A Mirage or a Shadow?. Review on Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna Songs

Due to space restrictions here, this review is a summary version of the very detailed multi-part review I am posting sequentially on my blog:

https://aksharasangeetham.blogspot.com

The three talents that make up the "Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (SEL) " team are talented in different ways. One is proficient in vocals, thoroughly trained in carnatic & hindustani classical music, another proficient at keyboards and the third one, a good guitarist. What do you get when you bring these strengths toether? Well, that is another question! Their music has certain distinct characteristics (details described on my blog). Primarliy, theirs is what I would call a high-quality, clear & calm composing style. Overall, I would say that this album is a strange, but understandable output that SEL has produced. Obviously, there is a huge and forceful influence of the famous (or notorious) Karan-Johar style. Let's examine track by track:

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

Singers: Sonu Nigam & Alka Yagnik

The song is slow & melodious, but, too similar to such kind of songs composed previously. Sonu has tried his best to sound mellow and melodious. For some reason, I yearn to hear this in some other voice. It sounds too familiar and repetitive. I could see a slight lack of motivation in Alka's voice. The orchestration is light, mostly folksy percussion. String support is well done and doesn't sound over the human voices.

Mitwa

Singers: Shankar, Shafqat

In what seems lke an attempt to fuse sufi music with western pop, SEL introduces Shafqat Amanat Ali from the pakistani pop band Fuzion. The story is that Shankar happened to hear his song while listening to FM in his car and immediately found who was behind the voice and requested him to sing. He does sing the song well, but, I would have just liked to hear this song in Shankar's own voice. He does excel in every department except for the emotion. Sometimes, It felt like Shafqat was more interested in getting the classical nuances right, rather than impart "bhaava". That said, however, this song remains my pick of the album. Look for a great innovative free-flow of vocals towards the end. Obviously both Shankar & Shafqat has several years of strong classical training.

Mitwa Revisited (Remix)

Singers: Shankar, Shafqat, Caralissa

For the first time, in my entire lifetime, I liked a remix version better than the other version. I surprised myself, as an avid hater of the so-called DJs and remixes. I cannot express myhatred enough to those individuals who confidently slice up the song. But in this case, I acknowledge my admiration. What is good about this? You will notice that the DJ has used beats & the bass patters very carefully, except at one part. During the second interlude, there is an unnecessary sliced version of Shankar's alaap. Again, I found Shafquat singing good, minus the emotions!

Tumhe Dekho Naa

Singers: Sonu & Alka

Ahhhhhhhhh! The Karan-touch again. I wanted to pose this question: When would the world get tired of this same pattern of music? Is there an end in sight? Why in the word did SEL compose a song this way? Just like the thousands of screws & bolts coming out of a manufacturing plant....

Musically, however, the song is very well orchestrated. The use of soft flute pieces, strings & occasional solo guitars embellish the crass vocal tune. Overall, an ok song.

This ends my short review of this album. As mentioned earlier, in the next few days, I will be posting a multi-part detailed look at SEL's music in general and this album in particular. Please check back at:

https://aksharasangeetham.blogspot.com/

Comments are welcome...