Music Review – RAGHAV Storyteller
Hello there! Nice to meet you again. This is my 2nd review on MouthShut & my 1st on any kind of music. 1st on music because previously I thought I didn’t understand the nuances of music despite being an avid music fan. Well, I still think the same. However, I can always express my self from a music-fan point of view. Hence, those guys who look out for technical nitty-gritty’s of music in a music review, pardon me. For the rest, march along.
This is Raghav Mathur’s debut album. Hailing from Canada this guy made it to the top charts in the UK. Excellent singer & a prolific songwriter, Raghav blends western with desi to add brilliantly to the Asian music wave that is THE flavor these days. Once in a while comes a “wholesome” album that just delights you. This one falls in that category. What is a “wholesome” album? Wait till end.
Well, I just can’t write small reviews. However, I am gonna try to keep myself tight this time around. There are 16 tracks in all. However, I am reviewing them in the order that I always listen them to.
Lets Work It Out Feat. Jahaziel [Track 01]
It opens with the Shamshad Begum classic, “Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar” & simultaneously the beats roll in. Talk about first impression. This is it! We are introduced to Raghav’s voice thereafter. Yea, this guy sure does sings well. The lyrics are cool. Jahaziel does the final rap. This song has a video.
Can’t Get Enough Feat. Iceberg Slimm [Track 10]
Once again Shamshad Begum starts with “Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar” & then the beats & Raghav take over. The arrangement of the song is catchy. Raghav does a small Hindi snippet here, “O Meri Jaane Jaa”. This intermittent blend of Hindi verses, no doubt, is going to become his trademark. Jahaziel does the final rap. This song has a video.
So Confused [Track 04]
This being his debut track is one amongst the best in the album. It shot Raghav busting up the charts. You sure are gonna love the repeat-verse, “So Girl What You Wanna See”. Too good https://lyrics.
Angel Eyes Feat. Jucxi & Frankey Maxx [Track 11]
The background score here is amazing. The best one I can say, although “amongst the best” would suit better. Jamaican sort of verses by Jucxi & Frankey Maxx are interspersed. At the end, Raghav does his Hindi-snippet again, “Teri Baaton Mein”.
Ain’t Nobody [Track 09]
The first time this track starts, you feel as if a garba is about to begin somewhere. The base music is so very “Indianish” that you simply love it. The voice of Raghav tops it. And the Hindi switch over comes in the middle with his singing of “Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara”.
No No [Track 03]
As I mentioned, the lyrics in this album are very well written (Raghav is a damn good songwriter as well). If any track proves that above all, then it has to be this one. Music, as always is cool. But, take my word, forget the music, & listen to the https://lyrics. The track ends with another Hindi snippet by Raghav, “Is Akhari Raat Mat Rulana Sanam”
Teri Baaton Mein [Your Words] [Track 16 - Bonus Track]
Wow! If you are listening this album for the 1st time, I suggest you switch directly to this last track. Based on the same base music as that of “Angel Eyes”, this complete Hindi song has a magnetic overall effect. If you want to experience what people mean when they say, “it just grows on you”, listen & re-listen to this track.
Bad Bad [Track 05]
Another song that is good on https://lyrics. The base music is that of “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To”. A complete English track this.
Sooner Or Later Feat. Kardinal Offishall [Track 12]
The tempo slows down just a little here. None the less the track is smooth on ears. Kardinal Offishall raps in between.
Chodh Diya [The Ultimate Sacrifice] [Track 15 - Bonus Track]
Here Raghav turns desi once more. This is one of the two Hindi bonus tracks in the album. Nice lyrics & Raghav’s fluency in singing in Hindi is highlighted once again.
C’mon [Track 06]
This track has a very good melody & some fantastic lines like “Coz My Heaven On Earth Is In Your Eyes”. Guys take it down ;-)
No I [Track 02]
The arrangement & the lyrics are wonderful. Not much to say. Listen to it.
The rest of the tracks are progressively slow songs, though in the album they appear in different order. They are melodious & the music doesn’t fail us. I mention them briefly here & I am maintaining my own listening order again.
Winter In My Mind [Track 08]
Another Bad Goodbye [Track 14]
Baby I’m Amazed [Track 13]
To Be The One
The track is NOT from this Album but from Bobby Friction & Nihal’s Album, the one featuring the 3 girls “Don’t Be Shy My Honey”. Mentioned here for sake of completion
That finishes the album & you know that you have listened to some great music & that your evening is well spent. Now, to the ”wholesome” album thing I mentioned earlier. For me, a “wholesome” album is the one in which I like at least 75% of the songs. This is surely one of those. Another one such I admired lately was “Meri Madhubala” by Avadhoot Gupte. All songs therein were just TOO GOOD.
Back to Raghav. This guy has the potential to make it big in the international arena as an Asian artist. Lets hope he comes up with more fabulous music & doesn’t screw up on his next album.
Now, sit back, relax, pump up the volume & groove!
Best Wishes! Hail The Coming Era!! India Rulz!!!
Greetz,
Amul.
Kisi Roz Unse Mulaqat Hogi...
PS: 1. If you like the music, buy the original. Production companies need to know that people are willing to pay for good music.
- When ripping audio CD to mp3, rip it at 320 kbps. It’s the perfect original copy & it actually sounds better than a 128 kbps rip. A good sound system will tell you the difference.