Still in search of ARR. Review on Rockstar Songs

Yesterday, I was on the way to purchase the album of ‘rockstar’ and the song “ye haseen vaadiyaan” was being played on FM station. I immediately stopped my car on side pushed back the driving seat slightly and listened to the whole track in full volume, feeling mesmerized again ( I have stopped counting how many times I have mesmerized by listening to such ARR’s tracks). Years have passed but these tracks remain immortal. Today, after listening, I can only say that if at all, after a year or two, the songs of ROCKSTAR are being played on FM channels, I will not even care to listen to it.

There is something called beauty of simplicity which clicks to each and every mind and sadly, it is constantly missing in some of the latest albums of ARR. Agreed that ARR is the world class arranger and programmer. The effects and sounds he is using nowadays is something that other composers could not have imagined of. He is a greatest technocrat, programmer, he is the supremo in conceiving the ideas of music, sounds and compositions (doesn’t matter whether those ideas are digestible or not), but the most important part of ARR is missing, that’s the melody, the soul of music.

While we listen to Rockstar, we can easily recognize the international ARR through various flavors of world music and sounds but to me, there are also great pieces of arrangement and sound effects. But m still in search of *‘kehna hi kyaa' Or ‘jiya jale.’

Let’s unfold the songs.

1) Phir se Udd chala: starts with Bulgarian folk chorus, then the flavor of guitar pop and ends with trance taste. The lyrics convey the message of journey, and so the song is also like a one-way journey. Nothing like signature line or stanzas. In a way the songs seems lost. It also seems an impromptu song, its typical ARR style, anything comes anywhere. Lyrics by Irshaad Kamil* (really one of the best lyricists and poets we have got in industry) are very nice.  ‘mitti jaise sapne ye, kitna bhi palko se jhaado, fir aa jaate hai ‘ kyaa baat hai..

        2) Jo bhi mein: typical rock song. Drums, bass, organ, guitars and hazy vocals. I didn’t find anything special in this song. It is just a song. Starts and ends. Doesn’t leave any remark

         3)  Katiya karun: Impressive mix of folk instrument and synth sounds .  An ‘average’ effort to retrieve Genda Phool.  Last part of Harpreet sounds great.

        4) Kun Fayaa Kun: Relatively soothing, simpler composition with fewer instruments. But still fails to revive the experience of *Baba Haaji ali or Noor-un-allah.   Javed Ali is at his best. *Last two minutes me mood change hota hai and again vaapas qawaali ke mood pea aa jaata hai… kyo kiya pataa nahi par theek hi lagta hai… * I don’t knw why but the very first note of the song which ARR sings, feels awkward to me. I m not able to relate it…

         5) Sheher mein: a pure situational and experimental song which could have been much much better. A very ordinary track with ordinary lyrics and a few FX sounds like Sounds of Click track, clock, siren etc . Disappointing.

         6) Haawa Haawa:  Shows fragrance of Andrew Llyod Webber’s music. A theatrical song. Very impressive Arrangement. Concept of *Raja-Rani *tale in Turkish-Spanish flamenco arrangement is unique. (Again ARR is a great conceiver). Violin, Guitars, Mandolins, Spanish choirs and vocals are excellent.  Though not much melodious, a good experimental track. Shows the brilliance of ARR.

        (7 ) Aur Ho:  Nice effort by Mohit Chauhan. Bravo to Alma Ferovic ( her chorus is the bridge to approach to the ‘dark flavor’ of the song). Not comparable with ‘Satarangi’. Nothing special in composition or arrangements.  Not much to say about.

        8) Naadan Parinde: A better track. Nice arrangement and playing of Drums and distortion guitars. Provides feel of live rock performance. Again an awkward experiment of lyrics “piya milan ki aas” by Khusro , * doesn’t fit to the song at all. (the interludes breaks the continuity of the song).

        9) Tum Ko : Excellent combination of Sarangi, Tabla and Kavita Subramaniam’s voice. The game gets spoiled as the 8-beat drum style starts. Co-ordination of the table and drums doesn’t work for me in this track.  The track is overall soothing. Interludes and stanzas are nice.

         10)   Tum Ho: A soft ballad. Typical Mohit Chauhan style, feels good to hear.  Suzzane is nice.  The words of the lyrics are not conveyed at all as it has not been composed the way it should be ( listen the first stanza line *“puchhe bina….” And u ll get what I intend to say). ARR is well known for breaking the meters (meter is a counting system of lyrics for composition) of the lines but most of the times the message of the lyrics is conveyed in appropriate manner. But here it fails.

        11)   Saadda Haq: An energetic rebelistic hard rock. Gives an initial adrenaline rush. Mohit Chauhan is exceptional.  Didn’t find anything special in composition. Those who are prone to listen to Nirvana, RHCP or Metallica may disappoint with this track.

12)   Tango for Taj: Personal favorite in entire album. Excellent arrangements with nice melody. It takes us to some small café in Spain suburbs.  Accordion tune reminds of Shankar Jaikishan. Very well composed and arranged. A balanced tango.*

        13)   The Dichotomy of Fame: An odd combination of guitar, shehnai and tabla. Based on raga Bhairavi, this track gives soothing effect. Nicely arranged, nicely composed. Tabla work is nicely done (only three *bol or notes of table is used in this track). Second personal favorite.

For people who are interested in the technicals of the music, ARR is always a great teacher. There are many things to learn, explore and experience in terms of sounds, arrangements, effects and concepts he is adopting in his various compositions. And Rockstar also serves it purpose upto an extend But for all the listener who seeks and enjoys good quality music and compositions which has its soulful aroma…. Better luck next time….   *