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| 'PRINCE' MUSIC REVIEW |
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Music :
Sachin
Gupta |
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Lyrics :
Sameer |
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Direction :
Kookie V Gulati |
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Producer :
Kumar S
Taurani |
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Star Cast :
Vivek Oberoi, Nandana Sen, Aruna Shields, Niroo Singh,
Isaiah, |
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Sanjay Kapoor,
Dalip Tahil, Manish Anand, Mayur Puri, Rajesh Khattar, Mohit
Chauhan |
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EXPECTATIONS
There are decent expectations from the music of
Prince. Since this is a film from the house of TIPS,
certainly quality is expected from the soundtrack.
Moreover, the man at the helm of affairs is debutant
director Kookie Gulati who has many a music video to
his credit. It can well be expected that for his
first full length feature film, he would have at
least a couple of chartbuster songs up his sleeve.
However, since the film has taken a little time in
reaching towards the finishing line, there is a
slight apprehensive factor that sets in.
Nevertheless, one goes on to play the soundtrack of
Prince which is made of an astonishing 16 tracks,
half of them being remixes. Sachin Gupta composes
while Sameer writes. |
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MUSIC
It's a techno start for the album with 'O
Mere Khuda' giving a high energy start to
Prince, something which was pretty much required for
the film belonging to action genre. Atif Aslam, who
has been known for singing romantic melodious songs,
finds a new space for himself as composer Sachin
Gupta puts him in a situation where he has to
replicate an effect similar to |
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that of the title song of 'Dum'. The common factor
here? Vivek Oberoi. While the opening lines of 'O
Mere Khuda' are a cracker, especially with the
accompanying sound of 'Aa
Bhi Ja Sanam', the 'antara' is a little
loose. Still, one doesn't mind the overall effort
primarily because of the out and out Western setting
of the song which appears again in the 'Dance Mix'
version.
Later the song is heard again as 'Aa Bhi Ja Sanam'
which basically has the same tune as 'O Mere Khuda'
but is paced on a slightly slower note. This time
around the song has a love setting to it and one can
sense that Atif feels a little more in the 'zone'
here! With a lounge feel to it, 'Aa Bhi Ja Sanam'
makes for a good hear as well and so does the 'Dance
Mix' version which is obviously more upbeat.
Remember the chartbuster track 'Ho Jaata Hai Kaise
Pyaar' from Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala starrer
Yalgaar? A couple of lines from the middle of the
song are used as a basis to kick start 'Tere
Liye' which comes on its own within a
matter of seconds and turns out to be a smashing
love song that gets the hook on in the very first
listening. Atif Aslam and Shreya Ghoshal make for a
good pair here as they keep the techno mood of the
album on. Despite the Western setting that 'Tere
Liye' carries, there is an touch of melody to the
proceedings that ensures that if coupled with good
visuals (which should be the case), 'Tere Liye' will
succeed in keeping the audience's attention on. |
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Such is the confidence of the makers in 'Tere Liye'
that the song appears in as many as four versions.
After the original, the next to come is the 'Dance
Mix' version which has a club feel to it. The 'Hip
Hop mix' which comes later is softer in appeal, has
a sensual feel to it and is a much better bargain.
The best is reserved though for the 'unplugged
version' which impresses primarily due to its
unadulterated presentation. With just a guitar in
the background, composer Sachin Gupta |
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also brings himself behind the mike and comes up
with a good solo version. Now this one can be given a repeat
hearing.
A theme song centred on the protagonist who is struggling to
find his own identity, 'Kaun Hoon
Main' has a rock setting to it and takes some
time before it leaves an impression for the listener. Of
course the sad setting of the track as well as an inherent
situational appeal means that 'Kaun Hoon Main' is not the
next chartbuster in the making. Still, the Western
arrangements to the song helps it from turning into a
complete pushover as 'Kaun Hoon Main' (which later appears
in a 'Dance Mix' and 'Lounge Mix' version) holds on
reasonably well and ensures that it goes well with the
narrative.
Prince gets an item number for itself in the shape of 'Jiyara
Jiyara' which has the kind of lyrics that Sameer
has been living with for decades now. Though there is
nothing novel about the words that are handed over to Alisha
Chinoy, credit to her and composer Sachin Gupta who save the
number from turning into a complete disappointment.
Together, they give a Western treatment to the song (and
later do a good fusion in the 'Bhangra Mix' version), hence
making it sound contemporary at the least. Expect soaring
temperatures when the song is played on screen, especially
due to the way Alisha Chinoy goes about singing this number
with Hard Kaur coming up with her rap inputs. |
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Monali Thakur gets a solo for herself in the form of
'Ishq Mein'
which keeps the upbeat mood of the album intact.
There is a sense of seduction prevalent right
through this song which doesn't boast of any path
breaking lyrics but yet again finds a place for
itself courtesy the composer and the singer. A love
song where the female protagonist is craving for
attention, 'Ishq Mein' gels well with the overall
mood of the album and turns out to be a decent
inclusion. |
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Later arrives the 'Prince - Mega
Mix' which is indeed a mega version considering
its running length of 7 minutes. A dance floor track that
has to be put on blazing volume to be enjoyed, it is an
amalgamation of number of songs from the album and hence
sees Atif Aslam, Shreya Ghoshal, Alisha Chinoy and Hard Kaur
coming together all over again. It would be interesting to
see if a music video is built around 'Prince - Mega Mix'.
Prince concludes with a 1 minute theme track titled 'Prince
- Theme' which plays its role of 'rounding up the album'
quite well. A high energy close to an overall high energy
album.
OVERALL
As stated earlier, the USP of Prince is its high energy.
Regardless of the lyrics or the heard before feel of a
couple of songs, Prince works because young composer Sachin
Gupta ensures that there is an upbeat mood to each and every
song, whether it is the theme track, sad track, love song or
an item number. He never lets the tempo slow down for Prince
which goes well with the thriller mood of the film. No,
Prince is not an album which would be heard six months down
the line. However, when heard with the narrative of the
film, Prince should do well for the moment. |
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Rating: 3/5 |
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