Music Review: Aladin
Music Critic: Goher Iqbal Punn, askMamu.com
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan and Ritesh Deshmukh
Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, Amitabh Bachchan, Shreya Ghosal, Sudesh Bhosle, Vishal Dadlani, Shekhar Ravjiani, Anushka Manchanda, Sunidhi Chauhan and Sanjay Dutt
Lyricists: Vishal Dadlani and Anvita Dutt Guptan
Music Directors: Vishal-Shekhar

Amitabh Bachchan and Ritesh Deshmukh starrer Aladin has been making bigger waves since the outset. Directed by Sujoy Ghosh, the flick is much awaited. The music has been released now. Scored by the duo of Vishal-Shekhar, the lyrics have been penned by Vishal Dadlani and Anvita Dutt Guptan.

1) Genie Rap (Amitabh Bachchan and Anushka Manchanda)

The soundtrack opens with ‘Genie Rap’. Amitabh teams up with Anushka to croon the song. Both do well. The rapper style of singing attracts the ears. The composition is soothing and the lyrics are well penned. Although every department seems okay, nonetheless the number does not raise your spirits, as it should.

Rating: 5.5/10

2) Genie Rap – Remix

The remix version is arranged by DJ Suketu. It is faster and has racy beats. It goes well with the listener but is not extraordinary.

Rating: 6/10

3) Tak Dhina Din (Shankar Mahadevan and Shaan)

Following next is the title track. Rendered brilliantly by Shankar Mahadevan and Shaan, the song opens up with a bang. Laced with vast energy, the number is boisterous. The composition and the lyrics personify the mood aptly.

Rating: 7/10

4) O Re Saawariya (Sudesh Bhonsle, Shreya Ghoshal, Shaan and Amitabh Bachchan)

Next on the album is a song that starts softly but picks up pace later. It carries the likes of Sudesh Bhonsle, Shreya Ghoshal, Shaan and Amitabh Bachchan to croon the lines. All do well. The song is entertaining and is swathed with a mix of classic and rustic influences. The lyrics are great and so is the music.

Rating: 7.5/10

5) O Re Saawariya – Remix

Arranged by DJ Suketu, the remix version is foot tapping and lures the souls.

Rating: 7/10

6) You May Be (Vishal and Shekhar)

The composers’ duo Vishal-Shekhar fastens the belts to sing this number. It is a love song that is Hinglish in lyrics. The lyrics are good and the music is spongy.

Rating: 7/10

7) Bachke O Bachke (Shankar, Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan)

Shankar, Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan emerge to warble the song, which is upbeat and foot tapping. All the vocalists impress with the vocals. The lyrics are okay and the composition is average. The outcome appears just about okay.

Rating: 4.5/10

Giri Giri (Sanjay Dutt)

Sanjay Dutt has been roped in to sing this track. Obviously, he is not a trained singer and even does not know how to sing! So his singing seems poor. The lyrics and the music too appear dull. This concluding number is a waste of time.

Rating: 1/10

Conclusion:
On the whole, ‘Aladin’ is good to listen. Only a few songs disappoint, the rest of the album is soothing.

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

- The writer is a popular and experienced Bollywood and Indian TV Analyst. He shares a good rapport with Hindi film industry, Indian television fraternity and the celebs of these swanky worlds. You may contact him at the e-mails: goheriqbal@yahoo.co.uk, goher.punn@yahoo.com and goher.punn@gmail.com