MUSIC REVIEW: KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA (2006)

Producer: Dharma Productions
Director: Karan Johar
Star Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji, Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Saira Mohan
Music: Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Expectations are as high as they can rise for any Bollywood music album. More-so because of the excellent track record of Karan Johar for giving us musical hits like: K2H2, K3G, KHNH and even Kaal for that matter which had some decent music. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are on an all time high after winning second Filmfare for Bunty Aur Babli. Javed Akhtar can never fail to impress with his meaningful and thought-provoking lyrics. Last but definitely not the least - THE STARS. Big B, King Khan, The Rani of Bollywood, Pretty face and Aby Baby. Do I need to say more? Now coming to the music ...

Melodious, Soothing and Pristine are the words that instantly come to mind when one listens the title track - Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna. Sung extra-ordinarily by Sonu Nigaam and Alka Yagnik (this couple stirred some magic in Suraj Huaa Madham from K3G) this track is a soft-to-the-core song with some amazing lyrics which goes something like:

Tumko Bhi Hain Khabar
Mujhko bhi hain pata
Ho raha hain judaa
Dono ka raasta
Door Jaake bhi mujhse
Tum meri Yaado Mein Rehna
Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna

This 8-minutes long situation song should appear in parts in the movie. It maintains the standards of the title tracks of a Karan Johar movie and sometimes rises above them in terms of musical and lyrical richness.

After the start with a slow and soothing song, the album continues with a soulful and philosophical song - Mitwaa. This is song is my personal favorite from the album due to its classical music and high pitch. The lyrics points out to break free and let love possess you. Sung by Shankar Mahadevan, this song is one of the more difficult songs to sing and to which Shankar aptly does justice. The song starts with lyrics like: "LOVE - WILL FIND A WAY" and goes on like

Jeevan Dagar Mein
Prem Nagar Mein
Aaya nazar mein jabse koi hain
Tu sochta hain, Tu poochta hain
Jiski Kami thi
Kya yeh wohi hain
Tu ek pyaasa aur woh ek nadi hain
Kaahe nahi isko tu khul ke bataye

Jo hain ankahi
Jo hain ansuni
Woh baat kya hain bataa
Mitwaa

After a romantic and a classically philosophical number (yet funky) number.. comes "Wherez The Party Tonite" hip-hop number. This is a hip-hop cum Bhangda cum Rajasthani Folk dance number. I am sure this song will be picturized on the two couples who are trying pub-hopping in one night. Trying different pubs and different dance musics. Sung by Shaan and Jaspinder Narula, this song will is definitely rocking the pubs. Its high on energy and should be a crowd-pleaser song. It is a Himesh Reshmmaiya kind of song... only better and with better singer than him.

Following this highly synergetic burn-the-dance-floor song comes another mellow and happy version of the title song : Tumhi Dekho Naa. This song is completely romantic come-fall-in-love song with extra-ordinary piano arrangements and lyrically rich song. It is melodious from the word - GO and Sonu Nigaam-Alka Yagnik pair weaves magic yet again. Watch out for the chinese music in between, it will catch your mind un-aware. Truly international yet so Indian. This number is going to look great on screen with Rani's flowing chiffon sarees and Shahrukh's new and western outfit attire.

Tumhi Dekho Na
Yeh Kya Ho Gaya
Tumhara Hoon Main aur Tum Meri
Main Hairaan Hoon
Tumhe Kya Kahoon
Ke Din Hui Kaise Chandni

Jaagi-Jaagi si hain
Phir bhi Khwabo mein hain
Khoyi-Khoyi Zindagi

Mitwaa-Revisted is a remix of Mitwaa. The remix is only better than the original. It is fast paced and the remix work has been done amazingly. It truly has an international feel to it and still so Indian and traditional at heart. This song is sure to be liked by one and all.

Teri Nigahein
Paa Gayi Raahein
Par tu yeh soche jaaoon na jaaoon
Yeh Zindagi Jo
Hain Nachti To
Kyon Bediyo Mein hain tere paao
Preet ki dhun pe naach le paagal
Udata agar hain udane de aanchal
Kaahe koyi apane ko aise tarsaaye

Jo hain ankahi
Jo hain ansuni
Woh baat kya hain bataa
Mitwaa

Next comes another great dance number with vintage 60's feel. It ROCK N' ROLL which re-vives the swinging 60's. Its a great blend of ROCK N' ROLL and BHANGDA for the first time ever. ROCK N' ROLL SONIYE is a total dance number which one of the fast paced number songs I ever heard. It should be a group song with Amitabh leading the troupe. This is the song where Kajol makes her lucky appearence. Sung by Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan and Mahalakshmi Iyer this one is going to really rock the charts.

FAREWELL-TRANCE ends the album. Trance music is new to Bollywood. This one blends Trance music with traditional Indian flute, sitaar and sarangi. It must be the song to appear in the title credits of the movie. Great musical job by S-E-L.

Some albums have very tough and high expectations to meet and Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna is one of them. Some albums meet the high expectations from them and Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna is also one of them. It shows the time and effort the team has put in to come up with one album which has : One romantic song, one Rock N' ROLL/Bhangda song, One Hip-Hop song, One Classical song and on top of that trance music also. Its truly One-In-All package.

Today when I was listening to KANK songs on my CD player in the bus on full volume, I saw the chinese girl passenger sitting besides me (who must have been over-hearing the songs) tapping her feet while listening to the songs. That was the moment I realized .... MUSIC CONNECTS!

Great album and Great Job! Get your copies soon.....

Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna (Title Song): 8/10
Mitwaa: 9/10
Wherez The Party Tonite: 7.5/10
Tumhi Dekho Na: 9.5/10
Mitwaa - Revisited: 9.5/10
Rock N' Roll Soniye: 9/10                                          
Farewell Trance: 8.5/10

Overall: 9/10

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