Ra.One.....and Be-Careful - Music Review

Ra.One (2011)
Music: Vishal - Shekhar

1. Chammak Challo (Film Version) ------------------------------ 9/10
2. Chammak Challo (International Version) --------- 8/10
3. Chammak Challo Remix (DJ A-Myth) ------------------------------ 8/10


Riding on the latest Bollywood craze of tapping corny catchphrases, like Sheila Ki Jawani, Chammak Challo has hit a home run in that regards. Add to it the international star power of Akon; which in itself comes loaded with curiosity and scrutiny over his accent. Add a good tempo to the song, and you have a chartbuster. And chartbuster it is. Thankfully, Vishal-Shekhar have not slacked on their part and have put on their musical genius to make it truly enjoyable. Fun to listen to and bound to be replayed for some time to come in our music players.
Further, in total there are five variations of the song. Owing to fast pace of the song, there is not much room left to remix, rejigger the tune and beats. Out of the four remixes, Chammak Challo (International Version), which is essentially a male only track and Chammak Challo Remix (DJ A-Myth) are the better ones.

4. Dildaara (Stand By Me) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
The opening of the song is a little laughable, although if you just stick around a little while you might be in for an adorable romantic track. The song goes through many twists and turns from melody, to qawwali vocals to some techno mixing, but overall succeeds in pleasing our senses. The quick beats and fast tempo for a song of this genre gives it a hint of an old melody being remixed, which of course, is not the case.

5. Right By Your Side --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7/10
Vishal-Shekhar take us four years behind with this track. The tune is reminiscent of Dostana and Anjaana Anjaani, which are albums unsurprisingly directed by Vishal-Shekhar. Nothing new here, but still fun. For some strange, the tune also reminded me of Duck Tales title track.

Overall: Overall, the album is entertaining, bordering on average. Vishal-Shekhar are more and more looking like they have passed their prime. The tunes sound all too familiar, and neither are the new ones stand out on their own merit (for eg. Chammak Challo has a lot going on for it besides the song itself). The album is huge (15 tracks in total), so a majority of the album is passable.

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Be-Careful (2011)
Music: Siddharth-Suhas

Umm....when the movie asks us to be careful, we abide by it and avoid crossing it's path. Music, at the least for sure. Barf.
Oh wait! Love Technology must get a mention for being unintentionally hilarious.

Chammak Challo (Film Version) - Ra.One Chammak Challo (International Version) - Ra.One Chammak Challo Remix (DJ A-Myth) - Ra.One Dildaara (Stand By Me) - Ra.One Right By Your Side - Ra.One Love Technology - Be-Careful

Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, My Friend Pinto, Azaan - Music Review

Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (2011)
Music: Raghu Dixit

Following Luv Ka The End, here comes another youthful and carefree album that will make your feet tap and take you down the memory lane (if you are in that stage of life). But only not as great an album as Luv Ka... Here are the top picks:

1. Chhoo Le ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
Suraj Jagan has been coming up with more and more rock tracks lately. Conversely, rock genre is gaining traction in Bollywood. Either case, a great rock track tailor-made for stage performances. Suraj Jagan seems to stretch his vocal chords a tad too much at times. Fun track nevertheless.

2. Uh-Oh Uh-Oh ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
If anyone wants to reminisce or anyone wants to cherish their current days in college and first romances, this song truly epitomizes these emotions. Very innocent and playful, and needless to say naively romantic. Uh-Oh Uh-Oh I am getting nostalgic.

3. Baatein Shuru ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
Another easy going and well paced track. The lyrics of the song keep the mood light, cheerful and the beats make it foot tapping. Again. Very youth-oriented.


4. Har Saans Mein ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7/10
Difficult to classify this song. Whether it is devotional pop-styled qawwali or is this a prayer for love, is totally dependent on the listener, but it does justice to it's genre. Opens with nice acoustics followed by modern qawwali and ending beautifully in a euphoric mood, increasing the tempo towards the finish.

Brownie point:

• Dhaeon Dhaeon, Dhaeon Dhaeon (The Seeti Seeti Bang Bang Mix) - This one should not be judged by regular musical standards. This one is sure to make one laugh, the crazy lyrics and peppy beats will lighten up the mood. Hilarious.

Final verdict: Entertaining. Youthful. Get 1 and 2 for sure.

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My Friend Pinto (2011)

Music: Ajay-Atul, Shamir Tandon, Kavita Seth, Hitesh Sonik

1. Intezaar --------------------------------------------------------- 9/10

One of the finest romantic tracks of the year. Highly western and melodious, it is a dreamy track. On a funny note, this song has the quality of '12am Love Guru' radio show. Still, short, sweet and adorable.

2. Take It Easy ------------------------------------------------- 8/10

Kunal Ganjawala returns for his fans and delivers a solid performance. The track with a tinge of classical jazz is very catchy and easy going, complete with a rousing finale.

3. Tu -------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
A very peaceful and mollifying acoustic track. Definitely could have used a little more zing. Yet, soulful and extremely pleasant.

4. Yaadon Ki --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10
Not a great track by itself, but the nostalgia laden lyrics coupled with the earnest voice of KK, does make our head turn and take notice. KK is held back, had it not been done, would have made this song a sure chartbuster.

Final verdict: Intelligent, interesting, entertaining, non-peppy album. Not one track seems to have been made in a half-hearted manner resulting in a respectable album.

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Azaan (2011)
Music: Salim-Sulaiman

1. Khuda Ke Liye -------------------------------------------- 9/10
A very typical and oft-heard of romantic tune. However, it is still fresh like a cool breeze. It has a pretty soothing effect and it's soft melody and moderately paced beats makes it agreeable. Shradha Pandit once again dazzles with Shreya Ghoshal-esque voice (the comparison is a bit unfair).

2. Afreen -------------------------------------------------------- 7/10
An average but still a good, peaceful song with soft beats. This song might remind one of HR, but nasal twang is absent and also there is a good use of acoustics that's not a violin. Also, to be noted is the fact that this version is better than Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's Afreen (Reprise) version.

Brownie points:

• Bismillah - Add this to your Sufi music/devotional qawwali section. Kailash Kher is just good at it.
• Habibi Habibi - Commendable middle-eastern genre track; good for belly dancing. Yeah.

Final verdict: Overall, the album is decent; something one won't mind being played in the background. Salim-Sulaiman generally do not bore their audiences, if not wow them. 1 and 2 above are the better of the pack.

Chhoo Le - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge Uh-Oh Uh-Oh - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge Baatein Shuru - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge Har Saans Mein - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge Dhaeon Dhaeon - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge Dhaeon Dhaeon (The Seeti Seeti Bang Bang Mix) - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge Intezaar - My Friend Pinto Take It Easy - My Friend Pinto Tu - My Friend Pinto Yaadon Ki - My Friend Pinto Khuda Ke Liye - Azaan Afreen - Azaan Afreen (Reprise) - Azaan Bismillah - Azaan Habibi - Azaan

Soundtrack, Speedy Singhs, U R My Jaan - Music Review

Soundtrack (2011)
Music: Midival Punditz, Karsh Kale, Kailash Kher, Vishal Vaid, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Ankur Tewari, Papon


When the title of the movie has any semblance to music, the expectations are naturally on the higher side. Out of many such movies of the past like Saaz, Sur, Rock On!!, Radio and Soundtrack, only Rock On!! has been able to do justice to it's name. The rest have mostly failed. Soundtrack does have many songs, but it's a mixed bag of classical music and techno genre. But all fail to impress. Disappointing.

• Symphony Of The Streets - Those with an appreciation for techno-themed instrumentals might find it interesting. It is what it's name is, intelligently creating an instrumental piece out of train, car brakes, bicycle ring bell sounds.
• What The F - DJs will love it. But very disappointing otherwise

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Speedy Singhs (2011)

Music: Sandeep Chowta, Meet Bros (Anjjan, Harmeet, Manmeet)

Probably one of the most average work by Sandeep Chowta. Although he is no A.R. Rahman, he is able to produce some energetic and stylish music. This album however is a gross disappointment.

• Shera Di Kaum - This Ludacris laden, Punjabi rap/hip hop will get your spirits up and add some fervor to the mood.

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U R My Jaan (2011)

Music: Sanjeev-Darshan

• Mera Maula Kare - Why does Roop Kumar Rathod keep on singing the same type of songs, but still end up sounding as soulful and melodious as ever? A Roop Kumar Rathod classic.

That's all there is to this album.

Symphony Of The Streets - Soundtrack What The F - Soundtrack Shera Di Kaum - Speedy Singhs Mera Maula Kare - U R My Jaan