D-Day: Music Review

Starring: Arjun Rampal, Rishi Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Huma Qureshi, Shruti Hassan

Music Directors: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

The Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio is famous for catchy music that is reflective the overall theme of the movie, and  D-Day's music is no exception. D-Day is a Bollywood film that crosses over the border and into Pakistan, when Irrfan Khan is sent to Karachi on a spy mission. After viewing the trailer, it seems what follows is a chaotic, political thriller entangled with romantic trysts. Here we see many of our favorite singers come forward, such as Javed Ali, Shankar Mahadevan, and Sukhwinder Singh.

Mika Singh opens D-Day with the qawwali Duma Dum. This song is a remake of the popular Lal Meri Pat, that we have heard from popular Pakistani artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, and Junoon. The instrumentals are rich and distinguish this song , however this song doesn't compare with the other others vocally. It would have fared better if another singer was put behind the mike. A good attempt, but nothing really new. 3/5

Alvida features Loy Mendonsa, Sukhwinder Singh, Nikhil D'Souza and Shruti Hassan herself . This mellow song has mostly delicate vocals and light instrumentals. Hassans' vocals are whispery and ghostly, but she is able to add a nice touch to the song. Singh and D'Souza's voice really takes this song to a higher level and really highlights the song. 4/5

"Exactly how much curry did you get under
your fingernails"

D-Day has another qawwali-esque song called Murshid Ke Holi. Shankar Mahadevan, Javed Ali, and Munawar Masoom voices blend well together with this traditional beats. The instrumentals are also rich here, as they are throughout D-Day. But what really distinguishes this one from any other fantastic qawwali? Nothing really. It runs over seven and a half minutes, and its so repetitive that its difficult to get all the way through. 3.5/5

Rekha Bhardwaj returns in a solo, Ek Khadi. The tabla is very soothing when used in unison with other instruments, but this song isn't really unique in any way. Not much to say about this one. No repeat value. 3/5

D-Day ends with the short track Dhuaan with Siddharth Madhadevan and Rahul Ram's gritty vocals. The orchestra instrumentals give the song a perilous touch of beautiful doom. It almost sounds like a some type of church prayer and chant. There are not many dark Bollywood songs like this, so something like this is very special.  4/5

If you are a die hard Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy or qawwali fan, just take a few of these songs from D-Day and be on your way.

My Picks: Alvida, Dhuaan

Check out My Other Reviews:

Chennai Express:http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/07/chennai-express-music-review.html

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

Boyss Toh Boyss Hai:http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/07/boyss-toh-boyss-hai-music-review.html 

Share your Thoughts!

BB

Ramaiya Vastavaiya: Music Review

Music Director: Sachin-Jigar

Starring: Shruti Hassan, Girish Kumar, & Sonu Sood

Chocolate Horses

Shruti Hassan is back in Bollywood with Prabhu Deva's Ramaiya Vastavaiya, and newcomer Girish Kumar. The composers for this album are duo Sachin-Jigar. They worked with other composers like Pritam and AR Rahman  for soundtracks, like Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya and Ekk Deewana Tha. Ramaiya Vastavaiya boasts a variety of numbers, not all memorable.

Our first track Jeene Laga Hoon starts Ramaiya Vastavaiya off just right. Atif Aslam's soft and syrupy voice intertwines well with the magical instrumentals. Shreya Ghoshal's voice plays off his voice and the melody perfectly. This is a beautiful romantic duet with all the elements in the all the right places. Don't miss this one. It will have you addicted. 5/5

Mika Singh and Monali Thakur sing the dance number Hip Hop Pummy. The Punjabi hip-hop style number falls along the same lines of every Punjabi number that has been brought to us in recent times. It's not a bad song, its just not memorable or addictive. 3/5

Shreya and Atif team up again for Bairiya. This is a slower romantic duet than Jeene Laga Hoon. Shreya is more of the dominant voice on this soundtrack, and Atif's voice doesn't seem to fit the slow, romantic quality that is necessary. The instrumentals are of superior quality, but this song doesn't have any worthwhile hook and ends up sounding too long for it's four minute duration. 3/5

Peecha Chhute picks up the pace a little. The beat immediately catches the listeners ear, and then Mohit Chauhan's voice pulls us further in. This fun, frothy number will hook you immediately. It has catchy short interludes of a chorus "Rama Rama Re" that are sliced well into the song. 5/5

 "I hate you like I love you"

Shreya and Atif return for the third time in Ramaiya Vastavaiya  for Rang Jo Lagyo. This song builds beautifully, and features Atif's voice in a falsetto. At times, there seems to be a little strain on the vocals, but the light instrumentals and meaningful lyrics compensate for it. Atif goes solo for the first three and a half minutes and the Shreya takes over momentarily. They are a beautiful duo as usual. 4/5

We have a second dance number, Jadoo Ki Jhappi, that brings us back to the movie's original South Indian roots. This one has instantaneous South Indian flair and features the artists, Neha Kakkar and Mika Singh. Jadoo Ki Jhappi (Part 2) is almost the same except it has Mika Singh solo. Neither one is better than each other. This song is for the item song fanatic and no one else. 3/5

On the whole, Ramaiya Vastavaiya is not a bad album. Most of the songs are just okay, but when the songs are good they are fabulous. Snag the good ones and leave the rest behind.

My Picks: Peecha Chhute, Jeene Laga Hoon, Rang Jo Lagyo 

Check Out My Other Reviews:

Ghanchakkar, Issaq, Raanjhanaa, Lootera, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

Comments Welcome!

Love BB