Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year (Music Review)

Only 3 songs in the album, and all are good

Music director: Sulaiman and Salim Merchant

Lyricist: Jaideep Sahni

Singers: Benny Dayal, Vishal Dadlani and Salim Merchant

"Chak De! India" director Shimit Amin is back with "Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year". If the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer had six original tracks, the album of his new film has only three songs. But they are definitely worth hearing.

The music of "Rocket Singh", which has Ranbir Kapoor in the lead, is by composer brothers Salim and Sulaiman Merchant and the soundtrack has eight bonus tracks from old Yash Raj Films.

The first song "Gadbadi hadbadi" is sung by composer Salim himself. It is full of punch and is an energetic number. The song has a rock feel owing to its orchestration. It gets an edge when it slows down in between and then again gains momentum.

Next is a beautiful number "Pankho ko" crooned by Benny Dayal. The song has a certain raw appeal and the lyrics are insightful and intriguing. The strumming of the guitar makes it soft and soothing to the ears. The track holds the interest of the listener right till the end.

Finally, we have the title track that is doing the rounds of TV channels. "Pocket mein rocket" has Vishal Dadlani behind the mike and is a fun song. The foot-tapping number will be liked by many.

Other than these, the album has bonus tracks like "Chak de" ("Chak De! India"), "Chhaliya" ("Tashan"), "Dance pe chance" ("Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi"), "Dil haara" ("Tashan"), "Haule haule" ("Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi"), "Jogi mahi" ("Bachna Ae Haseeno"), Khuda jaane" ("Bachna Ae Haseeno") and "Lucky boy" ("Bachna Ae Haseeno").

The album might have just three original songs but they are appealing and quite interesting.

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'Paa' (Music Review)

Unconventional soundtrack of an unconventional film

Music director: Ilayaraja

Lyricist: Swanand Kirkire

Singers: Shilpa Rao, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan and Amitabh Bachchan

"Paa" is a film with an unusual story and music maestro Ilayaraja has composed tunes that gel well with the movie's subject. Director R. Balakrishnan's film stars Amitabh Bachchan as Abhishek's son Auro, who suffers from progeria that causes premature ageing. It also stars Vidya Balan.

The album begins with "Mudhi mudhi ittefaq se". Crooned by Shilpa Rao, it has an instant connect. It is melodious but not very long. The song is currently doing the rounds on television channels and has become a hit.

"Mudhi mudhi ittefaq se" has two more versions - "Udhi udhi", an extension of the original and "Gali mudhi" that has vocals by Shaan. It is slower in pace but equally nice.

Next is "Halke se bol". It is a children's song and has a chorus behind the mike. It starts without background music and later musical arrangements are introduced. This too is short in length and is an average number.

Up next is "Hichki hichki", more of a situational number that doesn't impress too much. The fast-paced track has been sung by Sunidhi Chauhan.

It is followed by the title track "Mere paa" by Amitabh Bachchan himself. It's more of a narration in the voice of a child than a proper song. The theme song is very endearing.

Finally there is "Gumm summ gumm" sung by the composer's daughter Bavatharini with ample support from the chorus. The song has influences of jazz and is a good hear.

On the whole, the album of "Paa" is not conventional and will appeal to music buffs. But most songs will get an edge with the visuals.

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'3 Idiots' (Music Review)

Quality soundtrack that's sure to click

Music director: Shantanu Moitra

Lyricist: Swanand Kirkire

Singers: Sonu Nigam, Swanand Kirkire, Shaan, Shreya Ghosal, Shantanu Moitra and Suraj Jagan

It's a soundtrack that's sure to click. Shantanu Moitra, who had scored the music for Rajkumar Hirani's "Lage Raho Munnabhai", returns with "3 Idiots" and has churned out songs that are catchy, different and high on energy.

The much-awaited film, which stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi, has five original numbers and two remixes.

The soundtrack opens with "All Izz Well", a fun campus song that is filled with whistles in the background. Crooned by Sonu Nigam, Swanand Kirkire and Shaan, the catchy song is already doing the rounds of music channels and is sure to be a chartbuster.

The song also has a remix version that has more beats.

Next is "Zoobi doobi", the only song with a female voice. Sung by Shreya Ghoshal with ample support from Sonu Nigam, the track has a retro feel. It is a melodious number that grows on you.

"Zoobi doobi" too has a remix version with more contemporary sounds.

Then comes "Behti hawa sa tha woh" that has Shaan and Shantanu Moitra behind the mike. It has a long prelude and seems to be a situational track. The poignant, slow number has soft musical backing and is very appealing.

Up next is "Give me some sunshine" that includes dialogues by Sharman Joshi and vocals by Suraj Jagan. The song is an unplugged version and will appeal to the younger generation mainly because of the composition and the song's rebel attitude.

The album offers a very nice song in "Jaane nahin denge" sung by Sonu Nigam. It gets an edge with a sudden increase in tempo during the course of the song. There is minimal orchestration and focus on vocals. The lyrics are raw and intense.

On the whole, the album is a good mix of slow and fast-paced songs. Shantanu Moitra has scored quality music that has melody and generates lots of interest.

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'De Dana Dan' (Music Review)

For once, Pritam hasn't really cast a spell on listeners

Music director: Pritam Chakraborty

Lyricist: Sayeed Qadri

Singers: Mika Singh, Dominique Cerejo, Style Bhai, Javed Ali, Banjyotsana, Ad Boys, Sunidhi Chauhan, RDB, Manak-E, Selina, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Suzzane Demello

There's been an overdose of Pritam's works this year with "De Dana Dan" being the 11th film he has composed music for. While most of the scores he's given in 2009 have been appreciated, the music of "De Dana Dan" is not one of his best works.

Another comedy from Priyadarshan, "De Dana Dan" stars Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Suniel Shetty and Neha Dhupia.

The album has a heard-before feel and doesn't create too much interest. It contains six originals and an equal number of remixes.

The opening track "Rishte naate" is a melodious romantic track crooned by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Suzzane Demello. The breezy, soft-paced song is nice but not brilliant.

It also has a remix version that offers more beats.

Next in line is "Paisa", which is already being heard on music channels. The song with a Punjabi touch has RDB - The Punjabi pop band -, Manak-E and Selina behind the mike. The song is catchy but in terms of composition and singing, the track has a definite heard-before feeling. But it could be a hit at the DJ consoles.

This one too has a remix version that is faster in pace.

"Gale lag ja" is another soft, mushy number that generates interest. And it has been sung really well by Javed Ali and Banjyotsana.

Then we have "Baamulaiza" sung by Mika Singh, Dominique Cerejo and Style Bhai. The song gives a complete feel of a carnival and has mostly English lyrics. The track is lively and catchy but offers nothing fresh.

It has two remixed versions, one a reggae mix and the other a normal remix - efforts to make it popular on the dance floor.

Up next is Sunidhi Chauhan singing "Hotty naughty" that has traces of hip hop. The fast-paced song has poor lyrics and composition - a complete disappointment.

This song too has a remix version.

Finally there is the title track "De Dana Dan", which is energetic and pacy and crooned by Ad Boys. The track is dominated by percussion and is an average number.

On the whole, the album offers nothing extraordinary. For once, Pritam hasn't really cast a spell on listeners.

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‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' (Music Review)

Pritam once again does a great job

Music director: Pritam Chakraborty

Lyricist: Irshad Kamil

Singers: KK, Alisha Chinoy, Atif Aslam, Javed Ali, Kailash Kher, Neeraj Shridhar, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mika Singh, Hard Kaur, Soham, Rana Mazumdar, Ashish Pandit and Suzzane D Mello

"Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani", which stars Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, is music director Pritam Chakraborty's eighth release this year and he has once again done a great job by composing music that is energetic, contemporary and pleasing.

"Aa jao meri tamanna" sung by Javed Ali is a breezy song. The combination of high and low pitch vocals gives this romantic number an edge. In short, it is sweet and hummable.

The song also has a remixed version, which is faster in pace. But the original is much better.

"Follow me" is a hip-hop number and has Hard Kaur behind the mike. It has a contemporary feel and Hard Kaur excels in what she does best - rap.

Next in line is "Main tera dhadkan teri", which is a power-packed song with vocals by three talented singers - KK, Sunidhi Chauhan and Hard Kaur. The energetic track has good musical backing.

The remixed version of "Main tera dhadkan teri" has nothing extraordinary to offer.

"Oh my god" sung by Mika Singh and Sunidhi doesn't impress much. It starts with the typical wedding music, but lacks punch and good lyrics.

Up next is "Prem ki naiyya", a confluence of rustic vocals and western music that has been crooned by Neeraj Shridhar and Suzzane D'mello. But this song does get a tad boring.

The remixed version too doesn't have anything new to offer.

"Tera hone laga hoon", another mushy offering by Pritam, is a song already popular on the radio and music channels. Sung by Atif Aslam and Alisha Chinoy, it starts with English lyrics and then graduates to Hindi. It's a beautiful, soothing love ballad that is well sung.

The remixed version has more beats and increased pace.

Finally there is the best song of the album - "Tu jaana na". It has three versions apart from the original, which starts with a chorus. It's a soft song by Atif Aslam that instantly strikes a chord with the listener. The musical backing is neither too low nor too loud. The vocals are a plus for the song.

Next is the remixed version of the song, which is disappointing. The beats in the song seem to be forced and not properly placed.

Then we have the reprise version sung by Soham, Rana Mazumdar and Ashish Pandit. It is quite similar to the original song; only that the singers are different. Nonetheless, a nice version.

Finally there is the unplugged version, which is the best. Kailash Kher's voice takes the song to another level altogether. One can listen to this song again and again for its soul-stirring effect.

On the whole, the music of "Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani" is a must hear and has the potential to be on top of the charts.

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'Kurbaan' (Music Review)

Another gem from Salim-Sulaiman

Lyricist: Niranjan Iyengar

Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Kailash Kher, Marianne D'Cruz Aiman, Salim Merchant, Vishal Dadlani, Sonu Niigaam, Shruti Pathak and Shreya Ghoshal

Salim-Sulaiman have slowly emerged as creators of amazing and impressive music. With their next album for the movie "Kurbaan", which stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi, they have proved their prowess yet again.

The album boasts of songs that grow on you and are not typical.

There are five originals and one remix in the album.

"Ali Maula", brilliantly sung by Salim Merchant himself, has a dark, edgy beginning. The slow-paced devotional number has minimal musical arrangements and makes an impact.

The track also has a remixed version, which is faster and introduces more orchestration.

Up next is "Dua" - it exudes freshness and gets an edge with the vocals. Crooned by two very talented singers - Sukhwinder Singh and Kailash Kher - the song begins with English lyrics rendered by Marianne D'Cruz Aiman. It has strong musical backing and a qawwali touch, which makes it interesting.

Then comes the title track "Kurbaan hua" that has Vishal Dadlani behind the mike. It reminds of "Nazara hai" from the film "8 x 10 Tasveer". Nonetheless, "Kurbaan hua" is a power-packed rock number that does create an impact.

Next is "Rasiya", which is the best song of the album. With the deep and extremely engaging voice of Shruti Pathak, the sensual number instantly strikes a chord with the listener. A semi-classical song like this has come in the forefront after a long time.

Finally there is a pleasing romantic number "Shukran allah" sung by Sonu Niigaam, Shreya Ghoshal and Salim Merchant. Its mellow arrangements make it a soothing and likeable song.

On the whole, the album is worth checking out. Salim-Sulaiman have done a great job yet again.

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Do Knot Disturb Music Review

Music directors: Nadeem-Shravan

Lyricist: Sameer

Singers: Sonu Niigaam, Anuradha Shriram, Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Jigar Saraiya, Nitika Kanwar, Earl D'Souza, Neeraj Sridhar, Anushka Manchanda, Sowmya Raoh and T.K. Karthik

The hit composer duo of the 1990s, Nadeem-Shravan, who created chartbusters for movies like "Aashiqui", "Saajan", "Deewana", "Raja Hindustani", "Pardes" and "Dhadkan", return after four years with the music of "Do Knot Disturb".

To make it trendy and appealing, the composers have shifted from their trademark style. But barring two songs, most numbers are ordinary and have nothing new to offer.

The film, which stars Govinda, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Sushmita Sen, is slated to release on October 2. Its soundtrack has six original tracks.

The album opens with a pacy number "Zulfaen khol khal ke", which is crooned by Sonu Niigaam and Anuradha Sharma. If the beats are given a miss, the song sounds decades old. The lyrics are average. In short, a disappointing start.

Next in line is "Don't ever leave me". Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal have sung the fast-paced number. The lyrics give an impression that it's a poignant song, but somehow the song fails to make an impact on the listener. The English words in the lyrics seem forced and uncalled for. "Don't ever leave me" doesn't have the potential to stand out in spite of two talented singers.

With "Mere naal", the album sees its first hit number. The song, which has vocals by KK, Jigar Saraiya, Shreya Ghoshal and Nitika Kanwar, has a power-packed start with a strong musical arrangement. It is soaked in Punjabi flavour and will be liked by many.

After "Kambakkht Ishq", we have another song named "Bebo" in this album. Even though the lyrics are unimpressive, the song succeeds in catching the attention of the listener. Sung by Neeraj Sridhar and Anushka Manchanda, it is sure to be a hit at the DJ consoles. Free flowing and full of attitude, "Bebo" is worth a listen and a dance.

Then we have "Beautiful woman" by Sridhar again, along with Sowmya Raoh. The song is quite boring and slow-paced.

Finally, there is the title track "Do knot disturb" crooned by T.K. Karthik and Anushka. A lot of beats but nothing extraordinary.

Overall, the album offers nothing great. The songs are average and will not linger on for long.

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'Do Knot Disturb' (Music Review)

Nadeem-Shravan’s comeback venture is fairly ordinary

Music directors: Nadeem-Shravan

Lyricist: Sameer

Singers: Sonu Niigaam, Anuradha Shriram, Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Jigar Saraiya, Nitika Kanwar, Earl D'Souza, Neeraj Sridhar, Anushka Manchanda, Sowmya Raoh and T.K. Karthik

The hit composer duo of the 1990s, Nadeem-Shravan, who created chartbusters for movies like "Aashiqui", "Saajan", "Deewana", "Raja Hindustani", "Pardes" and "Dhadkan", return after four years with the music of "Do Knot Disturb".

To make it trendy and appealing, the composers have shifted from their trademark style. But barring two songs, most numbers are ordinary and have nothing new to offer.

The film, which stars Govinda, Lara Dutta, Riteish Deshmukh and Sushmita Sen, is slated to release on October 2. Its soundtrack has six original tracks.

The album opens with a pacy number "Zulfaen khol khal ke", which is crooned by Sonu Niigaam and Anuradha Sharma. If the beats are given a miss, the song sounds decades old. The lyrics are average. In short, a disappointing start.

Next in line is "Don't ever leave me". Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal have sung the fast-paced number. The lyrics give an impression that it's a poignant song, but somehow the song fails to make an impact on the listener. The English words in the lyrics seem forced and uncalled for. "Don't ever leave me" doesn't have the potential to stand out in spite of two talented singers.

With "Mere naal", the album sees its first hit number. The song, which has vocals by KK, Jigar Saraiya, Shreya Ghoshal and Nitika Kanwar, has a power-packed start with a strong musical arrangement. It is soaked in Punjabi flavour and will be liked by many.

After "Kambakkht Ishq", we have another song named "Bebo" in this album. Even though the lyrics are unimpressive, the song succeeds in catching the attention of the listener. Sung by Neeraj Sridhar and Anushka Manchanda, it is sure to be a hit at the DJ consoles. Free flowing and full of attitude, "Bebo" is worth a listen and a dance.

Then we have "Beautiful woman" by Sridhar again, along with Sowmya Raoh. The song is quite boring and slow-paced.

Finally, there is the title track "Do knot disturb" crooned by T.K. Karthik and Anushka. A lot of beats but nothing extraordinary.

Overall, the album offers nothing great. The songs are average and will not linger on for long.

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