Daawat-e-Ishq: Music Review

  Starring: Parineeti Chopra & Aditya Roy Kapur

Music Composer: Sajid - Wajid

Daawat-e-Ishq, or Feast of Love, is a romance about a young saleswoman, Parineeti Chopra, and Aditya Roy Kapur, a charming young chef who woos her with his spicy kebabs and greasy naan. The music is composed by the Yash Raj banner favorite, Sajid-Wajid, who gave us Ek Tha Tiger, and just like other Yash Chopra films the standards are high for this one. This sweet romance brings in seasoned favorites like, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, and Javed Ali, who each have dozens of classic romance songs under their belt. Daawat-E-Ishq promises a lot more than it has to offer. 

Daawat-e-Ishq's album kicks off with a classical style qawwali title track that  has already been recently sending waves across Indian cinema. Daawat-e-Ishq ropes in Javed Ali in his comfort zone, utilizing all his vocal capacity with alaps. Tabla combines beautifully with harmonium among other  instruments to add further to the complexity of this song. This song tends to sound a little too much like a title track, as it is very conversational, making it a more situational number. However, as the song progresses, Sunidhi Chauhan jumps in and the pace increases. 3.5/5

Mannat, Daawat-e-Ishq's core song features Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, and Keerthi. The instrumentals are richly done in this song, as the title song. However as rich as these instrumentals are, this song instrumentals are not multilayered, offering variety. Offering a touch of the Middle East, this is a Sonu song entirely, with bits and pieces of Shreya and Keerthi. This song is a little more serious in tone than one what expect from this type of romantic song, but nevertheless is a welcome addition to the soundtrack. 4/5

In the Mannat (reprise) Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Nigam trade places. She is now the lead singer, and does a great job in Nigam's shoes. Sonu Nigam takes the backseat in this one, however it is still a fantastic song. Depending on your singer preference, either duet is good. They are both equals in vocal talent. 4/5

Sounding like a typical Holi song, Rangreli, brings in lots of traditional Indian instruments, like dhol, alongside brass instruments, and brings in a lot of scraps from the title track into the melody. The drumming is heavy, and Shreya Ghoshal's voice is playful and intertwines well with Wajid's voice. Although this song is a burst of fun, and has excellent use of instrumentals, there is nothing really distinct about this song in the end. 3/5

Shalmali Kholgade enters the Daawat-e-Ishq soundtrack with Shayarana. This female solo is the least intricate of all the songs in this music soundtrack. It is the typically strong female song we have seen from the Yash Raj Camp, like Jazba, though lacking the overall energy. The strange guitar beats, snapping, and Shalmali Kholgade's Western sounding singing when she says the "Shayarana ooo oo " hook, brings in a cheesy inspirational country hook into the song that make it sound very Western and contemporary, making it different from the rest of the soundtrack. 2.5/5

The music gets back on course once again with a rock infused classical song, Jadu Tone Waaliyaan by Shabab Sabri who does an excellent job of classical performance. The electric guitar portions seem to overwhelm the traditional portions, as well as the strange use of a saxophone midway. Not really a harmonious merging of East and West, but not horrible either. 3/5

The Daawat-E-Ishq instrumental is a good background music for the album, but is not something to focus on entirely for listening pleasure. It goes in too many directions to listen to alone. Although, it sounds less complex than the original song, it really doesn't offer anything for the listener to do anything with. 2/5

In the end, the Daawat-E-Ishq soundtrack is not really a feast of love, or a feast of superb music for that matter. It doesn't have horrible songs, but it doesn't really have enough good songs to be considered a remarkable album. For so many skilled singers and products, Daawat-E-Ishq's soundtrack did not live up to the Yash Banner expectations of good music.

My Picks: Mannat, Mannat (reprise), Daawat-e-Ishq

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Humshakals: Music Review

The Men of Humshakals in 3
different roles

Starring: Ritesh Deshmukh, Saif Ali Khan, Ram Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Esha Gupta

Music Composer: Himesh Reshammiya 

Similar revolting soundtracks like Humshakals were once heard from our composer Himesh Reshammiya when he went off the deep end in the mid 2000's. He practically sung every song and starred in many flop films. Although recently he somewhat has had success with his film The Expose, Reshammiya seems to be trying too hard again. At least he is not dominating this whole soundtrack. In Bollywood, excluding Salman Khan Ajay Devgan, or Akshay Kumar films, music for comedies are not held to a standard of any regular soundtrack due to the fact that they are usually ridiculous. With an experienced composer with tons of hits and successes like Reshammiya and mid-grade actors like Saif Ali Khan and Ritesh Deskmukh, the bar for Humshakals is very low.

The Humshakals album begins its continuous up tempo soundtrack with Caller Tune by Neeraj Sridhar and Neeti Mohan. This duet is obviously influenced by Reggaeton songs which attributes for its catchy beat. It is heavy with English phases with forced rhymes like tune and moon and random violins. However, Mohan and Sridhar are perfect for this song. The hook "Caller Tune Baby" simultaneously annoys and snags. This is the kind of a song a listener would love to hate. By far the best song on the album. 4/5

Surprise surprise, there is an item number in Humshakals. With the item number queen, Bipasha Basu starring we hear phrases like Billo Rani in Piya Ke Bazaar Mein. It is not the traditional item song, but it is not unordinary. Palak Muchhal's voice is a little timid for this three woman item number, and Reshammiya's weak voice doesn't add much to it either. A little folksy and not very catchy, this item number will not please the masses. 3/5

Piya Ke Bazaar Mein Still

Just Look Into My Eyes gives Humshakals a peppy upbeat feel. Ash King and Neeti Mohan are the perfect choice infuse youth into this album. Perhaps the lyrics a little basic, but if you don't pay attention to exactly what they are saying and listen to the electropop beat, it is not too bad. Although verging on a cheesy teen song, this is levels above the other songs on the album, and does not fit in at all in terms of melody. 4/5

Barbaad Raat combines the female vocalists, Shalmali Kholgade and Sanam Puri in this R&B Hip Hop number. Following the trend of the other songs, this one also uses English in pieces. The clapping and trumpets add an interesting twist, but the "Ooo woaao' pieces don't really do much to really hook you fully to the song. 3.5/5

The ladies are out for a swim

I'm sure everyone was wondering where Himesh Reshammiya's solo song was coming in Humshakals. It is humorously titled Hum Pagal Nahin Hai, and can be taken with dual meaning. Wondering if Reshammiya thinks he's crazy or as shown on silver screen. We see rather interesting rhymes again, such as Obama and DeGama. This song isn't as headache inducing as the ones before it, but is pretty boring and becomes nasal towards the end. 3/5

What would a comedy soundtrack be without Mika Singh? Mika pairs teams up with Palak Muchhal for Khol De Dil Ki Khidi which somehow manages to fuse a Punjabi rhythm with an exasperating country banjo. This song annoys is unforgivable ways that the Caller Tune didn't have. There are so many things going on in this song it is hard to pinpoint what is really happening. This song will, of course, add to the comedy of the movie but it is annoying for the listener to listen for their own enjoyment. 3/5

In the end, Humshakals offers a lively, yet irritating music. This soundtrack somehow manages to exceed expectations, slightly. It is a pretty good effort on Reshammiya's part, although the songs in which his vocals are incorporated in are by far the worst.

My Picks: Caller Tune, Just Look Into My Eyes

Shuddh Desi Romance: Music Review

 Music Director: Sachin-Jigar

Starring: Parneeti Chopra,Sushant Singh Rajput,

Vaani Singh

Shuddh Desi Romance is a very interesting soundtrack to say the least. Quirky and fun, these are pleasant desi tunes that play wonderfully with the ears. We dance between high and low, creating a wonderful fusion between old school and new school Bollywood. Shuddh Desi Romance soundtrack bears a resemblance to the soundtrack format of Madras Cafe, since a large portion of the soundtrack in devoted to instrumentals. This Yash Raj film has plenty of acclaimed singers to pump this soundtrack up with unconventional sounds for the youth.

Beginning the soundtrack is the much anticipated, Tere Mere Beech Mein, which is already loved by everyone since the release of its cutesy promo video, which has the young couple doing laundry, cooking, and dancing in towels. This is the sweet romantic duet in the movie and its between our favorite Chauhans (who bear no relation to each other) Sunidhi Chauhan and Mohit Chauhan. It is so desi, especially with its Hinglish and old school Western instrumentals. Typical girl and boy banter throughout gives the song a unique perspective. Its sounds like happier song from the Barfi soundtrack. 4.5/5

Gulabi Shuddh Desi Romance's paints the soundtrack pink with color. This almost sounds like a dance style number like Dum Dum from Band Baaja Baraat, kind of something made for Ranveer Singh. It has a slight R&B flair combined with a desi flavor. Sung beautifully by slightly autotuned  Jigar Suraiya  and Priya Suraiya and paired with an wide array of addictive instrumentals, this song is a winner. 5/5

Divya Kumar, famous from Allah Meherbaan from Ghanchakkar, takes the third song in Shuddh Desi Romance. Chanchal Mann Ati Random, is truly random. It starts one way and takes a kind of jarring oddish turn. It is eccentric in a good way with the direction it takes. Its part rock, part qawaali, and part of who knows what. Towards the end it looses control in a good way. The songs oddities may throw some listeners off. 3.5/5

Shuddh Desi Romance, the title song comes next. It is a duet between two of the other current favorites, Benny Dayal and Shalmali Kholgade. This song takes a similar turn that Teri Mere Beech Mein had, except for more harmonium. This title track doesn't play out as a situtational number like most title tracks tend to do and carves out a niche in the soundtrack itself. Its a pleasurable, feel-good song, like the others songs. By using Hinglish and crazy instrumental arrangements, this song is totally unique. 4/5

Here come the instrumentals. They take some the flavor from the prior songs in Shuddh Desi Romance, but are more subdued. Mujhe Kiss Sakte Ho take a minimal approach, with a soft touch of piano, guitar, harmonium, and other instrumentals. It is a very gentle sound and could definitely be listened to alone. 4/5

Love in Jaipur has some uncredited female singer. It takes on a spicy salsa beat fused with a bit of desi of course. It sounds like the typical traditional women gathering song, but later take a grocery store style slow jazz style. This will definitely excel on the silver screen behind the characters. 3/5

Tezz Wala Attraction has some whistling and shares the same breezy flavor our beginning songs had 3/5

Good bahus smoke in the bathroom,
 not in front of people

Boyfriend Banogey is more ballsy than the previous instrumentals. It has coarser beats and shares some of Gulabi's melody. This could definitely be the theme number for our Kai Po Che hero Sushant Singh Rajput. 3/5

Bhanwara Man Bhatake has the same flavor, though slightly more traditional, it has brief male singer part, but has no credited singer either. Not much to listen to here. 2/5

Shuddh Desi Romance pretty much has all solid numbers, despite most being instrumentals. Sachin-Jigar made a definite effort to compose some unique songs and pulled in inspiration from many different genres. These songs will make you great, and  transport you back to early Bollywood and rocket you towards future Bollywood. Shuddh Desi Romance is so tastefully fun it puts a smile on your face without sounding ridiculous or childish.

My Picks: Gulabi, Teri Mere Beech Mein, Shuddh Desi Romance, Mujse Kiss Sakte Ho

What's your favorite song?
BollywoodBegum

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani: Music Review

Music Director: Pritam

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Kalki Kochelin, Kunaal Roy Kapur

Pritam is back with a new soundtrack, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. This Ranbir-Deepika comeback rom-com gives leeway for Pritam to experiment. This soundtrack brings the energizing rhythm, while bringing cool, refreshing songs into the mix. Of course, we can always expect a few memorable songs from Pritam album (stolen or not stolen) and here is no different.

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani begins with the dance number Badtameez Dil. I have to admit I was obsessed with the 1 minute and 45 second long trailer until the release of the full length song. The sound of the saxophone and the trumpets add a classy touch to the nonsensical lyrics.Words flow seamlessly into each other like aloo bhatt, puri bhatt, and  bollywood, hollywood, jollygood. There is lots of rhymes and alliteration, so once Benny Dayal's voice pulls you in it never lets you go. However, Shefali Alvaris' voice is not very pleasant when it comes in at the end of the song. It sounds electronic and autotuned, and does not tie into Benny's smooth word flow. To me it should have been Benny solo. Nevertheless, still a good song. 4/5

Next is Balam Pichkari featuring Shalmali Kholgade and Vishal Dhadlani. Shalmali's voice is a bit eccentric, but its just what it takes to kick-start the song, after the traditional beginning. This is fun, quirky Holi song, we have traditional sounds with violin and whistling. The lyrics are as fun as the beat, and Shalmali and Vishal make an amazing pair. This song is a winner all the way through. 5/5

Our Mohit Chauhan track is Illahi. The song begins with chanting and guitar. This is definitely the young man refreshing song of the album. Illahi separates itself from the first two songs. In the interludes, there is a chorus of children chanting "Na Na Na". Because of the chorus wouldn't listen to this song on its own, but I think this works very well in the movie. 3/5

Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani picks up again with Dilliwali Girlfriend featuring Arjit Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan.  This one has small touches of bhangra and has a desi tune with some English thrown in the middle. This sounds like a typical Pritam wedding song, almost like Soniye Ve Dhak Dhak from Kismat Konnection. Pritam seemed to copy his own style this time. Its a good track, but its really nothing new. 3/5

There are two versions of Kabira. Kabira (Original) features Tochi Raina and Rekha Bhardwaj. This song slow rock melody and both artists' voice are raw with pain. The second version, Kabira (Encore) by Hashdeep Kaur and Arjit Singh has much more soul. We have a more traditional song with a lighter melody in this outing. The chorus and Indian instrumental enhances the beauty of this song.  The encore is like a slow, peaceful ride through the countryside. 3/5 & 5/5

Sreeram and Shilpa Rao's Subhanallah is the romantic duet of Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. Its a light, uplifting song about falling in love that borders on cheesy at
times. To me, it sounds like a re-creation of Shukraan Allah from Kurbaan. Nevertheless, its fresh and exhilerating, with Sreerams squeaky clean vocals. 4/5

Lastly, there is Ghagra our item number staring Madhuri Dixit. So we have a older woman's voice, Rekha Bhardwaj, and a younger man's voice, Vishal Dhadlani. This song begins slow, but picks up pace. However, it lacks the spice and flash that other item numbers have. There are some hooks, but more is needed to make this song a chartbuster. 3.5/5

In the end, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani has a few fantastic numbers, but most of the songs are lacking elements that will help them stand out from other songs like its kind.

My Picks: Balam Pichkari, Kabira (Encore), Badtameez Dil, Subhanallah

Issaq: http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-review-issaq_21.html

Ghanchakkar: http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-reviewsghanchakkar.html

Lootera:http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-review-lootera.html

Raanjhanaa: http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-reviews-raanjhanaa.html

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