Now that's a good review....being detailed, describing what he likes, doesn't like, putting some analysis, observations, and own insights in a thoughtful and intelligent way. I like this part the most...very insightful and I never thought about that:
"Where Rahman falls short is in infusing his songs with a sense of danger. It's not like he doesn't try. He uses several off-kilter chants in his songs - I suppose they are meant to provide a sense of disjointedness that might be interpreted as peril. On the Blue Theme(Blaaze, Sonu Kakkar, Neha Kakkar, Jaspreet Singh, Dilshad, Raqeeb Alam) he attempts this trick accompanied by a grinding guitar. It falls short - which isn't to say that the song still isn't fun to listen to." --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, Gopal Srinivasan <catchg...@...> wrote: > > The music of Blue (A. R. > Rahman)<http://www.aspisdrift.com/2009/09/music-of-blue-r-rahman.html> > > efore we talk about the music, a note about how a review will be structured > on the Drift. Bollywood music gets more sophisticated with each passing CD > (well, a lot of it). It's passé to review songs - its more important to see > if the composer has succeeded in developing a mood, a theme. I'll point out > if there is one, how it's been implemented, use some songs as an example. > There'll be segues to discuss vocal performances just because I like to do > that. I'll *try* my best keep it short. Then I'll bail. Hope that works. > > <http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZjgvtwZ5B_s/Sqm71K2-EkI/AAAAAAAAHxA/1YtkqBET8vI/s1600-h/Blue_front_cover.jpg>So > what is A. R. > Rahman<http://www.aspisdrift.com/2009/08/underrated-gems-of-r-rahman-guest-post.html> > trying > to do on the Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta > starrerBlue<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4mzcpfxj3o>? > He creates an immersive, seductive sound. He combines elements of > ambient<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_music> > ,nu jazz <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu_jazz> and > techno<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Techno_music>and > overlays them over mid-tempo > andDNB<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_and_bass> percussion. > He uses primarily Western arrangements. > > It allows him to create a sexy vibe with enough pace to indicate a > propulsive movie. It's like watching eye candy, but with hooded eyes. It > works quite well in my opinion (although if you dislike the songs, I won't > be surprised). > > Let's get that high profile Kylie > Minogue<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBi0p4gRcDY> > song *Chiggy Wiggy > <http://www.hummaa.com/music/song/Chiggy+Wiggy/1075733>* out > of the way first, shall we? Rahman creates a standard issue low slung dance > monster. Kylie's voice is a bit too thin to really kick the song into gear, > but thankfully Sonu Niigaam <http://www.sonuniigaam.in/home.php> is around > to rescue the song with a bhangra bit. But in keeping with the vibe of the > score, Rahman keys even this down - his choice of a softer voice like Sonu > being particularly indicative of his intentions. > > *Aaj Dil Gustakh > Hai*<http://www.hummaa.com/music/song/Aaj+Dil+Gustakh+Hai/1075734> is > along the same lines, but this time Rahman gambles with Shreya > Ghoshal<http://twitter.com/ShreyaGhoshal> - > who surprised me by delivering in spades. Aaj Dil is a rather traipsy song > in Nu Jazz clothing. Periodically Rahman shows the ability that makes him > special - instead of constructing tight tunes (like he did on his overrated > - by his standards - Slumdog Millionnaire > soundtrack<http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=n029-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B001LX0JK6>) > he allows the music breathe and develop. In doing so, he creates hugely > interesting changes of pace and diversions. The song feels mature and the > melody feels lasting. > > Where Rahman falls short is in infusing his songs with a sense of danger. > It's not like he doesn't try. He uses several off-kilter chants in his songs > - I suppose they are meant to provide a sense of disjointedness that might > be interpreted as peril. On the *Blue > Theme<http://www.hummaa.com/music/song/Blue+Theme/1075737> > *(Blaaze <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaaze>, Sonu > Kakkar<http://sonukakkar.com/> > , Neha Kakkar <http://www.nehakakkar.com/>, Jaspreet Singh, Dilshad, Raqeeb > Alam) he attempts this trick accompanied by a grinding guitar. It falls > short - which isn't to say that the song still isn't fun to listen to. > > In the simmering Soul <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_music> of > *Rehnuma<http://www.hummaa.com/music/song/Rehnuma/1075738> > * (Sonu Niigam, Shreya Ghoshal) he comes close to pulling a dangerous vibe > off. He adds a thick guitar riff over sumptuous string arrangements. Because > Rahman's ideas are bold and result in catchy music, you more than forgive > this shortcoming. > > Something interesting happens on the bubbly *Yaar Mila > Tha<http://www.hummaa.com/music/song/Yaar+Mila+Tha/1075739> > *. Rahman starts the song with > R&B<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_and_blues> stylings. > He then brings in Udit Narayan <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUQF9AcrPBw> > andMadhushree <http://madhushree.com/>, instructs them to sing in > Hindustani notes and then surrounds them with 80s Bollywood musical > arrangements. Later he tweaks the vocals - he has Udit sing a near-rap and > Madhushree coo around a bit. It elevates what could have been a tiresome > track. > > There are two more tracks on this CD: > *Fikrana*<http://www.hummaa.com/music/song/Figrana/1075735> > (Vijay Prakash <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijay_Prakash>, Shreya > Ghoshal) and *Bhoola > Tujhe<http://www.hummaa.com/music/song/Bhoola+Tujhe/1075736> > * (Rashid Ali <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_Ali_(singer)>). You > should explore those using the links I've provided. >
