KHJJS, Rakta Charitra-I, PGRO, 332 Mumbai To India - Music Review

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey (2010)
Music: Sohail Sen

Another movie with a distinctly un-hip theme does not bode well for music fans. The music probably does justice to the movie and thus failing to impress us enough to get the tracks on our music players. Sohail Sen displays his unpretentious style of music again, and it works really well with the genre of the movie. The album contains a bunch of Instrumental tracks that are pretty boring.

• Nayn Tere is a humble and playful track with an innocent import. Just feels nice, but no good otherwise
• Yeh Des Hai Mera - Another signature Sohail Sen track. It could remind one of Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera from Swades, but here is where the difference between A.R. Rahman and Sohail Sen is so visible....err should I say audible.

Trivia: Ashutosh Gowariker teamed up with Sohail Sen in What's Your Rashee?.

Final verdict: Ignorable.

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Rakta Charitra Part 1 (2010)
Music: Imran-Vikram, Rupesh Potle, Bappi-Tutul

Yet another movie that promises us nothing sweet sounding. But that does not mean all is wrong with it. Remember, Sab Ganda Hai from Company and Kallu Mama from Satya? Of course, this genre is already crowded and there is much work to be done to awe us again with some gangsta music. As expected, the album is replete with gangsta and hate-filled tracks. So, if you are into this sort of music, check out:

• Khaul Khaul Ke - War bugles!
• Mila Toh Marega - Hate-filled Indo-rock fusion

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Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010)

Music: Manish J. Tipu

Terrible album. It is funny that it has 9 tracks out of which only 2 of them are original. There are 5 instrumentals which are not impressive and 2 pretty irritating tracks. Sara Pyaar Hai Bekaar by Kailash Kher is pretty annoying with his local-train style musical style. I don't think anyone is falling for it.....forget about Obama.

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332 Mumbai To India (2010)

Music: Shamir Tandon

There is not much to say, when there is nothing path-breaking and/or likable. The songs are pretty featureless and the one with Vinod Rathod titled Amchi Mumbai is corny at best. Though not great, Saare Jahan Se Achha is a fresh and decent take on the national song of India.

P.S. Pizza Hut's Cheesy Bites Pizza is nothing but stuffed crust pizza with cheesy bite-sized pockets. Marketing gimmick, you see!

Guzaarish, A Flat, Hisss, Musaa - Music Review

Guzaarish (2010)
Music: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Guzaarish, produced, directed, screenplay and music by the multi-talented Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Yes, you read it right he has also directed the music for this movie. Overall, he has done a pretty decent job. Most of the song are silent and slow-paced. It was the demand of the script of the film to not have flashy and quick paced songs, and SLB does just that. That does not mean that the songs are great or are a must-listen. None of the songs are recommended for your music player, but most of the songs are soothing that you could listen to when all you want to do is sit back, relax and be alone.

• Chaand Ki Katori - A slow, silent and melodious song set to sad tune.
• Daayein Baayein, Guzaarish - A good diversion for KK with short and slow songs. His previous attempt at melody in Mr. Singh Mrs. Mehta was a disaster. But this is surely is not.
• Dhundli Dhundli, Keh Na Sakoon, Sau Gram Zindagi, Tera Zikr - As I mentioned before, these are slow and melodious songs perfect for your 'alone' time

Final verdict: Not an awesome album, by design. The songs are melodious but are not cut out to be chart busters.  The album gets a 6/10.

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A Flat (2010)

Music: Bappa Lahiri

Read the music director's name above again carefully. It is not a typo; it is in fact Bappa Lahiri, our own Bappi da's son making a debut as a music director. And I must say, he has certainly taken some cues from his prolific-in-the-80s dad. The songs are not mesmerizing, but not trash.

• Dil Kashi, Dil Kashi (version 2) - Sonu Nigam fans rejoice. It has been rare with him lending voice as the lead singer. But here, Sonu Nigam definitely works his magic in this track. The song has good beats, a nice stylish opening followed by ever soft-voiced Sonu Nigam. Both the version are almost identical, and thus equally good.
• Pyar Itna Na Kar - A classic Shreya Ghoshal song. Apart from her melodious voice, which is a given, the song is set to a good Indian classical tune. The beats set just the right tempo to this despondently romantic track.
• Meetha Sa Ishq - A slow and silent melancholy track by Kailash Kher. Nothing flashy, but effective.

Final verdict: Like Guzaarish, this album fails to impress enough to rate it high, but certainly does not deserve to be rubbished. 6/10

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Hisss (2010)

Music: Alexander von Bubenheim

I can't tell what Alexander von Bubenheim did for this movie, but the album is mostly a medley of tracks composed by noted names like Anu Malik, Salim-Sulaiman and a few more. The result is evidently very eclectic. In some cases, the eclectic nature of the album works in it's favor. This is not that case.

Brownie points:

• Hisss - This tracks sounds so much like Mayya Mayya from Guru. It is stylish and the hip-hop touch of Panjabi MC clearly reflects in this track.
• Beyond The Snake - Not great, but an interesting rock track
• Sway (Mann Dole) - Not terrible, but Mallika Sherawat making her playback singing debut is it's highlight

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Musaa (2010)

Music: Santosh Sharma, Ilyas

The title and the music directors are enough to drive people away from this movie or it's songs. And more often than not it is justified. In this mess, however, some tracks do leave a positive impression

• Janiya Teri Hansi Ada - A hip and trendy track by Kunal Ganjawala. This track would have surely raised some eyebrows had it been a part of a better production. Not bad.

Overall a semi-worthless album.

Break Ke Baad, SBKHT, Maalik Ek - Music Review

Break Ke Baad (2010)
Music: Vishal-Shekhar

Everyone wants Vishal-Shekhar to direct music for their movie, especially if it is targeted for the younger audience. After having had a good run lately with IHLS and Anjaana Anjaani expectations are high.........

1. Dhoop Ke Makaan -------------------------- 6/10
A nice and slow romantic song prancing along the way taking it's own time. This song reminds of Tumse Hi Tumse from Anjaana Anjaani by the same musicians. It is not an epic romantic track, but enough to get you crooning.

2. Dooriyan Hain Zaroori ----------------- 6/10
Another briskly paced soft rock track by the music-duo. It has all the elements of a rock music: Strumming, beats and energetic playback voices.

3. Adhoore and Main Jiyoonga---------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10
If this song had been one of the few songs by Vishal-Shekhar, this could easily have been a hit. But listening to it, you know have heard it before. Not bad, but nothing new.

Final verdict: This album gets a 6/10. Overall this album is pleasant to listen to. However there is a certain element of Vishal-Shekhar music fatigue going on here. It almost sounds as if it is an expansion album to Anjaana Anjaani. While it is common for musicians to have a unique flavor to their music, this album hints at repetitiveness by Vishal-Shekhar, and I hope they rectify their course.

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Shahrukh Bola "Khoobsurat Hai Tu" (2010)
Music: Vasuda Sharma

A new music director is always an interesting factor in that we get to hear a new type of music, generally free from any burden of expectations. The music is definitely a little different without being too poor. However, it fails to capture our hearts. But there could be something for you if you are a serious music fan.

• Bhool Jaana I, Bhool Jaana II - Both are almost identical ghazals by Jagjit Singh. So rejoice ghazal fans
• Batiyan is an interesting mix of classical Indian music and modern instruments.

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Maalik Ek (2010)

Music: Anup Jalota

The music director is Anup Jalota and the film is Maalik Ek. That is all I have to say.

David Blaine.....unleashed

STATUTORY WARNING: Profanity
If you been have mesmerized by David Blaine......you ought to watch this...

Watch some of his tricks below before moving on. Even if you have watched David Blaine before, this will be a good refresher.

1. David Blaine.....card and watch trick (related to Part 1 and Part 5 below)
2. David Blaine......coffee to money trick (related to Part 4 below)
3. David Blaine and levitation (related to Part 2 below)
4. David Blaine and another awesome card trick (related to Part 1)
5. David Blaine and removed tooth (related to Part 5 below)

.....and now presenting you, David Blaine and two g'u'ys in LA......zaOza

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Bonus video

Have fun!