Skip to main content

Rock On!! (Music Review)

This is something I have been putting off time and time again. A cardinal sin by a rock music fan who happens to be a blogger as well! Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy once again breaks new ground with some awesome music. Last Hindi album I loved wasTaare Zameen Par. They haven't failed th yet again! There is no doubt Farhan Akhtar is a brilliant Director. But he is playing an unfamiliar dual role of the lead singer and the lead actor. The man has got some guts. Does he have the meat to carry it? Lets see!

I have been listening to the music for quite sometime now. Decided to play it in its entirety to get a feel of reviewing it.

The album opens with an awesome guitar riff. Reminds a lot of the classic guitar solos ala Jimi Hendrix. You get the hints of a different, yet rocking album. Lyrics are very different from the run of the mill Bollywood fare. Lot of English words thrown in the mix. Little existential. Even when the song is about love, it feels different. More sincere. More real. Music and lyrics are a bit raw, which has been the biggest criticism from the main stream media. But, I think suits the movie, which is about a young rock band (I haven't seen the movie, will be seeing it this week for sure!).

Reviews have been mixed, from both rock "pundits" and bolly reviewers. I will put my head on the chopping block and say that they are full of shit! Rock music is about rocking, not about Metallica or some other sell out band. Rock music is not about aping the west, go listen to Avial or Motherjane if you will. Its about human spirit, raw emotions, and guitar!

Following are my take on each song:

Socha Hai: Perfect opening. Cool Guitar riffs. Peppy yet thoughtful lyrics. Farhan has sang very well.
Pichle Saat Dinon Mein: My second favourite song (I am listening to the favourite now and its a little tough typing!) from the album. Felt very personal. Lyrics are good. Realistic to be frank. A good romantic song. Farhan is good once again.
Rock On: Frankly speaking, this is a rather weak song in comparison with the others. The title track should have been little more "rocking". Still, this is a good song. Well worth your time.
Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein: My favourite. Trance inducing, surreal vocals by Dominique Cerejo. Exceptional music and beautiful lyrics. I think this is the first time I am hearing her sing. I really wish sings more songs of these kind. I wish there were more girl fronted rock bands. Girls and rock music are simply mindblowing (no pun intended)!
Zehreelay: When I heard it the first time, my eyes nearly popped out. Heavy metal Hindi song which is not only bearable but fucking cool! To be frank I have heard very few Hindi rock/metal songs, still this I believe is a trailblazer. I have to say it sounds a lot like Pantera on steroids. The song resembles classic Pantera songs like Walk and Cowboys from Hell. Groovy guitar and harsh vocals, with a guitar solo in the middle. Makes sense, since nearly all local bands worship Pantera. The lyrics also made sense at multiple levels. Although it is a little offensive to snakes! "Sabko saamp dusthe hain!" Poor snakes! What did they do?
Tum Ho Toh: Rock ballad. Good one. Farhan has really strained a lot to sing this.
Sinbad The Sailor: Tale of Sinbad. Never get to gets hear these kind of tales told in a Hindi song. Excellent music. Fantastic guitar solo. Good use of the keyboard. I need to listen to this more often! The song merges into Tum Ho Toh at a faster pace towards the end, which is pretty cool!
Pichle Saat Dinon Mein (Live Version): To be honest, I haven't listened to this one much. Feels like a real concert song. Excellent jam of the original.
Phir Dekhiye: Another neglected song. Deserves more playtime. Good one with great vocals by Caralisa Monteiro(?).

Final Thoughts: I would give the album 4.5/5 in the normal course. Since, this one is a trailblazer I would give it a 5/5, for the risk and effort!

Wait for movie review later in the week!

Comments

  1. good review man...and a little more in depth than the quick review I did as soon as I brought the cd...
    Just ask those bolly reviewers to go to hell. They just praise the copied remixed shit and trash truly original works like this. When will they grow up...faggots..

    btw, movie is awesome...checkout my review soon:d

    ReplyDelete
  2. @praveen: Thanks! Waiting to finally catch the movie and your review! :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A random tag...

I got this from Divyas's blog ...liked it..so thought I would do it... 1. Were you named after anyone? Yeah. My paternal Grandpappy! 2. Do you wish on stars? Sometimes... 3. When did you last cry? Not bawling? Today while watching Keerthichakra, I had tears in my eyes...I am a rather sensitive guy :D... and this may sound corny...India makes me tick... 4. Do you like your handwriting? I like it. Others don't! :D To be frank I wish it was readable. 5. What is your favourite meat? Hmmm...does Prawns count as meat? Else I have to go for Chicken... 6. What is your most embarrassing CD on your shelf? :D Setup Sarala...No need to explain! :P 7. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Depends on the meeting! 8. Are you a daredevil ? You can dare me in somethings like standing up against teachers :D but not any stupid stunts! 9. How do you release anger? Swear...headbang to music...have a cigarette... 10. Where is your second home? My ancestral home I guess... 11. Do...

Sigh!

Why is the beer bottle so slender? I think its a deconstruction of the fact that you get a pot belly after a few beers over a period of time. Ah well, I should be taking a few sit ups! Ciao. P.S: I should be remembering the following cartoon before I start a fight with someone. Ciao again. (toon courtesy: xkcd )

Pappoos Training Programme

Hello (again) Inspite of hectic schedule I have come to address you people for elaborating on some points... 1. He is a lair. (Me: *yaaawn*) 2. He is a born lair (Me: *zzzzz*) 3. He is 500 miles away from me or else.... (Me: *snuggles pillow *) Yours Lovingly Pappu So the training program began. Since our hero had a critical hear condition, the programme was a capsule,crash course... Pappoos: *blushes, smiles, shakes his head* Neo: *slaps Pappoos* Lesson one...stop doing that! Gentlemaanyan (GM from now on): Close your eyes...concentrate...till you see 'the white light and deep brown tranquil depths'... Garfield: We ain't talking about you, dumbo! (That is a novel on its own, we will think about it later :D) Pappoos: My training??? Neo: Ok. First... Garfield: I thought we were done with that. I'll take the repeat lesson! *slaps Pappoos across his face* Neo: I meant second. (GM restrains Pappoos while Neo and Garfield takes cover) Neo: Enough play. Welcome to the real wo...