I usually don't write Music review as I am no expert in music but still I have ear which are listening all sorts of rhythms from last 29 years and perfected enough to differentiate between various nuances of different instruments, frequencies, sounds etc.Madhur Bhandarkar is director associated with mostly movies (Corporate, Page 3, chandni bar..) which are strong in content and don't rely on typical bollywood format which heavily rely on music to take story forward but Fashion become an exception and that too a good one. Enough to push me to write something on it and also it will kill my long absense from blog.
Coming to Album. It Contains 4 original songs, 1 theme song and 5 remixes of all original songs (which is also quite an fashion in itself to provide remix of all the songs in bollywood flicks nowadays). The music is composed by duo Salim-Sulaiman (SS) who recently earn name by composing chart buster Chak de india of movie with same name and almost become national anthem of India last year. They really look in great form in this album and make maximum use of opportunity given to them on such a contemptory movie on a very different theme not touched by any director so far in India (aka bollywood).
Fashion album open with "Fashion ka Jalwa", song sing by SS fav singer Sukhvinder supported well by Satya and Robert. Songs started in high node with loud drum beat with Satya rendering Jalwa and Robert giving some funky rap. Then Sukhvinder took over with over the top voice giving right punch to words and singing in enthu mood. In between we can listen a female voice in two different place i.e. One singing in Soft English lyrics while another (I guess hard kaur) singing English rap. Overall a decent start to Album.
Second Song start with a very pleasing voice rendering words in arabic which is actually Salim himself behind mike. More and more composer nowadays giving themselves chances to sing song and look like this become a trend now but no problem till they sound good which Salim is as he has very good voice i.e. neat, clean and pleasent on ear drums. Starting music piece is also awesome and I am sure will be used in movie as various places as background. Then a releatively new voice Shruti Pathak took over, who has unconventional dusky voice, but matching the song requirment. The song has every potential to be listen in repeat mode for sometime and will be a great piece for people who loves listening music in car. Song become little dull in middle but still has capacity to become one of the best song of 2008.
kuchh khaas comes third in album and for me the best song of album. But it can confuse people easily that who the composer is, if anybody don't know it is SS, as Pritam is written all over it, as this kinda music is what pritam has perfected over a period of time i.e. Soft ballad with haunting feel to it. Mohit chauhan can undoubtly the best choice to sing this song as he has same capicity like Lucky ali and Faisal kapadia (String lead singer) to make any song special just by his musculine raw vocal cord. He is well supported by Neha bhasin (band Viva member) who I guess has her first bolly number. She was also disappeared long from music scene but I should say that she has voice which can be of some interest to some music director of bollywood but definetly has face to die for so she should try for acting rather then singing alone. Her another Viva member Anouskha too sang some bolly numbers and have definetly better mature voice then Neha. Anyhow, Song really turned out to be great listen and would really be loved by classes and masses.
Aashiyana comes next. Has a very peppy start with Salim again behind the mike for complete song crooning aashiyana words again and again. Song smoothly slip into next gear and become more fast in treatment but comes very easy on ear. Lyrics is ok kind but Salim voice fills the gap and the songs become more then average. It will slowly grip you and I am sure will come out as another winner in already looking magnificent album.
Theame of Fashion is last song of album. It start again with voice crooning in arabic with excellent use of Sontoor strings in backdrop. Then songs become conventional with loud drub beat and inbetween use of Sontoor strings. Also, some alap by unknown singer giving much required feel to theme. Overall, attempt is quite good and I am sure it will be used in movie during fashion shows. This song is again remixed by Midival Punditz with karsh kale. Midival punditz has earn quite a name for themselves in worldwide music scene and has some great work behind them. They have kept the soul of theme intact but made it trance by adding lots of electronic loops. Verdict - good fun listening when car is moving fast and have some shots of vodka working overtime.
I am not commenting on remixes of other songs as I don't like the whole idea of giving remixed versions in album. Let them done by DJ on dance floors. Still, all remixes are done neatly and will liked by people who love loud outdone work on original peices.
Overall, the album has huge potentional and will have all the grooves to turn out as one of the best album of 2008. Still in my opinion, it will be more like by classes then masses.
My Rating: ****/5
