MUSIC REVIEW: Acid Factory

Sanjay Gupta's terrific music sense hasn't got its due in Bollywood. The man is right up there with the Bhatts and Chopras when it comes to consistency. Right from Kaante all of his films have had some very stylised but extremely innovative songs. But his real strength lies in getting his composers to marry melody with technique. Which is why even cabbies love Ishq Samundar and Ganpat. Gupta loves his trance and electronica. And those trademark Gupta influences are evident in Acid Factory also.

Acid Factory opens with a bang. Yeh Jism is a dark and disturbing number composed with the mad energy of a club song. The singers Anchal Dutta and Raaj do a great job by varying their voices with the changing moods of the song. Shamir Tandon's skillful play with instruments creates a haunting effect that stays long with the listener. Full marks for Yeh Jism. Nikhil Chinappa's remix does full justice to the potential of this song. This is one that can test the best of sound systems.

Next up is Mansi Scott's Khatti Meethi. Composed by Mansi herself, this is a Britney Spears-Beyonce inspired pop diva routine. But despite those influences Khatti Meethi has a nice tune. This one has fusion of English and Hindi lyrics that go well with the song.

The original disco king Bappi Lahiri's son Bappa Lahiri gets a chance to spin some music in Kone Kone. Vasundhra Das makes a playback appearance after a long time in this number. Das's slightly husky voice takes Kone Kone to new heights. Though not instantly catchy, this one grows slowly. The haunting tune comes into its own in the remix. Guest artistes K&G gets the Kone Kone Lounge Mix spot on.

Shamir Tandon is back with Raftaar. He once again ropes in the Yeh Jism singers. This time, it's less tune and more sound. There's a lot of wizardry happening in the background music of this one. But somehow it fails to create any impact.

And now the big surprise. Chor Chor, Jab Andhera Hota Hai - a classic Rajesh Khanna number from Raja Rani is remixed into a zingy, jet-age version. A brilliant adaptation by Gourov Dasgupta, who did something similar for Aa Dekhen Zara – Jab Andhera is an example of why remix or no remix - classics will remain classics. While the tune doesn't need any introduction to music buffs, Jab Andhera is a respectful tribute to the original.

True to its name, Acid Factory's music is edgy, stylishly arranged and extremely high on beats. It's also got some refreshingly new voices. The album's eventual success will depend a lot on how the movie fares.

Verdict: Like most of Gupta's soundtracks, the songs of Acid Factory should be played in clubs long after the movie's theatrical run.

Rating: 4/5