Boom Box

PYAAR MEIN KABHI KABHI...
Sony Music, Rs. 50

Too many cooks spoil the broth. Well the adage more than proves itself here with three composers Vishal, Shekhar and Salim making a complete mess of the music for the film. The threesome had good scope for innovation, given the youthful theme of the film, but all they do is deliver a lacklustre score which despite repeated hearings, doesn’t make any impact. And the singers Krishna Kumar, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Shekhar Ravjiani (who also composes two songs) contribute immensely to the debacle. If there is a bright spot in the album it is Shaan, who sings just two songs which make for great listening pleasure. They include the first number Musu musu haasi, which is based on a folk song from the North-East region, and Woh pehli baar, conveying the emotions of the first crush. Shaan’s charming and well-trained voice, and his ability to convey the right emotions infuse life into the songs. About the remaining numbers, the less said the better. All sound like prose passages with music interspersed just for the sake of it. The sad Tumne na humse actually makes you cry out in pain because of Mahalaxmi’s shrill and piercing rendition. There is no effort put even in the title song. All that the three composers do is borrow from R.D. Burman’s tunes or Western numbers. And for this forgettable score one has to shell out Rs. 50. Isn’t that asking for too much?

LOVE DUETS (2 VOLUMES)
HMV, Rs. 70

As compilations go, HMV is ideally suited to exploit its huge library and put out a steady line of combinations. This latest, titled Love Duets, contains some of the better love songs recorded for films in the decade of the ’70s.

This double-cassette volume of Love Duets contains 24 songs which have terrific nostalgic value. It’s quite possible that hard-core film song buffs will have most, if not all, of these songs in their collection. But what’s good about this collection is that you finally have all these goodies on one tape.

That said, here’s a word of caution. The reproduction quality of some of the songs is very poor. And don’t be surprised if some of the songs sound like they are coming out of the radio and not a tape-player. Transfer on to a better quality tape if you plan to preserve the tapes.

Lata Mangeshkar features very strongly on the tape, appearing in as many as 17 of the 24 songs. Asha Bhonsle appears in five duets and Kanchan (Tumne kisise kabhi pyar kiya hai, Dharmatma) and Sulakshana Pandit (Mausam mausam, Thodisi Bewafai) appear in one each. That must be a clear indication of the strangle-hold that Lata Mangeshkar had on the film music scene in the ’70s.

As compilations go, this one is pretty pedestrian, and most of all you have to contend with the uneven reproduction quality. All things considered, this one falls short of being a collector’s item but is middling value for money.

DEEWANA - SONU NIGAM
T-Series, Rs. 50

Sonu Nigam’s musical output over the past year has been phenomenal. Besides a regular stream of film songs, he has put out three albums in the last nine months - Kismet, Sanskar and this one - besides the version recordings that he regularly undertakes for T-Series. Also he appears on various other non-film albums if only on one song. With such a prolific output, it is surprising that he doesn’t sound tired and jaded.

In fact, quite the opposite is true on Deewana. Sounding eager and fresh, this Sonu Nigam-Faaiz Anwar set is a pleasant departure from the synth-driven pop sounds that abound the market place. In its place, new music directors Sajid-Wajid’s musical arrangements are truly Hindi filmi, what with very pronounced violin and rhythm sections.

Of the eight songs, the piece-de-resistance is Mujhe raat din, a hooksy, romantic number. Part of the song’s undeniable charm, comes from the fantastic harmonising by Sonu as by Faaiz Anwar’s better than average lyrics.

Of the other songs, both Is kadar pyar hai tumse and Dil se dil tak baat pahunchi have strong vocals and apt lyrics. The rest of the eight-song album is melodious but monotonous.

KUCH KUCH DIL MEIN -
JASPINDER NARULA
Venus, Rs. 55

This debut pop album by Jaspinder Narula has been a while in the making and it tells. The nine-song set composed by Kenneth-Sanjeev is an uneasy amalgam of sounds ranging from mid-’80s disco to pop-bhangra and the standard pop-ballad. One isn’t sure if the music producers meant to give the album a “retro” sound, but that’s the way it has turned out.

On Kuch Kuch Dil Mein (is that a compromise between Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain?), Jaspinder Narula’s vocals are assured and strong as ever, but the songs fail to make the right impact. The best song is the title track, whose slow, measured, almost languorous pace sets if apart.

Among the other tracks, Hai na has a hook-ridden disco throw-back; Purani reet ko maro goli espouses a post-modernistic streak; Munda tu hai Punjabi sona is a concession to bhangra-pop, and Lad gayee akhiyan has soft romantic appeal.

RE DEEWAANI
Archies Music, Rs. 50

At a time when pop songs and film songs rule the roost, here is a bold attempt at bringing out a qawwali album which has eight qawwalis sung by one of the leading qawwals Ram Shankar, and composed by Gopal Khanna. Actually Shankar has contributed a lot in keeping the qawwali form of music alive and kicking, with his occasional qawwali albums, and this one surely is a welcome addition. There is little doubt about Shankar’s vocal skills or his style, which is already a hit with the regular qawwali buffs. His amazing range is amply displayed here as he renders one qawwali after another with aplomb. And it is for his singing that the qawwalis make an impact, since the composer’s contribution is minimal. The only qawwali where the composer has put in an effort is the title qawwali which inarguably is the best of the lot, since it is different and has an unusual tempo to it. The others which stand out are Piya ki gali, the melancholic Jab mohabbat mein dil tootta hai, the gay Sharaab choot gayi, the angst-ridden Bahut bewafa and the sad Tera bichada. Patrons of qawwalis wouldn’t want to miss this one.

QUENCH - THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH
PolyGram, Rs. 100

It is not often that an album surprises you. Quench by The Beautiful South is one such album. This is a terrific album, both in terms of lyrical quality and music. An eclectic mix of folk and rock, Quench is witty, insightful and entertaining; qualities that not too many rock albums can claim.

From the wistful album opener How long’s a tear take to dry, to the satirical Perfect Ten (this is an ode to people who have a weight problem), Slide and Table, which ostensibly is a song from a table’s point of view, but whose sub-text is stunningly insightful, Quench is filled with songs that appeal to your senses and to your mind.

If you value serious rock music, you will sport this one in your collection.

I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU - ROBBIE WILLIAMS Milestone-Chrysalis,
Rs. 125

Since the break-up of Take That, its band-members have gone on to successful solo careers. But none have been more successful than Robbie Williams, who parades his song-writing talents on the album under review.

Starting with the the guitar-heavy Karma killer, to the heartfelt Heaven From Here, the album is a real showcase for Robbie’s song-writing talent. With its lush musical arrangements, Millennium is a stand-out track, both for its lyrics and for its music.

However, the most endearing song on the album is Neil Tennant (of Pet Shop Boys)-produced No Regrets.

TOONAGE - CARTOONS
Milestone-EMI, Rs. 100

More bubble-gum pop sounds from Scandinavia. Cartoons is a six-piece Danish band that is obsessed with Elvis Presley, who have sold tons and tons of albums and singles in their home country and in Belgium.

This dance-heavy, pop album is very reminiscent of Aqua, another great Scandinavia export. If hook-ridden dance music is what you are looking for, then this is a perfect fit for you.

Of the 11 songs in the album, there are three that are stand-outs. Doo Dah, Ramalama Daisy and Aisy Waisy are really good dance tracks.

Among the other songs, there are three more that are standard dance tracks but will appeal to the teen-set which craves beats per minute (BPM). They are Yoko, Listen to my heart and De Do Do Do De Da Da Da. Like I said, this is strictly for dance music freaks.