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The first six months of 2006 saw (rather heard) a wide variety of music coming to your ears. IndiaFM, picks the Top 10 from the lot.
(Note: Aksar, Rang De Basanti and Zinda do not find a mention in the list since the albums released in 2005.)
1. Gangster
Released on: Saregama HMV
Undoubtedly, the best and the most complete album to arrive this year. There were murmurs of too many inspirations and plagiarism when this album by Pritam arrived on stands but keeping all these comparisons and accusations aside, the audience passed the final verdict as the album turned out to be superhit all over. New voices in the form of Zubin and James meant that music lovers grabbed deep rooted songs like 'Ya Ali' and 'Bheegi Bheegi' with aplomb. For the lovers of mush and romance, there was always K.K.'s 'Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai'. Bhatt and Emraan combo worked once again...and in style!
2. Ahista Ahista
Released on: T-Series
For those who are in love with Himesh Reshammiya music, there was not much problem even if soundtrack from each of his films sounded repetitive. But with 'Ahista Ahista', the composer/ singer turned around the tables by trying something new, while keeping his basic style intact. Result? A good variety of songs ranging from a beautiful title song to one of the best qawallis of all times 'Aawan Ankhiyan' to one of Reshammiya's best composed and sung numbers ever ' 'Allah Kare'. Other songs in the album range from being good to very good as well hence making 'Ahista Ahista' a worthy successor to Reshammiya's last superhit album 'Aksar'.
3. KANK
Released on: Sony Music
No one tried to do anything different with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. And why would someone do that if you have a winning formula in your pocket. Shankar Ehsaan Loy came up with exactly the same score that music lovers would have envisioned from a Karan Johar film. Songs like the title song, 'Rock N Roll Soniye', 'Where Is The Party Tonight', 'Tumhi Dekho Na' are testimony to that. Still the song that rocks most is 'Mitwa', a Paki-pop genre number that has so far been responsible for the good opening of KANK. Though the album is top selling at the moment, overall sales are not in the same league as what one normally expects from a Karan Johar film. Await the release of the film and there should be shift in its fortunes.
4. Fanaa
Released on: Yash Raj Music
Jatin Lalit may not have created timeless melodies a la DDLJ for this film coming from Yash Raj banner but in the age of quick to serve and ready to savoir meals, 'Fanaa' came as a welcome dish. The sales were heavy from day one and are still holding on well, courtesy 'Chand Sifarish', 'Dekho Na' and above all 'Mere Haath Mein'. The publicity of music was low key but that didn't deter music lovers from grabbing the album from the stands purely due to reputation factor.
5. Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
Released on: T-Series
This Anu Malik album was received well with good numbers like the title song, 'Fanaa', 'Rock Star' and 'For Your Eyes Only'. But suddenly there was a volcanic eruption of sorts with unleashing of an ace by T-Series in the form of promotional number by Himesh Reshammiya. There was no looking back for the album from this moment on as the new version of the title song composed and sung by Himesh Reshammiya became talk of the town and tunes by Anu Malik took a backseat. This obviously didn't please Malik much but Reshammiya the rock star truly announced his arrival!
6. Tom Dick and Harry
Released on: T-Series
'Kya masti kya dhoom, chal sab naache jhoom' ' that was the motto from note 1 of this fun filled score by Himesh Reshammiya that sold purely on the voice power of the composer. Reshammiya was there in the album from start to end and also featured in numerous promotional tracks. From 'Jhoom Jhoom' to 'Sarfaroshi' to 'Tanha Jeeya Na Jaaye' - each of the songs have been hits and are now gracing as worthy inclusions in numerous compilations. In fact trade has acknowledged the fact the film's average success at the box office too can be attributed to a large extent to Reshammiya's score.
7. Ankahee
Released on: T-Series
What a waste! One is forced to exclaim this looking at the way this impressive soundtrack by Pritam went literally unnoticed. It is ironic that one of the most original works by the composer was hardly heard since the world was busy entertaining themselves with other feel good soundtracks. It is rare to find a single album containing gems like 'Ek Pal Ke Liye', 'Tumse Yu Milenge', title song 'Ankahee' and poignant 'Aa Paas Aa', all together. Though the album didn't sell much and the movie fared worse, one hopes that over the period of time, this soundtrack gets the recognition it truly deserves.
8. Aryan
Released on: T-Series
Yet another under rated score, just like 'Ankahee', thankfully in the case of 'Aryan' the sales more or less complimented the album's music quality. Though there has not been much hype or buzz around the album, it has silently made a slow and steady progress at the stands with pleasant numbers like 'Jaaneman' and 'It's a Beautiful Day' complimented by rhythmic tracks like 'Ek Look' and 'Teri To'. Though the album sales have now died down due to an endless delay in the film's release, there are chances of improvement as 'Aryan' releases in a few days from now.
9. Golmaal
Released on: Venus
Coming at the fag end of first half of 2006, 'Golmaal' has been an impressive soundtrack. A funky score with a new sound by Vishal Shekhar, it has all the potential to be further successful, mainly due to the stylishly arranged title song making waves all over. Add to it a dash of nostalgia in the form of 50s style 'Kyo Aage Peeche' and you have a fun album ready.
10. 36 China Town
Released on: Tips
One of those rare instances when the superhit status of a single song has carried the album so far. It was 'Aashique' wave all around as Himesh Reshammiya sung for Upen, Shahid and Akshaye for two versions of the song [in-film and promotional]. Other tracks like '24X7', 'Dil Tumhare Bina' and 'Jab Kabhi' were good too but the verdict is unanimous that without 'Aashique' the album wouldn't have traveled so far.
Apart from the albums stated as above, some of the other albums that worked with at least one hit song to their credit were 'Krrish' ['Dil Na Diya', 'Chori Chori'], Chup Chup Ke ['Dil Vich', 'Shabbe Firaq'], 'Phir Hera Pheri' ['Ae Meri Zohrajabeen', 'Yaad Sataye Teri'] and 'Pyaar Ke Side Effects' ['Pyaar Karke', 'Bad Boy']. 'Sacred Evil' too boasted of a superlative background score while some of the lesser known films too had a few good numbers to their credits. The ones that top this list are 'Jaana-Let's Fall In Love', 'Souten', 'Chand Ke Paar Chalo' and 'Rehguzar' but as expected the effort has gone unnoticed.
Music Company of the year: A closer look shows that 5 out of the Top 10 albums were released on the T-Series label. T-Series sweeps a good 50% of the best in Bollywood music thereby taking the position of the 'Music Company of the year' (so-far).
And with what the company has to offer in the second half of the year in the form of some promising albums like Babul, Don, Salaam-e-Ishq, Partner, Jaaneman, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Hey Baby, Apne, Bhagam Bhag and Abbas Mustan's next, it won't be a surprise to see T-Series ruling as the leading music company in the coming months too.
(Note: Aksar, Rang De Basanti and Zinda do not find a mention in the list since the albums released in 2005.)
1. Gangster
Released on: Saregama HMV
Undoubtedly, the best and the most complete album to arrive this year. There were murmurs of too many inspirations and plagiarism when this album by Pritam arrived on stands but keeping all these comparisons and accusations aside, the audience passed the final verdict as the album turned out to be superhit all over. New voices in the form of Zubin and James meant that music lovers grabbed deep rooted songs like 'Ya Ali' and 'Bheegi Bheegi' with aplomb. For the lovers of mush and romance, there was always K.K.'s 'Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai'. Bhatt and Emraan combo worked once again...and in style!
2. Ahista Ahista
Released on: T-Series
For those who are in love with Himesh Reshammiya music, there was not much problem even if soundtrack from each of his films sounded repetitive. But with 'Ahista Ahista', the composer/ singer turned around the tables by trying something new, while keeping his basic style intact. Result? A good variety of songs ranging from a beautiful title song to one of the best qawallis of all times 'Aawan Ankhiyan' to one of Reshammiya's best composed and sung numbers ever ' 'Allah Kare'. Other songs in the album range from being good to very good as well hence making 'Ahista Ahista' a worthy successor to Reshammiya's last superhit album 'Aksar'.
3. KANK
Released on: Sony Music
No one tried to do anything different with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. And why would someone do that if you have a winning formula in your pocket. Shankar Ehsaan Loy came up with exactly the same score that music lovers would have envisioned from a Karan Johar film. Songs like the title song, 'Rock N Roll Soniye', 'Where Is The Party Tonight', 'Tumhi Dekho Na' are testimony to that. Still the song that rocks most is 'Mitwa', a Paki-pop genre number that has so far been responsible for the good opening of KANK. Though the album is top selling at the moment, overall sales are not in the same league as what one normally expects from a Karan Johar film. Await the release of the film and there should be shift in its fortunes.
4. Fanaa
Released on: Yash Raj Music
Jatin Lalit may not have created timeless melodies a la DDLJ for this film coming from Yash Raj banner but in the age of quick to serve and ready to savoir meals, 'Fanaa' came as a welcome dish. The sales were heavy from day one and are still holding on well, courtesy 'Chand Sifarish', 'Dekho Na' and above all 'Mere Haath Mein'. The publicity of music was low key but that didn't deter music lovers from grabbing the album from the stands purely due to reputation factor.
5. Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
Released on: T-Series
This Anu Malik album was received well with good numbers like the title song, 'Fanaa', 'Rock Star' and 'For Your Eyes Only'. But suddenly there was a volcanic eruption of sorts with unleashing of an ace by T-Series in the form of promotional number by Himesh Reshammiya. There was no looking back for the album from this moment on as the new version of the title song composed and sung by Himesh Reshammiya became talk of the town and tunes by Anu Malik took a backseat. This obviously didn't please Malik much but Reshammiya the rock star truly announced his arrival!
6. Tom Dick and Harry
Released on: T-Series
'Kya masti kya dhoom, chal sab naache jhoom' ' that was the motto from note 1 of this fun filled score by Himesh Reshammiya that sold purely on the voice power of the composer. Reshammiya was there in the album from start to end and also featured in numerous promotional tracks. From 'Jhoom Jhoom' to 'Sarfaroshi' to 'Tanha Jeeya Na Jaaye' - each of the songs have been hits and are now gracing as worthy inclusions in numerous compilations. In fact trade has acknowledged the fact the film's average success at the box office too can be attributed to a large extent to Reshammiya's score.
7. Ankahee
Released on: T-Series
What a waste! One is forced to exclaim this looking at the way this impressive soundtrack by Pritam went literally unnoticed. It is ironic that one of the most original works by the composer was hardly heard since the world was busy entertaining themselves with other feel good soundtracks. It is rare to find a single album containing gems like 'Ek Pal Ke Liye', 'Tumse Yu Milenge', title song 'Ankahee' and poignant 'Aa Paas Aa', all together. Though the album didn't sell much and the movie fared worse, one hopes that over the period of time, this soundtrack gets the recognition it truly deserves.
8. Aryan
Released on: T-Series
Yet another under rated score, just like 'Ankahee', thankfully in the case of 'Aryan' the sales more or less complimented the album's music quality. Though there has not been much hype or buzz around the album, it has silently made a slow and steady progress at the stands with pleasant numbers like 'Jaaneman' and 'It's a Beautiful Day' complimented by rhythmic tracks like 'Ek Look' and 'Teri To'. Though the album sales have now died down due to an endless delay in the film's release, there are chances of improvement as 'Aryan' releases in a few days from now.
9. Golmaal
Released on: Venus
Coming at the fag end of first half of 2006, 'Golmaal' has been an impressive soundtrack. A funky score with a new sound by Vishal Shekhar, it has all the potential to be further successful, mainly due to the stylishly arranged title song making waves all over. Add to it a dash of nostalgia in the form of 50s style 'Kyo Aage Peeche' and you have a fun album ready.
10. 36 China Town
Released on: Tips
One of those rare instances when the superhit status of a single song has carried the album so far. It was 'Aashique' wave all around as Himesh Reshammiya sung for Upen, Shahid and Akshaye for two versions of the song [in-film and promotional]. Other tracks like '24X7', 'Dil Tumhare Bina' and 'Jab Kabhi' were good too but the verdict is unanimous that without 'Aashique' the album wouldn't have traveled so far.
Apart from the albums stated as above, some of the other albums that worked with at least one hit song to their credit were 'Krrish' ['Dil Na Diya', 'Chori Chori'], Chup Chup Ke ['Dil Vich', 'Shabbe Firaq'], 'Phir Hera Pheri' ['Ae Meri Zohrajabeen', 'Yaad Sataye Teri'] and 'Pyaar Ke Side Effects' ['Pyaar Karke', 'Bad Boy']. 'Sacred Evil' too boasted of a superlative background score while some of the lesser known films too had a few good numbers to their credits. The ones that top this list are 'Jaana-Let's Fall In Love', 'Souten', 'Chand Ke Paar Chalo' and 'Rehguzar' but as expected the effort has gone unnoticed.
Music Company of the year: A closer look shows that 5 out of the Top 10 albums were released on the T-Series label. T-Series sweeps a good 50% of the best in Bollywood music thereby taking the position of the 'Music Company of the year' (so-far).
And with what the company has to offer in the second half of the year in the form of some promising albums like Babul, Don, Salaam-e-Ishq, Partner, Jaaneman, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Hey Baby, Apne, Bhagam Bhag and Abbas Mustan's next, it won't be a surprise to see T-Series ruling as the leading music company in the coming months too.
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