Shor In The City, Chalo Dilli, Kaccha Limboo - Music Review

Shor In The City (2011)

Music: Sachin-Jigar, Harpreet

1. Saibo ----------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
2. Saibo (Remix) ----------------------------------------------- 8/10

One of the better romantic tracks off late. Add to the adjectives: short and sweet. Shreya Ghoshal can never stay out of action when it comes to love songs. A beautiful track conveying the moods of nascent love. 

3. Teri Justajoo (Saaware) --------------------------------- 7/10

Roopkumar Rathod fans rejoice. Not only is he the playback singer, the song is really smooth and soothing. Due to his unique style, it almost feels like an extension of Maula Mere Maula from Anwar. But the class and prowess of the singer is on full display here. A great, slow romantic track for the relaxing evening or for troubled minds.

4. Karma Is a Bitch ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10

Interesting rock track by Suraj Jagan. He keeps his brand as a niche singer alive with a modern Bollywood-rock tracks. The beats and mood of the song could get us rocking, unless you are not a grunge fan. This definitely not as great a grunge track compared to the recent ones from Bollywood. Nevertheless, a pretty rebellious track.

5. Shor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10
Another grunge rock track from the movie, keeping up with beats. Definitely meant for grunge fans again. This is a little better than Karma Is A Bitch as Mohan, the playback singer does have a solemn tone to his voice adding the necessary darkness to the song. And the use of tambura and sitar is brilliantly blended giving a fusion effect to the track.

6. Ujale Baaz ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10
Yet another grunge rock track from the movie. If you were a grunge fan, looking for Bollywood music, this album is a gold mine. This is the lesser good of the three, but not a piece of trash. Expand your grungle collection with this. Reminds us of Bandagi from Hostel.

Final verdict: Overall, gets a 6/10. A good collection of grunge music, with two nice romantic tracks. Definitely, an entertainer.

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Chalo Dilli (2011)
Music: Gourov Dasgupta, Anand Raj Anand, Sachin Gupta, Rohit Kulkarni, Roshan Balu

The sheer number of music directors used for the album hints at inconsistent style of music and the album ending up being a hotch-potch collection. But not this one. In fact the entire album has a common Punjabi theme, which is not only consistent but entertaining.

1. Hi 5 -------------------------------------------------------------- 7/10
Yes, you read it right. This is the title of the song. And also a rating for the track. Neeraj Shridhar can hardly go wrong these days. Although the track opens mildly annoyingly, the excellent Punjabi beats will fill the mood with fun and frolic, and the lyrics and mood of the song helps get rid of any blues.

2. Chalo Dilli ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10
Another nice unassuming song. The song suffers from a very generic tune, beats but emerges as a decent entertainer with the good ol' Punjabi beats. Good as background music for day-to-day life and certainly will not be boring.

Final verdict: A decent album, with no chartbusters. One of those albums you wont mind having play on your radio, when all you are looking for some decent music to kill the silence.

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Kaccha Limboo (2011)
Music: Amardeep Nijjer

A children's movie. So, not much hopes for adults to find some seriously good music. No matter how cute (or so is the popular opinion) child voices sound, they really do not entertain. Truly meant for the kids (again a mere assumption).

Saibo - Shor In The City Teri Justajoo (Saaware) - Shor In The City Saibo (Remix) - Shor In The City Karma Is A Bitch - Shor In The City Shor - Shor In The City Ujale Baaz - Shor In The City Hi 5 - Chalo Dilli Chalo Dilli - Chalo Dilli

Dum Maaro Dum, Teen Thay Bhai, Happy Husbands - Music Review

Dum Maaro Dum (2011)

Music: Pritam

Pritam! You did it again. Entertainment, melody, emotion all packed into this album, although we could have done away with 4 versions of Te Amo.

1. Te Amo (Duet) ---------------------------------------------- 9/10
2. Te Amo (Female) ------------------------------------------ 9/10
3. Te Amo (Reprise) ------------------------------------------ 9/10
4. Te Amo (Remix) -------------------------------------------- 9/10

Nice melody with good tempo, beats, softness and acoustics. This song demonstrates why Sunidhi Chauhan should attempt more melody than energetic tracks. The song has 4 versions, and kind of get repetitive in the context of the album. Owing to the nature of the song, the Duet sounds the best, followed by Female version by Sunidhi Chauhan. The Reprise version is truly for Mohit Chauhan fans, the song is a soliloquy without much instrumental fanfare. The Remix also sounds good, however is intended more for the DJs than anyone.

5. Thayn Thayn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9/10

Probably the most exciting track of the album. A cool rap from Abhishek Bachchan will get you rocking in your car, in your cubicle, in your sleep. The gun-cocking sounds with the beats add a nice gangsta appeal. A sharp, trendy and rocking rap after a long time by Abhishek. He should definitely sing more raps than act.

6. Jiyein Kyun ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8/10

One of the two songs from the movie with a sad theme, but by no means will put you to sleep or make you change the track. The opening of the song is a little slow, however picks up a splendid tempo by the middle of it. Guitarists and grunge fans will love this track.

7. Jaana Hai --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7/10

A pretty standard track in terms of tune and beats. However, the slightly heart-broken tone of the song is it's clincher. Although, this song would have been much better if Himesh had sung it. Any takers on this point?

Overall: A great album. Gets a 8/10 overall. Bears resemblance to a number of past Pritam albums. Pity that the classic Dum Maaro Dum track was killed in this album, making it the worst track in it. Khane ka, peene ka, mast chill marne ka aur is fillum ke gaane sunne ka.

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Teen Thay Bhai (2011)

Music: Sukhwinder Singh, Ranjit Barot

A completely goofy and folk style album has nothing of value in here. If you were to expand your list of funny songs, here's one for you:

• Pigeon Kabootar (Teen Thay Bhai) - Funny, interesting lyrics with foot tapping Punjabi folk beats. And who better than Daler Mehndi to add a flair to it. But again, the perspective is funny music and not a serious melody.

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Happy Husbands (2011)

Music: Anay

A very, very generic album. Nothing too bad either. But it just misses to capture any attention. Out of this mediocrity the following track gets a mention:

• Aai Aai Aai Hai - It promises to be a hip track, but ends up as a confused medley of different hipper tunes.

Te Amo (Duet)- Dum Maaro Dum Thayn Thayn - Dum Maaro Dum Te Amo (Female)- Dum Maaro Dum Jiyein Kyun - Dum Maaro Dum Te Amo (Reprise)- Dum Maaro Dum Jaana Hain - Dum Maaro Dum Te Amo (Remix)- Dum Maaro Dum Pigeon Kabootar (Teen Thay Bhai) - Teen Thay Bhai

The game is fixed.....

     April 2, 2011 witnessed one of the highest points of international cricket, when Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit a confident six to bring India it's share of World Cup glory after 28 years. The whole world was watching - the cricketing world that is - with more than two thirds of the followers from India alone with the rest of the fan base from the rest of the countries. The stakes were high, both for the World Cup finalists, as well as all other 'entrepreneurs' who make their living off the outcome of the game; which has a been a pet peeve of many betrayed fans.

     Ever since the match fixing scandal boiled and spilled over world cricket, there has been a sizable number of cricket fans who doubt the authenticity of game results. The accusations reach a fever pitch when the games go down the wire. For a common fan, the situation just gets too confusing on whether to believe in the game-fixing rumors or to stay innocent and have a childlike entertainment out of it.

     A movie has actors, a plot with the right amount of spice and twists and turns with a finale. Similarly, the game has it's performers in the form of athletes who perform 'live' on a field in front of not only the crowd,  but the millions others glued to their TV sets. The actors in a film get the help from the director, the make up crew and choreographers, whereas the cricketers have to deal with a constantly changing plot and without much on-field instructions. They also have to rely on each other's abilities to do what they are asked to do.

     Just like a movie has a finale, which we never want to hear about beforehand, the game has a final twist that we do not know. A movie experience could easily be ruined by the spoilers, however in a game of cricket (or any other sport), no matter how much it is 'fixed', it is extremely tough for a majority of fans to really know what, how and when anything is going to happen. If we were to enjoy a movie that lasts on an average of about two and a half hours- a finite amount of staged storytelling - there is not much of a problem in watching a staged game.

     A movie, a TV series, a circus, or a stand-up comedy show is successful only after hours, weeks and days of practice and retakes, as it applies. Whereas in a game, the players have only a limited chance to perform to the script and only a little time to correct their actions if anything goes askew. Thus, performing to the script is even tougher to achieve. So let us all enjoy the game we love, and not despair over something we only suspect is staged. If the game is fixed, so is the fate.

Thank You, Help, Satrangee Parachute - Music Review

Thank You (2011)
Music: Pritam

Pritam comes to us with a goofy album for a probably goofy movie. Most of the songs are frivolous and really make no effort to please our musical senses. It is mostly commotion, confusion and concocted retro music. Sonu Nigam, who has had a recent success in Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and YPD Title Track from Yamla Pagla Deewana, falls flat in My Heart Is Beating. Despite it's failings these two songs stand a chance:

1. Pyaar Mein --------------------------------------------------- 7/10
Typical Javed Ali track. Starts out with a nice operatic musical piece, and then Javed Ali takes care of the rest while Neeraj Shridhar plays a nice supporting role in the chorus creating a nice harmony.

2. Razia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6/10
Almost feels like a remix version of its self. However, if you are looking for some fun, and are looking to update your dance mix with something new, this could be what you were looking for. Master Saleem is one of the best in business in adding a qawwali angle to a track. Slightly repetitive, but fun.

Final verdict: Get 1 above in this otherwise forgettable album. No Thank You please!
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Help (2010)
Music: Ashu, Gourov Dasgupta

1. Kyun Gum Hai Khushiyan -------------------------- 8/10
2. Kyun Gum Hai Khushiyan (Remix) -------------- 8/10
A very pleasant grunge track. Quite an antithesis. One of the best grunge songs of 2010 that went unnoticed. Only intended for the fans of this genre of music. Starts out in a tense mood, lends out a cry of despair and leads the listener in it's self-assured beats and tempo.
Now, the Remix version is a totally different story. Begins with a quick tempo, and the bass beats are plain phenomenal. If you wish to test out your new speakers high bass, play this song and you will not be disappointed one bit. I could probably rate it a 10 on good bass speakers, otherwise gets 8. Once again, high bass and good speakers can only do justice to the Remix version.

The other tracks, Help and Kehna Hai try to support the album, but fail to do so.
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Satrangee Parachute (2011)
Music: Kaushik Dutta, Shamir Tandon

Either the kids genre movie songs don't blend well with adult liking or the songs themselves are not great. It seems former is the case, because it has been a while any such movies have had songs that were anywhere close to good. In this bland album, Udd Jaa Udd Jaa is a decent track.

Pyaar Mein - Thank You Razia - Thank You Kyun Gum Hai Khushiyan - Help Kyun Gum Hai Khushiyan (Remix) - Help