Race 2 Music Review

Race 2 Music
Music Direction : Pritam Chakraborty
Lyrics : Mayur Puri, Prashant Ingole &Yo Yo Honey Singh

What I expected? : Coz Pritam is in excellent form and the movie is the sequel to a musical chart buster, an out and out modern commercial outing.!

Lat Lag Gayi has Benny Dayal and Shalmali Kholgade kick starting the procedures with this not-so-appealing techno dance track filled with "lat-lag-gayi", "yeah-ah-ah-ye" loops and template beats. Might work hugely on screen but as standalone track, just good.
Be Intehaan by Atif Aslam and Sunidhi Chauhan, the Pehli Nazar substitute works in vain even with the feel good tune and standard arrangements mainly due to below average, ear throbbing singing by Atif and Sunidhi being utterly pointless. The song could have done wonders if it was sung by some other singers, say Arjit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, but for the Atif tag it can actually work with the singing being fakely termed as 'soulful' even when the track remains average.
Remix is a fast paced DJ gimmick.
Be Intehaan(Unplugged) by Rahul Vaidya is mesmerizing, still a but conventional. Better than the original anyway!
Party on My Mind is ear splitting techno dance and right from the start, I'm counting "I've heard this before" parts of the song(technically 'Inspirations') hence the song is just worth a hear even with the energetic singing by KK, Yo Yo Honey Singh and Shefali Alvarez. Another one which might work on screen.
Remix remains remix.
Alla Duhai Hai by Atif Aslam, Vishal Dadlani and Anushka Manchanda is at last terrific, terrifically addictive rock-techno which follows the lines of Race Saanson Ki, but keeping its own identity engaging you from start to finish blending a huge deal of sound engineering techniques into the fair tune with powerful singing! Good hear and a thumps up!
Remix has a false tempo. Not very appealing.

Vedict : Not for Alla Duhai Hai, Race 2 was a pretty average fair for me. Even then it doesn't elevate the prospects of the album, since Alla Duhai hai comes under the situational song category. No doubt Pritam has worked on the album well, there is a fair deal of DJ ing done, but something is amiss and hence the album is worth a hear, nothing more. Just like Players in 2012, Pritam starts with a dud in 2013!

Must Hears! : None

AVOIDABLE<POOR<BELOW AVERAGE<AVERAGE<GOOD<VERY GOOD<EXCELLENT!<OUTSTANDING!

Akaash Vani Music Review

Akaash Vani Music
Music Direction : Hitesh Sonik
Lyrics : Luv Ranjan

What I expected? : Hitesh Sonik proved himself promising in Coke Studio Season Two. So expecting a good deal of melodies.

Pad Gaye Ji has KK and Sunidhi Chauhan at the helm of affairs, singing a slow rock composition which is rightfully pleasant on ears, mainly due to the endearing singing by both singers. Along the lines I felt a bit of Amit Trivedi in it, but might be my imagination, dunno, it was a good hear!
Crazy Lover : WTF was that?!! Stupid techno.! Stupid lyrics.! And what the hell was Vishal Dadlani and Sunidhi Chauhan doing there!? Skip!
Bas Mein aur Tu sung by Nikhil D'Souza  has a fair slow melancholic melody in it with the good singing giving it an upper lift! Nice hear.!
Bas Mein aur Tu Reprise has better arrangements, nothing more.
Rumani by Thomson Andrews and Shalmali Kholgade holds your attention for its out of the box approach in the singing and composition, the lazy-cool rendition, head swaying tune and the whimsical jazz-techno-rock arrangements.! Good hear!
Tera Mera Naam is another slow rock, this time by Shafqat Amanat Ali, of which's interludes I loved more than the singing or the tune. Average and worth a hear.

Verdict : Hitesh Sonik's debut gives an impression that he has worked more on the arrangements than the basic back bone of his songs. Good arrangements but average tune works against most tracks. I loved Rumani, and Pad Gaye ji was somewhat good too, but overall an average fair, which was sort of a let down. Could have delivered better, may be next time Hitesh!

Must Hears! : Rumani

AVOIDABLE<POOR<BELOW AVERAGE<AVERAGE<GOOD<VERY GOOD<EXCELLENT!<OUTSTANDING!

Infinite Love | A R Rahman

A R Rahman has come up with his new single Infinite Love, released on December 20, in two versions, one in Hindi and one an official English version.

The video is aimed to "instill faith and optimism in people" as the makers say.
Well, the song itself is on the lines of Rahman's other English singles like "Pray for me brother", but with a better video, which one I liked immensely. It is exquisite and has a whole variety of cultural showcase in it, the idea is commendable. Video directed by Paul Boyd and choreographed by Longinus Fernandes.

The song has been composed by Rahman itself.  

The English version lyrics are written by Rahman, Blaaze and Gil  Levy and Hindi version written by Irshad Kamil.

Sung and performed by Rahman and Blaaze.

Posting the two versions below.

Table No. 21 Music Review

Table No. 21 Music
Music Direction : Gajendra Verma & Sachin Gupta

What I expected? : Good expectations from Sachin Gupta.

If you lie you die by Jaspreet Jazz and Neeraj Shridhar is the situational techno title track with occasional  voice over by Paresh Rawal. Nothing appealing.
O Sajna gives a better listen with Gajendra Verma and Puja Thaker singing a carefully crafted melody which is slow and fervid as a whole giving a good hear!
Mann Mera by Gajendra Verma turns out to be an average romantic number.
Both Remixes, of O Sajna and Mann Mera were unnecessary.

Verdict : Sachin Gupta disappoints with O Sajna being the only saving grace in this otherwise below average album.

Must Hears! : None

AVOIDABLE<POOR<BELOW AVERAGE<AVERAGE<GOOD<VERY GOOD<EXCELLENT!<OUTSTANDING!

Rajdhani Express Music Review

Rajdhani Express Music
Music Direction : Lahu-Madhav, Ritesh Nalini

What I expected? : Nothing

Koi Umeed(Western) by Hitesh Prasad is astoundingly a 10 minute long track with soft rock, fusion arrangements, melancholic slow feel and apt singing which is greatly appealingly to an extent but gets monotonous at some point. Good hear!
Koi Umeed(Indian) takes the tender ghazal route, brilliantly sung by Shahid Mallya with minimal Indian arrangements. Great hear!
Armaan Jagathi Hai even with the 80's styled background holds your attention, mainly due to the light melodious tune and feelful singing by Shaan! Good hear!
Tera Zikr(Female) showcases Madhusmita's passionate and intense vocals merged into a husky melodious romantic tune backed by simple but ample soft rock arrangements and good lyrics giving one hell of a track! Great hear!
Tera Zikr(Male) has Suresh Wadaker holding the mic which is as equally good as the other version, tender and a great hear!
Karta Hain Dil Se is definitely an age old romantic track, or it gives such a feel with Udit Narayan and the arrangements both in retro mode, something we usually gets in Mohd. Rafi songs, which is nevertheless good!
Mein Hoon Pathith is another old school track with assorted singers, slow and giving an average hear.

Verdict : This one belongs to that category of soundtracks "on which I don't have any expectations at all, but turns out to be immensely captivating.!" Rajdhani express has debutantes Lahu-Madhav and Ritesh Nalini churning out some feel good melodies rich in quality so that you tend to overlook the retro feel over them. Impressive work!

Must Hears! :  Koi Umeed(Indian), Tera Zikr(Female)

AVOIDABLE<POOR<BELOW AVERAGE<AVERAGE<GOOD<VERY GOOD<EXCELLENT!<OUTSTANDING!

Inkaar Music Review

Inkaar Music
Music Direction : Shantanu Moitra
Lyrics : Swanand Kirkire

What I expected? : Nothing

Darmiyan has certainly something wrong with it, don't know whether it is the lyrics, which is romantic, or the tune which is downright anthem-ish so that even Swanand Kirkire couldn't save it with his singing.
Inkaar(Theme) is a better listen with a nice brew of Keyboard, Guitars and Cello and the fabulous female voice.
Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta hai shows Suraj Jagan in his usual hard rock mode, catchy and nevertheless good!
Zindagi Ka Karobar by K. Mohan works well in blending that element of mystery to the fast paced, addictive composition, but with cliched arrangements.
Maula Tu Malik Hai by Shantanu Moitra and Swanand Kirkire tries hard to be appealing as a peppy sufi-sh song, but in vain.

Verdict : One of the weakest of Shantanu Moitra's works, he hasn't surely concentrated on this one. Average fair, with one or two songs occasionally appealing.

Must Hears : None

AVOIDABLE<POOR<BELOW AVERAGE<AVERAGE<GOOD<VERY GOOD<EXCELLENT!<OUTSTANDING!

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola Music Review

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola Music
Music Direction : Vishal Bharadwaj
Lyrics : Gulzar

What I expected? : From Vishal Bharadwaj, a bunch of quality songs which can be cherished for some long time.

Matru Ki Bijlee ka Mandola by Sukhwinder Singh and Ranjit Barot has been making airwaves already, the track being the quirky and engrossing title dance track which has quite a catchy and interesting orchestration with terrific singing, makes up for a great hear!
Khamaka by Prem Dehati is brilliant in every respect, the intelligent melodic tune, the sound, melancholic background, the choir like westersn chorus and Prem's tender and emotional singing mixed with very good lyrics. Great hear!
Oye Boy Charlie is definitely the craziest dance song encountered in recent times empowered by Rekha Bhardwaj, Shankar Mahadevan, and Mohit Chauhan singing their hearts out to this insanely funny piece of music back boned by striking desi orchestration which progressively goes up in level of interest! Great hear!
Lootnewale  just laps up the bizzareness of the soundtrack with Sukhwinder Singh and Master Saleem at the helm of affairs converting this to a total desi addictive stuff which demands multiple hears and a thumps up! Good hear!
Lootnewale Reprise by Sukhwinder Singh is just as good!
Shara-Rara-Ra  has been crafted around march-band arrangement setup with Prem Dehati singing this short and freaky track which totally gets you! Good hear!
Badal Uthiya is Rekha Bhardwaj magic all the way, her soulfulness heard throughout the simple tuned folk melody with Bengali lyrics and melancholic sound created by the use of sonorous Sitar all through the track! Great hear!
Badal Uthiya Reprise by Prem Dehati captures that somber feeling and emotion perfectly again!
Chaar Dina Ki  shows Pankaj Kapur, Imran Khan and Prem Dehati going bersek over another short band template which is nevertheless good!
Chor Police by Pankaj Kapur is in ditto mode as the previous track.
Nomvula by African Umoja provides the rave and interesting South African country music sound to the whole setup, which further increases the amusement!

Verdict : The soundtrack lives up to expectations and even when many tracks are highly situational, it manages to delight the listener with brilliant melodies like Khamka and Badal along with crazy stuff like Oye Boy and Lootnewale.! Vishal Bharadwaj comes up with a winner in this riveting and amusing soundtrack!

Must Hears! : Khamka, Badal, Oye Boy


AVERAGE<GOOD<VERY GOOD<EXCELLENT!<OUTSTANDING!

Thagni | Shreyas & Abhas | Indipop Music Review

Thagni  Music
Music Direction : Shreyas and Abhas

Mora Siyaan is plain, slow and soothing, pleasingly orchestrated and sung gracefully. Good hear!
Moko Kahan Dhunde is pure bliss, ghazalish tune given upper lift by flawless singing! Grt hear!
Maya Thagni  takes more of an anthem-ish, classical route with mixed results even with interesting lyrics.
Tohe Piya was painfully old school, Falguni Pathak type love song giving an average hear.
Man Logo Mero Yaar 2012 is another take on the age old Kabir Bhajan, soulfully composed, which is nevertheless good.
Ud Jayega is ear pleasing soft rock, soulful and catchy with a nice amalgamation of interesting arrangements. Good Hear!
Jheeni Re is tender sounding pleasant composition sung equally expressively and passionately with inspirational lyrics and simple low profile arrngements. Grt hear!

Verdict : Thagni is an impressive collection of  some fervid melodies which you won't regret hearing. Good attempt, could have been better.

Songs To Hear : Mora Siyaan, Moko Kahan, Ud Jayega, Jheeni Re

Mumbai Mirror Music Review

Mumbai Mirror Music
Music Direction : Anand Raj Anand, Amjad Nadeem

What I expected? : Nothing

Blunder by Rithu Pathak is kick ass, nicely orchestrated and energetically executed dance track with quirky lyrics.! Good Hear!
Mar Jawan Male by Sonu Nigam and Female by Sayanti Das, is one solid mesmerizing melody which takes your attention in no time and fixes you on the spot with the seeping emotion.! Grt hear!
Doom De Palakt and Govinda Ala Re are almost same, good and peppy orchestration with powerful singing.!
Thumka by Shreya is captivating due to the charismatic rendition of Shreya making this dance track a good hear.

Verdict : Mar jawan is excellent while all others are superbly composed and orchestrated. It came out of nowhere but Mumbai Mirror music is largely appealing!

Must Hears! : Mar Jawan Female

AVERAGE<GOOD<VERY GOOD<EXCELLENT!<OUTSTANDING!

Top Bollywood Songs 2012

Top 50 melodies and top 25 dance tracks. Never wanted to include 75 tracks, but the number of good songs this year was more than expected and any song listed below couldn't have been omitted. There might be differences of opinion, but I was honest to myself while preparing the list. For the ranking, I have considered both the quality and the popularity of the songs.

Melodies

50. Jiya Lage Naa - Talaash

49. Darmiyaan - Jodi Breakers

48. Vo Dekhney Mein - London Paris Ney York

47. O Re Khuda - Rush

46. Keh Ke Loonga - Gangs of Wasseypur

45. Zindagi Se - Raaz 3

44. Maula - Jism 2

43. Daaru Desi - Cocktail

42. Bolo Na - Chittagong

41. Apna hi Banana - 1920 Evil Returns

40. Oh Womaniya - Gangs of Wasseypur

39. Naina Re - Dangerous Ishq

38. Mann Jaage - Bittoo Boss

37. Piya O Re Piya - Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya

36. Ishq Wala Love - Student of the Year

35. Long Drive - Khiladi 786

34. Gustakh Dil - Shilpa Rao

33. Mein Kya Karoon - Barfi!

32. Saiyaara - Ek Tha Tiger

31. Aashiyaan - Barfi!

30. Tore Bina - Kahaani

29. Mere Nishaan - OMG Oh My God

28. Mar Jaayian - Vicky Donor

27. Laakh Duniya Kahein - Talaash

26. Saans - Jab Tak Hai Jaan

25. Soniye - Will You Marry Me?

24. Moora - Gangs of Wassypur 2

23. Saawali Si Raat - Barfi!

22. Ala Barfi - Barfi!

21. Deewana Kar Raha Hai - Raaz 3

No.	Song	Singer	Music Director	Film
20.	Shuruwat Pyar Ki	Yamini Lavanian& Nikhil D'Souza	Agnee	Aalaap
19.	Yaarian	Mohan Kanan, Sunidhi Chauhan	Pritam	Cocktail
18.	Khudaaya	Shekhar, Raja Hasan	Vishal-Shekhar	Shanghai
17.	Jeene De	Mohit Chauhan	Sachin-Jigar	Tere Naal LHG
16.	Dhak Dhuk	Amit Trivedi	Amit Trivedi	English Vinglish
15.	Kahaani	Shreya, KK	Vishal-Shekhar	Kahaani
14.	O Saiyaan	Roop Kumar Rathod	Ajay-Atul	Agneepath
13.	Raabta	Shreya, Hamsika, Arjit Singh	Pritam	Agent Vinod
12.	Bichdan	Rahat Fateh Ali Khan	Himesh Reshammiya	Son of Sardar
11.	Rab Ka Shukrana	Mohit Chauhan	Pritam	Jannat 2
10.	Pareshaan	Shalmali Kholgade	Amit Trivedi	Ishaqzade
9.	Sang Hoon Tere	KK	Pritam	Jannat 2
8.	Heer	Hashdeep Kaur	A R Rahman	Jab Tak HJ
7.	Kyon	Papon, Sunidhi	Pritam	Barfi!
6.	Pani Da	Ayushmann Khurana	Ayushman, Rochak Kohli	Vicky Donor
5.	Dua	Nandini Srikar, Arijit Singh, Shekhar Ravjiani	Vishal-Shekhar	Shanghai
4.	Jee Le Zara	Vishal Dadlani	Ram Sampath	Talaash

3. Phir Le Aaya Dil - Barfi!

Composed elegently and sung brilliantly by Rekha Bharadwaj and Arjit Singh and Shfqat Amanat Ali in three respective versions, it is one damn good ghazal we can never delete. It grows on you, make you tender and puts you to sleep. One of the best of 2012.!
Watch it Here


2. Piya Tu Kahe Rootha Re - Kahaani

One hell of a track and the BEST fusion music material Bollywood has ever seen in years, this Vishal-Shekhar song is high in various respects.! The outstanding singing by Javed Bashir mesmerizes you by the amazing tempo of the swaras, and the flawless, crystal clear classical rendition. The track is special due to the fact that it is one of those rare Carnatic-Hindustani rock fusion material which changes from mode to mode and from raga to raga giving the listener a roller coaster ride.! Kudos to Vishal-Shekhar for pulling off such a track. One of the best of 2012 and the one of the most under promoted.
Hear it Here

1. Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin - Agneepath

The track I listened  the most number of times in 2012, Abhi Mujh Mein is undoubtedly the best melody of the year. The soothing yet complex tune of Ajay-Atul, which many singers will find difficult to pull off as brilliantly as Sonu Nigam, is graceful, boggling and oozing with love and passion! The best part is the arrangements which goes straight to our heart, the violin, Keyboard, Guitar and Percussion which capture the right feel and emits huge spurts of emotion.! Can't afford to miss this one!
2012's BEST MELODY.
Watch it Here


Dance Tracks

25. Mukhtasar Remix - Teri Meri Kahaani

24. Don't Worry Remix - OMG Oh My God

23. Lonely Remix - Khiladi 786

22. Jiya Re - JTHJ

21. Po Po - Son Of Sardar

20. London Paris New York Title Track

19. Mashallah - Ek Tha Tiger

18. Hookah Bar - Khiladi 786

17. Chin Ta Ta - Rowdy Rathore

16. Ishq Shava - JTHJ

15. Dreamum Wakeupum - Aiyyaa

14. Second Hand Jawani - Cocktail

13. Chalao Na Nainon Se - Bol Bachchan

12. Hunter - Gangs of Wasseypur

11. Chokra Jawani - Ishaqzaade

10. Rani Tu Mein raja - Son Of Sardar
Singers : Yo Yo Honey Singh, Miks Singh, Shreya Ghoshal
Music Directoion : Himesh Reshammiya

9. Rum Whisky - Vicky Donor
Singers : Akshay Verma
Music Direction : Abhishek-Akshay

8. Go Go Govinda - OMG Oh My God
Singers : Mika Singh, Aman Triikha, Shreya Ghoshal
Music Direction : Himesh Reshammiya

7. Pungi - Agent Vinod
Singer : Mika Singh
Music Direction : Pritam

6. I'll do the talking - Agent Vinod
Singers : Neeraj Shridhar, Aditi Singh, Shefali Alvaris, Barbie Amod
Music Direction : Pritam

5. Gun Gun Gunare - Agneepath
Singers : Sunidhi Chauhan, Udit Narayan
Music Direction : Ajay-Atul

4. Chikni Chameli - Agneepath
Singer : Shreya Ghoshal
Muisc Direction : Ajay-Atul


3. Dil Mera Muft Ka - Agent Vinod
Singer : Nandini Shrikar, Rizwan-Muazzam, Shadaab Faridi-Altamush Faridi, Shabab Sabri
Music Direction : Pritam
Watch Here


2. Disco Deewane - Student of the Year
Singers : Benny Dayal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Nazia Hassan
Music Direction : Vishal-Shekhar, Nazia Hassan
Watch Here


1. Tumhi Ho Bandhu - Cocktail
Singers : Kavitha Seth, Neeraj Shridhar
Music Direction : Pritam Chakraborty
Watch Here