Sunali - This Is Me - Sunali Rathod

Sunali - This Is Me - Sunali Rathod

Talking of image makeovers, the one with Sunali Rathore has taken everyone with surprise. A lady who has all this while been seen wearing sarees while singing 'ghazals' with her singer/musician husband Roop Kumar Rathod suddenly decides to go for an image makeover and not just changes her wardrobe to stylish western but also turns to pop. The musician who supports her in this endeavor is Leslie Lewis who also arranges and produces the album 'Sunali - This Is Me' while Mehboob writes the lyrics. Her new look has definitely caught attention so let's hear on the album to see if her rendition too matches the makeover.

1) Ooh Ooh Aah Aah

It's the lyrics that tell a story about two lovers coming closer to each other and Sunali goes completely 'madhosh' with her effortless rendition that is highly pleasing on ears. Lesle Lewis spins a mesmerizing ballad that creates an aroma of love all around in this romantic number that wins due to all around combination of good lyrics, pleasant vocals and melodious feel.

2) Tanha Hai

A song that demonstrates Sunali's prowess as a singer who can modulate her voice to fit well into the mode of a western pop singer, 'Tanhai Dil' is an excellently composed and arranged number by Lesle Lewis that allows Sunali to take the center stage with musical instruments just being there in the background. A beautiful number that has to be heard in complete isolation due to its soothing effect and introspective nature, 'Tanha Hai' is even better than 'Ooh Ooh Aah Aah' when it comes to an ear-pleasing feel.

3) Yeh Jiya Jale Mera

An original number to the core, 'Yeh Jiya Jale Mera' establishes the feel of the album firmly with third song in succession that follows the soft-pop mode. Lyrics by Mehboob follow his poetic style while the romantic feel of the number makes you continue to fall in love with the album. Till now there is no screechy or dull moment in the album that is an ideal gift for the one you love.

4) Chhota Sa Yeh Dil Hai Hamara

Lesle Lewis style of music is pretty apparent in 'Chhota Sa Yeh Dil Hai Hamara' (watch out for the guitar strings), which is about love, yet again! A smooth sailing number, the number narrates the love of a lady for the one she loves most. The album continues its consistent feel and doesn't disappoint its listeners.

5) Chale Aa Leherake

A song which could probably be the first of its kinds in the Indi-pop scenario, 'Chale Aa Leherake' is about a call to the postman to get the results of one's love. The love ballad continues with judicious use of musical instruments that give it a ballad feel once again. Saxophone (by Raghav Sachar) that accompanies the song gives it a western feel that would be lapped up by the lovers of pop music.

6) Jhoota Hai

A 'Moulin Rouge' feel is created with 'Jhoota Hai' that is sung in low pitch by Sunali to give it a classy European feel. One can't help but marvel the brilliance in Mehboob's lyrics and Leslie's music that creates a haunting effect to make 'Jhoota Hai' one of the best tracks in the album so far. Hear on carefully with the way Lewis uses his right musical instruments at the right places.

7) Uff Ye Udasi Chhodiye

'Uff Ye Udasi Chhodiye' is the first song in the album that starts directly with Sunali's voice rather than a musical instrument making a beginning. Surprising this number turns out to be the most disappointing of the lot as Sunali moves away from t style that made the first 6 numbers so enduring and instead tries to ape Asha Bhonsle. Overall the song has a haphazard feel to it with Sunali trying to do something different and the number just falls flat on its face.

But for 'Uff Ye Udasi', the album is quite impressive and would be loved by the fans of soft music. Sunali does an able makeover and demonstrates (yet again) that she is a capable singer who can even display the 'oomph' quotient, if required.

Rating: ***1/2