MUSIC REVIEW: Rahman's Jaane Tu... There's a neat little surprise in this
album!
By Chandrima Pal . Buzz18 May 27, 2008
I am not what you'd call a die-hard fan of AR Rahman but I do make it a
point to listen to every album that comes from this master music composer.
And as someone who has been following Rahman's career right from his early
days, I eagerly look out for his compositions in the hope of being treated to
something new and eclectic. And the musician seldom disappoints.
Rahman's last cinematic outing was Jodhaa Akbar. While the music of Jodhaa
Akbar was a tad too honest to the period drama, there were these immensely
hummable and soul-stirring tracks as a gift from Rahman. The sufiana Khwaja is
a case in point.
Moving on to this week's release Jaane Tu
.
The first thing that will strike you about the music of Jaane Tu
is its
simplicity. The album marks a clear departure from the current crop of film
scores that are heavy on production and effects. A weakness even Rahman has
been accused of often.
But Rahman's choice and use of musical instruments and voices in this album
is brilliant, as is his choice of musical genres.
Jaane Tu... features a bunch of fresh new faces, and is the launch pad of
Aamir Khan's nephew Imran. From the director's note and the first look of the
film, it seems to be a teenage love story and the music smacks of candy floss,
bubble gum, soda pops and roses. But certainly with a difference.
Track One: Kabhi Kabhi Aditi, is heavily influenced by contemporary R&B and a
bit of hip-hop with a nice guitar and vocals. Sung by Rashid Ali, the song has
a very interesting rhythmic structure and movement that will find you clicking
your fingers and tapping your foot.
Track Two: Pappu Can't Dance: Ah! So, this is the infamous song that
allegedly spoofs Salman. Well, politics apart, the song is tailor-made for the
dance floor with a bunch of singers including rapper Blaze (who was part of the
Rang De Basanti playback team) infusing it with great energy.
Track Three: Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai is once again very R&B with a haunting
melody and a soulful rendition by Runa that could give you goosebumps. Once
again, the minimalistic arrangement gives it a rather unique feel. The same
song is rendered by Sukhwinder Singh later and the singer lends his
characteristic intensity and power to the song, taking to a different level
altogether.
Track Four: Nazrein Milaana Nazrein Churaana, is a zestful, upbeat song by a
bunch of singers that is very MTV, very college canteen musical in its feel.
Track Five: Tu Bole... Main Boloon: This is what I 'd say the piece de
resistance of the album. In each of his film scores, Rahman reserves the most
challenging and perhaps the best track for himself. If it was Luka Chhuppi with
Lata Mangeshkar in Rang De Basanti, and Khwaja in Jodhaa Akbar, it is Tu Bole
in this one.
The song is a delicious swing jazz number, something you would have never
heard in a Hindi film. The legendary Ranjit Barot's brush work on the drums,
seductive pianos, a nice thick bass track complement Rahman's jazz avatar
beautifully. Listen to the track with your eyes closed and you will be
transported straight to a Broadway Musical in late '40s/'50s. And how can we
not mention that excellent trumpet playing by Adam Rapa! Bravo!
Track Six: Kahin To by Rashid Ali and Vasundhara Das however is bit of a
letdown as it sounds too much like one of the biggest international hits of the
'80s. The scale changing chorus crescendo, the keyboards and the melody will
remind you of a certain George Benson classic love ballad (I'd rather not name
the song here).
Pappu Can't Dance resurfaces as a remix at the end of the album and Rahman
shows off his ease with this genre as always.
While the melodies of almost all the songs have high recall, the lyrics
somehow fail on that count. Don't get me wrong, Abbas Tyrewala does a decent
job of staying away from banality and yet trying to hum the lyrics (other than
the chorus lines) could be bit of a challenge thanks to their complexity. But
that is just a personal opinion and most of you out there may welcome the
verses, which are a mix of the profound and the quirky.
One last observation, the soundtrack of Jaane Tu is as good as any top-notch
international production. Considering the album has been produced entirely in
the country, it speaks volumes about the technicians and musicians involved.
Take a bow, ladies and gentlemen!
Verdict: Go get it!
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