Nothing too special. That is all you will think when listening to the
album for Raj Kanwar's next pot-boiler, Badal. In spite of being blessed with the
creative facilities of a talented music director and wordsmith, Badal finds it tough
rising above the mediocrity of most of its songs. A couple of these compositions is
likely to catch on before the release of the film, but don't expect immemorable
music. You won't get it here. Let us start with the reasons to listen to the
album. The music in "Na Milo Humse Zyaada, Kahin Pyaar Ho Na
Jaaye" is not exactly the most innovative Anu Malik
has ever come up with, but it is romantically pleasant enough and more than appropriate
for this romantic duet. Malik lets Sonu Nigam and Kavita
Krishnamurthy demonstrate their vocal prowess, and by gosh, they will
have you swaying to the brief yet sweet lyrical chords.
Punjabi-folk is included in almost every soundtrack these days, and Badal is no
exception. Sukhwindara Singh and Jaspinder
Narula dominate the declaration of love that is "Jugni
Jugni", a dhol-based ditty so infectious your desire to dance
will increase exponentially even when tired. Of course, one would have preferred
Kavita's spunk to Anuradha Paudwal's melancholy in the
supporting vocals, but their use is minimized enough that you will hardly notice.
"Tujeh Dekh Ke Dil Mera Dole Re" demonstrate how
Punjabi folk can go in the complete opposite direction of the former tune. I found
it common and uninspired, even with Jaspinder Narula and
Udit Narayan lending their all to the singing. I
don't know if it is the over-exburant mood or the road-side and common-place lyrics, but
it was hard for me to get into the apparent swing of things.
"Lal Garara" is a case of too much effort placed
into the novel Arabian-style music and not enough on the third-grade lyrics and crude
mood. Sure, we all love the idiocy of the words in "Chumma
Chumma" (China Gate), but
the singing was not offensive. Sapna Awasthi and Jaspinder
Narula should have been told that it is no longer 1993. Their
long-drawn and whining, orgasmically crude singing annoys us to no end.
To our dismay, next Kavita Krishnamurthy disappoints
further with a disrespectful announcement to the Almighty that she has reached the age of
consent and is awaiting for her lover to arrive. (Anu Malik
and Dominique Manuel lend unnoticeable support to the
chick with ants in her pants.) Hey lady, He already knows and I am sure He could
care less. I suggest avoiding this bar-room bummer like the plague.
"Yaar Mere Yaara Mere Yaaram" proclaim Udit Narayan
and Anuradha in the song which most annoyed me on the album. A
mismash of music we have heard in a million songs before, I could care less who stole
who's heart you two. As a wise man once said, "Just shut up!"
Please?
Okay, so the tunes of Badal might not be that bad. One probably
will not find them too obtrusive if they are softly playing in the background at an
overcrowded and loud party. But one expects far better from the man who gave us
timeless tunes in Border, Kareeb,
Baazigar and Main
Khiladi Tu Anari. Shape up, Anu Malik!
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