The Train

Article Updated 01 May, 2007 09:50:44 PM IST

The Train

Narendra Bajaj and Shyam Bajaj's musical blockbuster 'Aksar' had the Himesh-Emraan combination rocking the nation with 'Jhalak Dhikhla Ja'. Maybe the fact that Himesh became too busy, prompted them to go for Mithoon, who by now has proved himself as a very competent composer. This incidentally will be Mithoon's first film album as a solo composer (and also as a singer). And if his previous compositions are anything to go by, this album will definitely be classy. So let us check out what our young, musical genius has in store for us music buffs.

The album kick starts with the rock 'n' rolling, upper market, club dance track 'Woh Ajnabee'. The tune is infectious, the rhythm deadly and musical arrangements par excellence. So all you music buffs out there, who thought Mithoon was just a good music composer, hear him sing this track. His base, youthful, slightly nasal vocals are a treat and they gel well with the unique, husky vocals of Shilpa Rao, who can be called the new Usha Uthup of the music industry.

Sayeed Quadri's lyrics about a stranger who becomes an integral part of the lives of the lead protagonists, also deserves applause. Shilpa Rao's repeated 'Woh Ajnabee' irritates, otherwise the club mix by Akbar Sami is well done. The enhanced pace is just right and not much change is done to the infectious rhythm of the original.

"Dard mein bhi ye lab muskura jaate hain, Beete lamhe hamein jab bhi yaad aatein hain". This heart wrenching couplet commences 'Beete Lamhein'. Here is a sad song, which despite its slow pace and minimum musical arrangements rocks, and it's only because of K.K.'s excellent singing.

It would not be farfetched to say that K.K. is turning out be the next Mukesh, when it comes to rendering sad songs. He sings with such emotion that one can almost feel the pain in his voice. Kshitij Tarey's additional vocals provide the sad ambience. Sayeed Quadri's lyrics spellbind the listener and remind us of the ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali's 'Chupke Chupke'.

'Beete Lamhein - Lounge Mix' by Goldeyy commences with some nice background chorus and strained violin string sounds. It has a more relaxed pace than the original and is better too.

Mithoon's musical genius comes to the fore once again, as he brings together two of the most talented and wanted singers of recent times; K.K. and Zubeen in the next number, 'Teri Tamanna'. A very fast paced, lively dance track with some good drumming - a trademark Emraan composition! K.K. and Zubeen sing well in tandem. The ending of the song is quite similar to Zubeen's chartbuster from 'Gangster', "Ya Ali" (the haunting chorus in the background).

The 'Teri Tamanna - Club Mix' by Akbar Sami is a space filler, as the original was already a good, fast paced, dance track.

The 'Teri Tamanna - Euro Mix' is not much different from Sami's club mix, except for the musical arrangements.

Some cool guitar beats and plate sounds bring in 'Mausam', and for once the listener is confused. Is it the deadly Atif-Emraan combo that rocked the entire nation with 'Woh Lamhe' and 'Aadat'? No, no! It is our young musical genius Mithoon, doing an excellent take off on Atif Aslam, unintentionally of course. The slow drawl, slightly intoxicated singing and the superb background chorus (which sounds more like an echo) is the highlight of the track.

Sayeed Quadri's elegant Urdu lyrics are just apt for the situation - "Ek mukammal kashmakash hai zindagi, Isne hamse ki kabhi na dosti, Jab mili mujhko aansoo ke wo tohfe de gayee, Hans sake ham aise mauke kam diye." This is easily the best track of the album and has tremendous repeat value.

Akbar Sami does well in the 'Mausam - Club Mix', but the fast paced singing just doesn't go with the sad theme of the song, and so in a way his additional spicing of the track goes unnoticed.

'Mausam - Progressive Mix' by Goldeyy is much better than the club mix, as Mithoon's singing pace remains the same, only the synthesized background rhythm and the chorus has been heightened.

Last but not the least is the very appropriate title track (or one may call it the theme song), 'The Train - An Inspiration'. It begins with Shaan crooning- "Zindagi train hai, Waqt ke track pe, Lamhon ke coach mein, Hum musafir yahaan." The lyrics may sound a bit out of place but they are on the right track!

The comparison of human life to that of a train has been done well. The musical arrangements, like the chugging and whistling of a train, and the various announcements that the passengers hear on the platform are interesting. They blend well with the musical instruments like the drums, plates and guitar.

On the whole, 'The Train' is a good compilation by the young Mithoon, and has started off with brisk across-the-counters sales. Definitely worth a buy.

Rating : 7.5/10

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