Music Review - Inkaar, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, Four Two Ka One

Inkaar (2013)
Music: Shantanu Moitra
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Shantanu Moitra has managed to shine every once in a while, but this album is almost a complete bust for him. The only saving grace for the songs could be an apt placement in the movie, which is rare. His retro leanings in Darmiyan and Maula Tu Malik Hai are evident but they don't turn out well. Boring album.

Brownie points:

• Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai - The rock opening of the track is very arousing and catchy, although the songs suffers from Bollywood's interpretation of rock: Good guitars, great theme, nice beats and gritty, yet terrible vocals of Suraj Jagan. Have no  clue, when doing so many things right, Bollywood musicians end up messing such a vital component of a song. The song otherwise, is fairly interesting, although the lyrics are a bit topical to the movie.
• Inkaar (Theme) - A nicer sounding theme. After Chakravyuh, this one has some character, although doesn't fulfill the expectations

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (2013)
Music: Vishal Bhardwaj
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Vishal Bhardwaj's Indian classical leanings and a penchant for clean, well-themed music is evident in this album. Unfortunately, it does not translate into a fulfilling album in any particular genre. The most it gets is mention for a few songs. Overall, a decent and quirky album without much to care about.

Brownie points:

• Oye Boy Charlie - If there was a second coming of Kajraare Kajraare from Bunty Aur Babli, this is it. Everything about this song: the opening, the fast paced mujra, the background qawwali, the unrefined feel to the song and the cheesiness, it's all there. Only if this was the first song of this genre would it have been as hit. Good, but not really.
• Badal Uthiya, Badal Uthiya (Reprise) - For the soft and melodic Indian classical loving fans, this one won't disappoint. Rekha Bhardwaj sticks to her forte of classical Indian music, except this time she doesn't sound pretentious (like I had criticized her before). The Reprise version sounds equally well, if you like this one that is, which is a male version sung by Prem Dehati who gives this song an authentic Haryanwi harundertones.
• Lootnewale - Sukhwinder Singh and Master Saleem deliver a raw and energetic song. In terms of artistic value, this is a great piece which sticks true to it's theme and cultural nuances, but just not entertaining enough to remember.
• Khamakha - This song feels like one that would be real nice and pleasant with it's opening, but just turns into a dragging affair with it's slow pace. As an audience, we hope the song blooms into something nice midway, but it doesn't and it is almost too late for a superb piece of devotional chorus at the end.

Four Two Ka One (2013)
Music: Avishek Majumdar, J. D. Singh - Rajan
Buy on Amazon! Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai - Inkaar Inkaar (Theme) - Inkaar Oye Boy Charlie - Four Two Ka One Badal Uthiya - Four Two Ka One Lootnewale - Four Two Ka One Khamakha - Four Two Ka One Badal Uthiya (Reprise) - Four Two Ka One

There is nothing wrong with trying, and there is always the first time. Unless it is one of these reasons, the composers get no clemency from the harsh criticisms this album might receive like the overall haphazard and a cursory treatment to the tracks. Employing successful playbacks like Mika Singh or composing songs from multitude genres doesn't necessarily mean anything, unless done right.