Music Review - D-Day, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, I Don't Luv U

D-Day (2013)

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are an already falling stock, and the album has a pretty neglected feel to it. So, the album is below average, but just like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the trio come up with something they haven't done in the past and do it well.

• Murshid Khele Holi - This is a straight-up qawwali, beginning slowly and picking up pace as it meanders through the next 7 minutes. So if you loved Kun Faya Kun from Rockstar, you will love this one too.

Otherwise, there are some tracks in the album that are  not bad, but are too slow to keep up.

Ramaiya Vastavaiya (2013)

Music: Sachin-Jigar

Sachin-Jigar have a pretty dull offering after their last venture in Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story. They try to get some insurance in Atif Aslam, however, it does not pay off at all. This is a pretty standard, unimaginative album for the most part.

1. Jeene Laga Hoon 7/10
Sachin-Jigar's place their safe bet on Atif and produce a fairly decent romantic track. Nothing new, but pleasant yet.

I Don't Luv U (2013)

Music: Amar-Benson, Amit Kasaria

A surprisingly large album, but unsurprisingly mediocre. The only track that stays true to it's genre is Mohe Apne Hi, which keeps it classy with it's Indian classical tune. Only for the real lover of this genre. Otherwise, forgettable album.

Music Review - Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Raanjhanaa, Hum Hai Raahi Car Ke

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

1. O Rangrez 8/10
This is a surprising output from the musical trio, who have barely produced classical Indian tracks. The song is really long, and the tempo is subjective. Connoisseurs of Indian classical music will love the tracks leisurely pace. However, given the song's structure, the tracks tempo feels more calming than anything. If you are not in a mood to listen to this genre, just skip to the next track.

2. Zinda 6/10
Unlike most songs, the opening of the song is rather slow. If that is ignored, the rock track that takes over is quite zesty. The song is still not the best to captivate till the very end. The chorus portions of the song are nice.

3. Gurbani 6/10
It is not a full fledged track in itself, but the beseeching vocal quality of Daler Mehndi and the accompanying intense instrumentals makes this track deserve a mention.

4. Slow Motion Angreza 6/10
This song purely satisfies the need for a retro themed song (reflecting the time of Milkha Singh's heydeys). In that respect, it does an excellent job. But will it be a song that can entertain beyond it's classical appeal? Not much.

Final verdict: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy can safely be relegated to once-great-now-washed-up category. Sure, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, as an album needed a lot of folk touch, but we could expect nothing less than slick arousing tracks for the high octane the movie promises to be. In this almost lackluster album, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy manage to eke out some respect. Overall gets a 6/10.

Raanjhanaa (2013)

Music: A. R. Rahman

A. R. Rahman continues to display his touch of clean music that is soulful. The entire album of 9 tracks impresses with it's grace and intriguing intros. However, A. R. Rahman has fallen trap to his own style. Almost all the songs are lengthy for the genre. The genre being simple tunes which are an easy listen. Owing to the lack of the factor that pushes a song to being a chartbuster, it makes the song drag on. It also become a little hard to tell the difference between two tracks. Nevertheless an effortless album that one won't mind for a peaceful time.
Among such romantic tracks the following fare better:
1. Nazar Laaye - A cool song by Rashid Ali, whose distinct voice reminds us of Kahin Toh from Jaane Tu Ya... Jaane Na
2. Tu Mun Shudi - Just fun for it's exciting intro and the yet not much heard style of Rabbi.
3. Raanjhanaa, Tum Tak, Banarasiya, Piya Milenge, Ay Sakhi - Decent background tracks which are all about the same
4. Aise Na Dekho - Lovers of Bollywood jazz will scoop this up.

Final verdict: A. R. Rahman shows his class, except when it comes to blockbuster album Pritam beats him. The album is adequate by his standards. Overall, gets a 7/10.

Hum Hai Raahi Car Ke (2013)

Music: Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth Haldipur

A classic cliched album which regurgitates the familiar tunes which were the norm a couple of years ago. Typical tracks that lack any novelty by Mika Singh, Shaan and Clinton Cerejo shows the cursory treatment given to the album.

Music Review - Lootera, Ghanchakkar, Policegiri

Lootera (2013)

Music: Amit Trivedi

Amit Trivedi has probably done a purely romantic after some time. Most of his recent work has been themed humor one after the other.
So, if you were awaiting some standard romantic melodies without much fanfare, this is an album for you. Needless to say, the album is very mild, no sort of zest.
A bit one-dimensional.

Ghanchakkar (2013)

Music: Amit Trivedi

Yet another Amit Trivedi album to review this week, and this one is right up in his alley. A comedy movie, tons of goofy lyrics to play with.
Even though he may not have created the best music, Amit Trivedi continues to display his masterful use of instruments which is clean and distinct.
Brownie points:

• Jholu Ram - The lyrics and overall composition is fun enough. And there is one singer who was mocked for his voice a decade ago. He might find a second wing in lending his voice to funny numbers. Yes, I am talking about Altaf Raja.
• Allah Meherbaan - This is such a stoner of a song. Reminded me of this video.

Policegiri (2013)

Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Anjjan - Meet Bros.

I think Himesh has fallen to such lows that when the movie producers don't think, music is only an option for the movie, they turn to him. After all, someone's gotta compose music. Such a raucous and cacophonous fare.

Music Review - Fukrey, Gippi, Shortcut Romeo

Fukrey (2013)
Music: Ram Sampath

Ever since Ram Sampath had a super hit in Bhaag DK Bose from Delhi Belly, he has been on the path for some validation as a music director. None to be found here. The album is mediocre because the tracks are nothing more than a commotion and follow a classic boring formula. There is only one song that deserves a mention.
1. Rabba - 6/10
The intro of the song is slow and soulful and a bit dry. What follows is a fun Clinton Cerejo track with nice beats and amusing lyrics. The track goes a little flat in the middle. Had this track been a bit short, it would have been nicer.

Gippi (2013)
Music: Vishal-Shekhar

A pretty average album by the musical-duo who were at their peak 3 years ago. This is an album unlike them or may be they reserved their substandard tracks for this movie. We Are Like This Only and Dil Kaagzi are the better ones from the album and at least show these guys have something left in them.
Pretty disappointing.

Shortcut Romeo (2013)
Music: Himesh Reshammiya

Himesh Reshammiya has taken quite a dip. All the talk about him being a passing fancy has turned out to be true. He is back from being HR or Himesh to being just Himesh Reshammiya. Granted even this album is slightly amusing last his past ones, the songs are not the same without his nasal twang. The album sounds like straight from the 90s. So old, cliche and cheesy; but not cheesy enough.
If you want to listen to some train wreck of a song, Ishq Gangster is the one.

Pretty bad week for music.

Music Review - YJHD, GGG, YPG2

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)

Music: Pritam

Kabira 9/10
Kabira Encore 9/10
This is a song, where I am surprised how no one has copied Pritam yet (no pun intended). The amalgamation of Hindustani classical by Rekha Bharadwaj and freestyle singing is beautiful in itself. The arousing outro with trademark Pritam electric guitars is just amazing.
The Kabira Encore is almost the same as the main version, with a more upbeat wedding mood. The opening is really interesting in the way Pritam has wasted no time in getting the tempo up.

Badtameez Dil 9/10
What a fun song this is. Fast lyrics with funny overtones makes this song a great song for karaoke. The use of trumpets gives it a retro feel. The beats are foot tapping. The song loses steam after a while, but Pritam has been smart enough to keep this song short.

Balam Pichkari 8/10
One of the best Holi songs in Bollywood in a while. The song is catchy and just happy. The euphoric chorus that follow the solos raises goosebumps. The lyrics are also fun to sing along.

Ilahi 7/10
Ilahi Reprise 7/10
The song is pretty upbeat, the mandolins have been nicely used. This is also a signature Mohit Chauhan song and he delivers. Overall good, but not the best song by Pritam. The "Ooh" and "Aah" children lyrics is more distracting than cute.
Ilahi Reprise is not a lot different than the original version. Really, why is even there another version?

Subhanallah 7/10
A lovable romantic track, reminds us of Sonu Nigam, except he is now the past, and we get to hear Sreeram, who is equally pleasant. Otherwise, this is a tried and tested track. There is not much to not like, but nothing new.

Dilliwaali Girlfriend 7/10
Not a musical gem by any stretch, but just a fun musical duel for the party.

Final verdict: Overall, gets an 8/10. A fun album worth paying attention, although not all songs are worthy a mention. While striking the right chords, Pritam displays repetitiveness of his style. Does it signal his downward trend? Not yet.

Go Goa Gone (2013)

Music: Sachin Jigar

Probably not a lot was expected out of an album for a zombie movie (seriously, why does every genre of Bollywood have songs?!). But despite the uphill battle the music duo had to face up to, they did pretty impressively directing some funny songs.
Brownie points:

• Khoon Choos Le - A hilarious take on the Monday morning blues.
• Babaji Ki Booti - This is a perfect song for getting stoned with friends. So frivolous yet deep. JK. Only frivolous.
• Khushamdeed - What is Shreya Ghoshal doing in this album? She is stunning as always, and she carries this romantic track all by herself.

Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 (2013)

Music: Sharib-Toshi, Sachin Gupta

It is a full size album, however, half the songs revolve around the main movie theme. And the rest of the album has cliched Bhangra tracks. Average to mediocre album.

Music Review - Nautanki Saala!, Chashme Baddoor, Ek Thi Daayan, Commando

Nautanki Saala! (2013)
Music: Mikey McCleary, Falak Shabir, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rochak Kohli Anand Milind, Rashid Khan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Why are there so many music directors, including some from the 80s and the 90s? When you have an album that consists 80% tracks from albums old and new, that is bound to happen. For some reason, there of 4 versions of Mera Mann, originally by Falak Shabir  in 7 Welcome To London, also sung in this album by him. Not one is interesting. The remixes of cheesy tracks of the 90s gives this album an brass band/orchestra like feel, which is amusing to the most. Ayushmann Khurrana who made waves with his soulful voice in Vicky Donor, fails to make an impression, with somewhat decent track Saadi Galli Aaja. For the hardcore Rahat Fateh Ali Khan fans, there is Sapna Mera Toota. What a waste of an album.

Chashme Baddoor (2013)
Music: Sajid-Wajid

Sajid-Wajid probably will never change. But with their consistent unrefined musical style which is only occasionally successful, it is a wonder how they keep finding employment. This album is no exceptions with all rowdy songs with shallow lyrics. They are not enough on the other side of the quality spectrum to be good enough by virtue of it's stupidity; it is smack in the middle being a mediocre album.

Ek Thi Daayan (2013)
Music: Vishal Bhardwaj

Amongst his past attempts and mostly disasters, this album is less of a disaster for Vishal Bhardwaj as a music composer. Some songs have an eerie feel to them, but these songs normally don't end up being musical successes. And these are not an exception. Suresh Wadkar makes a rare appearance in Bollywood music with an oddly humorous Totey Ud Gaye.

Brownie points:

• Sapna Re Sapna - The most impressive aspect of this album is the stellar performance by Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs winner Padmanabh Gaikwad. When listened to the song without this tidbit of information, he sounds like a unique female voice. But since it's him, it's quite evident his voice is yet pre-adolescent; although his command over his voice and notes is absolutely adult-like and praiseworthy.
• Yaaram - The song is fairly peppy, and Sunidhi Chauhan had never sounded so good. The casual lyrics of the song are it's failing without which it would have been much better.

Overall, an average album with some songs being inordinately long.

Commando (2013)
Music: Prasad Sasthe

This is a pretty small album. It is in itself a smart thing the music producers did for an album, which in itself doesn't offer too much. Then why waste money and effort in producing it way beyond it's means. The only songs it has are ok in some respects, but mostly average.

Brownie points:

• Sawan Bairi - Lovers of Hindustani classical music might love this Malhar raga based ethos track by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. It feels a bit lengthy of a track.
• Lena Dena - Daler Mehndi fills the air with his energetic voice, making this standard Punjabi track into somewhat of bhangra powerhouse. It's only Daler who can make it possible, and it is surprising how greatly refreshing he sounds even today.
• Lutt Jawaan - This is almost like Lena Dena, but sung by Dhruv Sangari, who lends an intense Punjabi voice making it a serious track.
• Mungda - Like the title says, yes, this is Marathi/Dhagala Lagli Kala influenced item number track. It has been done well and Sunidhi Chauhan is superb as usual. But it is too much too late.

The album has an overall intense feel making it an interesting one time listening experience.

Music Review - David, Aatma, Himmatwala, The Attacks of 26/11

David (2013)
Music: Bramfatura, Mikey McCleary, Maatibaani, Remo Fernandes, Prashant Pillai, Gaurav Godkhindi, The Lightyears Explode, Dub Sharma, Modern Mafia, Anirudh Ravichander

This album is like a rock bands of India convention. Lots of alternate music, rock and a great deal of experimentation away from the typical Bollywood cliche. The previous statement, thus, in itself is a forewarning of sorts. Also, my constant lament of Suraj Jagan doing the rock tracks in Bollywood finally gets a break. With a great deal of novelty also comes a heartbreaking acceptance that everything new and shiny is not necessarily the best. This album of 15 songs makes for an interesting experience for the curious and exploratory souls out there, but here's a few that actually might just entertain one and all.

1. Maria Pitache ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8/10
The song title is quirky and the song is also a bit soft to interest anyone. But bam! It just transforms all of a sudden into a full blown Goan pop with half the song in Konkani and the rest in Hindi. The lyrics and fun and makes you want to down a couple of shots and jump right in the fun that is Maria Pitache. C'mon, don't be uptight about it, just let it all loose.

2. Three Kills ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7/10
This is one exciting indie rock by The Lightyears Explode. Those who would love to explore the rock music coming out from India, this will be an interesting one to listen to. The guitars and the transitions have been done well, to keep it exciting enough. The lyrics get lost mostly, but still fun to listen to.

3. Yun Hi Re ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10
Among all the newness, Yun Hi Re comes as a pleasant normalcy in a slow and silent romantic track. The length of the song is an issue given it's pace and tune, but nevertheless, is a soothing song for easy evening together.

Final verdict: Overall, this is an average album, but if you are looking for something new and decent, this one's a good one to try out.

Aatma (2013)
Music: Sangeet-Siddharth

The overall verdict on the album is, the music directors have done well enough to create an eerie enough effect with albums. But, when we are at the overall opinion of an album, it shouts of below average songs. Albums from the similar genre have done much better in comparison, 1920 Evil Returns, Shaapit or Haunted - 3D by Chirantan Bhatt.

In the spot:

• Teri Khatir - Representative of the rock movement in Bollywood, led by none other than Suraj Jagan. Not him again. The rock part is good, but there is a certain need of a better vocalist. Suraj Jagan is a great singer by himself, but he turns into a hoarse cacophonous voice when he does rock.
• Koi Jaagi Aankhein - Just great for it's eerie lyrics. Interesting blues type of song sung proficiently by Alyssa Mendonsa, but otherwise forgettable.

Himmatwala (2013)
Music: Sajid-Wajid

If you are looking for some rowdy fun, you got it. Conversely, what else could you expect from Sajid-Wajid? Out of the 5 songs, 2 of them are remakes anyways. So, to be fair, this is a below average effort the pair, who arguably have very little legitimate success anyways. And like I mentioned in my previous music blog, what's up with Bappi Lahiri and his comeback into the mainstream?
Bad album.

The Attacks of 26/11 (2013)
Music: Rooshin Dalal, Amar Mohile, Vishal R Khosla, Sushil R Khosla, Mohan Khan

Too many musicians to create so little real music. Most of it is background noise, while there is some gritty music, but again nothing interesting. If you loved, Rakht Charitra title track, you might add Maula Maula to the list.