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

F.A.L.T.U., Game, Kis Hudh Tak... - Music Review

F.A.L.T.U. (2011)
Music: Sachin - Jigar

1. Char Baj Gayi ------------------------------------------ 7/10
If it has not been a party time for you in a long time, then stock up your bar, get your music system tuned up and be ready to rock to the latest dont-care attitude party track in Char Baj Gayi. A much needed change from the perennial romantic tracks dished out by Bollywood. Just get into the right mood and enjoy this lively track by Hard Kaur.

2. Awaaz Do ----------------------------------------------- 7/10
It is hard to say that we have not listened to this sort of track before, but it still manages to bring over calm over a troubled mind.

3. Le Ja Tu Mujhe ---------------------------------------- 7/10
Starts out as a continuation of Gale Laga Le, another track from the movie, followed by a likable Atif Aslam solo. A nice pop rock by Atif has all the elements that Atif fans have come to expect: a call-for-help mood and Atif and good beats. Also, cannot overlook, or should I say, overhear the similarity between Sachin Gupta's Prince songs sung by Atif and this one.

4. O Teri ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5/10
Pretty bad track. But deserves mention for its jocular lyrics and classical Indian music tune. Falls right in the category of Motumaster from Udaan.

Final verdict: Get tracks 1, 2, 3 above. Other tracks Gale Laga Le, Nayee Subah and Rab Sab Se Sona are decent enough to make this a refreshing album that you will not regret playing in the background.

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Game (2011)
Music: Shankar - Ehsaan - Loy

I must officially say now that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have lost it to what it takes to producing refreshing and entertaining music. This album had them written over it, alas in a stale music sort of way. I just hope they find their way back. Given the genre of the movie, most songs sound like a bored bonus track from Don. Maine Yeh Kab Socha Tha is a silent, romantic number that comes anywhere close to be loved. However, the song gives you a feel it will take off from a slow and promising start to a euphoric climax, but fails to deliver any of that during the 300 odd seconds it plays, but takes musical detours instead.

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Kis Hudh Tak... (2010)
Music: Abid Shah

Surprise! Surprise!! Nothing to expect here. Just another perfunctory duty of producing music for a movie. Why do it and waste budget over something without putting your heart in it? The only funny aspect of this album is Naseeb Wale Hote Hain. Measuring at almost 10 minutes, this track is a huge extension to Khwaja Mere Khwaja from Jodha Akbar.

Char Baj Gayi - F.A.L.T.U. Awaaz Do - F.A.L.T.U. Le Ja Tu Mujhe - F.A.L.T.U. O Teri - F.A.L.T.U. Naseeb Wale Hote Hai - Kis Hudh Tak...

Tum Hi To Ho, Soch Lo, The Film Emotional Atyachar, Life Express - Music Review

Tum Hi To Ho (2011)
Music: Anand - Milind

1. Aaye Khuda Dard Ye Gum - The track starts out pretty good with Mohit Chauhan doing what he does best: a romantic soliloquy. In fact, the most of the song is so impressive, that the later half is almost hilarious with the cheesy romantic talk stuffed for some weird reason. It completely ruins the song, otherwise an impressive effort. Just for kicks, I would recommend to listen this song for a good laugh.
2. Dil Ne Mere Dil Ne - Good for dhabas, autorickshaws.

Final verdict: Yawwwn! What a dull album. Clearly has a stamp of trying to get a bargain within the music budget of the movie.

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Soch Lo (2010)

Music: Charu Mohan, Nitish Pries

1. Mera Yahaan Hai Kaun (2) ----------------------------- 7/10

A fresh rock track. Starts out with good beats, a slow and steady opening with a typical climax with the congruence of drums and bass guitar. This song is a male version and is more energetic and has better tempo than Mera Yahaan Hai Kaun female version. It is also good, but the male version is better of the two.

That's pretty much all for this album.

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The Film Emotional Atyachar (2010)
Music: Mangesh Dhadke, Bappi Lahiri

A pretty big album. Since it is not great or pathetic, summing the review with a few mentions:
1. Chitka Hua - A spiced up and fast-paced track for the jazz fans. Fun to listen to.
2. Kaafir - Out-of-the-box track for dance floor only. No remix necessary.
3. Sun Liya - A very typical romantic track by Samir Date. Pretty soothing despite being generic.





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Life Express (2010)
Music: Roop Kumar Rathod

Being a good singer and producing popular music are completely different things. A very cliche album with the UP-Bihar-esque, NOM, item song in Banaras Ke Paan. Pyar Ka Namak is decent, but so not 2010. Roop Kumar Rathod assumes the reins of playback in 4 tracks. He has a quality voice with the right amount of compassion, but unfortunately that alone is not alone to salvage a song.

Final verdict: Sounds like a decade old album and nothing touches our heart.

Yeh Saali Zindagi, Hostel, Vikalp - Music Review

Yeh Saali Zindagi (2011)
Music: Nishat Khan

1. Ishq Tere Jalwe --------------------------------------------- 6/10
This is a total Bheegi Bheegi from Gangster remade, recomposed. Although, Bheegi Bheegi is better for it's novelty (not originality, because we all know where Pritam got the tune from), this song picks up after a slow opening. Pretty decent song, but open to individual taste. Javed Ali slightly disappoints, whereas Shilpa Rao is not cut out for high pitched tunes.

2. Dil Dar-Ba-Dar ---------------------------------------------- 6/10
This song has pretty good beats and tempo. Very Bollywood indeed. However, this is a kind of track which you have heard in every other album. Despite it's likability, the song is cliche.

3. Kaise Kahein Alvida ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6/10
Indian classical music connoisseurs will like it. Even not so much fans of this genre should find it pretty calming. Now this is Javed Ali's forte.

4. Yeh Saali Zindagi (Duet) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5/10
Pretty good duet. Melodious. Has good beats. But the lyrics kill it. Sunidhi Chauhan should sing more songs like this.

Final verdict: Overall, a decent album with not many surprises. Definitely has the stamp of a good musician. Just not impressive enough.


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Hostel (2011)
Music: Virag Mishra

1. Bandagi ------------------------------------------- 7/10
It feels like the Bollywood musicians have started finally figuring out the grunge rock music puzzle. This genre never meant a cacophony of bass guitar, throbbing drums and screeching voices complaining to the whole wide world, which has mostly been the case in Bollywood so far. This track however gets it all in a harmony. Full marks to the musician.

That's pretty much to the album. Rishta Bano is decent but is about advising us, while Hausalah (I Wanna Live Once More) is good but conveys a suicidal mood, which is never welcome.

Final verdict: Not bad. Good rock track in Bandagi.

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Vikalp (2011)
Music: Dev-Vijay

Another debutant music duo? Maybe. Good luck to them, as they have had a not so bad start.

1. Kya Kahoon Tumse ------------------------------------ 7/10
As the song begins, the natural reaction is 'Sigh! Another Shaan track. He's not so cool anymore'. But wait, don't completely dismiss him yet. A pretty good track that reminds us of his heydays. Give him a chance again.

2. Nachenge Saari Saari Raat ------------------------- 6/10
A pretty good by the new music duo, with Sunidhi Chauhan unsurpisingly (because she is a voice of most second-rung movies nowadays) lending her voice. They prove all the naysayers wrong. Not a great song, but definitely will not make anyone feel like they are listening to some trash. It would be in fact interesting, if this song is put in one of the mainstream movies.

3. Yaar Ye Waham --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5/10
What a rip-off of Aashiq Banaya Aapne's title track. The lead voice is not so great to pull it off though. Not bad, but no one can replace the legendary HR.

This rounds up a week of not-so-bad music.

Creativity 101

They are the pioneers of their field. The big guns. We have known them for so long, that their names are almost fashionable and they command great respect. With all the brouhaha over creativity, think-out-of-the-box mentality that is pervasive today, have we ever given a thought to how it is lacking up there at the top. Or to be frank, those were the halcyon days of the past when people thought 'in the box' and got it all right.

Founded: 1943

Really? If someone asks an ABC employee today, "Hey! Where do you work?", will that person say, "I work at American Broadcasting Company"?

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Founded: 1892

Engineers have never been associated with art and beauty. Only utility. Back in the day when Thomas Edison founded GE, he probably had no time for the lame branding and advertising concepts. Someone might have asked him while he was busy with his work:
"What are you going to call your company?"
Edison grunts. "What do you think? I do general electrical work. General Electric! There you go, and leave me alone."

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Founded: 1908

Someone asked William C. Durant the same question some 15 years later.
Durant: "Dont you remember what Edison said? He did electrical work, I do motors. General Motors."

Durant to himself: "What's in a name?"

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Founded: 1911

At the launch of the company, or it's christening at least, the presentation on it's name must have lasted only 10 seconds.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are the International Business Machines. You guessed it right, that's exactly what we do. We build international business machines."

Over the years, some public relations executive might have thought:
"Our name is too self-aggrandizing. We sound cocky. Let's make it hip. We are now the IBM. That's cute."

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Founded: 1949

Now, not many might know this Indian tire company, but they probably hired one of the best branding personnel in the market.
         They made their brand elite by sponsoring only three cricket players at the time: Sachin Tendulkar, Brain Lara and Steve Waugh. For those who don't follow cricket, these players are legendary akin to Michael Jordan, David Beckham or Tom Brady.
          For those who remember the awesome advertisements MRF created, in which the dilapidated cars sitting in a post-apocalyptic world are given a new life by the tire shaped spaceship zapping brand new MRF tires on the cars. And everyone lived happily ever after.

Turns out the company name is Madras Rubber Factory!

Tanu Weds Manu, United Six, Utt Pataang - Music Review

Tanu Weds Manu (2011)
Music: Krsna

The romantic comedy genre of the movie raised some hopes, however, the album fails to meet the expectations. The entire album has a rustic, idyllic mood with folklike songs. I cannot really recommend a single track, however some songs do have a soul and they might appeal to some.
Brownie points:
1. Sadi Gali - A fun Punjabi track made for the fun-filled weddings.
2. Yun Hi - Mohit Chauhan brings us his forte. Slow paced and romantic solo.
3. Piya - A pretty good sounding track for the Indian classical music connoisseurs by Shafqat Amanat Ali. Although I think Shankar Mahadevan would have brought more emotion to it.

Questions: What in the world does the word Rangrez means? Why has this suddenly become a popular word in Bollywood? Why is a drunken voice singing patriotic songs considered classical?

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United Six (2011)
Music: Pritam

Does Pritam disappoint us? Well, he does, but at least he knows not how to suck.
1. Booty Shake -----------------------------------------------7/10
It took me a while to like the song, however, it catches up on you after a while. Funny rap followed with peppy beats never lets the song to die down. And who better than Sunidhi Chauhan to add the necessary zest. Reminded me of Aye Bachchu from Ghajini. Booty shake, booty booty shake shake, really like the way you swing your body baby.....

2. Waha Bhai Waa, Waha Bhai Waa (Remix) ----- 6/10
Pretty standard, but has some entertainment value. Like the title track of Welcome.



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Utt Pataang (2011)
Music: Shamir Tandon

This is probably Shamir Tandon's best album so far. Since I don't remember what other movies he has composed music for, I am quite sure his past work hasn't been impressive. The album has only 2 tracks:
1. Utt Pataang -------------------------------------------------- 7/10
This is probably one of the nicest rock tracks Bollywood has produced so far. For comparison, it sits right in the company of Rock On!!. The lyrics are a little unimaginative and the playback singer not one of the best, but like I said, had this track been part of Rock On!!, it definitely would have been much more popular. The ending of the song is pretty good with overlapping lyrics. Give it a chance and skip the Remix.

2. Jaanu Na Jaanu Na --------------------------------------- 6/10
Shaan brings us a romantic melody, however it fails to touch our hearts enough. It should have had some more originality, otherwise it is not too bad.

Ciao!

7 Khoon Maaf, Aashiqui.in, For Real - Music Review

7 Khoon Maaf (2011)
Music: Vishal Bharadwaj

It is almost pitiful to think of Vishal Bharadwaj as a music director first and a movie director next. This is how he started his career. But there is a good reason I think, why he is doing more of the latter than the former. If you don't believe me, just listen to the soundtrack of this movie. A pretty poor album, in that not any song has a distinct quality that could make it nice in a particular genre or mood. The style of music very clichéd, the two rock tracks: Dil Dil Hai and O Mama are flat and the opera-like folk song Darling is plain annoying.

Strike 1.
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Aashiqui.in (2011)
Music: Nitin Kumar Gupta, Prem Hariya

This album perfectly fits the bill of a second rung movie with second in class style of music. The music is such that it feels that it was good enough for a take off, but just ran out of steam before it did.
Brownie points:

• Tere Bina and Ruk Ke Jaana are decent
• Lichu Lichu - I would never recommend anyone this song, however the cheesiness of this song is plain hilarious.

Strike 2.
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For Real (2010)
Music: Zakir Hussain, Deborah Mollison

Yawwwwwwn! Don't people understand the age of jazz is over? What kind of a time warp are they living in?

Strike 3.