Dev D (Music Review)

Dev D had two A's that I had admired, Anurag Kashyap and Abhay Deol. The music adds a third A for Amit Trivedi, the music director who gave different but okayish music in 2008's Aamir, who comes up with an album with an assortment of 18 tracks, quite varied in music, lyrics and treatment, and in lyricists and singers as well. The album running just 93 seconds over an hour consists songs in quite some genres, from rock to classical, techno to folk, and dance numbers to soft melodies. The 18 tracks do not seem too long and boring, and none of them is unfit or unsound. The movie might have most of them in the background, adding to a rich background score, rather than interrupting the flow.

The best track that takes you off track is Emosanal Attyachar, that comes with a brass band, prominently the trumpet, the one you'd have heard in any Indian baaraat. The lyrics are quite funny and the video stars Patna ke Presleys, adding a 70's look. The brass resonator is a very fresh and likeable concept. Bony Chakravarthy sings it with an intonation that keeps getting on the head. The only other track he sung is a rock version of the same song, where he pronounces it correctly.

The second place would be shared by the classical melodies Paayaliya and Dil Mein Jaagi. Shruti Pathak, whose first song was the superhit Mar Jaawan (Fashion) with her husky voice, goes very soft and high pitched for the Indian classical Paayaliya who she wrote herself. Amazing song! Anusha Mani also wrote and sung for herself her second track, which, though sounds a tad similar to Piyu Bole (Parineeta), has a western classical touch and superb lyrics.

There is a list of folk songs in Rajasthani and Punjabi, all six written by debutante Shellee. Khuda Jaane (Bachna Ae Haseeno) singer Shilpa Rao, in her second song, renders her beautiful voice to Dhol Yaara Dhol and` Ranjhana along with Kshitij, for the only two duets in the album that are a pleasure to listen to. Toshi sings the third Rajasthani track Pardesiin a brilliant fusion music. The only experienced singer Labh Jajua sings the three Punjabi songs Maahi Mennu Nee Karna Pyaar and its sad version, which is much better, and the foot-tapping Hikknaal that will surely rock dance floors.

Amit Trivedi gave voice to four tracks in addition to music, which have been written by another first-timer Amitabh Bhattacharya. Saali Khushi is the best with a sad undertone, and almost gets you pensive. A very different Nayan Tarse is again a fusion between classical and rock and has amazing lyrics. The techno Aankh Micholi and Duniya are serious and light respectively and Amit Trivedi sounds different in each of them. The toughest words in the album can be heard in Yahi Meri Zindagi, sung in a sweet voice by Aditi Singh Sharma.

There are two tracks with Dev-Chanda themes that has good vocals. The only song I did not quite like was Ek Hulchul Si, quite run-of-the-mill, not bad though.

Dev D is going to be a movie with new talent who thinks differently; it is said Abhay Deol struck up the idea and proposed Anurag Kashyap for the movie. Amit Trivedi experimented with young and new singers and lyricists, and has delivered an amazing album. The movie is already a favourite of mine, the music album has been on a repeat-album setting in my car and on my laptop at office and home since the past week and I seem to have grown upon it. Highly recommended. Grab a copy and experience yourself.

Music ratings : ****