Music Review : Life In A ... Metro

Pritam always fascinated me. This time it was extremely hard not to write a review of this exceptional (in true sense) album. By this time you (if you are a Bollywood buff) must have got the news how a rock band was formed to perform the songs. Buts lets not get into the gimmick part of the music. We'll rather go straight into the album.

The first song "In Dino" is performed by a young singer Soham. The same singer crooned the song "I am coming home" in Hattrick, which was very likable. But you should hear him perform in this song. The voice gruff is deliberately changed to make it sound like a Pakistani Band Number, soft rock. But Oh Boy! this song sounds so cool. Marooned in blue, its far from regular sad songs. Tanhayee plays only backstage and you get submerged in the music.

"in dino, dil mera, mujhse hai keh raha
tu khaab saja, tu ji le jara
hai tujhe bhi izaazat, karle tu bhi muhabbat"

The number is a full-blown 7 minutes and leave you wanting for more. Genius. My rating? 9 on 10. Let me save a mark for the rest.


The second song is "Alvida". Come on, not a sentimental number saying Alvida or "No" Alvida to each other. This one is poetically written. Lyrics?

"chupake se kahin, dheeme paanv se
jaane kis taraf, kis ghadi
aage badh gaye hamse raahon mein
par tum toh abhi the yahin
kuchh bhi na suna, kab ka tha gila
kaise keh diya alvida"

KK at the helm of affairs. But dear God! this is KK at his best. Just follow how he pitches the song. Rahman sings high notes and gives you goosebumps. This will leave you bleeding heart. The song is heavy. The guitar, the drums etc. are little noisy and gets in your head. But this one is a true rock song. In fact, the initial guitar chords seemed to be lifted from some popular rock songs. Kudos Pritam. 9 on 10 again.


"dil khudgarj hai, phisala hai yeh phir haath se
kal usaka raha, abb hai tera iss raat se"


Infidelity sounded better ever? KK sings this songs well. But the catch phrase " O Meri Jaan" is not that appealing and the song uses repetitions quite now & then. 7 on 10. Though I must say that even this one is much better than average music churned out in the industry.

James of "Bheegi Bheegi" "Chal Chale" fame sings "Rishtey". Somehow this album manages to keep a poetic lyrics running through all of its songs.

"ristey toh nahi rishton ki parchaayiyaan mile
yeh kaisi bheed bass yahaan tanhaayiyaan mile"
...
"ek chhat ke tale ajanabi ho jaate hai rishtey
bistar pe chaadaro se chhup so jaate hai rishtey"

The normal high pitch routine of a rock number is maintained but one should note the actual song is sung with much softer voice, interspersed with "nana nana" of James. The piano that ends the song is cool. The sadness in voice is conspicuous. 8 on 10.

The old world charm is recreated in "Baatein Kuchh Ankahee Si (unplugged)". This music is apparently lifted from some well-known song that I can't remember right now. The voice sounds quite like Udit Narayan in his youth. The song changes its way later. The slow laid-back number comes as a relief to your ears. Only an average number.6 on 10.


I don't like the numbers like "Kar Salaam", it has a touch of Rahman in the careless way song starts. It builds tempo as its goes on. Guitar gets heavier. You think of "Dil Mein Baji Guitar" once you listen to the song. The phrase "Kar Salaam" sounds funky but that's it. Light track to follow the romance in "Baatein". Soham & Suhail are credited for the track. 6 on 10. or 6.5 may be.

This is the end of list of original versions of songs. Now starts Reprise, Remix versions of the numbers.

Alvida Reprise is the one we thought that the original Alvida was not, the good bye track. James diction sounds little different from regular. Lyrics is different too. But honestly KK version is atleast 3 times better. The pain the dejection the sadness he projected in his voice can't be created by modulation alone. 7 on 10.

Baatein sung by our very own Adnan Sami follows. Started off so coolly. Why on earth Pritam burdens it with heavy beats in Revisited number. The original Ankahee si is light, romantic and brings a smile before you realise. Unnecessary. Original 8 on 10. Revisited 6 on 10.

"O Meri Jaan" reprise edition is performed by Suhail with a younger and perky voice. KK nuances are missing but lends a decent hear. Not so heavy. 7 on 10.

"Rishtey" revisited is basically a lounge mix where you miss the voice and get a trance feeling. One should ask oneself whether Rishtey is a party track at all? I don't know. But the attempt is discernible,

If you ask me what is the best track of the whole album comprising of 12 songs? "In Dino" is my personal favourite.Original one is extremely good. Its so good that even a loud beat oriented arrangement could not take away the brilliance in its revisited version. So many unnecessary sound, uneven pace that does not even go with the song are used. The poise is disturbed a little. But you must listen to this song (original). & the DJ who remixed this. Please, spare us. 5 on 10.

Extremely nice album. Pritam is getting a married. Lets hope he keeps on "delivering" the same way even after marriage. But on a serious note, this album is a brilliant composition by even more brilliant and versatile composer. Great work.

Overall 8.5 on 10. (Yesss, its this good.)

Music Review : Bhagam Bhag

Pritam Rocks in Bhagam Bhag

The fun part of listening to a Pritam album is the sheer energy that it brings. His music is conglomeration of sounds of different parts of the world and the unmitigated energy, pep, the groove that forces one to tap one's feet the very first time he listens to the music. Pritam is one of my favourites, I liked him in his latest Woh Lamhe, Dhoom 2.Here I try my hand on another latest "Bhagam Bhag".

"Tere Bin" is sung by Kunal Ganjawala & Sunidhi Chauhan. Pritam's take on love songs.Kunal's voice is intoxicating as usual.Sunidhi - what can I say about her.I don't know how she sounds perfect all the time.This song is a fun love song. "Ab to akele jiya jaye na" is the message it conveys.Pritam's typical arrangement is apparent, mouth organ, bagpiper, drums, slight calypso rhythm in interludes, this song lovable, you can say it's a peppy "Tumse Yun Milenge" (Ankahee) or "Panahon Mein Mohabbat Ki" (Chocolate).Nice composition. 7 on 10.(Let me save some marks for the others)
Remix version is percussion heavy, voice suppressed.Much more groovy.& That's it.Credited to Dj Amit.Sunidhi sounds crystal clear in even Remix version unlike Kunal, who sounds little different.I don't know why.

"Signal, Pyar Ke Signal" the carefree fun song.It had to be one like "Chand Taare" from Yes Boss. The way signal is sung, sounds a bit eerie the first time, but you get used to it & start loving it.It must have been picturised with the protagonists taking try on lots of girls.& Govinda in silver-screen once again.So expect to have some smile while you see this on the giant screen.Funy but little overdone in terms of music.6 on 10.
Remix version is worse and lost the carnival flavour of the original.

Its turn for Bhangra beats to surface and sweep you off your feet.Super sexy song."Aa Khushi Se Khud Khusi kar Le" is an item number that you are going to love.The song is pacy but smooth.& You need to shed lots of sweat to keep up with the beat in the dance floor.The voice is raspy, little throaty and husky, or in simple term, very sexy.Keep up Sunidhi.A long way ahead for you.9 on 10.

Why Neeraj is always associated with "Hawa Mein Udta Jaye" kind of music is a mystery."Bhagam Bhag" the title track is also a similar kind of track. which could easily turn out to be much different and peppy had it sung by anyone else.The title track is sung in a subtle manner by Mr. Sridhar."E o, e o, oh oh o, o o o" is kind of music that Pritam has mastered in, in all these years.Lots of english lines thrown in as rap.This one is not the best in my terms.4 on 10.
Remix versions are slightly better(Press Play Mix, Ragga Mix).

K.K. and Sunidhi joins to croon "Afreen". Warm up.This one is highly sensuous.Not a hummable track though.The notes are really high.& not once, any of the singers fall flat.Within 2 minute of the song, starts a Russian Opera and the song starts to sound like a remix version of its own.Why all these?May be the situation in the movie bears an explanation. 7 on 10.
I liked the remix version by E.M.U. and Bunty.It suited my taste more.

"Tere Bin" has a reprise version too.Piano, Flute, Mouth Organ thrown in right proportions.The music sounds much softer and melodious.The mellow voice of Kunal and dulcet voice of Shreya [yeah Shreya and not Sunidhi (gotcha)], I loved this version of the song.Honestly, this is going in my favourite category.Good work Pritam.I love your melodious numbers. 9 on 10.

"Chal Ud Chale" is the last song in the list, sung by Jojo & Sohail Kaul."Run Run" used in such a way that it sounds like a background score.The music is beat heavy.Just passable track.Voices are not even distinct. Let me put no marks for this one.

Overall if you consider the music, its a fun album with a sensuous track as Afreen, a love song as Tere Bin, a rap as Bhagam Bhag. With Akshay Kumar & Govinda & Lara, I don't think any one of the songs is going to look bad on the screen.In terms of listening to the album, you'll like a few of them, and will skip a few.It depends on your taste, more than the reviewer's.But not a "Woh Lamhe" kind of album definitely & definitely definitely, no comparison with "Dhoom 2". "Bhagam Bhag" is an album done little hastily and lyrics are just much heard type. Still I'll award it with a 6 on 10.

Music Review : GURU (A. R. Rahman 2006)

A.R.Rahman, Gulzar & Mani Ratnam Fails To Recreate The Magic

If you are expecting a Rahman of Saathiya, Taal or Dil Se, hold on. This one is not for you. The top notch music director, the best lyricist in Hindi cinemas and a sensible director come together to offer you a music album that you'll not exactly love. Some songs are not even passable, and instead have a "Avoid It" tag attached to it.

Let us explore the album little critically. The first song is "Barso Re" sung by Shreya Ghoshal, her first tryst with Rahman. Remember Lagaan song "Ghanan Ghanan", the rain song. This one is a rain song too but half as good as the Lagaan one.Nothing comparable here, not in terms of music.The song is reminiscent of "Yaaro Sunlo Zara" from Rangeela. The arrangement is almost like a lift-off from that number (the music of Rangeela was also by Rahman). The use of computer is so bluntly apparent in the lines "Meetha Hai..." that it doesn't actually pleases the ear. This song is a 5 on 10.

"Tere Bina" has a background "Dum Dara Dum Dara Mast Mast" to start with, which is very appealing to senses.This song has a peppermint freshness about it. An absolute pleasure.Gulzar lyrics is at its best."Tere bina" is a signature Rahman track, which subtly tells the story about a man who's away from his lover because of his job."Beswadi ratiya" is an expression, that I believe, most of us haven't heard before.Rahman voice impressed the nation in Vande Mataram(Maa tujhe salaam), Swadesh(Yeh jo desh hai tera), the voice and the scale at which the song is sung, creates the same magic,if not more than that.Good track.9 on 10.

Baba Sehgal crooned "Rukmani Rukmani", turn for Bappida to render some kind of "Rukmani" with a worse lyrics and worse arrangement.Bappi Lahiri has this unique voice, which made a bland song a hit in Taxi No. 9211.He does a fair job here in "Ek Lo Ek Muft" too.But if you want a glimpse of the lyrics, here's this for you,"Babu bhai salaam,Raju Bhai Pranam,Kanta behen Ram Ram".So no comments on this one.

"Mayya" starts a computer distorted voice of Chinmayee. The arrangemet is rustic. The song has a pastoral feel. A Rahman song that had comparable feel was "Dol Dol" from Yuva.Music heavy, not a catchy tune though .It has a female voice in a narration in between which reminded me of some old Rahman song, that has slipped out of my mind.A passable track.4 on 10?

"Hamesha Ishq Mein Hi Jeena" (the same track as "Tere bina") in the background, the mellifluous Hariharan, tabla as an accompany, this song "Ay Hairathe" has a great feel.& Alka Yagnik sounds great too.This one is the best track of the album.Too good to be described.Think about "Tu Hi Re"(Bombay), "Nahin Samne" (Taal) or "Apni Zulfein Mere"(Taj Mahal),"Dheemi Dheemi" (1947 Earth) just to get a feel of the song.10 on 10.

When you were just getting the hang of the album and was about to contradict the title of this blog, here comes the shock."Bazi Laaaga" is a track strictly to be avoided.Much-heard & long-unheard Udit Narayan is in the thick of the business.Mudhushree is badly wasted.The music-effects used are typically-overused-Rahman(example: "Fana" in Yuva).The music sounds like one of Anu Malik's at his worst.Damn bad.Hard to listen through the whole 5 mins.No marking for this one.

The last one in the list is "Jaage Hain", sung by Chitra & Rahman himself.Rahman starts the song jarringly and once he starts taking the high notes, the song gets elevated.A soothing track that will not find many buyers and will work only within the scope of the film,but lends a decent hear. "So Gaye Hain" (Zubeida) was a similar track but slightly better.6 on 10.

So many singers are used in this album, but that is not the only reason of this spoilt broth.Best of the lot is definitely Hariharan,Rahman,Alka Yagnik & Shreya Ghoshal,only because they got to sing better songs this time.But everyone of the singer has one's own texture which is very different.But I personally missed Mohit Chauhan and Naresh Iyer who enthralled the mass in Rang De Basanti.

A 4.5 on 10 album overall.Sorry Rahman.We look forward to a better album in your next venture.