Film: Luck By Chance (2009)
Music Director: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
Length: 34:31
Label: Big Music
After an immensely successful album in 2001's trend-shifting Dil Chahta Hai, S-E-L had reunited with Farhan Akhtar to produce India's critically-acclaimed Rock On in 2008. While that album appealed only to one section of the Bollywood audience in terms of musical genre, 2009's Luck By Chance provides a more diverse collection and laid-back ambience. Its soundtrack is musically complex. The album blends East and West, old and new - all to provide quality music. And in a film which itself is dedicated to demystifying the "smoke-filled room" of the modern Indian film indsutry, not to have first-rate music would have been blasphemous. Fortunately for the audience - and Farhan Akhtar - SEL deliver to provide the best soundtrack yet of 2009.
The album contains six tracks with one remix:
1. "Yeh Zindagi Bhi"
"Yeh zindagi bhi kya kya humko dikhlati hai...?"
"What does this life show us....?"
The song begins on a reflective note complemented only by a lone beat in the background. But it quickly picks up pace. The track is soothing and effectively uses piano instrumentation to produce a track that is subtle, yet charming upon first listen. The track might seem "empty" to those used to more pedestrian Bollywood tracks, but "Yeh Zindagi Bhi" is simple and allows the mind to ponder its lyrics - it is absolutely devoid of "noise". Javed Akhtar's words are extremely colloquial and simple, yet profound. The chorus is mesermising with its uplifting "Chhune hai..." and a last mention goes to the interludes (for example at 1:23).
Overall, this track is as transendental minimalist as Bollywood can get.
(5/5)
2. "Baawre"
If "Yeh Zindagi Bhi" was minimalistic, this second track "Baawre" is a gaudy, colorful, overacted funfest. This song is extremely deceiving. The first 45 seconds of the track is in traditional, classical ghazal style. At this point, the listener is expecting a track similar to Rahman's Bhor Bhaye from Delhi-6. But then the beat picks up and the song really begins. The theme is largely Rajasthani, so one can expect colors and grandeur with the song on-screen. Also, SEL inovatively included a Latin-styled interlude (2:55) complemented by Hindustani vocals which, surprisingly, works. The interlude is then followed by a Panjabi theme which closes off the song.
"Baawre" is likely to be a visual spectacle on-screen, but is still rather ordinary.
(3.5/5)
3. "Pyaar Ki Daastaan"
"Jab hawaein sunati hain tere mere pyaar ki daastaan/Sunti hai yeh fiza/Sunti hai yeh zameen/Sunta hai aasmaan"
"When the winds announce our love story/The two of us listen/This earth listens/This sky listens"
And we definitely listen as well! With the album's third track we return to another simple melody picking up where "Yeh Zindagi Bhi" had left off. "Pyaar Ki Daastaan" also heavily features piano instrumentation; the piano is most bold when the lyrics "...pyaar ki daastaan..." are sung - the piano accentuates each word perfectly. Once again, Akhtar's lyrics are extremely accessible and effective. Mahalakshmi Iyer's female part of the duet is rich and satisfying. This track is clearly romantic in an escapist sense. The songs grand orchestration contributes to a feeling of fresh wind and clean mountain air.
"Pyaar Ki Daastaan" is a refreshing track which takes the best of Indian escapist film and the best from Farhan Akhtar's arthouse sensibilities. In the end, the credit goes to SEL for making it all happen in this track.
(5/5)
4. "Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya"
"Jaane yeh sab kya hai/Jo bhi hai naya sa hai/Hairat mein dil kho gaya/Yeh aaj kya ho gaya"
"Who knows what this all is/Whatever is new/In the confusion, my heart was lost/What's happening today?"
"Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya" is the necessary rock-themed song. The song itself doesn't seem very innovative or new, but nonetheless is extremely enjoyable. After hits like Bachna Ae Haseeno's "Lucky Boy," listening to Sunidhi Chauhan singing a melodious, innocent song was pleasing. However, this track reminded me of the Hindi release of the High School Musical soundtrack which also features Sunidhi and compositions by SEL. Javed Akhtar's lyrics are fun, and once again colloquial, yet satisfying.
Listeners will definitely enjoy this track, especially its energy and youthful vibe. But with "Yeh Zindagi Bhi" and "Pyaar Ki Daastaan" setting such high standards, "Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya" slightly disappoints.
(4/5)
5. "Sapnon Se Bhare Naina"
"Sapnon se bhare naina/to neend hai na chaina"
"Eyes full of dreams/That sleep is not peaceful"
Another one of Shankar Mahadevan's inspirational songs set on the film's leading man, "Sapnon Se Bhare Naina" is a fast, plusating song. An eeriness and darkness is present in the song, perhaps paralleling the nature of Mumbai and the film industry itself. This track does not stand out for any reason, although Mahadevan's Hindustani classical interlude (3:00) is appreciated and enriching. One point to note is that the literary value of the album jumps with this track, and Javed Akhtar is to be thanked for that.
(3.5/5)
6. "O Rahi Re"
"Kisi ko nahin hai pata/Rahi re O rahi re/Kahan ja raha hai bataa"
"No one knows/O companion/Tell me where you are going"
Upon hearing this track, it immediately reminded me of another SEL track from the 2006 film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna - "Mitwa." Both tracks have a similar theme of companionship. "O Rahi Re" stands out with its acoustic guitar instrumentalization. Shankar Mahadevan is also very appealing in this track, especially with the line "Bol tera kaunsa rastaa" to which he adds some Hindustani flavor. In terms of lyrics, Javed Akhtar chooses mostly from Urdu which gives the track an ambience of acoustic Sufi rock.
This last original track of the album is very enjoyable and complex. Although one might need a few listens to appreciate the song, "O Rahi Re" makes up for a somewhat dull "Sapnon Se Bhare Naina."
(4/5)
CONCLUSION:
"Luck By Chance" is a marvelous album targeting today's youth. Furthermore, it complements a film of international standards and appeal. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy had established themselves in the industry years ago, but at this moment - their presence is second only to AR Rahman. But with a few more consistently stunning, diverse, experimental albums, SEL have a great chance of becoming India's premier musical geniuses.
(4.25/5)
