Music - Badmaash Company, IAWA, Bird Idol.......

This week, again, featuring mostly unheard of films and music:

Badmaash Company (2010)

Music: Pritam

Pritam! It's been a while now since his last album came out. The search for the original album which he plagiarized has begun. But it is kind of worthless, because the songs are just so plain and boring that it is hard to find that motivation. But there was one thing I noticed from listening to this album. No wonder Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is highly paid, because Fakeera was the only song that stood out in this album. Otherwise, what a bore!

It's A Wonderful Afterlife (2010)

Music: Sukshinder Shinda, Taz Stereo Nation, Bally Sago

What a weird album! Kind of reminds of Prince, which had about 9 remixes. But at least the remixes were of original tracks from the movie. The case for this album is different. This album consists of remixes of well-known songs from previous movies and albums. For example, Gud Naalon Vishiq Mitha, Desi Girl. I don't see any reason why would someone pay to listen to remixes of not-so-old songs. There might be some songs that are original, but due to aforementioned fact, I am not sure whether the song is original or if I have not heard the original track.
Anyways, back to the music,

• I just skipped the remixes, and out of all remix tracks Do The Nach is better.
• And again, the usual suspect, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan comes up with his gem, Ghum Sum Ghum Sum is nice to listen to. He deserves the money.
• It's Love (Piano version) is pretty soothing. Piano instrumentals sound so good.

Admissions Open (2010)

Music: Amit Trivedi (....expectations are high)

This is not a high impact album. Pretty middle-class would be it's metaphor. Not flashy or chic, but something that you don't feel like trashing. Just feels bad though, that in spite of a good vibe, it would not be something anyone would want to listen to again.
Amit Trivedi does it again in this album. It could be his trademark. Different genres of music all in one album:
Meri Rooh (6/10) -- Silent, romantic track.
Aasmaan Ke Paar (6/10) -- Modern and hip-hop. Energetic.
Dariya Ubale (6/10) -- Good sounding rock music
Roshni (6/10) -- Perhaps the most interesting track of the album. Indo-western music with nice play of harmonium, sitar and drum beats. Typical Amit Trivedi. It just misses the mark.
Music Hi Hai (6/10) -- Fun argument put to a tune. Pretty positive sounding.

Bumm Bumm Bole (2010)

Music: M.G. Sreekumar, Tapas Relia, Azaan Sami

Alright, after some relatively wordy reviews, this one deserves only a few words. The album size (4 tracks) compels me to write only 4 points:
-- Not interesting
-- Boring
-- Good music was not the intention
-- Clinton Cerejo tries his best (Rang De), but not enough

Bird Idol (2010)

Music: Siddharth Haldipur

Another Bollywood animation movie made me think this was the last place where I would have found interesting music. Guess what! The music, if nothing else, deserves to be listened to at least once. Pretty lively and exciting. Totally hit me out of the blue.
Get these:
Dil Jaana (Duet) (7/10) -- Cutest song of the movie. Not to forget, the leading lady voice is pretty bad, until you know it is sung by Juhi Chawla. Not bad for her I would say.
Dil Jaana (Solo) (7/10) -- Same song, just as good as the duet owing to the fact that Juhi did not sing in this one.
This album gets some brownie points:
-- Oomph Soniye and it's remix version are pretty lively with funny lyrics
-- Ditto for Hey You (Muskurumber) and it's remix
-- Fly, Fly, Fly is the first time ever I have heard Kailash Kher in such joy and energy.
Pretty surprised to find some delightful music here. Nothing awesome, but the liveliness is just there.

Paathshaala, Swaha...to Housefull

It's back to business. Quite some music albums backed up to be reviewed. Although 6 albums were left to be reviewed, it only goes to show that there was not much to miss here. But anyways, here it goes:

Muskurake Dekh Zara (2010)

Music: Ranjit Barot
Another sidey movie with forgettable music. But guess what? As much as it is a second rung movie, the music is surprisingly very positive and it will not make you feel: "Why am I listening to this crap, again?", in case you were to listen it on radio or elsewhere. The music is pretty chirpy and light. It just fails to make the cut. Full marks for a decent attempt.

Paathshaala (2010)

Music: Hanif Sheikh
I would have expected much better music for a mainstream movie. But you get the point. It lacks energy, emotion or melody. It is like soda sitting in your fridge for months. You take out the bottle after a long time wary that it may be flat. And you are so right about it!
Although, I will say Mujhe Teri and Aye Khuda are the better ones in the album.

Swaha (2010)
Music: Praveen Bharadwaj
Coming straight to the point:
Who is this Rikkee? You have to listen to Kabhi Kabhi. If you cannot make out the similarity to the song I think it imitates, you need to take a pilgrimage of Bollywood. (Hint: The song also starts with Kabhi Kabhi). But anyways, this song is good too.
Another good attempt at rock music in Bollywood: Barbadiyaan by KK is a decent attempt. I am impressed by the quality of rock music coming out of Bollywood recently. But this song is not that great though.

Apartment (2010)

Music: Bappi da
Just the fact that the music director was our very own Bappi da got me excited. But I was quickly reminded of the fact that he is more known for his corny 90s music than anything else. The songs are just about average. Another nice sounding rock track Ye Hai Mumbai is totally spoiled by Sonu Nigam. O Jaane Jaan Jaan is for those who like typical romantic tracks.

Chase (2010)

Music: Vijay Verma
What a pain to the ears and our souls! Sigh!

Housefull (2010)

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Huge disappointment! It is a major release and the music is by the happening music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The songs are not something you would want to listen to again. Aapka Kya Hoga (Dhanno) is sprightly and funny, but only if you want to listen to it.

Better music is due now.

Playing devil's advocate

Top 5 questions for vegetarians

1. How do you justify leather for shoes, belts, etc?
2. What about mice, guinea pigs and the rest of the animals used in medical trials?
3. What about mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests that are exterminated to keep our surroundings bug-free and clean?
4. What about deforestation that is spurred by our insatiable consumerism and construction? What about all the animals left homeless due to it? What about all the animals that die on roads after collisions? What about all the animals killed or left to live in horrid conditions due to industrial pollution?
5. What about zoos and circus troupes, where animals are either caged or live in restricted environs for human pleasure?

The Flip Side

1. What if we were to abandon modern life and avoid all of the above, can we live a livable life? Is it practical?
2. Is food from animal source meant for human bodies? Or not really?
3. If all turn to eating meat or if all turn to be vegetarians, will our food supply be strained in either case?

................what is the limit? Is it a bottomless pit of questions?