High on Dev D: Not a Music Review

High on Dev D: Not a Music Review

Yeah its not a music review. Cause I am not a music critic. I am just a music fanatic. I know that its not the best time to be writing this post as I have a StratMan mid-term exam tomorrow. But then its not the first time I am doing injustice with StratMan. I did it even when it was my presentation next day. What I did ? Well I need to think how to put it here.

Anyways so I was talking of Dev D. If you need a review read this. So ya the first thing people think of when the name Dev D strikes their mind is

Emosional Attyachar, the brass band version to be specific. Nice song. Atleast nice for a change even for those who didnt really like it much. But this is just a start as far as Dev D album is concerned. The journey goes a lot far from this.

Duniya, Ek Hulchul Si and Rock version of Emosional Attyachaar are what you must be looking for if the Brass band song didn't satisfy you. A nice transition to rock they are. But this is not what I came to talk about. For me the best part of the album are the songs which transport me to a different world. They are too engaging to leave you thoughtful or thoughtless. I am talking of

Nayan Tarse, Pardesi, Saali Khushi and Aankh Micholi. These songs have layers. The singing which definitely is awesome makes the songs a nice change for those who are just trying these songs. Lyrics of course is good for those who are looking for some of that. And then comes the music, which in itself has multiple layers to it. The voices from the background, the repeating music fragments, the varying pace which makes the songs a roller coaster ride, the extraordinarily engaging composition which strikes no memories, no nostalgia, it just leaves you transported to a different world. Its psychedelic. Not convinced? Start with Nayan Tarse, plug in your earphones and you would know what I am talking of.

Payaliya, Yeh Meri Zindagi and Dil Mein Jaagi start on a sweet note and you think you finally have some ballads for you. But wait. They are deceptively composed to unsettle and again engage you. Payaliya has some awesome saawariya of swades style singing and elements of the Nayan Tarse mood awesomely interwoven together.

The Dev Chanda Themes are nice small compositions again not really intended at evoking emotions.

If you are looking for some folk stuff, listen to Dhol Yaara Dhol and Ranjhana. These songs are way different from any other song in the whole album. Ranjhana is aimed straight at that emotional corner of yours. Dhol yaara dhol is a nice composition although not so unfamiliar yet a welcoming song in the album.

And you have some punjabi stuff too, Hikkanaal and Mahi Mennu. The sad version of Mahi Mennu is again a nice attempt to target the emotions. Interestingly the only two such songs, Ranjhana and this one are very short, looks like a a deliberate attempt.

Man this album really is one hell of a package.

Go get high on Dev D.