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Chords & Notes
White Noise, Sony & BMG, Rs. 175
THIS QUEER offering by Sony BMG is just about good on the ear as the composers Ashutosh Phatak and Dhruv Ghanekar have tried to put together a `different' kind of album. But if you expect anything more, you are in for disappointment. As you listen to the CD, you can sense a distinct chord of mystery in almost every song, and it sustains your interest for a while. But then you realise all the songs sound almost the same.
The vocals are not of much help, and even sound clumsy in a couple of tracks. The fifth track, SOS , doesn't come anywhere close to the classic Abba one, and stands out solely because of the tabla played by Satyajit Talwalkar. Fusion, after all, is fashionable. Similarly, in the last track, Olive, Rakesh Chausaria's flute does the trick. Mediocre music priced steeply at Rs.175.
Karam, T-Series, Rs. 50
AFTER A long time we hear the original Alisha Chinoy's sensuous, husky voice lent to Tinka Tinka in this album thanks to the music director duo Vishal-Shekhar. The euphonic song is the saving grace of the album and the film too. Except for Tera Hi Karam, sung by Pankaj Awasthi, others can go unnoticed.
The songs Le Jaa penned by Vishal and Koi Aisa Alam by Dev Kohli are better written than sung by Harshdeep-Vishal and Sonu Nigam and Mahalaxmi, respectively. The item song Ishq Nachaya Kare is avoidable.
Waqt, T-Series, Rs. 125 (CD)
IT IS a race against melody. Anu Malik has reserved his best for future and dished out stale fare. Except for Toot Gaya, which impresses with Kailash Kher's voice, the album has no redeeming feature. Let's Play Holi rendered by Anu Malik and Sunidhi Chauhan raises hopes and may become the flavour of the festival but won't last beyond that.
Elvis # 1 Hits, Sony BMG, Rs. 399 (CD)
IT'S NOSTALGIA time, if we must speak in clichés. But when you listen carefully, Elvis Presley scarcely fits the description, since his music made it to that rare category that defies the dictates of passing fashions.
His dress sense may be in one year and out the next, but his songs continue to appeal to a vast range of listeners, as much for their quality as for their variety.
This collection brings together 30 of his number one hits, set out chronologically from January 1956 till July 1977. Beginning with Heartbreak Hotel, the song whose unlikely inspiration was a suicide note printed in a newspaper, it goes on to Don't Be Cruel, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender and other familiar hits.
The catchy rhythms, that mesmerising voice, all combine to take you on a rewarding journey, till Way Down recorded in 1977, eight months before his death. Finally, there is the bonus track, which was released in June 2002.
This song, A Little Less Conversation, made it to the top of the charts in the U.K. at that time. The booklet that accompanies the CD contains interesting background notes on each of the songs.
Rebirth, Jennifer Lopez, Sony & BMG, Rs. 150
THE LATINO diva has got her music right with the album; the opening track is a testimony to the fact. Unlike the salsa heavy earlier leanings, the current album is on a mellow note.
Hold you down, is a hip-hop ballad, featuring Fat Joe, with slow and easy grooves. I got you, Still around and Ryde or die are for the car stereo, for those long drives. I, love, He'll be back and (Cant believe) this is me are on a melancholic note.
Confessions, Usher, Sony & BMG, Rs. 150
THIS IS a cool compilation from the MC rapper — what with the buzz in music circles this season, including music channels, screaming `Usher rules'.
Smooth vocals, hip-hop grooves and lyrics, guest artistes such as Lil'Jon and Ludacris (Yeah!) and Alicia Keys (My Boo) make it `the' street cover. Another USP is some real good compositions back to back.
Do it to me, Take your hand, Burn, Caught Up, Superstar and the title track make for good listening, even if you are not into the genre.
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