Welcome to what is probably Sajid-Wajid’s most expansive score to date. Bhangra, Middle-Eastern sounds, sweet love songs, a sad song and a patriotic song are all to be found on this album along with singers spanning the veterans to the newcomers. There’s something here for everyone but I doubt any one person will like every song on this album. It’s a good try but Sajid-Wajid are a bit too ambitious too early on in their careers. They haven’t really developed a style of their own yet so most of the tracks sound like derivatives of more famous songs. Nevertheless, the album is not totally without merit. The first track will get Punjabi music fans on their feet in no time. "Dekhne Ko Tujhko" has a very traditional bhangra beat with plenty of dhol to keep the dancers happy. Sonu Nigam is his usual excellent self, zipping through the number with ease. He’s joined in the first version by newcomer Bhairvi who sounds like an Alka Yagnik clone. The second version by Sonu and Sunidhi Chauhan is more appealing. Sunidhi Chauhan and lyricist Tejpal Kaur try to recreate the "Mehboob Mere" magic from Fiza in the form of "Oye Ranjhana", but Sajid-Wajid’s music doesn’t quite cut it. Sunidhi’s singing is fine and so are the lyrics and music but the song as a whole doesn’t seem to work. Alka Yagnik’s "Chhodh Ke Na Jaa Ooh Piya" may appeal to die hard Alka fans. This is the obligatory sad song and is, at best, average. The music is very Laxmikant-Pyarelal inspired. The male version by Harvinder is also passable but nothing amazing. If you want amazing then skip to the next track which displays Sajid-Wajid’s potential to become big wigs in the future of film music. "Chham Chham Bole Payal Piya" has Kavita Krishnamurthy and Udit Narayan singing this intricate tune to perfection. Just set your CD player to "repeat" - you won’t tire of this love song. I don’t know how she does it but Asha Bhosle seems to be getting more youthful and energetic with every new recording. "Sone Ke Jaisi Meri Jawani" is a foot stomping Arabic style song that Asha sings effortlessly. Another one to repeat! Shankar Mahadevan musters up plenty of emotion for the patriotic number, "Maa Tujhhe Salaam". Unfortunately, everyone’s efforts on this track are less than fruitful - the song is flat and lifeless. Again, the song sounds too derivative of other recent patriotic songs. If your looking for originality and innovation, there’s little to be found on this album but if you just want some tunes to hum along to and enjoy then this soundtrack will fit the bill. |
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