DELHI-6-Music Review

MUSIC: A.R.RAHMAN

LYRICS: PRASOON JOSHI, VIVIANNE POCHA, CLAIRE.

RATING: 

The new year has started on a high for ARR after his golden run at the golden globe awards and here he is back with his first release of 2009. The Rang de Basanti duo of Rahman and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra have joined hands once again to give us a swashbuckling album.

Masakkali (Mohit Chauhan)

The song that we got very used to in the teasers. A wonderful tune by Rahman with a tinge of naughtiness and fun quotient in it. I never did know that Mohit Chauhan could sing so well. An excellent song with the right mix and fun filled lyrics hits the bulls eye.

Bhor Bhaye (Shreya Ghoshal, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Gujri Todi)

A perfectly INDIAN kind of song with a wonderful classical influence. Might not be a big hit at an instant hearing but grows on you as u keep on hearing to this number. Shreya has sung her heart out while Ustad and Gujri todi give her great support. Some great instrumentation makes this song a classical masterpiece.

Noor (Amitabh Bachchan)

Not exactly a song. This is a small rendition by Big B. Watch out for the music playing in the backround, it is celestial.

Aarti(Tumre Bhavan Mein) (Rekha Bharadwaj, Kishori Gowariker, Shraddha Pandit, Sujata Majumdar)

A very similiar track to the one we have heard in RDB. A song to rejoice and hear along with your grand parents.

Ghenda Phool (Rekha Bharadwaj, Shraddha Pandit, Sujata Majumdar)

A marriage song for sure. Set with an oye oye oye prelude which is followed by some beats. A great improvisation by the maestro is visible from its interludes. Rekha Bhardwaj has given a great feel to the song with her mesmerising voice after Chinnamaa Chilakamma. A winner from its start goes straight into the heart.

Dil Gira Dafatan (Ash King, Backing Chinmayee)

Wow!!! what a song from the magic maestro. The music just grows on you as the song spans out and it is no less than a chart buster. Ash King being a London born Indian has given the right fell to the song and chinmayee as usual rocks with her voice although she has very few lines. Shows the way Rahman gets the best from his artists. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful from beginning to end, this track showcases why A.R. Rahman is the best music director in India. Thums way up for this brave and beautiful track that will move your soul!

Hey Kalaa Bandhar (Naresh Iyer, Karthik, Srinivas, Bony Chakaravarthy)

A wonderful experiment by Rahman that comes off beautifully. An entirely different song from the rest in the album, Kalaa Bandhar is given the exact feeling by its singers. The rocking Karthik, the swashbuckling Naresh Iyer and Srinivas with Rap by Bony Chakaravarthy take the song one notch up with their voices. Athough certain hummings reminds us of Yuvvraaj(the ooh hummings), it is an engaging listen. It’s odd, and has a wandering techno beat, but the quirky lyrics and the interlude with the Arabic style singing adds a nice touch. Where’s the monkey???

Rehna Tu (A.R.Rahman, Benny Dayal, Tanvi shah)

A soothing melody with amazing vocals, the voice of Rahman just lifts the song to the heavens. It is such a wonderful song that will be the new anthem for lovers from this very moment. The layered voices that support him include Rahman’s mainstay Benny Dayal and Tanvi. It’s jazzy, it’s funky, and it’s Rahman being playfully creative by combining different styles of music. We didn’t get one of those in “Ghajini” or “Yuvvraaj”, the one for which he takes the mic. His voice just puts you into a meditative trance.

Delhi-6 (Blaaze, Benny Dayal, Vivinenne Pocha, Tanvi, Claire)

Yeh Dilli hai mere Yaar!!!!…Keep singing along with this track. A perfect Hip-Hop album with some great instrumentation and mad guitaring. The “Khalbali” of Delhi-6 for sure. Yeh Delhi hai mere yaar…bas ishq mohabbat pyaar. Great job by the singers too make it an instant hit among listeners.

Arziyan(Maula Maula) (Javed Ali, Kailash Kher)

A masterful end to the album with a qawwali. javed and Kailash just blow u away with their voices in this number that takes you to another place entirely. A song in the ranks of “Kwhaja” and “Marhaban Mustapha”. A song that will long stay in your heats long after you have stopped listening to it. Absolutely a Masterpiece.

Rajster’s Top 3 of the Album:

1. Arziyan(Maula Maula).
2. Dil Giraa Daftaan.
3. Masakkali

P.S: Whoa, it was tough to leave out Rehna Tu and Delhi 6. since its just 3 i will go with the above song. It was a tough job choosing the best 3.

Rajster’s Verdict:

Just when you start thinking how high can Rahman go, the maestro strikes with Delhi-6, a wonderful mix of all generes and shows why he is the master in his trade. He raises the bar even further than what you think he can reach. That’s Rahman for you. 2009 started off well with Luck By Chance and Naan kadavul and it just got better with Delhi-6. So, what are you waiting for. Grab your Cd’s and get mesmerized.

Delhi-6- Yeh Delhi Hai Mere Yaar!!!! Rahman Style.

AEGAN-Music Review

MUSIC : YUVAN SHANKAR RAJA

LYRICS : SNEHAN, PA.VIJAY

RATING :

The deadly combo of Ajith-Yuvan is back with AEGAN after their blockbuster BILLA and are bang on target when it comes to the music. Yuvan is on a high after back to back musical hits and is brimming with confidence which is purely visible with the music of AEGAN. This one is surely gonna rock.

Hey Salaa (Blaaze, Naresh Iyer, Md.Aslam)

A song that is gonna be hummed by thousands of THALA fans all over the world. The lyrics just portray that and Blaaze with his amazing rap is taking this song to the top of the charts. Naresh and Aslam do their bit in this rap oriented track with a beautiful flute piece interlude that pleases the listeners. This song has been split up into 3 numbers for caller tunes and is repeated in the original audio CD. A chartbuster for sure.

Yahoo Yahoo (Suvi, Ujjaini, Satyan, Ranjith & Naveen)

A Youth oriented track with wonderful beats by Yuvan. Reminds the fun at the college. A peppy number with all the right ingredients to keep it playing in the hearts of youngsters. Wonderful music and renditions by all the singers(Quite a few). Yet another youth anthem from Yuvan.

Hey Baby (Shankar Mahadevan)

A superb love number sung wonderfully by shankar Mahadevan. The Salsa feel to the song works out really well. “Mallika i love u” is the chant that is gonna haunt all the lovers out there. Nice song with the right mix of instruments. Sticks to you on the first hearing.

Odum Varayil (K.K, Bela Shende)

A typical mass hero song. The lyrics fits in just perfect and is ready to make all Thala fans go haywire when he appears on screen for this song. K.K, back after a long stint does great work of what is bestowed upon him. The voice of Bela Shende requires some fine tuning. An anthem for all THALA fans.

Kichu Kichu (Vasundhara Dass, Yuvan Shankar Raja)

A sensuous number. Just imagine Nayanthara dancing to these tunes. Vasundhara Dass does a neat job with the feel and rendition. Amother song from Yuvan with heavy beats. Yuvan is at his best when he sings a line or two in this number. A song that is gonna leave many with sleepless nights drooling over Nayan.

Rajster’s Top 3 of the Album:

1. Hey Baby.
2. Hey Salaa.
3. Kichu Kichu.

Rajster’s Verdict:

A real winner with the masses. This album has it all in the right mixes to set the cash registers ringing and also capturing hearts of millions of Thala fans throughout the world. Yet another winner from Yuvan-Ajith Combo.

Aegan-Eh Salaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VAARANAM AAYIRAM-Music Review

MUSIC : HARRIS JEYARAJ

LYRICS: THAAMARAI , Na. MUTHUKUMAR

RATING :

Harris is back after a low profile Sathyam and how???. You will soon find out after hearing his mesmerizing tunes of Vaaranam Aayiram. This album is by far the best album in Harris’s career and the deadly trio of Gautham-Surya-Harris are back in superb style to haunt you forever. Lets get rollin.

Adiyae Kolluthey (Krishh,Benny Dayal,Shruthi Haasan)

A song that was a hit even before its actual release. Leaked through the internet this song is rising steadily up the charts after its release. This guitar based song sticks to your heart mainly due to its cool renditions by Krishh (June Ponal) and Shruthi Hassan (Daughter of Kamal Hassan). Shruthi’s voice is a bit rustic and fits in the mood of the song perfectly. Already a hit among the masses.

Nenjukkul Peithidum (Hariharan,Deven,V.Prasanna)

Harris proves his like for melody with this song. Starting with a guitaric prelude the song is totally guitar based combined with some wonderful singing by Hariharan and the other vocalists. A love anthem nonetheless. A song that will stay long in your hearts even after you hear it. The lyrics of the song deserves special praise for its feel.

Annul Malae (Sudha Raghunadhan)

One of the best songs i have ever heard. A feel good Carnatic classical song with excellent vocals from Sudha Raghunathan who gives the song a new lease of life with her voice. A special hats off for this song and its lyrics.

Mundhinam (Naresh Iyer,Prashantini)

Yet another melody from the master. Yet another guitar based song with mesmerizing vocals from Naresh Iyer. The song is given the perfect fell with the mix of instruments in its music and the drugging voice of Prashanthini. Yet another chartbuster.

Ava Enna (Karthik)

A pleasant surprise is in store for all u freaking Gautham fans. This song is a “Gaana” type song and it is in a Gautham Menon movie. I’ll give harris full marks for this song. Karhik is so good always that this song is a walk in the park for him when it comes to rendering his vocals. Gadam and other hand instruments form the basic music instrumentation with the dandiya like stick beats. Good Folk number.

Oh! Shanthi Shanthi (S.P.B.Charan,Clinton)

Another Oh! shanthi but with slightly different scales and lyrics. My personal favorite. A superb song with good vocal support from Charan and Clinton. The guitar prelude and during the Oh! shanthi chant are totally awesome.

Yethi Yethi (Benny Dayal,Naresh Iyer,Solar Sai)

A superb hip hop style number. Benny Dayal is going places with his voices for sure and thats purely isible in his feel and rendition. Naresh and Solar Sai provide perfect foil. A youth based song and the lyrics just reflects that. Yet another personal favourite.

Rajster’s Top 3 of the Album:

1. Adiyae Kolluthey.
2. Nenjukkul Peithidum.
3. Annul Malae.

P.S: It was really difficult for me to choose just 3 songs as the best. All the songs are equally good.

Rajster’s Verdict:

A really chart topping album from Harris after a lame Sathyam. The songs are there to make an impact and if the visuals are half as good as the songs are then we have yet another blockbuster in our hands. It’s an album for all ages and a definite don’t miss. Harris is the master of melody and has proved his mettle bigtime.

Vaaranam Aayiram-Musically Enthralling!!!

SAKKARAKATTI-Music Review

MUSIC: A.R.RAHMAN

LYRICS: NA.MUTHUKUMAR, VAALI, PA.VIJAY, BLAAZE

RATING:

The maestro is back this time in Tamil to make u dance to his tunes with some hip shaking, mind blowing music with all the experimentation’s you can ask for in a Rahman album all of it which gives it a fresh feel. Some songs will take time to sink in as all Rahman songs do but all songs are sure to make u tap ur feet.

Chinnamma (Benny Dayal, Chinmayii)

Adapted from ARR’s earlier film in Hindi “Meenaxi” this song sets off with a brilliant flute composition and Benny Dayal just dazzles with this number. He is the highlight of the song taking over the music and lyrics , just gets you with his haunting voice. Chinmayii falls a little short to cope up with Benny but has done nothing wrong. The background music and percussion’s just blends with the song that is ought to be a huge hit among the masses.

Elay (Naresh Iyer, Krish)

A song that starts off with traces of “Roobaroo” from RDB but then the guitar strumming and violin  which have become Rahman’s obsession just takes over and is the main attraction of the song overshadowing great vocals from both singers. Naresh and Krish do what they do best and this song can go on to become Mustafa Mustafa-Part 2. Na.Muthukumar’s lyrics are just right to make this song click among the youngistan’s.

I Miss U Da (Chinmayii,Indai Haza)

This song is brilliantly set up with Chinmayii chanting the “Eminee…” with her amazing voice and just pulls you into this song. Rahman has done a great job with the background instrumentation to give a unique feel to this song. Chinmayii has put in a lot of effort into the song to give the perfect feel for the song. A song that will be popular among the radio stations.

Marudhaani (Madhushree,A.R.Rahman,Henry)

Rahman proves he is king of melody with this special number which has excellent vocals of Madhushree who has worked hard to get her pronunciations right. ARR disappoints his fans by not singing a number but his humming and perfect background musical support gives a great boost to this wonderful composition from the master. As a fan of ARR i would have loved to see him sing a whole number in this album but you cannot take anything away from this magical piece of melody.

Naan Eppodhu (Reena Bharadwaj)

Great percussion’s and some wonderful music by the maestro take this melodious number to the next level. Although Reena Bharadwaj’s voice is so soothing it sometimes makes you feel she wasn’t suited for the song. Nevertheless another melody from Rahman’s fort.

Taxi Taxi (Benny Dayal,Blaaze,Viviane Chaixe,Javed Ali)

Wow!!!Wat a song…just makes you dance with its initial hearing. Blaaze proves why he is the best in business and sets up this songs for the singers and Benny Dayal and Rashid Ali yet again prove their mettle. The french utterings in the middle of the song by Viviane Chaixe just blends perfectly with the song. A peppy number which has all the variations which is surely going to be the Anthem for youngsters in the coming days.

Rajster’s top 3 of the Album

1. Chinnama
2. I Miss U Da
3. Taxi Taxi

Rajster’s Verdict:

A typical ARR album which is fresh,peppy,fun and has all the right ingredients to make it a clear hit among the masses. Rahman yet again works up his magic in compositions and Shantanu could not ask for a better way to kick start his career in kollywood…and ARR proves that he is still the best in Business…

BACHNA AE HASSENO-Music Review

MUSIC: VISHAL-SHEKHAR

LYRICS: MAJROOH SULTAN PURI,ANVITA DUTTA GUPTAN,VISHAL DADLANI

RATING:

The deadly duo of Vishal-Shekhar are back in business with the album they were very much boasting about. And to an extent they have done a decent job. This too is an average album on the lines of their previous albums De taali and Bhoothnath but just a step higher than them is what makes this album work.

Khuda Jaane (Kay Kay Menon,Shilpa Rao)

A scintillating song from Vishal Shekhar after their hit number Ajab Si in OSO. Kay Kay Menon and Shilpa Rao sing their hearts out in this superb melodious number. The percussions and the instrumentation of the song is perfect which wants you to hear it again and again.

Lucky Boy (Sunidhi Chauhan,Hard Kaur,Raja Hassan)

An average song that potrays Ranbir as the lucky boy. The Music of this song is nothin to boast about. It is fast and racy number but has the have i heard this song before somewhere??? tag to it. An average song nonetheless. The three vocalists do their best to make it more listenable.

Aahista Aahista (Lucky Ali,Shreya Ghoshal)

Lucky Ali is back at what he does best, a wonderful song rendition from Lucky Ali and the ever sweet Shreya Ghoshal makes this song an instant hit with the listeners. The music of the song also deserves special praise for its beats and the use of guitars. A definite pic for the best of the album.

Jogi Mahi (Sukhwinder Singh,Shekhar Ravjiani,Himani Kapoor)

A song with the yashraj stamp packed all over it. A slow number wid excellent punjabi lyrics and vocal renditions from the trio. Shekhar Ranvjiani has composed this song and the dholak sound makes you feel the beats from rural Punjab. A nice song.

Small Town Girl (Shankar Mahadevan)

A rock style song with the vocals of Shankar Mahadevan(how did they get him to sing this???). Its another average song in the album and the music reminds you of some previous compositions of Vishal-Shekhar. Shankar fails to impress with his very much impressive song for Bipasha Basu. But truely he cannot be blamed!!!

Khuda Jaane Revisited (Remix)

A remix of the original sung by Kay Kay Menon and Shilpa Rao. it is quite racy than the original with its rock beats. Just another Average Song.

Bachna Ae Haseeno (Kishore Kumar*,Sumit Kumar,Vishal Dadlani)

And when you thought it was all over with this album here comes the Peach of the album. The best in the album by far. The title song is clearly the standout of the album and Vishal-Shekhar have done a great job without spoiling the original. The voices of Kishoreda and his son Sumit Kumar suits well and Vishal with his Rap style makes it a rocking number.

Rajster’s top 3 of the Album

1. Bachna Ae Haseeno
2. Khuda Jaane
3. Aahista Aahista

Rajster’s Verdict:

Vishal-Shekhar have done a decent job here in this album. But a couple of songs fail to get your attention which pushes this album too into the average rating. But a much better one than both De Taali and Bhootnath from the duo. Bachna ae Haseeno!!!!

SINGH IS KINNG-Music Review

MUSIC: PRITAM

LYRICS: MAYUR PURI

RATING:

Pritam is back yet again with his much hyped about film album. He is not at his belligerent best in this album but most of you will find this one entertaining and grooving with all the right mixes of the instruments. This album is very much the PUNJABI style which might perfectly suite the movie.

Singh is Kinng (R.D.B,Snoop Dogg,Akshay Kumar)

Now heres a groovy number with all the hip-hop hustles u could ask for. Pritam really has done a good job here with the composition and the appearance of SNOOP DO double G is felt with his slow RAP in between, even akshay gets a chance to stretch his vocal chords and does a decent job. I am a bit confused but ill still say that this is the title song of the movie. Not the best but you might just like it.

Jee Karda (Labh Jan Jua,Suzie Q)

The English version of the song is amazing in the voice of Suzie Q that will be shown on Katrina Kaif. The Punjabi version of the song has been sung in the voice of Labh Jan Jua and this song has western and Punjabi effect. The remix version of the song is full of heavy beats. This one is a typical Punjabi number but doesn’t quite catch on with the listener. Mayb it might jus stick with time i guess.

Bas Ek Kinng (Mika Singh,Neeraj Shridhar,Hard Kaur,Aashish Pandit)

This is the song that we were treated to in the TV promos. Another hip-hop style number portraying the title of the movie. The vocalists hav performed a tremendous job & so does pritam who has got all his instrumental ingredients rights to make this a hit number. There is also a Tiger Style Mix of the same number which is quite racy than the original.

Bhootni Ke (Daler Mehndhi)

A typical Punjabi number that symbolizes the culture of Punjab with its lovely lyrics that remind you of Punjabi folk. The music is a feast but i am sorry to say this you are let down by more or less the ‘Shouting’ of Daler Mehndi at the beggining of the song. You kind of get irritated by the constant top decibel chants of the Punjabi singer. There are 2 more remixed versions of this song, a DJ mix by DJ Amyth and a Tiger Style Mix in the voice of Mika.

Teri Ore (Rahat Fateh Ali Khan,Shreya Ghoshal)

Clearly a standout in this otherwise average album. It is a mesmerizing romantic melodious number where Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal just absorb you into the song with their magical voices & not to forget the wonderful composition by Pritam here.

Talli Hua (Neeraj Shridhar,Labh Jan Jua)

Another high energy western beat Punjabi song that is really good with the beats. The deadly combo of Pritam and Neeraj are back again and they prove it big again with this number. It is really fast number and makes u dance once u hear it. A nice groovy number with all the proper beats to make it workin big. A remix version called the Jay Dabhi Mix has the rap of Style Bhai along with the vocalists of the original number.

Rajster’s top 3 of the Album

1. Bas Ek Kinng
2. Teri Ore
3. Singh is KInng

Rajster’s Verdict:

A totally groovy album with all the right POONJABI mixes as Snoop Dogg says. But this not one of the very best works of Pritam. It is an average album aimed at the masses and the hit pair of AKSHAY-KATRINA may just be enough take it to the top of the charts…lets just hope they do

ADA-A WAY OF LIFE-Music Review

ADA-A WAY OF LIFE

MUSIC: A.R.RAHMAN

LYRICS: RAQUEEB ALAM, NUSRAT BADR

RATING: 4/5

A.R Rahman is back after a decent gap and he has not disappointed his fans. The focus is on melody and the maestro as usual has spent a lot time on improving the instrumentation and overall quality as it is evident in the final product. This album is for the typical Rahman fan and will not please the rap junkies.

Mehrbaan (A.R Rahman)

Rahman has sung this mesmerizing song. This is sure to become a major hit of 2008. The lyrics of Raqeeb Alam are equally impressive.The song starts with an impressive piano piece before Rahman gets into his groove. There is a bit of the brit group coldplay in the song.

Mehrbaan (Instrumental)

Rahman must have realized that this was the best song in the album and decided to release a Instrumental version of the song. Sanjeev Thomas impresses with his guitar skills.

Ishq Ada (Rashid Ali)

Rashid Ali is another new comer from the A.R Rahman school of music. This is a jazzy song with an impressive rhythm to it. The guitar interlude just flows through the song. Rashid Ali pleads and begs in this song with some sufi influence.

Hawa Sun Hawa (Sony Nigam and Alka Yagnik)

Another impressive melody sung by the extremely talented Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. Naveen as usual produces magic with his flute. The song reminds me of Rahman from his “Dil Se” days. Alka takes the song to the next level with her haunting voice.

Gum Sum (Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik)

A rhythmic tabla based song. Rahman has stuck to the same magical pair of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik and the end result is another good song. The song is free flowing and pleasant.

Gulfisha ( Sonu Nigam , Sunidhi Chauhan and Viviane)

Sunidhi has always impressed me and this song has only proves that she is a versatile singer. This is a highly stylish song and she has fitted very well into it. Sonu is at his best as usual.

Tu Mera Hai (Chithra , Sukhwinder Singh and Naresh Iyer)

Another impressive song sung by the evergreen Chithra. Sukhwinder gives her good company. Naresh Iyer has become a standard inclusion in all Rahman albums even though he is not utilized to his fullest extent in this musical score. The song changes track and slowly transforms into a Ghazal.

Hai Dard ( Udit Narayan)

A sad song and Udit fits the bill perfectly. Pay close attention to the heavy metal piece and the Arabic interlude in the middle. This is an average song but Udit elevates the song into something much more than that with his soulful rendition.

Ishq Ada ( Parul Mishra)

Parul is another newcomer. I liked this song better than the male version. There is a sense of innocence in Parul’s voice which makes it more natural and refreshing.

Milo Wahan Wahan(Alka Yagnik and Jayachandran)

Another sad song but the sorrow is so meticulously depicted by both the music director and the singers. Jayachandran and Alka sing their hearts out in an extremely controlled rendition in this highly melodramatic but melodious song which only Rahman can create.

Top 3 of the Album

1. Meherbaan( Both Versions)
2. Ishq Ada Hai ( Male Version)
3. Milo Wahan Wahan

It is a perfect album with blends of all kinds of music. Some songs takes time to get a catch on you like all Rahman songs do, you gotta keep listening to the tracks again and again to know how good they are. Much like slow poison stuff. Grab a cd and join this melodious and melancholy ride into the world of A.R.Rahman. A good Album if not the Best. A.R.Rahman again proves he is the king of music.