Contributed by Avinash Ramchandani
avinash@indolink.com

At first sight, this album looks like a disaster. The side labels are done poorly, as the computer labeling system for BABA Music doesn't compare to the system of Tips or HMV. The quality of the music recording on the CD isn't the best, when the music is turned up loud, a constant hiss of static and disturbance is heard.

After further analysis of the album I came to the conclusion that the album is saved by the singers-- Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Abhijeet, Sudhesh Bhonsle, Anu Malik, Kavita Krishnamurti, Sadhna Sargam, Alka Yagnik, Poornima, newcomer Vibha Sharma and newcomer Jaishree Shivram all feature in this album. Anu Malik's music doesn't rate in the same area as his music in Border or Virasat.

The first song starts rather irritatingly and abruptly. "Mr. Lova Lova" starts out annoyingly and continues on its path throughout. Even the singers (All five-- Udit Narayan, Abhijeet, Sudesh Bhonsle, Poornima and Kavita Krishnamurti) couldn't save the lousy lyrics (by Dev Kohli of "Judwaa" fame) and music here.

The second song is much more appeasing to the ears. My personal favorite of the album, "Neend Churayee Meri" has much better lyrics-- Rahat Indori is a better lyricist than Dev Kohli. The music is much more bearable--Malik doesn't intrude into the song as he did with the previous number. Lively Gupt-like singing of the foursome of Gupt, Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan & Kavita Krishnamurti help the song stay entertaining.

Just skip the third song. Don't even worry about it.

The fourth song "Ishq Hua Kaise Hua" starts off with Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla's voices. Sung by Udit Narayan and newcomer Vibha Sharma, it appeases the ears. The music reminds of another number from the big hit Love Story starring Kumar Gaurav and Vijeta Pandit.

"Dekho Dekho Jaanam" is reminiscent of another Aamir Khan starrer's music-- Baazi. The music director of that movie is Anu Malik. Udit Narayan renders the song well and Alka Yagnik does even a better job with it.

The next song, "Ishq Hai Ishq Hai", is rendered by another newcomer, who sounds a bit like the singer of Virasat's "Tare Hain Baarati", Jaswinder Narula. Jaishree Shivam is good, although the song isn't the caliber of Virasat's number.

"Kaise Kahoon Kaise Ho" sung by Kumar Sanu and Vibha Sharma is done well, but doesn't appease the ears.

The final song of the album is another four-singer one. "Tu Jootha" has beautiful lyrics by Javed Akhtar, beautiful singing by all four, Abhijeet, Sadhna Sargam, Udit Narayan & Alka Yagnik. Narayan and Abhijeet work well together, as they have in previous albums like Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Khiladi.

Even with some of the best eleven singers in the market, this album isn't the caliber of many of the albums of the year, i.e. Gupt, Yes Boss, Pardes, Dil To Pagal Hai, etc...

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