Music Review: Ready
Hot off the overwhelming success of last year's blockbuster Dabangg, audiences and industry folk alike are gearing up for Salman...
Published: Sunday,May 15, 2011 22:37 PM GMT-06:00
Hot off the overwhelming success of last year's blockbuster Dabangg, audiences and industry folk alike are gearing up for Salman Khan's next release, Ready, with lofty expectations. Given that the soundtrack from his previous outing was also a landmark of sorts and, for better or for worse, immortalized the word Munni, will the music of Ready enjoy the same fate? Read on to find out!
While other recent successful Sallu starrers have had
featured the tunes of Sajid-Wajid, the majority of Ready's music has been composed by
Pritam. There is also one contribution
from Southern songster Devi Sri Prasad, who gave music for the eponymous Telugu
film of which Ready is a remake. Lyrics
have been penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, Neelesh Misra, Ashish Pandit and
Kumaar.
The album, which consists of four 'original' tracks and four
remixes, gets its feet on the ground with "Character Dheela". The promo
for this song has already made waves for its creative picturisation, and
it's also
garnered press for allegations of copyright infringement against both
its melody
and lyrics. Both the positive and negative publicity seem to be doing
the song
favors, though it hardly needs them because the catchy rhythm as well as
Neeraj
Shridhar and Amrita Kak's enthusiastic vocals are sure to make it a fast
favorite among the masses. Save for one colorful reference to 'Munni'
and 'Sheila',
Amitabh Bhattacharya's lyrics are cringe-inducingly crass. Overall, the
energetic beat along with the "Sallu factor" seen in the promos ensure
that it will remain an earworm for at least a few months.
Next up is requisite romantic number "Humko Pyaar Hua", sung
by K.K. and screeched by Tulsi Kumar. A 'been there, heard that' tune, it
brings to mind Pritam's own "Teri Ore" from Singh
is Kingg and "Khudaya Khair" from Billu Barbar. That would not have been such a bad thing since both of its
predecessors were pleasant numbers, but Tulsi dampens K.K.'s efforts and the
song's repeat value with her painfully misplaced pitch. Thankfully she learns
from her mistake later on in the album, but for the time being, this track is
still somewhat difficult on the ears. The repetitive lyrics don't do it any
favors, either.
Pritam takes the wheel again for the last of the 'originals', which is a festive dance track called "Meri Ada Bhi". It starts out with a sampling of the Musarrat Nazir classic "Laung Gavacha" that sadly doesn't carry on for the rest of the track in spite of having been so well incorporated. That foot-tapping start gives way to what becomes an awkward attempt at mixing bhangra beats with a Qawwali dhun. Something sounds awry upon the initial listening, as if the tempo and tune are of different songs, but it grows on you with two or three repetitions. It is further salvaged by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's dependable playback and a new and improved Tulsi Kumar, now singing within her range. It is sure to become a favorite wedding/party song of the year.
These four are followed by one remix a piece, none of which is sufficiently different to warrant its own description. Rather than this redundancy, the album would have benefited from a few more spunky originals. Overall, the album certainly meets the criteria of a masala-packed Sallu starrer, with its abundance of tracks that are both danceable and laughable at once. However, it neither retains the memorability of Dabangg's music, nor does it make a lasting impression on the filmy soundtrack scene as a whole. Here's hoping Pritam breaks out of these predictable molds for his next venture!
BollyCurry Favorite: Dhinka Chika
Rating:
Author: Lola
Editor: Jenifer
Graphics: Pooji
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