Sneha Khanwalkar : The Sound Trapper (BD)

Sneha Khanwalkar : The Sound Trapper

Even though being a blogger, I am not much into social networks like linked in or facebook or orkut. However, few years back, when I heard Oy Lucky! Lucky Oye!’ s soundtrack; I opened my orkut account just to create a fan page of Sneha Khanwalkar.

Oye Lucky! Lucky! Oye was a gem in both aspects, visually and musically. I would even dare to mention that I loved OLLO and LSD more than Pulp Fiction! DeeBee’s a master story teller and Sneha Khanwalkar has been his choice of music direction since his previous two ventures. Here is why.

Sneha, depending on the genre of her film, picks up a bagpack and ventures out straight to that place. As for OLLO she went to Punjab, she recorded sounds there, found out few singers out of many hidden treasures, and recorded songs keeping the folk flavor and folk accent intact. As a result, OLLO sounded fresh as a breeze. Unfortunately, LSD didn’t require much of such outings but still she visited Rajasthan for a folk song I Can’t Hold It (don’t go by the name).

Now, this methodology of Sneha is shown on national television and man, it looks interesting. A show on MTV called MTV Sound Trippin will take us along with Sneha on her journey to 10 different places in India where Sneha will be recording 10 different songs. First two episodes of MTV Sound Trippin are out and songs recorded at Punjab and Banaras respectively have really come out well. I am simply a fan of her again.

Keep up the good work Sneha! Well done!

Here is her Wiki.

Here is some YouTube’d stuff about Sneha Khanwalkar.

Sneha Khanwalkar discussing Oye Lucky Lucky Oye's music:





MTV Sound Trippin's First Episode and Song Tung Tung:



MTV Sound Trippin's Second Episode Benaras and song Ram Ram






How did YOU find the Sneha Khanwalkar's music. Do comment!

Dangerous Ishhq Music Review (BD)

Dangerous Ishhq Music Review

An avoidable affair

Dangerous Ishqq Music Review

Rating: ❤ ❤  ½

Music Director: Himesh Reshammiya

Lyrics: Shabbir Ahmed and Sameer Anjaan

Himesh Reshammiya's previous Damadamm Music Review earned me many harsh and second - rate comments from HR fans all over the world. But I still stand on my words, Damadamm was strictly an average album. According to me, HR's best from the album released in last couple of years (Milenge Milenge, Damadamm, Kajra Re and Radio) is Radio. Songs like Rafa Dafa Kiya Nahi Jaaye and Jaaneman are still on my Ipod. So I forget the previous disasters and expect another Hit album as he seems in his old charming form after smash hit "Teri Meri Kahaani".

Tu Hi Rab Tu Hi Dua

Singers: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Tulsi Kumar

The album begins with a Sufi Qawaali type of number crooned by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Undoubtedly, he is irreplaceable in this genre. Considering contrasting textures of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Tulsi Kumar, female vocals sound a bit pale here. Shreya would have been an efficient alternative. Music production is below average but catchy composition covers up other loopholes.

Naina Re

Singers: Himesh Reshammiya , Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal

Naina Re reminds me the Himesh of Aapka Suroor album. I personally like the voice pitch used in Radio rather than this one (slightly nasal). Shreya is simply mesmerizing. A riff used repeatedly in the song has striking resemblance with “Unfaithful” by Rihanna. Rahat Saab and Shreya Ghoshal simply overpass Himesh’s vocals this time. Lyrics and composition are good. Thumbs up to vocals by Shreya and Rahat Saab, Himesh you missed it this time.

Ishq Mein Ruswaa

Singer: Anweshaa

Anweshaa’s Bollywood debut and she sounds matured enough. I love her voice and singing but again, music production is average, song relies a lot on composition and singing. Two songs of same genre, is a bit hindrance for me.

Umeed

Singers: Amrita Kak, Shabab Sabri

Umeed sounds like an age-old remix by HR. Lesser said about the song is better.

Lagan Lagi

Singers: Shreya Ghoshal and Shabab Sabri

Lagan Lagi is again, a classical Indian number with odd use of Dhols here. Shehnai sounds uncoordinated and due to sub standard music production values, song remains strictly an average fare.

Naina Re (Reprise Version)

Singers: Himesh Reshammiya and Shreya Ghoshal

 

The reprise version saves album a bit from the damage done by a couple songs from same genre and forcibly placed remixes.

Overall, this is something that an HR fan would like to forget and forgive. The album has good compositions to boast but second - rate music production values ruins all.

Hits: Naina Re (Both Versions)

Rating: ❤ ❤ ½

Ishaqzaade Music Review (BD)

Ishaqzaade Music Review

In Ishq with Ishaqzaade

Ishaqzaade Music Review

Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ½

Music Director: Amit Trivedi

Lyrics: Kaushar Hunir

Amit Trivedi's debut collaboration with Yash Raj Films, is a reason ample enough to have huge expectations from Ishaqzaade. Owing to Amit Trivedi's precipitous musical success, this one too, is presumed to be a melodious venture.

Aafaton Ke Parinday

Singers: Suraj Jagan , Divya Kumar

Ishaqzaade kick starts with an alternate rock - dubstep fused score that is vigorous and just sets the mood right. Thanks to major highlight Suraj Kumar and Divya Kumar’s contrasting vocals, rusty feel complements the devil-may-care attitude very well. Scorching guitar riffs and uniquely stylized singing gives a rich music production values to the track. Lyrics are a bit misfit, but passable. Nice start.

Ishaqzaade

Singer: Javed Ali and Shreya Ghoshal

Javed Ali and Shreya Ghoshal’s subtle crooning accompanied with jazzy saxophones and ambient guitar sounds like a typical Amit Trivedi track from Udaan and Aamir but clichéd composition is a big let down here. Track gets low in interlude and soon fades out of the attention. Average.

Chokra Jawaan

Singers: Vishal Dadlani and Sunidhi Chauhan

Chokra Jawaan is pretty much northern – suburban folk song with a kind of pedestrian lyrics. Song is definitely catchy thanks to “Chokra Jawaan” phrase looped for an eternity but musically this track is not very sound. "Ding dang ding” reminds me of Beedi from Omkara. I am a bit disappointed due to singing by Vishal and Sunidhi. Vishal as in Mar Jaiyan from Vicky Donor has overdone it again.

Pareshaan

Singer: Shalmali Kholgade

Pareshaan!! Pareshaan!! Pareshaan!! This one is definitely whole and soul of the album. I would like to have a special mention of singer Shalmali Kholgade. I saw her performing live at “The Bartender” concert and she was impressive! Her distinctive voice texture sounds like a pleasant blend of Madhushree and Shreya Ghoshal. Lyrics are good this time; soulful violins and harmonium are the icing on cake. Best deal of the album by far!

Jhalla Wallah

Singer: Shreya Ghoshal

What Vishal and Sunidhi overdid in Chokra Jawaan, Shreya does it perfectly in Jhalla Wallah. In terms of lyrics, singing, composition and music production, I like this song more than Chokra Jawaan. At the same time, I wonder why two songs of the same genre are placed in an album of only five originals. Anyway, this one is my pick rather than Chokra Jawaan.

Amit Trivedi has hit the right chords, but I felt let down by the remixes (which, AT generally avoids) and a couple of songs. Ishaqzaade is worth a buy; Pareshaan alone is worth the price of the whole album! I am in Ishq with Ishaqzaade!

Hits: Pareshaan, Aafton Ke Parinday

Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ½

Waar Movie Trailer : Pakistan's Most Slick Film Ever

Waar Movie Trailer

Movie Information:

Direction : Bilal Lashari
Writer - Producer : Hassan Waqas Rana

Starring : Shaan Shahid, Shamoon Abbasi , Aisha Khan,  Meesha Shafi, Ali Azmat & Hamza Abbasi

Movie Trailer:

Waar Movie Trailer Review:


I frankly, have watched only two Pakistani films ever till date. Khuda Kay Liye and Bol (both ShoMan films!) and to put it straight, both the films are classic. Both this films, somehow don't fit in the "commercial" category. Today, while I was YouTubing, I bumped into this trailer of a film called Waar starring Shaan Shahid (he and Ali Azmat are the only ones I can recognize from the full star cast,pardon me) and I was like wow!


The trailer that begins with a touchy dialogue gets too slick in the next couple of minutes. It has all elements of a commercial action thriller;slick action, stylish cinematography and some never-before-seen stuff in Pakistani movie (including a kiss!)

The movie made on a budget of 2 million USD looks too slick considering the budget (in Bollywood, even romantic flicks spend 2 - 5 M USD), that really commendable.

I have seen several music videos of director (Sajni and Chal Bulleya are some of them) and hope he presents what I am waiting forward to see after such a promising trailer! Bring it on!



(P.S : This is the first trailer review posted on BD , hope that indicates my eagerness to watch Waar.)

Vicky Donor Music Review (BD)

Vicky Donor Music Review

   A Mixed Bag

Vicky Donor Music Review
Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ½
Music Director: Abhishek - Akshay
Lyrics:Kusum Verma

Vicky Donor does not need an introduction now; the trailer has already received a tremendous response thanks to unusual theme and star cast. As far as music is concerned, I frankly don’t have much hopes from debutant music directors Abhishek-Akshay.

Rokda
Singers: Akshay Verma and Aditi Singh Sharma
The opening track is peppy with simple lyrics and music arrangement. Akshay Verma, “Superchor” fame (from Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye!) is okay on vocals. Overall, the song lacks much needed vigor. A not so good start for an album, I must say.


Kho Jaane De
Singers: Clinton Cerejo & Aditi Singh Sharma
Clinton Cerejo and Aditi Singh Sharma beautifully croon Kho Jaane De. However, composition and music arrangements are yet again mediocre. Nevertheless, this one is a passable track.


Rum Whisky
Singer: Akshay Verma
The album by far has remained an average fare; but not anymore. “Oye Kithe Gai Sharaab Ki Gaddi” says singer and Bhangra beats take over addictively. “Rum Rum Rum Rum Rum O Whisky” sounds catchy and so does the composition. A quite surprising comeback by the debutant duo.


Paani Da Rang (Male)
Singer: Ayushmann Khurrana
Wow! Simply wow! Everything about this track is special. Unbelievably good composition, hummable lyrics and last but not the least, brilliant crooning by Ayushmann Khurrana; makes this one an outstanding number! Ayushmann Khurrana sounds polished and is a pleasant surprise. I would love to hear more from him! Full marks to music directors for making this a pop song ; composition seems to be a typical Qawali. This track is a perfect example of what I call a successful musical experiment. This song is going to stay in my playlist for a longer time.


Mar Jayian
Singers: Vishal Dadlani & Sunidhi Chauhan ; Bann

Mar Jayian has rich musical arrangement and nice lyrics but again composition is average, Vishal and Sunidhi fail this time to make this a romantic song. Vishal Dadlani for this romantic number is certainly not a good choice. Sad version by Bann (unconventional singing) is however, quite good. There was not any need to create a romantic version of this track.


Chaddha
Singer: Mika Singh
This uncanny titled song has equally uncanny lyrics and is genuinely witty. Indian instruments like Harmonium and Sarangi are well mixed with a pop beat. Mika does good job on vocals, song is energetic enough to tap your foot. It would be interesting to see where this situational number fits in the movie.


Paani Da Rang (Female)
Singer:  Sukanya Purkayastha   

 Bliss again! I am glad that music composers chose to reprise a different version of the best song of this album rather than forcing a remix. Singer Sukanya Purkayastha (who recently rose to fame by singing Kuch To Hai Zaroor for Kuch To Log Kahenge , a daily soap) sounds just perfect for female version. Again, full marks to directors for making this reprised version a rock number!

My Picks: Paani Da Rang (Male and Female Versions), Rum Whisky, Chaddha

Rating: ❤ ❤ ❤ ½


UPDATE: Readers, please authenticate this. In the making of Pani Da Rang, director and actress says that Ayushmann is the singer - composer and lyricist of the song. Slightly contradicting to this, Ayushmann says that a friend of him "Kabir" composed this song during their college time! Its for sure that Abhishek - Akshay are not composers of this song. Its either Ayushmann or his mate. What do you all say?