Agneepath, Ghost, Chaalis Chauraasi - Music Review

Agneepath (2012)
Music: Ajay-Atul

1. Chikni Chameli ------------------------------- 9/10
Just the kind of song every movie needs. A foot-tapping item number with Katrina Kaif dancing in the video. Back to the song. This remake of the Marathi hit Kombdi Palali from Jatra is energetic, the beats super fast and the lyrics doing a justice to the genre of the song. In comparison with it's original, this song feels a little flat. The strong opening and the chorus "Ho-Ho-Ho" are sorely missing in this Bollywood re-imagination. The fact that Ajay-Atul decided to tame it down is a little disappointing. The choice of using Shreya Ghoshal's voice is also very surprising. Despite the bias, a surefire hit for the upcoming Ganpati season.

2. Deva Shree Ganesha ----------------------- 8/10
A wonderful devotional song based on Bollywood's beloved festival Ganeshotsav. One of the better songs of the genre after Maurya Re from Don. The lyrics are hard-hitting and the Nashik dhol background score are very rousing. The song ending with Aarti ending is brilliant. Ajay-Atul's Marathi influence on the song is very obvious, which could make it a little different for the non-Marathi ears. The song's length is a bit of an issue.

Brownie points:

• Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin - Sonu Nigam begins his journey in 2012 with his trademark melody. A very soft and soothing track, that goes about softly in the first verse, with Sonu Nigam leading into a euphoric crescendo towards the end. The drawback of the song is it's very slow pace and slight repetitiveness. Truly for Sonu Nigam fans.
• O Saiyyan - A soulful and intense song by Roop Kumar Rathod. The song has a slow tempo, as can be expected from any Roop Kumar Rathod, but boy does he add emotion to a song. This sad romantic track is for his fans only.
• Gun Gun Guna - A fun song, but surely does not a life. Good to hear Udit Narayan in a while.

Final verdict: Overall, gets a 7/10. It has some character to it. It has one fun item number, while the rest of the album is overwhelmingly filled with slow and silent songs for those who love them. This will not be a chartbuster, but an entertaining album during it's place in the sun.

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Ghost (2012)
Music: Sharib Sabri, Toshi Sabri

1. Kahan Hai Tu ----------------------------------------- 7/10
The best song of the movie. Sharib Sabri brings us to a rock romantic track. As has been the case with the entire album, the instrumentals are excellent, and this rock track sticks to it's true self with great bass guitar pieces. Bollywood rock fans should love it.

2. Jalwanuma ----------------------------------------------- 7/10
Toshi Sabri sings to his strength. Another track from the album with great opening and good background instrumentals. If you are a fan of sad, but pacy romantic musicals, this one is a good one. Thankfully Toshi Sabri does not try too hard here, which is a relief. The song kind of meanders aimlessly in the middle.

3. Dil Ke Liye ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6/10
A real good start wasted with a weak tune. Javed Ali sounds like he is putting his soul in the song, but the result is wasted effort with the tune itself not in the elite. The instrumentals and song construction itself is brilliant.

Brownie point:

• Aaja Khatam Sabr - An interesting seduction song by Sunidhi Chauhan. If you enjoyed Aa Zara from Murder 2, this one could be for you. After an impressive opening, the song falls prey to repetitiveness.

Final verdict: Overall, gets a 6/10.  All the songs are very likable. The Sabri brothers are definitely getting their music right with time. A good listen, this album does not sound like a chartbuster though.

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Chaalis Chauraasi (2012)
Music: Lalit Pandit

1. Setting Zaala -------------------------------------------------- 9/10
A hilarious song to begin 2012, and surely to remain the one of the most fun song for the rest of 2012. Caution: Not to be judged with regular Bollywood tracks. Amit Kumar resurrects a superb Shaan-esque R.D. Burman voice, while the overall beats are extremely peppy and the lyrics plain funny. An all out insane song.

A forgettable rest of the album.

Chikni Chameli - Agneepath Deva Shree Ganesha - Agneepath Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin - Agneepath O Saiyyan - Agneepath Gun Gun Guna - Agneepath Kahan Hai Tu - Ghost Jalwanuma - Ghost Dil Ke Liye - Ghost Aaja Khatm Sabr - Ghost Setting Zaala - Chaalis Chauraasi

The year of comebacks - Mohit Chauhan and Sonu Nigam

In this series of best of 2011,  we begin with a pair of singers who mesmerized us before. Then went into a lull and have risen back to claim what's theirs in 2011. Two prolific singers with their distinct voices: Mohit Chauhan and Sonu Nigam.

Mohit Chauhan

Mohit Chauhan began his career in 1998 through the band Silk Route, with his Dooba Dooba becoming a major hit. After that, he tasted little success, until 2007, when his solo Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met catapulted him back into limelight. Ever since, he has had good success with his songs. However, his unique voice restricted to specific tracks. In 2011, he broke all the stereotypes, to become a in-vogue-must-have singer in Bollywood, especially considering his unprecedented one man show in Rockstar. Here are his best in 2011:

*****PLAY Mohit Chauhan 2011*****

• Abhi Kuch Dino Se - Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
• Yun Hi - Tanu Weds Manu
• Te Amo (Reprise) - Dum Maaro Dum
• Naina - Kucch Luv Jaisaa
• Kahin Se Chali Aa - Love U... Mr. Kalakaar
• Chatte Batte - Chillar Party
• Khaabon Ke Parindey - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
• Sadda Haq - Rockstar
• Tum Ho - Rockstar
• Hawaa Hawaa - Rockstar
• Jo Bhi Main - Rockstar
• Kun Faya Kun - Rockstar
• Sheher Mein - Rockstar
• Aur Ho - Rockstar
• Phir Se Ud Chala - Rockstar

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Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam had his fair share of struggle in his early days of Bollywood, where he was condemned to sing only the sorrow songs. However, he rose above the genre and wowed the audience with his strong energetic performances in his album Tu, to absolute melodies like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Main Hoon Na. He went into a slump by the end of last decade, and was mistaken for a spent force. 2011 saw him comeback with melodic performances signaling he is back in form:

*****PLAY Sonu Nigam 2011*****

• Yamla Pagla Deewana - Yamla Pagla Deewana
• Tere Bin - Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
• Phir Teri - Angel
• Koi Aa Raha Paas Hai (Revisited) - Pyaar Ka Punchnama
• Rab Rakha - Love Breakups Zindagi
• Allah Maaf Kare - Desi Boyz
• Aap Ki Aahat - Lanka (**Click to Play**)

Players, The Dirty Picture, Lanka, Faraar - Music Review

Players (2012)
Music: Pritam

Coming off of a successful 2011, Pritam steps into 2012 with his usual self i.e unassuming and casually entertaining.

1. Dil Ye Bekarar Kyun Hai ------- 9/10
2. Dil Ye Bekarar Kyun Hai (Reprise) ------------------------------------------------- 9/10
Pritam delivers us his forte in this song. A sweet and catchy romantic tune, a kind of romantic which will get you crooning instantly. The tune is so fetching that despite the repetitive tune, it does not feel that way. The two versions are identical with different male-female playback. The main version is sung by Mohit Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal, arguably the hottest singing pair at the moment. Mohit Chauhan continues his terrific run of 2011 and is showing no signs of stopping. The Reprise version is sung by the surging Nikhil D'Souza who has been busy making a mark in the romantic genre. He does fade a little in contrast against Mohit Chauhan, but he is still impressive; the techno feel to the Reprise version makes this version on par with the main version.

2. Ho Gayi Tun --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
One of the best girl party songs. The lyrics and the beats compliment each brilliantly making it a must play in all the discotheques, exuding a confident bad-girl mood.

3. Jhoom Jhoomta Ja ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
One of the three versions. This one is the female version. This song has a very interesting European/Spanish tango style opening and overall theme, and the yearning angle of love comes out in full flavor with a female lead than a male one. Kudos to Ritu Pathak.

4. Jhoom Jhoomta Hun Main ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
5. Jhoom Jhoomta Hun Main (Film Version) --------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
These are the other two versions of the song with a male playback.. It starts out a little slow in an ordinary fashion, however after it hits the groove in about a 1 minute, it stays interesting and intense enough to stay hooked to it. Out of the two, the one by Siddharth Basrur, the main one, is more intense.

6. Jis Jagah Pe Khatam (Remix) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
7. Jis Jagah Pe Khatam (Players Theme) --------------------------------------------------------------------- 7/10
The gangsta styled theme song personifies the genre of the movie. It maintains a good tempo and attitude.  The  grouse with the song is the delay in reaching the main theme of the song and the length could have been a tad smaller. The female lead portion sung by Mauli Dave is well placed and directed making this song more all round. The background beats are reminiscent of Thayn Thayn from Dum Maaro Dum by Pritam. Also, on a rare occasion, the Remix is better than the original, as it has a better theme, it is faster and shorter.

Final verdict: Overall, gets a 8/10. Pritam looks like hell bent to produce great album overall than focusing on one individual song that could be a chartbuster. Just like 2011 albums from Pritam, this album strikes a chord with us, with almost every song. If you are in an upbeat mood or are looking for some energy, this album is your tonic. Peppy, catchy and entertaining.

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The Dirty Picture (2011)
Music: Vishal - Shekhar

1. Ishq Sufiyana (Male) ------------------------------------ 9/10
2. Ishq Sufiyana (Female) --------------------------------- 9/10
A lovely qawwali styled romantic track. Just like a lot of other Rahat Fateh Ali Khan love songs, this song goes about it's own steady pace without any hurry and expressing the emotions in as detail as it can. Except, there is no Rahat here. Kamal Khan is an interesting choice, but does he impress us with his style.
The female is almost equally good. Sunidhi Chauhan's ability to sing romantic songs wonderfully is on full display here keeping a complete command over the song. This just makes us wish she sang more of these songs.
It is really hard to tell which version is the better of the two, but the lyrics of the song and mood, make it more suitable and likable with a male playback.

3. Ooh La La --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9/10
This song is a stroke of genius on many counts. From a purely musical perspective, the song has

• Excellent 80s tune, beats and instrumentals
• Bappi Lahiri, the singing force of that era, just makes this song a time machine
• The corny lyrics tie the remaining loose ends.

The only drawback of the song is it's length. A tad too long robs the song of a perfect 10/10.

Brownie point:

• Twinkle Twinkle - Another song with corny lyrics and a tune that transcends a couple of decades. The songs seems to draw heavily from wildly popular songs of 60s and 70s like Mehbooba Mehbooba and Hoton Pe Aisi Baat. This one does not pack a punch like Ooh La La, but still creates an astounding retro mood.

Final verdict: Overall, gets a 8/10. Vishal-Shekhar have done an impressive job, given the nature of the movie and managed to conjure up some entertaining tracks, some regular while some satirical. A long overdue performance from the musical duo.

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Lanka (2011)

Music: Toshi Sabri, Sharib Sabri, Rishabh, Gaurav Dagaonkar

1. Aap Ki Aahat ------------------ 9/10

If you are a Sonu Nigam fan. If you love classical based, slow and calming romantic tracks. Look no further. This type of song would normally be sung by Roop Kumar Rathod, but not this one, which is interesting. Sonu Nigam had been on a resurgence in 2011, and this songs caps off a perfect comeback for him. His prowess of singing romantic tunes is on full display and sends out aloud a message of how Bollywood missed his magical voice; that romantic tracks are so incomplete without him. 

2. Iltija - Tumko Jo Dekhoon ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6/10

A good sounding romantic track. This song follows a typical musical pattern directed by Sabri brothers starting off a calm note and slowly but surely leading up to a euphoric climax. Rishabh Shrivastav, the playback singer, however, is either not primed for the limelight, or is just not good, because the inexpressive voice almost entirely is the failing of the song.

Brownie points:

• Barham Hai Hum - Generally KK does not excel at slow and serious songs. But he has taken this one and competely disproven his critics. Great performance. This song is very heavy in mood and does justice to what it was designed for. Just a little too suicidal for the average listener.
• Sheet Leher - Shreya Ghoshal presents us another highly sorrowful song of the movie. Greatly sung and dark mood it creates is it's success. Not recommended, unless actively seeking sadness.
• Tu Hai Tu (Qubool) - A good sounding track, bearing the Sabri brothers stamp, and in this case even the voice. Only if Toshi Sabri did not try so hard every single time.

Final vedict: Overall, gets a 7/10. The songs do complete justice to their purpose, while some are plain good. Decent effort. Decent album.

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Faraar (2011)

Music: Vaishnav Deva

To Mr. Vaishnav Deva

Subject: Clarification on definition of music

This is to let you know that not everything that is sung and backed up with instrumentals counts as music. Please listen to whatever you have created here as a proof.

Thank you and spare us in future by doing some revisiting of your work before publishing.

Yours,

Listener and survivor of your album.

Dil Ye Bekarar Kyun Hai - Players Dil Ye Bekarar Kyun Hai (Reprise) - Players Ho Gayi Tun - Players Jhoom Jhoomta Ja - Players Jhoom Jhoomta Hun Main - Players Jhoom Jhoomta Hun Main (Film Version) - Players Jis Jagah Pe Khatam (Remix) - Players Jis Jagah Pe Khatam (Players Theme) - Players Ishq Sufiyana (Male) - The Dirty Picture Ishq Sufiyana (Female) - The Dirty Picture Ooh La La - The Dirty Picture Twinkle Twinkle - The Dirty Picture Aap Ki Aahat - Lanka Iltija - Tumko Jo Dekhoon - Lanka Barham Hai Hum - Lanka Sheet Leher - Lanka Tu Hai Tu (Qubool) - Lanka