Break Ke Baad – Music Review
EXPECTATIONS
After
a
rather
quiet
2009
that
saw
a
sole
album
release
for
Vishal-Shekhar
-
Aladin
-
the
composer
duo
is
on
a
roll.
They
had
a
peppy
outing
in
I
Hate
LUV
Storys,
gave
to
audience
a
quality
wholesome
score
in
Anjaana
Anjaani
and
now
are
delivering
music
for
yet
another
young
romcom
Break
Ke
Baad.
With
Vishal
&
Shekhar
staying
on
to
be
the
first
choice
for
many
a
filmmakers
when
it
comes
to
music
for
an
outing
seems
to
be
designed
on
the
lines
of
Hollywood
romcoms,
their
coming
into
Break
Ke
Baad
is
not
a
surprise.
What's
surprising
though
is
to
see
Prasoon
Joshi
on
the
credits
as
a
lyricist
with
whom
Vishal-Shekhar
are
working
for
the
first
time.
However,
since
Prasoon
has
worked
in
last
three
films
made
by
Kunal
Kohli
(Hum
Tum,
Fanaa,
Thoda
Pyaar
Thoda
Magic),
it
is
understandable
as
well.
One
looks
forward
to
check
out
what
does
this
unique
pairing
has
to
offer
in
their
first
outing
together.
MUSIC
Expect
something
unconventional,
yet
striking,
in
the
opening
track
of
the
album
-
'Adhoore'.
This
isn't
a
word
which
is
common
when
it
comes
to
Bollywood
lyrics.
Also,
it
has
a
hint
of
sadness
to
it
due
to
the
meaning
that
it
carries.
Still,
Vishal-Shekhar
do
an
amazing
job
in
making
a
cracker
of
a
track
that
gets
on
you
in
the
very
first
listening.
A
contemporary
urban
track
that
is
miles
away
from
being
a
conventional
'lambi
judaai'
affair,
'Adhoore'
works
for
its
modern
take
on
love.
Add
to
this
fact
that
Vishal
Dadlani
is
quite
effective
behind
the
mike
as
well
along
with
Alyssa
Mendonca
and
you
know
that
this
song
has
in
it
to
find
a
way
up
in
the
charts.
The
'remix
version'
further
ensures
that
club
hoppers
won't
mind
playing
it
on
at
top
volume
all
over
again.
Neeraj Sridhar is a regular with composer Pritam and has delivered a dozen odd chartbusters with him already. However, when it comes to Vishal-Shekhar, they have used him quite sparsely. This is the reason why when one sees them roping in Neeraj for 'Ajab Leher', one waits to check out what they really have to offer. First thing that they succeed in achieving is to make Neeraj sound different. Of course, his voice - as heard before in many a song - is quite pleasant but he goes ahead with a different take in this fun number where the protagonist seems to be having a good time talking about his 'padosan'. Shekhar Ravjiani, Vishal Dadlani and Rhys D'Souza play a supporting role as back up vocalists in this song which basically belongs to Neeraj. A sweet number with a simple tune to it which is pretty much akin to a nursery rhyme, 'Ajab Lehr' should look good on screen and take the narrative forward.
When you read the credit details, it is hard to decipher what exactly would the lyrics 'Dhoop Ke Makaan' actually convey. Coming from Prasoon Joshi, one can expect a poetic outing every now and then and it is no different in case of the number in question. Also, one can see a strong Gulzar influence here as well. Nevertheless, the song is pretty soothing on ears, whether it comes in its regular or 'acoustic' version. The way Shekhar Ravjiani goes on to sing this one, it is crystal clear that the composer was just hiding behind his talent as a singer for long. His voice has that intrinsic happy feel to it, something which was the hallmark of Udit Narayan, and this is what that makes even this supposedly sad track turn out to be pretty engaging. This song which also has Sunidhi Chauhan and Hitesh Sonik as the co-singers may not reach out amongst masses but for those who like their music to be soft and carry a quality feel to it (a la 'Kucch Kam' in Dostana), 'Dhoop Ke Makaan' is the one to be played on a repeat mode.
The album picks up pace with 'Dooriyan Hain Zaroori' which again has a sad meaning to it, reason being that it deals with the distance that comes in due to a break up. Still, all credit to the way it has been designed that one never feels dejected, let down or bored when this song plays. In fact this track that has been designed as soft rock has some very good arrangements coming into play that turn it into an out and out youthful urban affair that should work amongst the cosmopolitan crowds. Monica Dogra, a rock band member, is pretty effective in this well paced song with Vishal Dadlani ensuring that he justifies his own inclusion as a singer.
By this time around, it is apparent that Break Ke Baad is the most loaded Vishal-Shekhar album ever, reason being that they also appear as singers in almost all songs, barring one. This solitary song where they have entrusted another singer to totally drive the proceedings is 'Main Jiyoonga' which has now-getting-popular Nikhil D'Souza taking centre-stage. Though there are additional vocals by Mikey Mcclearyu and Gino Banks, it is Nikhil who seems to be having all the fun in this yet another soft rock track which deals with the aftermath of a break and looking forward in future. Any sadness here though? Naah!
The same arrives in English as well with Vishal Dadlani giving an altogether different impression of him as a singer here. While he has been doing his bit with vociferous songs like 'Dan Te Nan' [Kaminey] in the past, it is nice to see him going subdued, yet energetic, for this fun take on living life to the fullest. Of course a track like this does have a restricted audience for itself but in the context of the film, it should fit in pretty well.
OVERALL
Break
Ke
Baad
is
an
unconventional
album,
especially
when
one
looks
at
it
from
the
Bollywood
standpoint.
Change
is
good
and
it
is
slowly
but
steadily,
audience
too
are
warming
up
to
conventional
sound.
Rock
On
was
a
prime
example
of
that,
the
music
of
which
was
dismissed
by
many
in
the
first
hearing.
However,
when
compared
to
Rock
On,
Break
Ke
Baad
still
has
some
elements
that
augur
well
with
the
romcom
affair.
While
this
is
a
quality
album
for
sure,
what
has
to
be
seen
is
the
way
the
songs
are
picturised,
promoted
and
brought
to
audience.
If
the
film
is
a
success,
the
songs
should
only
take
further
leaps
amongst
the
target
audience
which
basically
comprises
of
urban
youth
who
have
a
taste
for
modern
sound.
OUR
PICK(S)
Adhoore,
Ajab
Leher,
Main
Jiyoonga,
Dhoop
Ke
Makaan