8×10 Tasveer Music Review

BT Rating: (3/5)

Audio Review by Divya Nadkarni

Nagesh Kukunoor and Salim-Suleman have much in common apart from the fact that they have worked together ever since the musical duo’s nascent days in Bollywood: they both have a knack for capturing the essence of their work and bringing a unique flavour to it. Besides, they have always worked wonders as a team.

With 8×10 Tasveer they have put together an assortment of songs, mingling different genres and styles, giving the album an entirely novel feel to it. The songs varying from rap and soft rock to soul ensure that the album doesn’t sound pedestrian and repetitive. Although it does have its share of flaws, most of which are summed up in the usual, now-customary bunch of remixes.

Aaja Mahi is a Neeraj Shridhar composition and is beautifully sung by him. It starts off like a Boyzone song and is mellow and warm throughout. Tulsi Kumar succeeds in sounding much like Shreya Ghosal, but adds the much sought flavour to the song

I got the picture: This song by Punjabi rapper Bohemia is very reminiscent of the popular Lil Wayne song, ‘Lollipop’; with similar beats and similar vibes. This track is bound to have its share of rap-starved, Bollywood music-lovers as followers. The rap is well executed and it works.

The Bhangra-beats in its remix simply don’t click. It might work with Nelly Furtardo, but this genre needs some time to set in before Bhangra remixes will be enjoyed.

Hafiz Khuda is wistful, tender and just nice. Mohit Chauhan’s soulful rendition makes a wave of poignancy sweep over the listener. The song has potential, but somehow the lyrics lack the power and the expressiveness that the strain of the song demands.

Kuch is Tarah makes one feel a sense of déjà vu: It is the same as Hafiz Khuda but with different lyrics, but is as humdrum as Hafiz Khuda is nice. The lyrics and the vocals fit well into the frame of the melody, but the melody itself is one that claws at the back of your mind and buzzes in your ear like a persistent mosquito.

Nazaara Hai: Bollywood seems to have taken well to the ‘Rock On’ craze that swept the country off its feet. Here’s another song that follows in its footsteps and works just as well. Nazara Hai’s jagged lyrics infused with a couple of twisting guitar solos and an able set of beats are what lend it, and the album a cutting edge.