Music Review
Karzzzz

 

There was a time when Himesh Reshammiya dominated music channels 24X7. From mid-2005 till mid-2007 it was clearly an out an out Himesh Reshammiya wave with his albums sweeping the entire nation off its feet. Aashiq Banaya Aapne started it all and there was no looking back as Himesh & Bhushan Kumar combo went on to deliver more than 30 back-to-back chartbuster tracks. Aap Kaa Surroor, Aksar, Tom Dick & Harry, Ahista Ahista - the list was endless as the composer turned into a singer and also donned the hat of an actor.

This was when he reached the pinnacle of success with his debut film as a leading hero, Aap Kaa Surroor - The Moviee, being lapped up by the masses. Now, after more than a year, he returns with Karzzzz, a much awaited project which is backed by Bhushan Kumar of T-Series and promises to be yet another grand musical extravaganza as Himesh plays the triple role of a hero, composer, and singer.

First things first - after listening to the album one can safely say that Himesh Reshammiya has a chartbuster score in hand. Far ahead of the music that he composed for the film Aap Kaa Surroor - The Moviee and at par with his non-film album Aap Kaa Surroorwhich created a worldwide frenzy two years back with each of it's songs turning out to be chartbuster, Karzzzz is all set to end the drought that the music stands are currently facing due to lack of any credible album arriving. 

 Karzzzz has quite a bountiful to offer for those who want their music albums to be fully loaded. No wonder, apart from 8 original tracks and one rearranged version of the title song, there are as many as 10 remix tracks, hence making Karzzzz a bouquet of as many as 19 tracks. Also, when it is an album by Himesh Reshammiya, it is bound to have his stamp from start to finish. This is pretty much apparent as his name is present in credit details for each and every song.

First to come is 'Lut Jaaon Lut Jaaon' which could well be termed as a title song due to the word 'Karz' being heard at regular intervals. A number which comes across as a brilliant lounge track courtesy the supporting vocals of Harshdeep who creates a haunting effect in the background, 'Lut Jaaon Lut Jaaon' is a highly catchy number that one can't stop humming after just one listening. The song which carries a deeper meaning due to the essence of revenge being imbibed in the lyrics, it is bound to be the highlight of the film. The 'remix version' that follows is such that it would be surprising if a music video isn't created around it. The arrangements are different from what one witnesses in routine remix versions and this one takes you instantly into a club from an original lounge setting.

Seemingly based on the same setting as 'Om Shanti Om' from the original Karz, 'Hari Om Hari Om' is the next song to arrive. For those who loved their dose of 'Zara Jhoom Jhoom' [Tom Dick and Harry], 'Jhalak Dikhlaja' [Aksar], 'Junoon Junoon' [Rocky] and 'No Way No Way' [Anthony Kaun Hai], 'Hari Om Hari Om' is yet another dish on the plate. A dance number which has been rendered with a punch with Himesh Reshammiya, it has enough current day ingredients embellished in those 5 minutes.

In fact this is the only number which find two remix versions for itself - an 'Indian Mix' and an 'Electro Mix'. While the former may find its way into festival pandals due to religious sentiments that the arrangements manage to bring with them, the latter indeed carries an electrifying mood to it which is bound to work on the dance floors with blazing lights and the works helping its cause.

Now comes the kind of sound which Pritam has almost patented in his music, courtesy songs from films like Race, Jannatand Kismat Konnection. Words like 'Tandoori Nights' may not really make one enthused about what would follow next but Himesh actually does the impossible by creating an entire composition around these words which makes 'Tandoori Nights' the most catchy of all so far. Add to it Sunidhi Chauhan's voice which suits Urmila Matondkar to the 'T' and you know that this one is going to reach the top of the charts. A dance number, 'Tandoori Nights' has an interesting 'remix version' as well which succeeds in it's purpose of making you search for those dancing shoes all over again.

Just when one thought that Karzzzz is primarily made of dance numbers (not that one minds that) comes a pleasant surprise in the form of 'Soniye Je Tere' where Himesh Reshammiya goes back to his Indian classical route. However, he keeps the sensibilities of the urban youth also in mind and amalgamates the modern-day sound with a line or two in English as well, hence making 'Soniye Je Tere' yet another chartbuster track in the offering. As a singer too, Himesh excels particularly in this number which requires him to go into high pitch. He doesn't disappoint at all, nor does Tulsi Kumar who has a few lines to add as well, in this love song that comes in an even better 'remix version'.

The best song of the album comes soon after in the form of 'Dhoom Tere Ishq Ki' which reminds one of the terrific compositions that Himesh had created for Ahista Ahista two years back. Pure Indian in its feel and arrangements with no interference whatsoever from any Western instrument, 'Dhoom Tere Ishq Ki' is a love song that one can play on in a repeat mode. Sameer's lyrics deserve a special mention here as the lyricist keeps the writing simple and yet so engaging. A smooth flowing number which lasts close to 6 minutes, one wonders if there was really a need for its 'remix version'. However, after hearing this version, one doesn't quite find it bad though the original still remains to be the first choice.

For Himesh's fans and followers, there is a vintage track in the offering with the arrival of 'Sisak Sisak Ke'. A foot tapping song about being prepared for some tough moments to follow when in love, 'Sisak Sisak Ke' is yet another solo track by Himesh Reshammiya that has English rap-n-reggae interspersed in the proceedings. Though this one too goes well with the mood of the album, it isn't quite a number which one may classify as being exclusive to Karzzzz (as most of the numbers before this have been) and could have fit into any other Himesh Reshammiya composed album. Ditto for the 'remix version'.

However, 'Tere Bin Chain Na Aave' which follows is in the league similar to that of 'Dhoom Tere Ishq Ki' as it maintain it's Indian quotient and comes across as yet another unadulterated number. With a 'ghazal' feel to it, this one has Tulsi Kumar getting yet another number to her credit. Belonging entirely to Himesh Reshammiya, 'Tere Bin' quenches the thirst of those looking for some pure Indian melodies. Yet another track that one may have wanted to be rather untouched, 'Tere Bin' too finds a 'remix version' attached to it. However, thankfully it is interestingly done due to which one don't mind its presence eventually.

After those three dance numbers at the beginning, Himesh takes a romantic route for the rest of album, something that is visible yet again with the arrival of 'Masha Allah'. However, unlike the namesake track which one heard in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya last year, this one is more vociferous in appeal with Himesh changing pitch from low to high at regular intervals quite amazingly. Seemingly set in the setting of 'Dard E Dil', mainly due to the words 'Kuch Lamhon Ke Baad Juda Honge Hum' (remember 'Aur Thodi Der Mein Bas, Hum Juda Ho Jaayenge'?) being heard in the early part of the song, 'Masha Allah' continues to add on to the ever increasing list of chartbuster numbers in Karzzzz. This is one number that one doesn't quite mind hearing in its 'remix version' as it only re-emphasizes the passionate mood of the album.

It is nothing less than a test of sorts for Himesh Reshammiya to get into the big shoes of Kishore Kumar for singing one of the most popular tracks ever that has been churned out in Bollywood. Recreating 'Ek Haseena Thi', Himesh is careful while both singing as well as composing as he keeps it all under control without going over the top. While the lyrics are kept as it is, the number is slightly re-arranged without compromising on the intensity of the original. Shreya Ghosal is his singing partner in this duet which is bound to result in goose-bumps all over again when heard in theaters. The 'remix version' is further zanier as it enhances on the tempo and goes all out in making sure that it creates a euphoric feel when it blazes on in state of art music systems. Now all director Satish Kauhsik has to do is enhance on the dramatic quotient of the original and give audience a grand finale which lingers in the memory for time to come.

Karzzzz is bound to arrive like a hurricane and make sure that it creates ripples at the top of the charts. Bringing together a mix of massy and classy tracks, hence targeting an audience which comprises of hardcore Himesh Reshammiya fans and even those who loved the kind of music he had to offer for his much ignored soundtrack in 'Ahista Ahista' (it is undoubtedly one of his best scores ever), Karzzzz is set to be much talked about album this season. Aided by some superb promotion and marketing by its makers and the music company (the promos are blazing all over 24X7) and Karzzzz can be rest assured about the fact that it reaches out to one and all.