DIL CHAHTA HAI

Director: Farhan Akhtar
Music: Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani
Starring: Aamir Khan, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan

1. Dil Chahta Hai
The album starts off quite well with this funky (for lack of a better adjective) track. This song seems to fit the mood of the movie quite well, seeing as the movie is a Hollywood-Bollywood movie. The singing by Shankar Mahadevan is great, but nothing in the league of the mesmerizing Breathless. This song sets the mood for the rest of the album being somewhat more Americanized.
Rating: 10/10

2. Jaane Kyon
This song has with a beat slightly remniscent (quite similar to Kaali Nagin from Mann) and quite slowly. The flute used at slight interludes sounds too much like the one used in Kaho Naa Pyar Hai, but the music picks up quite soon. The singing by the standard, but amazing Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik don't fail to please the ear. Also, there is a chorus interluded in the song seamlessly, one sounding similar to an African-American Tribal chant (slightly difficult to explain). A very enjoyable track.
Rating: 9/10

3. Woh Ladki Hai Kahan
Starting off with a beat similar to that of an American rap song (thought not that heavy), it quickly transludes into a very interesting mix of American, Scottish and Indian music. The instrumentation is amazing with Bagpipes being used, with the beats blending together to create an amazing effect. The singing is great, with Shaan and Kavita Krishnamurthy. Shaan can add this song to his hit list after his recent greats, Yeh Hawein from Bas Itna Sa Kwab Hai and Apni Yaadon Ko from Pyaar, Ishq, Aur Mohabbat. The lyrics are a tad commonplace, with more hero-heroine teasing.
Rating: 9/10

4. Kaise Hain Yeh Root
A very different song from the past Americanized ones; this makes more of a return to the soft Hindi music we're all used to hearing. The song is quite soft and comforting and sings of happiness. The lyrics are great as is Srinivas' singing. The use of the guitar in this song is very effective, as is the soft flute.
Rating: 10/10

5. Koi Rahe Kehta Rahe
Wow! That's the feeling one gets after listening to this energetic song. The beat is said to be recycled from the song Hindustani from Dus, but I find this song to be quite different in its own way. This is probably meant to be an introduction to the three musketeers: Amir, Saif, and Akshaye. The beat and music are nothing to brag about, but the combination of singers makes for a great listen. Shankar Mahadevan, Kay-Kay, and Shaan combine together and sing this song tremendously well. I haven't heard Kay-Kay sound better since Tadap Tadap from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
Rating: 8/10

6. Akash's Love Theme
A nice instrumental piece always has place in a Hindi movie, especially when it's a Western-cl***ical inspired one. This one, however, doesn't sound too original, and isn't anything special. Nothing in the league of the instrumental tracks used by Rahman in Lagaan
Rating: 7/10

7. Taanhayie
This song with its beats and singing sounds very similar to Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya from the movie with the same name. Sonu Nigam sings straight from his heart with the same type of singing as in Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya (especially the beginning). The lyrics make one feel lonely, especially with the wonderfully desolate music. May not be something to savor in the car, but definately a good listen.
Rating: 8/10

8. Dil Chahta Hai (Reprise)
Music fans may like this version more than the original version. A much quiter version, this one makes for an even better listen. The singing by Shankar Mahadevan is excellent just like the original version. The beats in this one sound more earthly and thus, have a less American feel to them. This one could serve as a sad version in the movie as it's that much different from the original. But different in this case means great.
Rating: 10/10

Overall Singing
This is one of the highest points of the album. Each singer seems to be at their best for this, and there is a great variety of them. Shankar Mahadevan, unlike some other music directors, actually sounds great. Shaan and Kavita Krishnamurthy sing together for the first time, Udit and Alka sound great as always together, while Srinivas gets a chance to sing a song normally done by Hariharan.
Rating: 10/10

Overall Instrumentation and music
The other high point of all the songs. The instrumentation seems to fit the mood of the movie extremely well, and the music is extremely unique.
Rating: 10/10

Overall (Not an average)
This is a soundtrack not to be missed. After the disappointing Yaadein, we finally have a great soundtrack to savor. It makes waiting for the movie all the more difficult. If there's one big fault, it's that the soundtrack is too short and over too quickly. If you can pick this up at your local music store, I would highly recommend it.
Rating: 9.2/10

REVIEWED BY RISHI J