By: Chirag Sutar 09 Mar 10 19:02 IST
Average: 5 (5 votes)

Artiste: Shafqat Amanat Ali

Rating: 3.5/5

Label: Music Today

After delivering one of the most melodious punch packed album 'Tabeer' last year, expectations of anything coming from Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali's table have gone higher. The versatile singer is now back with his second non-film album Kyun Dooriyan – but does the music hook? Though not instantly, it does have the tendency to grow after multiple hearings. The album stands out for its overall pepped up sound, and Shafqat's experiments with genre’s he has’t really tried before. What more, the ‘Rockstar Ustad’ also treats listeners to an unexpected bhangra pop song in this heavily rock influenced offering. ...

Comments: 0 | | Bookmark and Share

By: Chirag Sutar 29 Jan 10 19:20 IST
Average: 4.2 (11 votes)

India's 60th Republic day will be remembered for two prominent goof ups. Number one - goof up on the Padma Awards, and two, a foul mess up of the iconic song 'Mile Sur'. There was one commonality between the two though - bollywood, and a row over who was deserving. Though what makes Saif Ali Khan eligible for Padma Shri is something only the Government of India can answer, when it comes to the iconic song Mile Sur, i.e the Aam Junta song, the public took the baton in their hands (read mouse and keyboards) and expressed their angst, or say just used their freedom of speech on this special day. What really boiled their blood? Ironically, some of the key personalities from the world of sports, literature, politics and people went missing while undeserving bollywood newbie's smiled their way through the new Phir Mile Sur video. Jale pe namak or whatever they call it... The web buzzed with a thousand comments...

Comments: 1 | | Bookmark and Share

By: Chirag Sutar 14 Jan 10 18:09 IST
Average: 5 (3 votes)

Artiste: John Mayer

Rating: 3/5

Label: Sony Music

Mayer's fourth studio album Battle Studies pretty much runs in every direction - from his trademark pop groove sound to some tried and tested references that come from iconic bands like U2, Sting, and Pink Floyd. Now, was it a paean to these bands or just an experiment is something only Mayer can answer. However, the album does feature incredible songs like 'Who says', 'Do you know me' and 'All we ever do is say good bye' that throw you back in the Your body is wonderland days. Mayer also covers the popular Robert Johnson blues anthem Crossroads and gives it a progressive jazz blues touch- the song's a riot.    ...

Comments: 0 | | Bookmark and Share

By: RnM Team 30 Nov 09 12:39 IST
Average: 4.8 (5 votes)

Type: Concept

Label: Music Today

Rating: 4/5

The Great Big Punjabi Wedding is an innovative concept album that serves the right kind of music for all the ceremonies that are observed during the Punjabi weddings. December being the season for marriages, this album 'serves the purpose' and has some brilliant singers like Jasbir Jassi, Pakistan’s Rockstar Ustad Shafqat Amanat Ali and artistes who are outstanding exponents of their styles and genres such as classical singer Sunanda Sharma, ghazal diva Radhika Chopra, folk singer Balbir Chand (Beera) and the singer with the silver Madan Bala Sindhu, not to forget.. Runa Laila!! The album presents these singers in regional and contemporary flavors - bet you have never heard them before like this!  ...

Comments: 0 | | Bookmark and Share

By: Chirag Sutar 24 Oct 08 16:53 IST
Average: 4.4 (5 votes)

Generations

Label - Big Music

Artistes - Ghulam Ali, Asha Bhosle, Aamir Ghulam Ali

Not all non-film music albums have a shelf life of more than six months, but 'Generations' - the work of Aamir Ghulam Ali (composer), Ghulam Ali and Asha Bhosle is mix of light classical music and ghazals. The 12-track album has three remixes, despite having classical purists like Ghulam Ali and Asha Bhosle at the album's helm. However, the album can do equally well even without the remixes.

After giving this a ear, it's certain that Aamir Ali has picked up the 'composing' nuances from his legendary father. But, unlike his father, his young son has pepped up the ghazals, or say, given it a younger feel to make it appealing to the masses. Anyway, one wonders if the album offers any meat at all!...

Comments: 1 | | Bookmark and Share

By: Chirag Sutar 01 Oct 09 16:38 IST
Average: 5 (3 votes)

Artist: Poets Of The Fall

Label: Saregama

Price: Rs 199

Since the band's inception in 2003, Poets Of The Fall have always had a knock down effect on their listeners. Right from the band’s first single Late Goodbye written for computer game Max Payne 2 to their last album Revolution Roulette. For those who don't know, the band had performed in India two years back at the IIT Kanpur during the Carnival of Rust-tour(2007). Poets Of The Fall comprises of singer Marko, guitarist Olli and keyboardist Captain....

Comments: 1 | | Bookmark and Share

By: Chirag Sutar 29 Jan 10 19:20 IST
Average: 4.2 (11 votes)

India's 60th Republic day will be remembered for two prominent goof ups. Number one - goof up on the Padma Awards, and two, a foul mess up of the iconic song 'Mile Sur'. There was one commonality between the two though - bollywood, and a row over who was deserving. Though what makes Saif Ali Khan eligible for Padma Shri is something only the Government of India can answer, when it comes to the iconic song Mile Sur, i.e the Aam Junta song, the public took the baton in their hands (read mouse and keyboards) and expressed their angst, or say just used their freedom of speech on this special day. What really boiled their blood? Ironically, some of the key personalities from the world of sports, literature, politics and people went missing while undeserving bollywood newbie's smiled their way through the new Phir Mile Sur video. Jale pe namak or whatever they call it... The web buzzed with a thousand comments...

Comments: 1 | | Bookmark and Share

By: RnM Team 24 Jun 08 00:00 IST
Average: 4 (9 votes)

Record label: EMI Records

Our Rating: 4/5

Coldplay have developed and evolved with each of their four albums and this one is no different. This album has been billed as their experimental record with frontman Chris Martin's growing popularity on every album he's penning.

The album's tracks have floated with images of War, God, Religion and Death.This might just go down as a benchmark album and we might also see a flagship revival of progressive-rock-pop culture to the musical mainstream.

The album opens with an anthem "Life In Technicolour", an instrumental riff that is suffused with the ambience of a Persian instrument or the Indian santur, while also utilising guitar sounds suspiciously like a world music churner. It's got a subtle piano opening which builds up real summer sound and then ends with reprises afterwards....

Comments: 0 | | Bookmark and Share