Monday, October 1, 2007

"Jab we met" - Music Review


Amidst highly anticipated albums like Saawariya and Om Shanti Om, I somehow missed out "Jab we met". There wasn't any hype surrounding this movie. I know Pritam comes up with good music now and then. But as it released on the same day with Saawariya, I had to let go of this one. At first when I saw the trailer I didn't care much about the album. But then after seen raving reviews in many sites, I thought I'll give it a try. And what a pleasant surprise !! Right from the first song I was instantly hooked on. Thanks to the variety in the soundtrack, I didn't even for once skip any song before it finished. A dark horse in the competition, this could might as well turn out to be the most enjoyable soundtracks of the year.

The album starts with a bang with the song "Mauja Mauja". Typical of what we expect from a Pritam soundtrack. Catchy tune and rhythmic beats, very energetic and perfect for dance floors. Mika gets his second hit number this year. I'm sure we'll be hearing this song over and over again in almost all channels in days to come.

There's also a remix version at the end, but I prefer the original over it.

The next song is what makes this album a special one. The serene "Tum Se hi" has a starting female loop a-a-a-a-a...very infectious and goes on like a loop before the actual song starts off. The song has got a nice rhythm to it. Mohit Chauhan's voice is very refreshing. He should sing more often. The flute interlude is very very soothing. A perfect song for a long drive away from traffic and on the mountains. Pritam excels in this song.

The beautiful melodious "Tum Se hi" transforms quite easily into a mellow, chill type techno number in its remix version which appears later.

Next comes another catchy song "Yeh Ishq" which sounds almost like an arabic song with hindi lyrics in it. Its a kind of song which was attempted by AR Rahman way back in early 90s. Shreya Ghosal seems like a misfit here. Alisha Chinoi would have done complete justice to it. The orchestration is very enjoyable. Pritam must have had a lot of fun composing it. However I believe its a rehash of Pritam’s “Mahiya” song from the film “Awaarapan”. I haven't heard that one and don't intend to either, so no comments.

The remix version is racy with thumping rave beats and feels like a different song altogether. Generally remixes seem to be more like fillers. But here its a different story. Another rocking number tailor-made for clubs.

Sonu Nigam takes over the mike this time with an upbeat "Nagada Nagada". For me Bhangra songs are like Hip-Hop/Rap songs. There's only so much variation you can do to make it sound different from others. Thats why we get the heard before feeling when listening to Nagada song. Nevertheless, it keeps the pace going. Not a song which I'll be listening often. Skippppp

Wow...Sarangi...what an instrument...absolute Bliss. And what a surprise... Pritam roping in Ustad Sultan Khan ? I can't believe the techno-ish, club-bish, arab-ish, pakistan-ish copy-ish songs composer uses a Classical instrument such as sarangi to one of his songs. I have to applaud Pritam here for this beautiful song "Aao Milo Chalo". Shaan is getting a lot of songs these days, and why not when he's doing a neat job. The fusion piece in the 2nd interlude and again in the end with Ustad Sultan Khan's vocals and guitar music in the background is what elevates this song to a different level. Its hard to choose between this song and Tum Se hi. I think both of them equally stand out.

Remember timeless melodies like "Ghar se nikalte hi, kuch door chalte hi" and "Hosh walon ko khabar kya". Songs which we can listen anytime, be it day or night, at home or driving. Songs which make you happy from within, and which make you concentrate more on the lyrics. Sandesh Shandaliya, the guest composer, comes up with a song belonging to the similar forte. "Aaoge Jab Tum" is a very melodious and soulful song, backed with subtle instruments. Once again vocals department excels with Ustad Rashid Khan rendering effortlessly.

The album ends with "Tum Se hi - Instrumental". This piece is like a breath of fresh air. One can't help but notice similarities to Titanic song and Braveheart theme, mainly due to the flute. Its like a grand finale to an exciting musical, where a symphony setting is created with Opera singers singing in chorus. For a second I thought I'm listening to a James Horner or Vangelis or Hans Zimmer composition for a Hollywood movie. A very haunting musical piece with a mystical feel to it which makes it a powerful listening experience.

Recently Pritam gave an interview where he mentioned that he's going to put a full stop to this plagiarism abuse, and start working on some serious original stuff. If this album "Jab We met" was composed anytime after that interview, then he kind of delivered what he promised. This album is diverse, has some soulful melodies, awesome dance numbers, beautiful lyrics, and great vocals. All in all a music both for masses as well as classes. And with Kareena shaking her 'you know what' with her 'you know who' on the screen, I'm sure crowd would go bonkers. A must have in your collection.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

nice review. Mohit Chauhan's song is awesome. Pritam wins over Vishal Sekhar with this album. Lucky for VS, they have SRK and Farah, who are the only reason the album is selling.

मयंक देव (Mayank Deo) said...

good one here....just because i read your reviews, that i came to know of this movie....songs are good....esp Aao Milo Chale.....Ustad Rashid Khan's track's also good (anything sung by URK is good for me) but i think Khan sahab will take some time to adjust to hindi films music....because the 'andaz' needs to be somewhat different...to be fair to him, not so bad for first attempt...Ustad Sultan Khan has mastered that different 'andaaz' pretty well....still, i would prefer URK to remain in his kingdom of classical music.

- S i R i S h - said...

Yeah Mayank. I don't see them sing for Bollywood movies so often. I think their voices make the songs sound fresh. Very earthy voice Ustad Rashid Khan has. I'm blown by the Sarangi instrument in Aao milo chale. And USK's vocals. I don't know who scores over the other in classical music scene though, USK or URK...

Anonymous said...

Can Pritam ever beat 'Metro ? I have still to hear Jab we met. I really enjoyed all the songs of Metro. Keep it up Pritam

Andrea M. said...

well.. he hasn't left his plagiarism behind yet, as there are some obvious similarities with Mauja mauja and Simarik by Tarkan (was wondering when he was going to get around to using that track!)

However, as always, he gets very close to improving on the original.

Anonymous said...

I am totally agree with this review. I liked all songs from this album. Specially Shaan's 'Aao milon chale' & Ustad Rashid Khan's tracks. Pritam has already given melodious tracks to the industry but this album is beyond all.

- S i R i S h - said...

hehe..yeah Triliana..I noticed that too..But I thought u know what, thats ok..as long as he doesn't reuse the complete tune, its fine. We've accused him enough already. And in this album he seems to be like a more matured music director. He's succeeded in producing some original lilting melodies, which in itself is a great achievement for Pritam.

Divya said...

Hi Sirish ...found your blog when i searched for jab we met music review. good stuff ! but i have a slightly different opinion on "Yeh Ishq Hai' song. I felt Shreya Goshal did pretty good justice to the song and though i've not seen the video, i feel that it suits kareena well. Good to hear Shreya try out new kind of songs ...

- S i R i S h - said...

I agree Divya. I think its good if she gets to sing a variety of songs. But when I first heard this song, I felt that it would have been awesome if Alisha had sung it. Apparently she won best playback singer award in Bollywood music awards held @ Atlantic city for her song "Its rocking" sung again for Kareena. But neways watch the movie, its a sweet movie and this song is very well picturised.

Anonymous said...

I like your review but like Divya I disagree about the "Yeh Ishq Hai'- it's easy to picture Alisha singing a sultry song like that but I think Shreya did really well here. Reminded me of how surprised I was to hear her sing "Chalo Chale" from Jism.

- S i R i S h - said...

Yea Amy..I guess I have to agree to you and Divya on this one. The more I listen to the song, the more I like her voice, esp in the middle portions

Rama said...

Hi , Really good review . Jab We met's music as well as the film is an absolute pleasure.

good show keep it up.

Unknown said...

hey!
Aage Jab Tum was composed by sandesh shandaliya .. I too didnt expect Pritam to compose such a track !

- S i R i S h - said...

Thats true Abhinav...Pritam has a style of music from where we can't expect songs like Aaoge Jab tum..I think the director knew it and thats why he got Sandesh. But the rest of the tracks are superb though..typical Pritam.

And yes Rama, even I thoroughly enjoyed the spirited acting by Kareena in the movie. It was a fresh movie after a long time in bollywood.

Anonymous said...

I really liked all of Pritam's songs especially aao milo chalo. Mauja Mauha was really good too

Anonymous said...

though i really loved the song yeh ishq hai i was sincerely dissappointed wwhen i learned that it was a rehash of lahiya and even mroe when i learned that it was copied from a french sings... u can search it on youtube just type anggun clair etre un or stm and u get teh song... its just tat yeh ishq is more upbeat very disappoiting album though. iwasnt surprised when i learned that race pehli nazar was copied from akoren song..its sad he doesnt seem to be leetiing go of the idea of plagiarism

Pawan said...

Great review!

But I disagree that Shreya was a misfit for "Yeh Ishq Haaye". She delivered the song with the right expression and feeling.

I guess maybe her voice is just too sweet for likes of this song :)

Pawan Jalan
MaGaReSa

Anonymous said...

you thought she was a misfit and she won national award for the song,,,,,,,,,,,,seems you just see the style of the song and don't concentrate on the vocals

- S i R i S h - said...

I agree to disagree...or shud it be disagree to agree...either ways reg Shreya Ghosal what I meant was till that point I've been hearing her in soft melodies..and this kinda song was more often sung by Sunidhi...and that made the whole combo diff. Pawan, u r absolutely right in ur last line :). But yea u ( anonymous ) r right in the end..she did win the award, and most deservedly so.

After watching the movie it made even more sense to have her sing the song as it was perfect for someone, read Kareena,who was this sweet bubbly girl lost in her joyous world meandering throught the colorful streets.

And to conclude yes I agree that I missed out on my "misfit" statement :), but I disagree that I don't count vocals in a song, afterall its the vocals, the style and the lyrics that make a complete song.

Anonymous said...

@Sirish, thanks for clarifying, I didn't mean any offense; Merry Christmas and a happy new year,,,cheers