A.R.Rahman Ghajini
3.5/5 Label: T-Series What's it about? After Sallu, SRK, it's time for Aamir Khan to prove that he has an enviable body and can bravely bare it for an action thriller. That's Ghajini, Aamir's much anticipated project which unlike his movies has caught the paparazzi of the industry and the audience alike for every tiny news involved since its pre-production. Among all other reasons, one was having none other than A.R.Rahman to score the music for this 93 crore film. The Tamil film had already set a staggering record with the music sales and it is quite obvious to have raised the expectations to a new level for Rahman. Music Having listened to Jaane Tu and Yuvvraaj, you are in no mood to judge Ghajini for its first-time feel. It felt like a whip of fresh air that swished through as the album began with Guzarish. There is a romantic passion about what the music does to you as it drifts ahead. There seems to be a certain protoype about Rahman's music which starts with the chartbuster track, offering the second in the list to a dance or fully charged numbers, then a romantic lovey dovey followed by a sorrow-cum-remembrance and end with an instrumental or remix. In Ghajini too, he has observed the same graph chart. Lyrics Prasoon Joshi knows to convert familiar words seem like a stranger when you hear it in a certain composition. No wonder you fall in love with the lyrics in no time. And having a guy like him beholding the pen makes it easy for comprehension of language and correspondingly better appreciation of music. Vocals Javed Ali seems to be Rahman's find for the most important track of the list, which could clock off with people at the promotional stage. Sonuy Nigam is unfortunately only doing the hum along part of Guzarish and has been denied an individual track. Aye Bachchu is fervent and Suzzanne captures the energy pretty well. Benny and Shreya Ghoshal complement each other well and pensively bring alive the passion of Kaise Mujhe. She has the ability to calmly soothe your senses as she brushes through the lyrics effortlessly. Lattoo is one track that deserved someone like Sunidhi and though Shreya makes every effort to lubricate the track with her gleaming voice, it does not reach where it intends to. Orchestration The arrangements are well in tune with the pace of the music Right from the use of mandolins in the first track, to soothing sitars, the instruments beautifully lift the mood but don't stay for long. At the same time, the instrumentation isn't loud unlike one expects from Rahman since Jodha Akbar or Yuvvraaj, but it's the effect of adding high quality instruments here that makes the experience a wholesome one, if not completely entertaining. Recording All songs are recorded at Panchathan Record Inn, AM Studios, Nirvana and Blue Frog while mixing has been done by H Sridhar and S Sivakumar. Most of Rahman's albums were recorded rather brightly but this time the recording lays emphasis on instrumentation which appears to be crystal clear in quality. But the mixing is slightly disappointing considering the fact that it is difficult to record all instruments without any distortion. Rahman has maintained the timbre texture of the sound compared to the previous album and the melody goes slowly for the visuals. The bass is heavy and sound great on all tracks but the grand piano on the instrumental sees some superlative recording. Sum Up Put aside all comparisons of Harris Jayaraj's work in the original and you'll see how Rahman has come with something entirely different each time. The music certainly takes time to settle and grow and is relatively slow paced. But overall, your musical sensibilities are not fooled or taken for a ride here. Ghajini could very well have a standing of its own without being outright disappointing Tracks to experience Guzarish Aye Bachhu Kaise Mujhe Album Ratings Music 3/5 Lyrics 4/5 Vocals 4/5 Orchestration 4/5 Recording 3.5/5 Divya Nair AV Max, December 2008
