AKHIYON SE GOLI MAARE (2002)

Director: Harmesh Malhotra
Music: Anand-Miland
Lyrics: Sameer
Producer: Eastern Films
Starring: Govinda & Raveena Tandon

The first song on the soundtrack is 'Gore Tan Se Sarkata Jaye', sung by Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Sanjeevani. The song starts of well, but as soon as the second verse begins, everything starts to go down the toilet. Firstly the lyrics, then the singing (Sonu sounds very unusual - I had difficulty in recognizing his voice), and then the music, - where I was hoping for an improvement - but I don't get it. Music is just plain simple, nothing extra ordinary happens and you very quickly get tired of it. The saving grace of the song is Alka Yagnik, she sings beautifully, she sounds like an angel (as always) but her talents are wasted on such a number. Sanjeevani is billed as the third singer, but I failed to hear her utter a single word within the song.

Sonu Nigam and Jaspinder were mesmerizing for the 'Sab Kuch Bhula Diya' number from 'Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam', and it's a complete reversal for the next song 'Akkh Jo Tujhse Lad Gayi Re'. There it was sadness, here its happiness. Both sing together naturally, Sonu sounds sexy with Jaspinder sounding even sexier. Music by Anand Raaaj Anand is also interesting, as the fast beat mixed with different compositions melts your heart down. Lyrics by Dev Kohli are a tad below par, but the beautiful singing makes them meld in nicely. Listen to this one, it's recommended!

The hot Bollywood singing duo of Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik perform far above standard, for what is most definitely the best track on this soundtrack. The lyrics by Dev Kohli for 'Rabba O Rabba' have a slight Panjabi feel to it, but it's the singing that catches your attention, with Udit Narayan sounding a little like the legendary Mohammad Rafi and Alka similar to Lata in her 70's heydays. In fact the more I listen to this song, the more it reminds me of a song from a super hit Amitabh Bachchan film from the late 70's.

After such a great song, comes a completely rubbish song in the form of 'Dehradun Ka Chun Lagaya'. Vinod Rathod flirts his way through he whole song without any character to his singing, Sunidhi Chauhan deserves slightly more credit, maybe if she sung a little more… Lyrics are by Salim Bijori, he probably wrote them just before he was going to bed for the night. Music by Anu Malik's brother Daboo Malik is pretty pathetic to listen to. On the soundtrack sleeve this song is billed as 'Bonus Song', which means we might not get to see it on screen! Thank God!

Govinda fanatics will love the next number 'Ladka Mud Mud Ke', where Jaspinder Narula sings to her standard self, while Vinod Rathod messes it up. His singing makes me feel sick, and it might come to your surprise, I was genuinely sick when I listened to this song. A chat up song for those guys that loiter around streets trying to woo and flirt with anything that has long legs.

Jaspinder Narula and Sonu Nigam team up again, 'O Chhori Gori Gori' is another Govinda type of song. Singing, lyrics, and the music come to nothing. It's exactly the same as the previous songs, only the lyrics have been re-worked. Personally I'm getting a little tired of all the same type of songs in this soundtrack.

Anyone for a Qawaali? No? Well tough luck, you're going to get one. 'Thumka Lagake Naacho', is a dull attempt at a comedy Qawaali. Vinod Rathod sings most of it, with Sonu Nigam and Sanjeevani lending a hand. Vinod sounds dreadful, it would have been nice if Sonu Nigam could have sung Vinod's part. But saying that, Sonu relishes in the verse or two he gets to recite, Qawaalies suit Sonu down to a tether. It's like he was born for this type of song, why don't music directors make him sing more Qawaalies. Lyrics by Nitin Raikwar are comedic, as expected, and the music by Dilip and Sameer Sen is nothing to write home about.

One last song to go on the soundtrack… does this revitalize the album? Erm… No! Its Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik with disco beats and dreadful lyrics. 'Maine Tujhe Dekha' is hard to keep up with; it finishes the album in the most abysmal way imagined. Sonu Nigam sings to his usual standard, which is good, Alka Yagnik sounds like she has an echo surrounding her vocals. I would like to bin this one with the rest of the album!

RATING: 2/10

REVIEWED BY TONY