A Rocking start to 2009...musically speaking

It's incredible how I was equally thrilled and ecstatic after listening to two compositions which are polar opposites of each other - and we are only in January. The compositions I am talking about are - "Bhor Bhayee" from Delhi-6 and "Emosanal atyachaar" from DevD. The former a classical Hindustani composition by AR Rehman and sung with tremendous aplomb by Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal, while the latter a goofy-brass band-street-lingo song composed by Amit Trivedi.

Both the albums are winners all the way. Delhi-6 sets new standards for ARR and DevD proves that Amit is not a one film wonder (previously composed music for the much under-rated Aamir). Short reviews of the music:

Delhi-6
Masakkalli sung by Mohit Chauhan is an instant hit, the lyrics by Prasoon Joshi and Mohit's rendition give this one a distinct flair.
Genda Phool starts as a ladies sangeet type song and then a hypnotic loopy beat totally catches you off guard. Rekha Bharadwaj's voice is a mix of naughtiness and sadness. After listening to it a couple of times, it's one of those tunes that stay in your head and you wonder what's that humming in your brain when you are in the shower.
Rehana Tu is a classic Rehman piece which he saves for his unusual vocal chords. This one is a masterpiece.
Tumhare Bhavan mein and Arziyaan : Now here's one composer who has me humming bhajans and islamic devotional songs. Tumhare bhavan mein is rendered by three singers in PERFECT harmony (remember Ishwar Allah from Earth?) and Arziyaan is yet another triumph in a long repertoire of Islamic devotional songs composed by ARR. Do not listen to it in your car while driving alone on a dark highway - the trance this composition induces will make you loose your way - first hand experience.
Bhor Bhayee: The recording has a feel of a girl practicing the song with a tape recorder playing the original in the background. Shreya Ghoshal take a bow.
DevD
This Amit Trivedi shot to spotlight with Aamir and was very impressive with his rustic earthy and very INDIAN compositions: "Chakkar Ghumiyo", "Haa Reham", "Haara" and "Ek lau". With DevD he has outdone himself, it's a crazy loopy album dripping with unabashed North Indian-ness. The album has eighteen tracks - yes EIGHTEEN. It remains to be seen how they are used in the movie, which by the way I am eagerly waiting for.
Emotional Atyachaar - This one gets under your skin, the brass band version is, how do I say it - cheap and boisterous!! The lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya are decadent, modern and yet make all the sense, sample these lines:
"Bol Bol why did you ditch me,
Zindagi bhi lele yaar kill me,
Bol Bol why did you ditch me whore."
Now imagine Devdas singing them for Paro. BRILLIANT, innit?
The rock version of this song is a viral mix of frustration and angst.
Payaliya : Haunting and lyrical, the "by god" loop is endearing and notice the use of Shehnai. I am sold.
Dhol Yaara Dhol: This one has a hangover of 'Mitwa' from Lagaan for the first few seconds, but then emerges to create its own world.
Ek Hulchul Si and Saali Khushi : A heavy guitar, drums number with throaty singing
Duniya: Is in the Chakkar Ghumiyo mould, about the mysteries of this crazy world we inhabit.

I am still swaying to Emotional Atyachaar, will get to the rest of the tracks soon. Looking forward to more from Amit Trivedi.