’’Angrez’’, everyone would call me. ’’What is wrong with you? Why don’t you listen to Hindi music?’’, they would scowl. Well, why the hell should I! They’re all the same. The non-sensical love songs brutally squeezed into a movie that is the confluence of more genres than one person can or should remember.
Little would these people understand that I had nothing against ’’Hindi’’ music. It’s just that I like Hard hitting, heavy and dark stuff! Name one Hindi OST that has covered the genre before, and covered it so well! Indian Ocean, the first Indian Rock band to compile an OST for a movie, bring us this sweet blend of all the right genres. Jazz, rock, death metal, speed metal, and of course, the mother of all genres, Indian Classical.
Be warned people, this is one hard-hitting album with powerful vocals by Rahul Ram (bassist) and Asheem Chakravarty, that paints a grim picture of Piyush Mishra’s words, providing a heavy backdrop to the ’’actual’’ story the Bombay Blasts. To second my opinion, my friends always ask me to change the CD while in the car, simply stating that the album is just too depressing.
However, all you Black Sabbath, Pantera, Slayer, Metallica (old) lovers should really enjoy this album. It marks the arrival of a new genre, not just to the world of music, but more thankfully to the Anu Malik-type-infested Indian music scene.
1. Bandeh :)
The album kicks off with ’’Bandeh’’, which has also been doing rounds on the much avoidable music channels, or at least it was last I checked. This was actually the only song I’d heard before I got the CD. It was a bit of a risk, but it turned out to be worth it . It opens up with the sweetest melodies on an acoustic guitar and the choruses that come later are backed up by guitars with their distortions cranked up. The bridge has Asheem ’’Aalaap-ing’’ to his own Tabla. Probably their best song on the album.
2. Badshah in Jail :)
Raat hi dole pe baitha ik, banda rota jhool gaya
padh li aaj quraan magar mai, aayaton ko bool gaya
Deemed by one of my friends as the most depressing song ever ! The guitar lead sounds a little wierd. I’m certain it would sound a lot better with a little distortion, or at least some overdrive. So this song’s also OK, but not my favourite, though it does seem to have the toughest vocals of all the songs.
3. Bharam Bhap Ke :)
My favourite song. Sounds like a Black Sabbath song with a melodic beginning and a cool steady tempo about to take off. However, the tempo doesn’t take off. I think they’ve used a ’’Dholak’’ as 1 of the percussion instruments. I love this song! It kinda makes u feel sad and boils ur blood at the same time. Images of pain and suffering flash in front of your eyes...
4. Opening/Pre Blast :(
Avoidable, but only cuz I don’t really like Jazz that much. A lot of saxophone in there and perhaps the flute as well. There’s this bit that makes it sound like something that should being played near a Kali maa ka Mandir . Oh, and did I mention it’s a instrumental piece? Me no like :(
5. Bomb Planting :)
Love the use of a flute in this song. Another instrumental. I find instrumentals to be so much better. They don’t force you with an image like the lyrics do. You can just close your eyes and picture stuff happening. For me I saw a bunch of people (Investigative reporters, Cops n all) scanning through the crime-scene(s) looking for evidence.
6. RDX :)
As opposed to the name, this is probably the mildest song on the entire album. No lyrics, but it does have infuse some indian classical style ’’Aalaap-ing’’, as I’ve come to call it. My apologies if it hurt anyone. Sound more like a song to be played after the war is over and the reign of peace has returned :).
7. Training :)
Another nice instrumental piece. Starts off as a ghostly song with some whistling, like someones calling out to the dark forces. Evolves into a nice sounding number. The use of acoustic guitars in this album is really impressive.
8.Chase :(
Sigh, theek thaak hai yaar. I don’t like it too much.
So that’s it for the songlist. I really really wish they would’ve delayed the release date of the album and come up with better names !! Frankly speaking, these names suck. However, what’s in the name of a rose... but this is one decayed n defunct rose ;). A MUST BUY FOR ALL YOU HARD ROCKERS OUT THERE !!
And yes, I’m back people. Watch out for more reviews ! :)