Slumdog Millionaire boasts of one standout track from A R Rahman, Jai Ho while most of the other tracks are simply background scores that would have to be enjoyed with the film.
This film by Danny Boyle is already making waves internationally and is all set to be a frontrunner at the Oscars this year. Another reason for some of the hype it is garnering is on account of A R Rahman's music who incidentally has had a prolific year with four releases already this year. Not all of the 13 (yes there are that many!) tracks are great but in the framework of the film, they promise to pack a punch. Slumdog Millionaire's standout song is undoubtedly Jai Ho, a rousing melody, in Sukhwinder Singh's striking voice. The opening background music (BGM) with its middle-eastern strings instantly leads you to believe that you're in for something special. The track's high-pitched tone (and Singh scales these 'highs with silken smooth ease) against a profusion of beats makes this an instant chartbuster. Every time the opening line, 'Jai Ho' is sung, it leaves a stirring impact and one can only imagine what an important moment this could be for the film. The next striking song here is Ringa Ringa, where Rahman does his own version of the raunchy Choli Ke Peeche to a heady effect. One senses the music composer's attempt to weave in a certain 'Mumbaiya' feel to the album to go with the theme of the film. Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun get together again to serve a suitably generic and massy number. These are really the only two major songs, if you leave out an English number called Dreams On Fire - soothing but very standard stuff. Keeping with the international nature of the film, the album brims with several interesting situational music pieces. While Latika's Theme is a soft, humming piece from Suzanne D. Mello, Millionaire is a faced-paced track with an on-the-run feel. O Saya has A R Rahman's voice interspersed with the rapacious sounds of a running train. He goes into vigorous, fusion music with Liquid Dance and Mausam And Escape. The latter one — with its santoor and sitar strings — has a distinct classical flavour and one expects this to be very effective along with the film. There's also Don's scintillating Aaj Ki Raat included without any changes. International track Paper Planes doesn't click. But the opening of its remix version is stunner. The rest is just about passable. In any case, as we said, not all these tracks are exceptional enough to be stand alone ones. Riots and Gangsta Blues you wouldn't be revisiting much, unless they make an impression in the film. To sum up, there is one great track — Jai Ho. As for the rest — enjoy it with the film. http://www.sakaaltimes.com/2008/12/06142310/Rousing-rhythm.html -- regards, Vithur
