If you are an avid listener of Indian pop songs---then Adnan Sami would be a familiar name to you. Adnan made his grand entry into the Hindi music scene two years ago. He was immensely successful with his first pop album—Kabhi To Nazar Milao and by singing blockbusters like ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’ in Ajnabee, his popularity took a meteoric rise. The album I am reviewing came out in October 2002 but has been storming all the charts and countdowns even now, thanks to the mesmerising videos and even more mesmerising tunes....
There are a total of 8 songs in the album, all sung and composed by Adnan Sami and written by Sameer.
Song no.1: Tera Chehraa
‘Magical’ is one word that perfectly describes this beautifully rendered song. The lyrics are heart-breaking but the way Adnan has sung the song makes it one of the most passionate and infectious numbers on the album. The way the beats have been arranged make this song instantly likeable. And who can forget the fabulous music video featuring Rani Mukherjee... Hear this one once and you’ll be humming it all day...Fantastic!!!!
Song no.2: Meri Yaad Rakhna
Another heart-wrenching melody, this one’s got that old-world charm to it. The lyrics will have you in tears and Adnan’s crooning is best ever. A remarkable thing about the melody is the way its been arranged—starts of like a dance number but traverses so wonderfully into the main melody, that you just can’t get enough of this number. The music video has added that ballad touch to the song, which has made this song feel different...My favourite!!!
Song no.3: Tere Bina Jiyaa
After two heavy melodies, you have this light romantic melody with an undercurrent of sadness...Sameer’s lyrics aren’t as classy as in the early two numbers but fit the bill...Adnan’s voice is the high-point again and reason enough for you to reach for that rewind button... The video has Mahima Chaudhary in it, and the video’s theme is in direct sync with the melody...A nice number, but not a gem!!
Song no.4: Nain Se Naino Ko Mila
Simply Superb!!! I was awestruck when I first heard this song. There’s this wonderful crossover of western beats and Indian classical crooning that I love....Sameer’s lyrics are spot-on and I bet no other singer would have done justice to them in the way Adnan has. The way Adnan croons and flows through the high and low surs is simply impeccable. I became a fan of this song the day I heard it, and was waiting for the video with bated breath. Must say that there couldn’t be a more perfect setting than a space-ship and Raveena Tandon dancing in it for this tune. Highly experimental this one surely is, but this is what makes the tune extremely desirable!!!
Song no.5: Roothay Huey Ho Kyon
Instantly hummable and likeable this tune is! Sameer’s lyrics are sweet, if a bit mundane, and the way Adnan has sung and arranged the song has again lended an old-world charm to it. Though the song doesen’t go into any unexplored territory, be it in regards of lyrics or music, its fluffiness will soon have you swooning!!!
Song no.6: Saason Mein Nasha Hai
Wow, what a different song!!! This song is more suited to evening parties, all thanks to its foot-tapping snazzy beats, synthesizers and western orchesterization. Adnan’s voice is also digitally altered, there are double-voice effects, and there’s this continuity in the number that makes it a perfect number for a party..Sameer’s lyrics, however, tend to get a bit repetitive. ...Wonderful Nevertheless!!!
Song no.7: Teri Baahon Mein
Another gem of this album, this melody is quite similar to Meri Yaad Rakhna in terms of its mood, orchesterization and beats, but the arrangement leaves you spell-bound. Adnan’s sung this song in a very passionate way, and its his crooning again that makes this one all the more special...Thankfully, Sameer’s lyrics are original yet again. The video’s been released recently and has the beautiful Namrata Shirodkar dancing away to Adnan’s tunes...Superb!!
Song no.8: Kabhi Naiee
How I wish this song wasn’t in this album. Its supposed to be a happy-go-lucky song and is sung in full gusto by Amitabh Bachchan and Adnan Sami. But somehow its lyrics and tune lack the originality of the 7 other ones and is instantly recognizable as an extension of Lift Karadey (a super-hit number from Adnan’s previous album). Overall, an average number!!!
Time to sum up
Know what, it took me full 45 minutes to write this review...actually I was listening to every song while writing...Must tell you that I don’t remember hearing a more original and flawless Indian pop album (probably Alisha’s Made In India) than this one. All the melodies are so similar in their theme, I mean you can’t miss out on the strong undercurrent of sadness and yearning in all of them..yet they are all like candles in a room—each one has its own brilliance...
Hope you enjoyed my review as much as I did writing it....
Comments are anxiously waited...
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