AUDIOSCAN
Low-brow stuff

Shaadi Se Pehle (Tips)

The Mukta Arts banner is known for good music of its films. If that is what you also think, you will be disappointed by the score here, because there is not one song which you can call outstanding. But what you must bear in mind is that this film has not been directed by Subhash Ghai. He has only farmed out the job to Satish Kaushik, who from the music and the promos of the film seems content to step into the shoes of David Dhawan.

As is the trend these days, all but one of the six songs of the film have a remix version. The difference between the "original" and the tweaked copy is only that the latter has an even more feverish beat.

Surprise of surprise, composer Himesh Reshammiya has not sung any of these, in spite of the fact that many of his recent songs are doing so well.

A typical song here is Giri mujh pe tere ishaq ki bijuriya`85 (Alka Yagnik, Sukhwinder Singh). The peculiar pronunciation of the word ishq and the repeated use of wolf whistles in between make it a chalu song par excellence. The same characteristics are noticeable in the remix version as well.

The only solo male song has been sung by Daler Mehndi, Tutya Ve. It is an out-and-out Punjabi number and it remains to be seen how it is received in non-Punjabi speaking areas. Incidentally, the lyrics are by Sameer.

The female solo has gone to Sunidhi Chauhan (Mundeya). The album opens with it and Sunidhi has sung it with her usual verve.

The only song with the distinction of not having a remix is Sachche aashiq`85 by Alka Yagnik and Sukhwinder Singh. Ironically, it happens to be better than most others.

Here is an album—composed, arranged, performed and produced by Leslie Lewis—which has the courage to poke fun at every aspect of it right on the cassette cover.

What makes that remarkable is that normally even those who have done an album twice as bad think that they are cat’s whiskers.

It has been sung by Band Of Boys. They seem to have a surefire hit in the shape of Nain Katari akhiyan'. If that is funky, let’s not forget that there are also some serious presentations like Aa Bhi Ja Aye Mere Hamdam.

There are some other good songs as well like Jhoomengi Bahaarein and Tum - Aaye Masti Mein Phir Laut Ke Ham. Yet the cassette is presented as a wild effort.

To poke fun at all those who name everyone they know while dedicating their album, this one has been "specially dedicated to all those who didn’t believe in us, piggybacked on us when we were in the news (and disappeared when we did) and who taught us that no matter how low you sink, there’s always depth for more". —ASC