Music Review (Telugu): Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India

Music Review (Telugu): Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India
Music Composer: Vishal-Shekhar

Sainika treads on the path as expected with Vishal Dadlani handling the vocals and Ramajogayya's jingoistic lyrics to prod the hero introduction song. The song may work well with the visuals but unfortunately, the tune is strictly average one with few nifty guitar solos by Meghdeep Bose in the interludes. Lover also Fighter also is another decent track with Shekar Ravjiani's questionable Telugu dictions irks consistently. The tune is marginally better and the title hook sounds absurd with the auto tuning in the lead vocals. Tapas roy's strokes in the first interlude are the only takeaway from the passable track.

Beautiful love is the breezy track which works easily despite sounding more like a Hindi song may be because of Armaan Malik involvement and the tune flow. However, Armaan Malik and Chitra Ambadipudi ace the romantic ballad effectually while composer duo's gentle arrangements backed by Meghdeep Bose's guitar work to its favour. Arijit Singh gets featured in Telugu song for another Bollywood composer other than Sunny MR and the tune is tailor-made for the lead singer vocals.The folksy chorus sounds to be the bit dissonant with the main tune, however, Ramya Behara makes those portions easy to sail through. Vishal- Shekhar adorns the arrangements with an impressive usage of Kazoos and string sections.Yenniyello is the song stays true to the native soundscape without any Bollywood flavour and  Malavika aces the singing portions effectively with ample support from the chorus.Iraga Iraga is another mandatory mass number and the track sounds to be straight out of DSP's stock tune.Rahul Sipligunj and Mohana Bhogaraju's sprightly singing being the solo highlight in an otherwise perfunctory song from the composer duo.

Verdict: Vishal- Shekhar's return to Telugu cinema after Chintakayala Ravi is strictly average one and the album lacks the native touch despite occasional sparks in the arrangements.

My Rating:6.5/10

Pick of the Album:  Beautiful love, Yenniyello, Maya

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn.

Music Review (Hindi): Banjo

Music Review (Hindi): Banjo
Music Composer: Vishal- Shekhar

Bappa rides mainly on the Vishal Dadlani's sprightly rendition and the tune is the regular Ganapathi Bappa song which has nothing special to offer. The undeniable highlight is the foot-tapping usage of bulbultarang (Indian Banjo) in the interludes in an otherwise typical song. Udan Choo starts off with a brilliant waltzy prelude and the tune meanders into an enjoyable territory, however, the heard before feel associated with the percussion usage bogs down the curiosity a bit. Gergana Raykova's solo violin stands out in an enticing arrangements throughout the song. Vishal Dadlani, Nakash Aziz and Shalmali Kholgade aces in the rock tune Rada where the highlight is Rashid Bashir Khan's usage of banjo for the rock flavoured tune and once again tune falter towards the end without making much impact. Vishal Dadlani's warmed up vocals in the album and mediocre tune of Pee Paa Ke fails to evoke any interest in the song. Reham O Kharam is soulful and Ajay Gogavale's effortless rendition accompanied by minimal orchestration dominated by flute and string section make this one listenable till it lasts. The song reaches crescendo towards the end with awesome solo banjo section. Apart from the solo banjo brief in the interludes and Nakash Aziz's vocal, Om Ganapataye Namaha Deva has very minimal to offer for the listeners.

Verdict: Vishal - Shekhar's album fails to utilize the potential of the musical movie to the satisfaction and composer duo sparkles occasionally with the arrangements (Banjo) in an otherwise largely average soundtrack.

My rating: 7.25/10

Pick of the Album: Udan Choo, Reham O Kharam, Bappa

P.S You can listen to the songs in Eros Now.

Music Review (Hindi): Sultan

Music Review (Hindi): Sultan
Music Composer: Vishal- Shekhar

Baby Ko bass pasand hai starts off with an engaging folk sound but song turns into pretty ordinary techno song although marginally made better because of Vishal Dadlani and Shalmali Kholgade's vocals. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan aces the lovely melody Jag Ghoomeya like a pro and Vishal did a fantastic job with the arrangements also especially loved the folk strings in the interlude along with guitar prelude. The song's female version has better arrangements dominated by minimal yet lovely folk elements (oud?)  throughout the song and the soulful melody is more effective in this minimalistic version. Neha Bhasin's rendition is icing on the cake.

440 Volt's tune meanders inconsistently, however Mika singh makes up for that with his excellent vocals while guitar riffs render fantastic support throughout the song. The title song's tune is sufficiently anthemic with thumping live drums and hard rock guitar riffs.Sukhvinder Singh's energetic vocals fit the bill perfectly while Shadab Faridi steals the show with lovely sargams in the midway. Sachi Muchi is a fantastic listen especially for its splendid bluegrass arrangeemnts domianted by european sounds with harmonica,banjos and brass. Mohith Chauhan and Harshdeep Kaur rendered the song fabulously and the song detours to anthemic pop sound in the midway. In Bulleya Vishal Shekhar gives modish treatment to base Quawwali tune Bulleya and Papon's nifty vocals elevate the level of the track. However undeniable winner is composer's brilliant fusion of quawwali sounds and rock elements. Tuk Tuk rides on the punchy vocals of Nooran Sisters and Vishal shekhar too ups the ante with brilliant mix of punjabi and techno sounds whereas Vishal Dadlani's rap protions didn't work when compared to other entincing elements in the track. Composer duo ends the soundtrack with rousing, grandly orchestrated song, Rise of Sultan and Shekhar Ravjiani's chanting vocals gives enough support.

Verdict: Vishal Shekhar's best soundtrack in recent times and the superlative singers makes this wide range of songs easily an appealing listen.

My rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Jag Ghoomeya (both versions), Bulleya, Sachi Muchi

P.S You can listen to the soundtrack in Saavn.