MUSIC REVIEW: What's Your Raashee?

Thirteen songs! That's certainly the first thing to catch your attention when you pick up the What's Your Raashee CD. Knowing director Ashutosh Gowariker's record with long films, it actually shouldn't come as a surprise. Since it's his first rom-com, looks like Gowariker has gone all out to lace it with as much music as possible.

Another surprise is his choice of the composer. Despite a legendary association with AR Rahman, Gowariker has given newcomer Sohail Sen a break. And this could well be a make or break album for the young lad and his future.

The album has one song dedicated to each star sign and an extra theme track. WYR opens with the title track followed by Jaao Na. Sung by Sen himself, both songs have a soothing feel to them. It's certainly a break to the kind of sound that's become a trademark for Gowariker and Rahman. Both are relaxing on the ears, just right for a lazy long drive. After all even the car stereo needs a break from Dhan Te Nan.

Aaja Lehrate is a peppy college number by Shaan. Nothing extraordinary, but foot tapping nevertheless. It's got just the kind of beats Harman needs to showcase his dancing skills. Bikhri Bikhri is a slow but melodious composition. It's the kind of song Hariharan would have sung in his prime days. Manunga Manunga is the first unappealing track of the lot. Even though Gowariker tries his hand at singing, the tune is just too drab.

Sau Janam is the most interesting track of the lot. It might sound as a run-of-the-mill job at first. But the song comes at a point in the film when Gowariker is spoofing Bollywood's formulae love stories. Heard in context, Udit Narayan and Madhushree (who sounds a lot like Alka Yagnik) bring back memories of an entire decade of music. Remember Nadeem-Shravan?

After the director, it's his sister's chance to try her hand at playback. Aa Le Chal has a catchy tune and Ashlesha Gowariker's voice is the kind that'll suit Priyanka Chopra. The song is what our leading ladies' danced to before item songs surfaced. Pyaari Pyaari deserves a repeat listen just for Alka Yagnik. It's a pity we hear so little of this voice that dominated more than a decade of Bollywood music. Yes! Tastes have changed, but Alka shows that no one can beat her in romantic duets.

The slow mode is broken by Su Che Su Che. If the picturisation works, this song could be a big hit. This one's fun. Salone Kya is the stereotypical seduction number. Again it's the catchy tune that works above the clichés.