'Force' music fails to meet expectations (IANS Music Review)

Film: 'Force'; Music Directors: Harris Jayaraj and Lalit Pandit; Lyricist: Javed Akhtar; Singers: KK, Suchitra, Karthik, Bombay Jayshree, Mahua Kamat, Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal, Vijay Prakash, Shalini Singh and Neha Bhasin; Rating: **

Remember chartbusters like 'Zara zara' and 'Dil ko tumse pyar hua' from 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein'? The man behind those melodies, Harris Jayaraj, has returned to Bollywood after a decade to create music for John Abraham's upcoming film 'Force'. Unfortunately, he has failed to recreate the 'Rehna...' magic.

The album offers five tracks.

It begins with 'Khwabon khwabon', which is already being promoted on radio and TV channels. Sung by KK and Suchitra, the track has an Arabian feel and is moderately paced. With a strong musical backing, it is a track with a romantic lyrical underlay, but it isn't too mushy. Although the track doesn't sound bad, it could have been better sans the Arabian touch.

Up next is 'Chahoon bhi', supported by Karthik and Bombay Jayshree's vocals. The singers have adopted a very subtle and restrained style of singing for the number and that works in its favour. It is a simple, breezy composition that grows on the listener. Essentially a honey-dipped love song, it is quite easy on the ears.

Lalit Pandit has been roped in as a guest composer for the next song 'Dum hai toh aaja'. It starts with a bang and is quite edgy. Characterised by power-packed vocals by Mahua Kamat, this rock-inclined song has a strong orchestration and some impressive guitar riffs. After a strong beginning, the song somehow loses grip and punch on the way to the end.

The next song 'Main Chali', crooned by Naresh Iyer and Shreya Ghoshal, describes a girl, possibly the female lead in the film. The number is high on beats and there is a change in tempo at a couple of places. But all in all, as a mix of peppy and romantic, it is an average composition.

Finally the album brings forth 'Dil ki hai tamanna' with Vijay Prakash, Shalini Singh and Neha Bhasin behind the mike. Starting with the sound of whistle, the song has a romantic overtone and is a simple composition. Although there is nothing extraordinary about the song, it's not bad for a hear.

On the whole, the album is not even close to the score that Harris composed for 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein'. Nevertheless, the music of 'Force' is a decent attempt and might get more notice with visuals.

(Ruchika Kher can be contacted at [email protected])