MUSIC REVIEW OF THE TRAIN
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau
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After the musical success of 'Aksar', producers -- Narender Bajaj and Shyam Bajaj collaborate again with Emraan Hashmi in the emotional action packed thriller 'The Train'. The film stole headlines when Himesh Reshammiya turned down the offer of composing music for this film due to his busy schedule. Finally, the young and energetic Mithoon was roped in to compose the musical soundtracks . The film has Emraan Hashmi in the lead role opposite Geeta Basra and model- turned- actress Sayali Bhagat (former Miss India). This comes with a tagline "Some lines are never meant to be crossed" and is directed by Raksha Mistry and Hasnain S Hyderabadwala duo. This emotional thriller has been exclusively shot in urban Bangkok (Thailand) and will be the first film shot in sky train there. 'The Train' will be Mithoon'd first as all his previous works in albums like 'Bas Ek Pal' and 'Anwar' were of guest composers. The album will also be his debut as singer as his singing talent has been conceptualized in a couple of fast paced numbers. Sayed Quadri has penned the lyrics. The album has eleven original soundtracks that can be heard on T-Series cassettes and CD's.
Woh Ajnabee (2 versions) : If you have enjoyed the frivolous musical flow of "Bas Ek Pal" ('Bas Ek Pal'), then "Woh Ajnabee" won't hold surprises but may entertain with its racy flavors. This introductory track marks the singing debut of composer Mithoon with hip-shaking musical beats patterns. It's seductive vocal oomph of Shilpa Rao that fires all cylinders and dominates the track with her sensuality. Mithoon makes impressive debut and his vocal tonality sounds similar to the KK style of singing. The choreography of this number has similarities to Reshammiya's super hit number "Jhalak Dikhaja" ('Aksar') but doesn't have the similar rollicking catchy beats to make it to the top, but still enthralls with its upbeat musical presentation. "Woh Ajnabee" will be new number that will positively garner major response from large sections of pop genre. Both Mithoon and Shilpa Rao deliver a rocking performance but its disco flavored music supercedes their performances. Mithoon fulfills his promise as a bright music composer but unlike Himesh Reshammiya his vocals aren't "ground-breaking" or promising to be ruling charts.
DJ Akbar Sami makes this number more entertaining as the animated echoing effect is incorporated with stylish DJ claps and rollicking "club" mix beats in "Woh Ajnabee (club mix)". Both the versions have built a passion that stays on in mind and will definitely be a big asset to film prospects.
Beete Lamhein (2 versions) : Sayed Quadri's poetic intellect makes promising alliances with Mithoon's finely synchronized musical arrangements in highly emotional and sensitively penetrative soundtrack "Beete Lamhein". KK delivers a brilliant performance in this sentimental soundtrack where he narrates that the lover mesmerizes his nostalgic moments. New singing talent Kshitij Tarey makes promising moves as he sings in tandem as background singer and maintains the serenity of the soundtrack. Sayed Quadri's refined lyrics "Dard mein bhi ye lab muskura jate hai, beete lamhein hamein jab bhi yaad aate hai…" are prize worthy as the mood remains nostalgic throughout the number. It reminds of their fine association in highly popular "Tere Bin" ('Bas Ek Pal'). It's high point of this album and the listeners can relish it for gloomy and sentimental moments!
The extra emotional nuances of sentimental gripping are added to this sentimental soundtrack by incorporating sluggishly moving "lounge" music impact in highly impressive number "Beete Lamhein (lounge mix by Goldeyy)". KK's voice gets major boost as he gets vociferous with the fine remixing and rearranging effect and overall this remix number produces a resounding impact. It brings out message that the soft and sentimental soundtracks should be blended with "lounge" mix effect rather than with enthused "club" mix impact to give the number more uniformity in expression of emotions.
Mausam (3 versions) : Mithoon returns with his impressive vocals in remorsefully sentimental tonality that made significant vibes in "Beete Lamhein" with a fine display of hard rock music in the soundtrack "Mausam". The song is another fine example of depicting the regretful emotions of a stressed lover after his painful experiences in life. Sayed Quadri's lyrics are emotionally enriched and show its vivid and promising colors in effective lines like "Zindagi ne zindagi bhar gam diye, jitney Mausam bhi diye, nam diye…" This time Mithoon's voice is a big revelation as he gets more footage in singing than "Woh Ajnabee" in this emotional solo track and deserves all applause for being impressive and effective. The number gets a major boost in the album as it gets repeated in two more different versions.
"Mausam (Progressive Mix)" sounds more like a promotional soundtrack where the racy musical arrangements describe the fast happening of events in the film. This Goldeyy remix is a shade inferior to his earlier "lounge" mix version of "Beete Lamhein" but fits well in the album.
The rip-roaring beat patterns with titillating disco beat fillers and with fine piece of beat juggling makes a strong impact in the foot-thumping remix soundtrack "Mausam (Club Mix)". It's DJ Akbar Sami at his best and this remix number gives a strong sensational feel to shake a leg on the dance floors. The extra echoing with loud thumping impact gives it a thrilling musical impact that stays on in senses.
Teri Tamanna (3 versions) : Mithoon is relying heavily on the sentimental feel of "lost paradise" of the lover as he maintains it in another highly emotional soundtrack "Teri Tamanna". The song brings out singing expertise of KK and Zubin Garg in tandem and the song comes strikingly with infectious hard rock music display. The heavy guitar strumming and rip-roaring percussions provide the feel of a stressed lover crying for his beloved. Sayeed Quadri maintains his good form and continues to co-ordinate with Mithoon's stylishly rock mode of music. Zubin tries to give it a nostalgic impact by recreating the feel of "Ya Ali" ('Gangster') in Sufi styled "alaaps" while KK delivers it in his contemporary style.
"Teri Tamanna (club mix)" pumps up with an intimidating feel that gets represented by haunting echoing impact followed by hip-shaking disco beat DJ claps and animated music. It's listening treat for party animals where Zubin Garg tries to create a Sufi rock rage. It's a real rollicking experience by DJ Akbar Sami that the listeners can feel in the fine concoction of KK and Zubin Garg's enthused voices.
"Teri Tamanna (Euro Mix)" is another rollicking disco treat that can be fancied by party animals. DJ Goldeyy drives the atmosphere wild with rhythmic paced disco fillers that are well camouflaged with animated vocals of KK and Zubin Garg.
The Train - An Inspiration : After KK, Zubin Garg and Mithoon himself, it's entertaining to hear Shaan in a thematically conceived soundtrack "The Train - An Inspiration" that talks about the subject of the film. This soft "n" subtle song is about the experiences of a spirited train commuter who discusses and compares his life's ups and downs with the arrival and departure of a train. It has philosophical inclination in its lyrics and should work well as background score in the film. Kshitij Tarey makes another appearance as background singer and this new singer will hold many surprises in coming days.
Mithoon delivers a rollicking performance in his first solo appearance with fast paced rock music flavors. The album may not hold any major surprises as it delivers the popular hard rock music feel that has been making a big rage in Bollywood music. 'The Train' comes as one of the trendiest musical compilations and will mark as successful debut for Mithoon. If the soundtracks get the fine co-ordination of efficient teamwork of the cast and crew on silver screen then it will be major boost for both the album and the film.