DAVID MUSIC REVIEW
In movie industry parlance, a sound track is typically an audio recording created or used in film production or post-production. Though this is the norm in most if not all Hollywood films, the concept of an OST where you have various artists coming together is a new one in Indian cinema. In that sense, director Bijoy Nambiar is already breaking new ground with his second directorial effort, DAVID ( his debut SHAITAAN was a reworking of Anurag Kashyap’s cult film PAANCH ) Have to say on the outset itself that the music of DAVID will have limited appeal due to the liberal use of English. With most songs having either a rocksy feel or dub music, one sorely misses pure melodies.
Of the eight artists who have contributed here special mention must be made of Prashant Pillai and Mikey McCleary both of whom have worked on Bijoy’s last film. Pillai a protege of ARR is a tad disappointing with all songs by him here having a hangover of Rehman. McCleary ( he is related to singer-composer Lucky Ali) though is in sparkling form here. Not to forget Remo Fernandes and Anirudh Ravichandran ( of KOLAVERI DI fame ) who are also on this eclectic list of composers. All said and done, the soundtrack of DAVID is strictly for those who have a discerning taste in music.
GHUM HUYE : Composed by the band Bramfatura ( comprised of Mumbai based duo Mark Fulgado and Gaurav Godkhindi known in music circles for their underground dub gigs ) it is also the theme song of DAVID. Penned by newcomer Ankur Tiwari and sung by a certain Sidharth Basrur who sounds eerily similar to the maestro A.R. Rehman ) Instantly likeable, this one hits all the right notes and succeeds in capturing the mood of DAVID.
Rating : 3/5
RAB DI ( The RAB STEP version ) : The composition by Prashant Pillai itself is not really out of the world. Nor are the lyrics ( credited to Pillai too ) What makes this number really stand out is the dub music by Dub Sharma ( last seen collaborating with the spunky Sneha Khanwalkar on a reality show ) The sounds here seem to be very much in snyc with the style of Bijoy who has a strong visual sense anyways.
Rating : 3/5
LIGHTHOUSE SYMPHONY : This is the first of two numbers composed by Remo Fernandes in here and one can tell. The omnipresent flute, the mesmerizing whistle and the constant chatter of tum-pak-tum-tum-pa-pareya all are here. The song has a certain spunk and after starting off on a sombre note, the song builds up to a nice climax. Wish we could get to hear more of Mr Fernandes.
Rating : 3/5
THREE KILLS : Pulsating is how one can best describe the intro of this song ( reminds one of the jaw dropping intro from DANNY BOYLE ’s TRAINSPOTTING ) is in many ways the first rock song in Hindi cinema what with the lyrics actually being in English. Again, if you are not into rock music this is not for you. For the rest of us though, this is just what the doctor had ordered. Amazing guitar work, great vocals and stunning energy. Messrs Saurabh Roy (credited as composer) and Aaron Carvalho, take a bow. In fact this song could easily have been the theme of DAVID.
Rating : 4/5
OUT OF CONTROL ( CHOIR VERSION )
The singing by both Tara Sitaria and Marianne is exceptional and the decision to do a choir version is a touch of genius. It adds an element of eerieness to what is already a haunting ditty.
Rating : 4/5
MAST KALANDAR ( Vengeance Mix ) : One thing that can tick off McCleary is if you call him a remix artist. And one can see why. After what he did with ’ HAWA HAWAI ’ in SHAITAAN, he goes for the jugular here. The song is at once groovy and full of unbridled energy. Rekha Bharadwaj is in fine fettle here singing with amazing gusto ( check her out going " ALI ALI ALI " towards the end )
Rating : 4/5
YA HUSAIN : With this song being set in MOHARRAM, this one again breaks the mould. As the song progresses, Lucky Ali’s vocals start to get drowned amidst voices chanting ’ HASAN HASAN HUSAIN HUSAIN ’ and the drums build up the frenzy even further taking one into a trance. If nothing else, DAVID is going to be a visual roller coaster.
Rating : 3/5
OUT OF CONTROL :
Somethings have to be done
You got to finish what you begun
Something just has to be done
You can’t hide, you can’t run
Now I am spinning Out of control
Out of control, Out of control
Spinning Out of control
The lyrics convey a sense of foreboding, of something about to go terribly wrong. Arguably the best song of the entire soundtrack, this one is written and composed by Mike McCleary. And for Nikhil D’ Souza, this is a worthy follow up to Anu Vidhaiththa Boomiyile from Kamal Hassan’ s VISHWAROOPAM. The mish-mash of English with Hindi ( sung by Priti Pillai ) comes off quite nicely.
Rating : 4/5
RAB DI : Written and composed by Prashant Pillai, this song reminds one of not one but many A.R. Rehman compositions. In that sense, this song might reach out to more people as it is far more conventional than the other numbers here. And of course, Kartik is faultless in his rendition.
Rating : 2/5
YUN HI RE : This number is composed and sung by Anirudh and comes as a welcome relief as it is one of the few melodies in this OST. The song starts with a clap of thunder signalling rain and a gentle whistle in the background. Very easily likeable, it is sung with a certain fondness by Shwetha Mohan ( she sounds a lot like the Chitra of old )
Rating : 3/5
BANDHAY : Anurag Kashyap’s BLACK FRIDAY had a cult song with the same name. Composed by a band called Modern Mafia, it is full of in-your-face attitude and more in the mould of D.K.BOSE from DELHI BELLY. Yet it loses steam pretty soon and ends up being an average song. The song ends with a cuss word which also seems inspired by Kashyap’s DEV D.
Rating : 2/5
TERE MERE PYAAR KI : Another song by Prashant Pillai, this one may grow on you with repeat hearing.( did not grow on this reviewer though ) Sung nicely enough by Naresh Iyer and Shweta Pandit this one is worded by Gopal Dutt. One cant help but feel that this OST could have done without this song
Rating : 1.5/5
MARIA PITACHE : This song is a celebration. Of music. Of life. Of Goa. Who better to do the honours than the versatile Remo Fernandes. Though the tune is the by-now all too familiar Goan, yet one cannot help but move and groove to it. Infectious.
Rating : 3/5
TORE MATWAARE NAINA : Another gem. This one is given a great kick start by the prodigious French singer, Joyshanti. Composed by a band called MaatiBaani, the classical singing by Nirali Kartik is flawless(she incidentally is the founding member of MaatiBaani ) The element of fusion in this song reminds one of the COKE STUDIO sessions on the idiot box.Thankfully the mix both these elements is a heady one and leaves you tapping your feet.
Rating : 4/5
MAST KALANDAR : If there is one singer one could pick to give the sufiyaana rendition needed here, it would be Rekha Bharadwaj. Her voice arrests you with its sheer honesty and leaves you mystified. Yet one feels a little baffled at having two versions of a veritable classic in one soundtrack already overflowing with original and creative work. Be that as it may, this is a good tribute to the original. Period.
Rating : 2.5/5
All in all, the OST of DAVID is very invigorating and leaves one asking for more. To give the devil his due, Kashyap and his boys all seem to believe in one thing above all. NO HALF MEASURES. May their tribe grow.
*OVERALL RATING : 8/10
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED*