Madhushree - Kuch Pal Music Review
Madhushree
Kuch Pal
(Royant Music)
By Amanda Sodhi
Although it isn’t everyday we get to hear Madhushree’s sweet, mellifluous voice, her songs “Kabhi Neem Neem” from Yuva, “Tu Bin Bataye” from Rang De Basanti, “Hum Hain Iss Pal Yahaan” from Kisna, “Mahi Ve” from Kal Ho Na Ho, “In Lamhon Ke Daman Mein” from Jodhaa Akbar, “Sau Janam” from What’s Your Raashee?, “Yaar Mila Tha Saiyaan” from Blue, and “Pal Pal Hai Bhaari” from Swades are remembered and listened to fondly by Bollywood music fans. Launched by filmmaker Subhash Ghai, her second album, Kuch Pal is finally out. Here’s the rundown of the nine compositions by her husband Robby Badal who also composed her debut album Lagi Lagan earlier.
“Hero” featuring Tale Spin does sound a bit dated, especially since using the word “hero” in song lyrics is old-fashioned. The rap by Tale Spin seems out of place, too. However, the use of the strings is nice and the simple percussion arrangements and melody is easy on the ears. Lyrics by Satyendra Khare build up upon the concept of a girl adoring her lover—“Meri har chaah mei eh sanam tum ho, Meri har khwaab mei eh sanam tum ho.” There is also a Tamil Version of this song with lyrics by Dinesh Scaran.
”Chal Kucch Pal” is a laid back composition. The pace is very slow and the soft rock feel is nice to chill out to. Tanveer Ghazi’s lyrics are ordinary, though—“Chal kuch pal mere saath chal…Shaayad yeh lamhe phir aaye naa kal.”
“Ishq Ne Aisa” featuring Sachin Tyagi has a more somber yet very lovely melody. The incorporation of the flute and saxophone is creative. Madhushree sings all the notes perfectly, however Sachin Tyagi could have (and should have) easily been replaced by a better male vocalist. This time around Tanveer Ghazi’s lyrics actually make an impact—“Ishq ne aisaa shankh bajaayaa goonj uthi tanhaayi meri. Dhoop se har deewar pe teraa naam likhey parchaayi meri.”
”Pal” follows in suit of “Chal Kuch Pal” and even Shyam Raj’s lyrics fail to offer anything innovative—“Pal har pal mere saath chal, Jaanaa naa mujhse tu aage nikal.” The piano stands out in this song, and overall, the composition maintains a soft, steady pace.
While the mood and lyrics of “Shabnami” are upbeat, surprisingly Madhushree’s voice does not convey these emotions too well—the song could have been rendered with more feel. Even the techno sounds and electric guitar sound forced—a case of forced fusion, I guess. Tanveer Ghazi’s lyrics are also ordinary—“Tu zubaan se mujhe jo nahin keh saka teri dhadkan woh baatein bataati rahey.”
“Tum Bhi Ekbaar” is the strongest composition in Kuch Pal. The use of the strings, saxophone, and tabla arrangements are fused together wonderfully, and Madhushree sings this composition with a seductive tone. Sardar Anjum’s lyrics certainly stand out—“Tum bhi ek baar mujhe dost banaakar dekho, Apni khusboo meri khusbhoo mei milaakar dekho…Shamaa ki taraah mujhe aag lagaa kar dekho.”
While the saarangi sounds quite beautiful in “Aaj Ki Raat,” the choral vocal percussions are unnecessary. Nonetheless, it is a decent track. Niren Bhatt’s lyrics are seductive and build upon feelings of passion, desire and longing—“Aaj ki raat mujhe hadh se guzar jaane de, Tere saanson ke samundar mei utar jaane de.”
”Jane Kya Hua” featuring Robby Badal explores the more melancholic phase of the love cycle—heartbreak. The piano arrangement is good and Robby Badal provides decent backing vocals. Tanveer Ghazi’s lyrics question what went wrong in a relationship, although it sounds a bit clichéd—“Ek aandhi si aayi sab khushiyaan le gayi.”
Romantic songs are what Madhushree excels at, and Kuch Pal explores the different moods and moments of love and romance. While “Hero” and “Shabnami” are ordinary, the album does boast of some memorable compositions such as “Ishq Ne Aisa,” and “Tum Bhi Ekbaar.” Even the remaining compositions are quite easy on the ears.
