is yet another situational track about warning the protagonist for the steps that he is taking in a new journey of his. One hearing of the lyrics and you are sure that its dark feel won't make you sing along the number on a bonfire party even after being a couple of drinks down. 'Aarambh' though is a positive track and is bound to keep the audience hooked on to the screen due to its acidic lyrics.

VOCALS

Rekha Bhardwaj certainly seems to be thoroughly enjoying the proceedings in the mujra 'Ranaji' and one can be rest assured that there would be whistles and catcalls in the auditorium when the song plays on screen. She later returns with 'Beedo', another mujra in the album, and lends authenticity to it. Later Rahul Ram and Aushim come up with 'Yaara Maula' and the way they begin the song, it reminds one of 'Chorh Aaye Hum Wo Galiyaan' [Maachis]. They do the job right in creating a dark and haunting mood which goes well with the theme of the film.

One has to give it to Shilpa Rao for being ever-so-consistent with each outing of hers. 'Aisi Sazaa' is an extremely difficult song to sing due to near to nil music instruments in the background (that could help camouflage a blemish or two). Still, she demonstrates once again that why she is a voice waiting to be explored further with her talent ranging from a number like 'Khuda Jaane' [Bachna Ae Haseeno] to 'Aisi Sazaa'.

Piyush Mishra does a triple take with 'Duniya' as he not just composes and writes but also sings 'Duniya'. He does rather well as a singer here and it appears that the man is trained in classical music (or at least has been practicing it for years now). He brings with him just the sound that one associates with the semi-classical music and rendition from the 50s. He later goes solo again with 'Sheher' and then also pairs up with Swanand Kirkire for 'Raat Ke Musafir', a number where they hold all ends to make it THE most haunting number in the album.

OVERALL

Gulaal is an experimental soundtrack for a Bollywood film and Piyush Mishra and Anurag Kashyap deserve appreciation for thinking out of the box and creating a sound that is different from the routine. There are some albums where one doesn't have to think commerce and instead stay true to the genre, subject and the treatment. Gulaal is one such album. Hear it on to experience something new.

Music Review : Aloo Chaat

Aloo Chaat

Music Director - RDB,Xulfi,Vipin Mishra,Mehfuz Maruf

Singers - RDB, Nindy Kaur, Xulfi, Kailash Kher, Kunal Ganjawala

Lyricist - RDB, Xulfi, Vipin Mishra, Syed Gulrez

EXPECTATIONS

One expects a decent soundtrack from Aloo Chaat mainly because the film's title conveys an impression of a young-n-spicy love story that has ample scope for music. Moreover, director Robby Grewal had ensured that his last film MP3 - Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar had some nice feel good music and hence one knows for sure that it won't be a step down with Aloo Chaat. Moreover, with youngsters like Aftab Shivdasani and Aamna Shariff being roped in for a film, there are expectations of a couple of hum able tunes at the least

MUSIC

Well, the music of Aloo Chaat isn't in true terms hum able (due to most of the numbers being either situational or dance numbers) but it does ensure that there is no single dull moment in it's entire play. Music is pretty much an ensemble effort here with as many as four composers coming together - RDB, Xulfi, Vipin Mishra and Mehfuz Mahruf. RDB makes the best use of the platform provided and comes up with a killer title track 'Aloo Chaat' which should have come on air much before. A chartbuster material which is just the right ammunition for the disc hopping crowds, 'Aloo Chaat' is high on rhythm and makes an instant impression.

RDB gives an altogether different account of itself with 'Boliyaan' which is basically an amalgamation of many a Punjabi 'boliyan'. Instantly identifiable if you have stayed even a year in the North of India, 'Boliyaan' makes for an entertaining piece of music which is straight out of a Yash Raj film. The arrangements and orchestra are just perfect as well since they are authentic sans any adulteration.

Xulfi (of 'Call - The Band' from Pakistan) comes up with a winner of a tune in the form of 'Dhadke Jiya'. A soft number that has melody at its core, 'Dhadke Jiya' is the one for a long walk with your loved one on a moonlit night. The arrangements are kept at the minimal too as the singer is allowed to do his job. Moreover, even when the song comes in the 'remix version', it doesn't go overboard and keeps the entertainment quotient intact.

Another version of the title song 'Aloo Chaat' is composed by Vipin Mishra. A situational background track that is bound to play a multiple number times in the narrative of the film, this one has a certain innocent appeal to it that would appeal to children. A fun track that almost moves like a nursery jingle (and later also appears in a 'remix version'), 'Aloo Chaat' should keep the proceedings perked up in the film.

Life Is A Sizzling Aloo Chaat' is yet another version of the title track and enhances upon the overall effect created by the album so far. There is a certain 70s feel to the music of this fun track which reminds one of many a compositions like these that were composed by Lakshmikant-Pyaarelal in their heydays. One would look forward to the way this Mehfuz Mahruf composed number is presented on screen.

LYRICS

Though one may not give much attention to the lyrics of a number which is decidedly a promotional item number, it's not really the case for the opening number 'Aloo Chaat'. RDB do good justice to the lyrics here as they bring in the elements of relationships and luck in the number without going overboard. On the other hand, their lyrics in 'Boliyaan' are such that you are hooked on (due to sheer familiarity factor) once you have heard them once. In fact this single track is worth the price of a CD for those who are expecting a marriage celebration at home. One just has to play this song once and rest is left to the ladies in the house to get on to the dance floors.

Xulfi does well in his role as a lyricist for 'Dhadke Jiya' and comes up with the words that are different from the routine even as the songs belong to the romantic genre. A beautiful number that deserves to stay on with the audience even after the film is off the theaters.

Vipin Mishra also writes lyrics for another version of the title song 'Aloo Chaat' that comes with its own little dose of Punjabi lyrics. The song retains a fun element to it and though the lyrics here do not belong to the kind that would make you sing them alongside, they do have a deeper meaning to them when heard closely. On the other hand lyricist Syed Gulrez keeps it all simple for 'Life Is A Sizzling Aloo Chaat' as the protagonist talks about the love of his life and how he is looking forward to tying the knot.

VOCALS

While RDB is full on energy during the rendition of 'Aloo Chaat', it is the introduction of Nindy Kaur which takes the song to an all time high. Her unconventional voice belongs to the 'bhangra-pop' genre from the UK and in 'Aloo Chaat', she shines along with Smooth. However, there is a surprise in store as from the world of pop, she moves on to hardcore Punjabi rendition to 'Boliyaan' which appears in two parts, though with different tune and lyrics.

If Xulfi excels as a composer and lyricist for 'Dhadke Jiya', he doesn't allow the singer in him to be left behind. He keeps it all soft and romantic and delicate as he goes about rendering this song that keeps resonating in your ears long after it's over.

Kailash Kher demonstrates good energy during his rendition of 'Aloo Chaat' and the rustic appeal in his voice makes the number further lively. In fact once you hear the number a couple of times, he seems to be best suited for the job as well. Ditto for Kunal Ganjawala who brings in a boyish charm to the fun track 'Life Is A Sizzling Aloo Chaat'.

OVERALL

Aloo Chaat is a good album and succeeds in creating an overall fun mood, something which goes with the genre and treatment of the film as well. There is not a single dull moment in the soundtrack of Aloo Chaat and though there isn't any experimental music per se, it is good enough to ensure that proceedings only get lively once the numbers play in the narrative.

Music Review : Aa Dekhen Zara

EXPECTATIONS

There are good expectations from the music of Aa Dekhen Zara due to multiple reasons: a) Neil Nitin Mukesh's last thriller had boasted of an edgy music. Since ADZ is a thriller as well, one expects a repeat show here, b) Bipasha Basu's presence in the film promises at least a couple of catchy foot tapping dance numbers and c) Since Pritam and Gourav Dasgupta [of Dus Kahaniyaan fame] share credits for the film's soundtrack, it is bound to be a young contemporary outing.

MUSIC

Title song 'Aa Dekhen Zara', which has it's origin in Sanjay Dutt's Rocky and has been recreated for this film, is heard in two versions. While one of these is a dance version, another is a much slower lounger version. Both the versions are created by Gourav Dasgupta and while the former is a definitely catchy and makes you hit that dance floor again, it's the second version that catches your attention most. An innovative affair, it makes you sit up and take notice of the composition due to its soothing arrangements that give the title song a different dimension altogether. In fact Gaurav deserves a pat on his back for thinking out of the box and making 'Aa Dekhen Zara' an entirely new experience.

Pritam enters into the scene with 'Gazab' which has a Western pace with an Indian base to it. Made for the masses, especially the gentry, the song (which also appears in the Club Mix version) seems to be quite ordinary in it's first couple of hearings but slowly starts becoming a lot more interesting after you have played it on for some time. It isn't great music by any means but peppy enough to mandate a good choreography around it.

Other than the title song of Aa Dekhen Zara, the number which impresses most in the album is the romantic track 'Mohabbat Aap Se'. Composed by Pritam, the number has an Indi-pop touch to it but still doesn't loose out on it's capability to impress well in the film's narrative. Though one looks forward to see that how does the song fit in with Bipasha's image, as a stand alone audio, it is one of the better numbers heard this year.

Gourav Dasgupta returns to the scene with 'Power' and 'Rock The Party'. Talking of 'Power', it appears to be a background piece which would find place in the film's narrative at numerous junctures. This number which also appears in a 'Club Mix' version is fast paced with a punch to it, but still not deadly enough to remain with a listener after it is through. Purely situational. Last to come is 'Rock The Party' which appears to be a club number. It boasts of good Western arrangements to kick start the song that instantly reminds one of songs belonging to the genre that has been made popular by 'It's The Time To Disco'. A decent track that could also double up as the title song due to the words 'Aa Dekhe Zara' that appear in it. LYRICSSheershak Anand takes the credit for writing 'Aa Dekhe Zara' in its newer version. However, most of the song stays on to be in its original format. Irshad Kamil is at his romantic best though for 'Mohabbat Aapse' which certainly would have gone a greater distance had it been made for a bona fide romantic film. However, Irshad just lets himself loose with 'Gazab' where as a listener you would hardly be catching on to the lyrics. Syed Gulrez and Prashant write 'Power' which talks about the power of money. There isn't much that one takes home from this number, either musically or lyrically. Same holds good for 'Rock The Party' which is written by Avishek, Ravi and Sheershak Anand.

VOCALS

Neil makes a decent debut while rendering the title number 'Aa Dekhen Zara'. He has his vocals in control and gives a good account of himself as a playback singer as well. However, the singer who impresses most in the album is Dibyendu Mukherjee who is quite good in the lounge version of the same song. One would want to hear a lot more of this singer who catches your attention with an altogether unique rendition of this number that has been played on for close to three decades now! Sunaina and Shweta Vijay are the co-singers with Neil and Dibyendu for the two versions respectively. Dibyendu Mukherjee also sings 'Power' and though he gets into the rock mode here, one would still want to revisit his much softer rendition of 'Aa Dekhen Zara'. While Sunidhi Chauhan takes the lead in 'Gazab', it is Shaan who keeps the proceedings livelier and more engaging. He seems to be having a lot of fun in singing this (obvious) item number, something which is a departure from his patented mushy romantic songs. However, Sunidhi dominates the scene in 'Rock The Party' where she also has Shweta Vijay for company.

Aakriti, who has always impressed in every number being assigned to her, is quite good once again with 'Mohabbat Aapse'. She delivers goods once again in a quintessential romantic number. OVERALLAa Dekhen Zara ends up giving a listener what he/she expected in the first place. None of the songs in the album are a bad hear at all with a couple of them ('Aa Dekhen Zara' and 'Mohabbat Aap Se') turning out to be the pick of the lot. Moreover, if promoted aggressively, even 'Gazab' has good potential. A decent soundtrack. OUR PICK(S)'Aa Dekhen Zara' - lounge version, 'Mohabbat Aap Se', 'Aa Dekhen Zara' - dance version