Music review analysis of Himesh Reshammiya's album Aitraaz (2004).
Aankhen Bandh Karke
The song commences with lovely violin piece followed by Alka's melodious vocals.
The build up from 0.48 onwards by the string instrument and cute flute piece is great.
The beat effect at 1.21, 1.42, 2.22 is awesome.
The 2 keyboard tune sur (down up) at 1.35, and from 1.39 to 1.51 is great.
The tune sur from 1.55 to 1.56, 2.01 to 2.07 is mesmerizing.
Between mukhda and 1st stanza, the string tune along with cute flute followed by subtle killer female croons. From 2.34 to 2.45, the cute tune is just so mesmerizing!
1st stanza
The beat effect at 2.54
The faint continuous tune sur in the background.
Udit's lines PEE (twist) at 3.07, PEEEE (prolonged twist) from 3.10 to 3.11, NAAAAAAAAZ (prolonged) from 3.13 to 3.15, CHAAHATON (soothing feel) at 3.20
The descending tune sur from 3.23 to 3.25 give great overall effect.
Between 1st and 2nd stanza, more lovely violin and string tune play.
2nd stanza
Alka's vocals in unplugged mode are melodious with emphasis ZINDAGI, MERA, HAR
The beat effect at 4.28
The faint continuous tune sur in the background.
Udit's lines TUU (twist) at 4.40, TUUUU (prolonged twist) from 4.43 to 4.44, PARWAAAAAAAZ (prolonged melodious effect) from 4.47 to 4.49
The descending tune sur from 4.57 to 4.58 give great overall effect.
The tune sur from 5.23 to 5.24
From 5.40, lovely piano piece plays followed by violin piece and soothing female chorus.
Highlights of this song:
1. Udit's subtle feel vocals and Alka's melodious vocals.
2. The underlying beats, string tune, cute flute, violin piece, female croons and soothing female chorus at the end.
3. The tune sur from 5.23 to 5.24, cute mesmerizing tune from 2.34 to 2.45, the beat effect and the descending tune sur from 3.23 to 3.25, 4.57 to 4.58
Tala Tum
The song starts with a catcy string tune
Jayesh croons his usual style, note the words tufan AAYEEEEE(normal up down normal)EEEEEAA at 0.30, the underlying drum beat is also good
From 0.35 to 0.37, the keyboard plays 5 times from left to right (semi-flick)
From 0.44, a flute plays to good effect
From 1.09 to 1.10, tune is great
From 1.12 until 1.20, the tune sur is awesome
At 1.23, 1.25 and 1.27, the keyboard tune gives terrific sur
From 1.28 to 1.35, this is core melody of mukhda
From 1.36 to 1.41, the violin piece is great
Alka takes over, tala tum TALA (melody), keyboard tune, tum
The keyboard tune at, 1.46, 1.48, 1.50, 1.52, 1.54, 2.11, 2.13, 2.15
From 1.55, it is sheer melody, IS...DIL...AAJ, utter melody, utarengeEEEEEE(good twist)
From 2.26, the shehnayi is used in a wicked way and it is very penetrating
From 2.35, the bazz trumpet also joins in followed by water drops sound
1st stanza
At 2.56 behind the line lagne lage, a STUNNING TUNE giving SUR plays
From 2.57 to 3.06, note the tune sur and drums beats skip
From 3.06 to 3.13, is repeat of just sheer melody
From 3.21 to 3.35, note the additional faint voice crooning in low octave, tala tum tala tum, along with bazz trumpet is great
2nd stanza
SACHA DIL, KASHTI (emphasis)
From 4.15 to 4.24, great tune sur and drum beats skip
From 4.39 to 4.52, the faint female alto vocals along with tune keys
An arabic tune plays from 5.02, followed by bazz trumpet
From 5.16 to 5.21, the TUNE SUR is just HISTORY and one of highlights of this song
Tune sur at 5.33 is great, rest of her part is very melodious, DIL(5.46), AA(5.48), HISTORY
From 5.53, the instrument plays in a rising tone (great)
From 5.58, both male and female chorus join in and make an immediate impact, note the 4 keys at 6.04, and one key at 6.11, tremendous timing
Dil ki kashti sanam, aaj utarenge, very powerful by both chorus
From 6.35, jayesh gandhi is in full form belting out what he does best, along with tune sur and female chorus. The overall effect is mesmerizing.
Highlights of this song:
1. Jayesh's croons.
2. The tune sur/instruments used through out the song especially the keyboard tune behind the mukhda lines (one key - different notes) and the tune sur from 5.16 to 5.21...also the tune sur at 2.56 and tune sur from 1.12 to 1.20
3. Alka yagniks melodious vocals especially on lines DIL and AAJ/AA
This song boasts of rich melody and music arrangement (instruments).
Woh Tasavur
Alka begins this song with some haunting melody in unplugged mode with emphasis on lines WOOH at 0.12, BADA HEEE from 0.22 to 0.24
The composition pattern of PYAR * 7 is very well structured.
The new-age flute kicks in from 0.37 onwards creates a groovy effect, followed by the low keyboard notes from 0.42 onwards and the underlying unplugged beat from 0.47 onwards.
The key effect is the abruptness with how these instruments merge with each other to ultimately make a sync from 0.48 to 0.50, which is just awesome build up effect.
The theme piece string instrument kicks in from 0.51 followed by the underlying beats by which time the song is rwaking. The violin piece that follows conveys feel.
The string tune sur at 1.38, 1.41, 1.44, 1.46 have great effect.
The fast paced table beats create sahi desired effect from 1.50 to 1.56, 2.14 to 2.19
The rising tune sur behind Alka's lines from 2.02 to 2.10
Alka's lines BADA HI from 2.11 to 2.12 have striking melody.
The soothing female chorus from 2.44 to 2.53 is great.
The repetitive key hits from 2.55 to 2.59
The song gets into serious business with mesmerizing melodious effect when the naughty female vocals croon HAAI HAAI behind Udit's vocals from 3.00 to 3.08.
The rising tune sur behind Alka's lines from 3.23 to 3.32
Between 2nd and 3rd stanza, an intense violin piece plays
The song gets into serious business with mesmerizing melodious effect when the naughty female vocals croon HAAI HAAI behind Udit's vocals from 4.13 to 4.22
The keyboard flick behind Udit's and Alka's vocals from 4.38 to 4.45
The PYAR PYAR lines have good effect in the end along with repetitive keys.
The string pattern from 5.19 to 5.21
Highlights of this song:
1. The composition structure of mukhda lines PYAR * 7
2. Alka's melodious vocals, the female chorus HAAI HAAI behind Udit's vocals.
3. The song build up from 0.37 to 1.01
4. The string tune sur, the rising tune sur and repetitive key flicks.
Nazar Aa Raha Hai
This is a "serene" love ballad. This effect is mainly created by laid back underlying instruments (oriental), haunt effect, soothing female croons and jayesh's feel good croons.
The piano piece in beginning is great followed by groovy effect, church-like bells, string instrument and soothing female croons.
The violin piece in between Alka's vocals followed by the continuous keyboard tune sur.
The bazz sound effect at 1.16, 4.36 is great choice in such a soft number.
Udit sings with soothing feel.
Udit's line, KEE - EEAAEE (twist) from 1.25 to 1.27 is similar to Himesh's line MILNA - AAAA (twist) from 0.23 to 0.25 in TERA MERA MILNA from AKS - THE MOVIEE.
The soothing seductive feel female croons YEEEA behind udit's vocals followed by continuous tune sur.
The rising piano flick from 1.41 to 1.43, 2.55 to 2.56
Between mukhda and 1st stanza, a passionate violin piece plays followed by great piano pattern
1st stanza
The matka beat effect between 2.10 and 2.11
Emphasis on Alka's lines MERE (striking) at 2.12 and 2.26, SANAMMMMMM (prolonged pinch) from 2.18 to 2.20, 2.32, YEH NAHI MERA from 2.51 to 2.53
The subtle feel good laidback Jayesh Gandhi croons.
The haunt effect behind Alka's lines from 2.36 to 2.45
Alka's lines YEH WAFA (prolonged rising) SACH (amazing feel) HAI from 2.48 to 2.50
Between 1st and 2nd stanza, an oriental flute piece plays along with 'mind blowing' Jayesh's desperation croons WOOOH (from 3.13 to 3.17) followed by likeable keyboard pattern.
2nd stanza
The matka beat effect between 3.51
Emphasis on Udit's lines NAA (gradual lowering)AAAAAA(prolonged middle octave effect)AAA(twist) from 3.54 to 3.57, MEE(gradual lowering)EEEEEEE(prolonged middle octave effect)AAA(twist) from 4.07 to 4.10
The subtle feel good laidback Jayesh Gandhi croons behind Udit's vocals.
The haunt effect behind Udit's lines from 4.16 to 4.25 followed by continuous rising keyboard tune sur followed by rising quick piano flick until 4.37
The cute tune from 4.41 to 4.42 and repetitive key hits in the ending part.
Highlights of this song:
1. Underlying laid back beats, matka beat effect, oriental flute, cult bazz effect, passionate violin piece, continuous rising tune sur and piano flick.
2. Alka's striking melody and Udit's middle octave impact in stanzas.
3. Jayesh's feel good and desperation croons, soothing female chorus.
Gela Gela
The song opens with a wicked techno sound followed by soothing female chorus and male croons.
The beats have fulltu attitude and a laidback nature.
The flute piece is used in a cunning way from 0.27 to 0.37
The composition is simple yet catchy.
The male and female chorus from 1.03 to 1.14 only enhances the feel good nature of this song.
The underlying oriental instrument hits from 1.23 to 1.37 is awesome.
The effect from 1.25 to 1.27
The techno instrument 2 hits at 1.40, 4.02 followed by groovy cd spin rising pattern sound until 1.43, 4.05 is off-da-hook
The wicked flute is back in between mukhda and 1st stanza followed by groovy sound.
Note the off-da-hook beat pattern from 0.51 to 2.01 especially the 2 hits.
1st sound
Once again the composition is simple yet effective.
The feel good male chorus NA NA NA from 2.12 to 2.22
Once again the groovy cd spin effect from 2.23 to 2.25 is off-da-hook
Between 1st and 2nd stanza, some west-indian styled drum beats along with techno sound followed female chorus and awesome Arabian beat PATTERN.
Adnan's O SAY NA is also cult.
2nd stanza
Once again the composition is simple yet effective.
The feel good male chorus NA NA NA from 3.15 to 3.26
Sunidhi's line GAYE-EEEE (feel good twist) from 3.25 to 3.26
Once again the groovy cd spin effect from 3.26 to 3.28 is off-da-hook
The underlying bazz sound with swishing trees effect from 3.47 to 3.49 give some kick.
The male haunt feel effect behind Adnan's lines from 3.50 to 4.02
The new age oriental flute piece ends the song.
Highlights of this song:
1. Adnan's vocals with attitude especially WHOSAYNA and sunithi's feel good vocals.
2. Female chorus UUUU, LA LA LA and feel good male vocals in the stanzas.
3. The oriental hits, bazz sound with swishing trees effect laidback, male haunt effect, underlying beats and the techno instrument 2 hits followed by rising CD spin sound effect is off-da-hook.
This song is all about fulltu attitude in a laid back setting, just as the video suggests.
Rock Me Baby (Female)
This song is tailor made for Sunithi Chauhan croons with profound.
This is a rock ballad and a different attempt by HR.
The song starts with a bazz sound along with a rising effect jaise dhuan sa uthraha hai Jannat mein.
Sunidhi croong with desperation feel.
The rising sound pattern from 0.29 to 0.36 is great along with techno beat.
The underlying sharp techno beat hits it good.
The drum-roll effect at 1.01
The metal rock guitar behind sunithi's vocals gives great kick.
The emphasis in Sunithi's line R(full on)-OCK at 1.10,1.17
Between mukhda and 1st stanza, the church organ provides a subtle feel.
1st stanza
Emphasis on Sunithi's lines CHUB (classical twist) from 1.35 to 1.36, HUM (high note feel good twist) at 1.03
The groovy flute piece from 1.34 to 1.35, 1.37 to 1.38 is incredible
The drum-roll effect at 1.38
From 1.39 to 2.12, the sharp techno beat effect is awesome.
The techno sound at 1.50 and the beat pattern effect from 2.13 to 2.14 is off-da-hook
The bazz trumpet effect from 2.12 to 2.13, 2.31 to 2.32, 2.36 to 2.37 gives some sike.
Between 1st and 2nd stanza, the violin piece depicting desperation along with sharp techno beat is awesome.
2nd stanza
Emphasis on Sunithi's lines AAJA BHARLU (classical twist) from 3.13 to 3.15, LAGAAAN (terrific desperation twist) at 3.22
The groovy flute piece at 3.13 is incredible
The drum-roll effect at 3.17
From 3.19 to 4.07, the sharp techno beat effect is awesome.
The techno sound at 3.29 and the beat pattern effect from 3.52 to 3.53 is off-da-hook
The bazz trumpet effect from 3.46 to 3.47, 3.51 to 3.52, 4.11, 4.15 gives some sike.
The continuous flute piece from 4.17 onwards is awesome followed by church organ and subtle jayesh's croons along with intense violin piece.
Highlights of this song:
1. Sunithi's penetration vocals with desperation feel, jayesh's croons
2. The heavenly (or experimental lab) sound effect in start, sharp techno underlying beats, techno effect, drum-roll beats, metal rock guitar behind sunithi's vocals, church organ, intense violin piece, incredible effect of flute in start of stanzas and the bazz trumpet.
The key in this song is the combination of subtle feel 'plea' and aggressive full on seductive feel 'demand' vocals.
Yeh Dil Tumpe Aa Gaya
The song begins with full on beats that one would expect to play in a gym.
The synthetic harmonica tune pattern plays from 0.10 onwards followed by feel good Jayesh croons and naughty female croons NA NA NA, WO UO WO
An intense violin piece plays from 1.02 to 1.08 onwards.
KK sings with feel good vocals especially the line HEY YOU.
Alisha joins in and adds a bit of seductive feel good touch.
Her lines TUM (feel twist, typical unique HR melody) at 1.53, and how HR throws in a note of unique melody in an overall tune can also be illustrated in the line THA (feel twist, typical unique HR melody) at 0.20 and 0.37 in OH JAANA TENU RAB DA (KUCH MEETHA HO JAYE).
Between mukhda and 1st stanza, a lively tune pattern plays followed by naughty female croons and phone tone effect. An intense violin piece plays subsequently in an otherwise feel good song.
1st stanza
The underlying bazz sound gives a retro feel.
KK sings with passionate feel good vocals on peppy composition pattern.
Alisha's lines from 2.55 to 3.08 are feel good along with drum beat skip and feel good trumpet.
Between 1st and 2nd stanza, the nature of sound and beat effect from 3.30 to 3.39 is such that one can't help imagining the heroine shaking her booty on the beach side, a total paisa vasool for the aam junta while they enjoy their pop corn. The synthetic harmonica tune returns followed by jayesh's feel good croons.
2nd stanza
The underlying bazz sound gives a retro feel.
KK sings with passionate feel good vocals on peppy composition pattern.
Alisha's lines from 4.21 to 4.34 are feel good along with drum beat skip and feel good trumpet.
The song ends with naughty female croons along with drum beat skip effect.
Highlights of this song:
1. KK's passionately feel good vocals and Alisha's vocals with seductive touch.
2. The peppy lively energetic beats, the underlying sound that gives a retro feel, the synthetic harmonica tune, intense violin piece, drum skip effect in stanzas and quick keyboard flicks.
3. The naughtily seductive female vocals.
4. Jayesh Gandhi's usual croons.
Verdict
Aitraaz was a rare pre ABA album in terms of having remixes for mostly all songs, and all of them were rwakin. A tralier of this became a full fledge picture in da post ABA era whereby Himesh became a trend setter of introducing remixes for original versions in his albums, by forming a close association with DJ Akbar Sami.
After Tere Naam, Aaitraaz was touted to be Himesh's next big assignment due to the large grand scale n set up that comprised of Showman Subhash Ghai as a producer who was a force to reckon with at that time, ace director duo Abbas Mustan in the thriller genre, and happening big star cast with Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor n Priyanka Chopra. He churned melodies that were par with each other and that is what made Aaitraaz a complete album. Himesh had also earlier delivered super hit scores with Abbas-Mustan in Humraaz and Tarzaan - The Wonder Car, and 36 China Town in post ABA era, and this director duo somehow brings out da near best out of Himesh.
My Picks
1. Aankhen Bandh Karke, Tala Tum, Woh Tassavur & Nazar Aa Raha Hai (tie).
Nazar Aa Raha Rai
While listening to this song, the listener imagines themselves taking a casual stroll on a serene pristine seashore at sunset/dusk with tall palm trees...and upon arrival of Jayesh Gandhi's soulful passionate high pitched croons in between 2nd stanza from 3.12 to 3.28, its like an out-of-the-world experience witnessing it from the shore side...like a doorstep to heaven, whereby the stairway from above will unfold from the scenic clouds all the way down to touch the ocean waves.
2. Gela Gela & Rock Me Baby (tie).
Gela Gela
One word to describe da audio visuals of this song is CULT. The locales n dance steps are CHILLAX as if everyone is taking a chill pill n in ecstasy. It begins with wicked funky bazz sound until 0.09, Underlying beat is laid back rhythmic. Sunithi and Adnan Sami sing with feel good vocals. Catchy church bell effect from 1.30 to 1.32, Off-da-hook wicked sound effect from 1.46 to 1.48, 2.28 to 2.30 & 3.36 to 3.39 is cult. Stanzas are simple, well structured n catchy. An Arabian tune piece plays from 3.00 to 3.15, The hunch back walking forward step from 3.50 to 4.16 is cult.
3. Yeh Dil Tumpe Aa Gaya.