Melodious - The Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Music Review
RATING: 2 In the times when the music industry in Bollywood is gripped in Reshammiya rage, an album like 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' brings a whiff of freshness with songs that have a delectable mix of Indian and western style of music and are set to some deeply meaningful lyrics by Javed Akhtar .
Music has always played more than just a filling role in Karan Johar's films. Be it Kuch Kuch Hota Hai , Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (both directed by Johar) or be it Kal Ho Na Ho or Kaal (produced by Johar), music in a Dharma Production's film has been, in a way, the driving force of the story. And now that Karan returns to direction after more than four years, it pays to sit up and notice the music of Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna .
Let it be said at the very outset that the composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (SEL) have churned out an eclectic mix of songs with varying moods and melodies - melodramatic, soft, soothing, fast and pulsating.
The tender notes of piano and violin open the first song, the title track Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. The song is slow, sedative and somewhat sorrowful, but Javed Akhtar keeps a spark of hope alive in his words.
Sample this - Tumko bhi hai khabar, Mujhko bhi hai pata, Ho raha hai juda, Dono ka raasta, Door jaake bhi mujhse, Tum meri yaadon mein rehna, Kabhi alvida naa kehna, Kabhi alvida naa kehna.
The song is sung with requisite impact by Sonu Nigam, who thankfully avoids sweet and saccharine tone of singing and brings a kind of hollowness, or rather depth, in his voice. Alka Yagnik matches Sonu's skill with equal emotive appeal.
After the sombre mood comes the lilting Mitwa. The song features Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali, Shankar Mahadevan and Caralisa. The most outstanding thing about this song, apart from its melody, is the interesting use of both eastern and western instruments - tabla, dholak, veena, guitar, drums and more. And mention must also be made of Shafqat Amanat Ali who adds verve and breathes life into this song with his impressive high-pitched singing.
'Mitwa' is 'Revisited' in the remixed version of the song by SEL and Indrajit Sharma. This zanier version has a faster tempo with a slight change in Shankar Mahadevan's singing.
Vitalized by Mitwa, the album then storms onto the dance floor with 'Where's The Party Tonight'. Shaan and Vasundhara Das sing this song with no holds barred while Shankar Mahadevan and Loy Mendosa (the S and L of SEL) chip in the edgeways. However, despite all the noise, the loud beats (repeated ad nauseam), the song lacks the punch to become a dance floor blazer.
The following number, Tumhi Dekho Naa, mellows the adrenalin-pumped fervour into a romantic mood as Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik render the sentimental song in soft and soothing tones. The song has simple but moving lyrics by Javed Saab and the music in it is lilting and pleasant.
The album then steers into celebratory spirit with the racy and pulsating 'Rock n Roll Soniye', sung by Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan and Mahalaxmi Iyer. The song is an amalgamation of Indi-pop and Bhangra rock. It also carries a pinch of nostalgia with the inclusion of lyrics from yesteryear hits like Sar pe topi laal, Haath mein resham ka rumaal, Ho tera kya kehna. It is learnt that this song in the film will feature all its stars - Abhishek Bachchan , Amitabh Bachchan , Shah Rukh Khan , Rani Mukherjee , Preity Zinta and possibly Kajol and John Abraham (both in a cameo appearances).
The album ends on a sedate note with 'Farewell Trance', an instrumental version of the title song, by DJ Shane. The track, featuring Shweta Pandit and Caralisa, has a use of many instruments like piano, violin, flute, drums and keyboards.
All in all, the compositions in KANK are melodious and ear-catchy.
Movie Review : Likeable, but not exceptional (1/10) When the most awaited movie of the year, with a star cast as stellar as it gets, hit the theatres, expectations are naturally high...
Music Review : Melodious (2/10) In the times when the music industry in Bollywood is gripped in Reshammiya rage, an album like 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' brings a w...
Shahrukh gave me cricket tips: Rani
Main Aurr Mrs Khanna - Music Review
Shahrukh Khan turns into a fatherly figure
Amitabh, Abhishek to work with French director?
