No touching (toucheeng). Only sing (seeng). Or Umrao Jaan, as they call it. Interesting. Not really quality stuff. Nasal too. But highly addictive. Dhol. Tabla. And not too much western background stuff. Not high quality, but interesting, I repeat.

Meri Gali Aaja ve Mahiya, the next, has strong bass in background, and is a bit of typical Himesh, but is a bit slow and if you don’t mind a slight nasal touch, or simply don’t hate Himesh’s voice, I guess you might well like it. Not bad, at least. Especially liked the last minute of the less than one minute song.

The next comes Madhushala, or Ishq Unplugged, that was earlier the title of the movie. Aditi Singh Sharma is really nice in her English rendition, while Himesh is highly nasal, beating even Saigal and at the same speed, for two lines, and then for two lines he comes to his natural self. In the second part Aditi also gets nasal, while Himesh gets all un-nasal immediately after. And while listening to all these ups and downs, I liked the song. Highly experimental, kinda addictive, and definitely worth a listen for the ups and downs it has got.

Yoon to mera dil, that comes after Madhushala is a very lovely number, as lovely as it can get in Himesh’s voice, reminding me of rafa-dafa, and almost beating it at some points. Extremely simple orchestra is one of the highs of the song. Sadhana Sargam could be better, even though she sings just a little part. Totally liked.

The next, Hum tum is what is an example of simple, but superb composition from Himesh. All I could think for the first time was how great it would be if some regular singer sang the song. But the song is nice nonetheless. In fact Himesh is again surprisingly lovely in some parts, but I still say someone else would make the song much better. By the way, Vaishali Made’s small alaaps in corners of the song are lovely.

Tere bina jiya nahi jaaye is again a simple, breezy sounding composition, though some very tiny, little, small pieces here seemed inspired from somewhere else, but they’re not even long enough to decide where from. The problem again is Himesh’s singing, especially his not-so-flawless rendition and diction, which makes almost teri bina of tere bina, and so on. Guess Himesh bhai can work on that if he plans to keep himself his singer, which looks like the case. Not bad, but not too great either. Likable.

I need my space is a save-your-ears from Himesh, in the part where he needs his space and freedom, though the not-so-rock part of the song where he talks ‘dil jo kahe wahi karna hai’ is fine. The song is not really very good, but I liked the way Himesh has started to use nasal and non-nasal voices alternately. He almost has two genuine, identifiable voices now, probably the first person to achieve this.

The next, mango, has some really mindless lyrics (like mango), but the melody is nice, and interestingly, bit strangely, the song sounds fine. Besides, Aditi gets all opera-ish in some parts, giving a good mix to the song.

Besides remixes, the one song that remains is Bhool Jaaun, co-composed and co-sung with Sachin Gupta. A typical of Sachin, the song almost reminds me of Prince, but Himesh and Sachin don’t go as high as Atif, and the particular part sounds amateurish, like dubbed at home, no idea why.

Overall, Damadamm is a nice album from Himesh, who now seems to know what is being liked and what not at least to some extent, and hence giving things in proportion. There is no Tandoori nights in the album, and the only thing that still appalls now, to those not fans at least, is that Himesh still uses his voice a bit too much, but then it’s probably genuine when he’s playing the hero. Besides that point, the album is nice and worth a listening.

What beats everything though, is Pritam’s I love you, sung by Ash King with Clinton Cerejo. Ash is not the best when it comes to diction and things like ‘main’ becoming almost ‘mein’ are common, but still his version sounds better than Shaan’s Unplugged. Typical of Pritam but lovely.

The next, Rahat and Shreya’s Teri meri meri teri prem kahani is a song with a complex, but lovely melody. The Himesh Reshammiya composition might take some time to grow on one, but sounds lovely nonetheless. In that context it reminds me of Anjaana Anjaani title track (by Vishal n Shilpa) though there is hardly any similarilty between the two. The unplugged version of the song is a little more interesting, though it doesn’t really seem necessary with the actual song quite easy on ears already. Nice sung by Rahat.

Overall, Bodyguard is not as good as I had expected, especially from Himesh. Though Pritam tries to make things better. And does that.

Buy Bodyguard Audio CD Here.

The song, a simple, sweet composition of Himesh Reshammiya, has its original version sung by Sonu Nigam along with Alka and Suzanne D’Mello while the unplugged version is sung by Vineet. And while Sonu sings the song amazingly like ever, Vineet looks no less and then he gets some more plus points for the calmness and purity of the song. Awesome singing by the guy. Must Listen.

And yes, if you think Himesh Reshammiya is only noise, think again. (No comments on his voice, anyway )

Here are the lyrics of the song.

Tum chain ho, karaar ho, mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho
Tum chain ho, karaar ho, mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho
Barson kiya jiska maine, tum wahi intezaar ho
Tum chain ho, karaar ho, mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho

Mujhse sanam tum itni mohabbat karo,
ke saara zamana jal jaaye
Armaan bade is dil mein thehre huye
Yeh dil tumhe kaise samjhaaye
Mera khwaab ho, meri yaad ho tum mera aitbaar ho
Tum chain ho, karaar ho, mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho

Har faasla mere dard ko karta bayaan
Tum in dhadkano mein ho har ghadi
Kehne lagi khamoshiyan aye jaanejaan
Hai mujhko umeedein tumse badi
Mehka gayi jo meri zindagi
Tum yaara wahi bahaar ho

Tum chain ho, karaar ho, mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho
Tum chain ho, karaar ho, mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho
Mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho
Mera ishq ho, mera pyaar ho

The first track of the album is a well known, typical Himesh Reshammiya thing, Kuch to baaki hai. The song is a slow, nostalgic, painful one, something like Humko Deewana kar gaye title track. Not bad, at least after a long break as I haven’t heard this type of a song for quite some time now.

The second song, Milenge Milenge, is sung by Alka Yagnik and Jayesh Gandhi while another version is reportedly sung by Himesh Reshammiya and Shreya Ghoshal. The song is kinda old again belonging to the ‘Kyonki’ (remember that Kareena Kapoor-Salman Khan film?) age. The background sounds try to add to a nostalgic effect but the result isn’t much success. Sounds like an average song with slight touch of Himesh Reshammiya. Interestingly, Himesh’s own version of the song sounds a bit more interesting as Himesh (I guess it’s him) sings the song quite noiselessly and noselessly.

The third song of the album is Tum Chain ho, sung by Sonu Nigam, Alka and Suzanne D’Mello. The song is a slow, soft number and sounds soothing even in the 30 seconds. Quite hopeful from the song though it sounds a bit aged. Sonu Nigam in his typical soothing soft voice makes this one certainly worth a try and buy.

Btw, do you think Rahat Fateh Ali Khan wasn’t singing for us ten years ago? He was. Or so it feels when you hear ‘ishq ki galee‘ sung by him in Milenge Milenge. Rahat just sings his second song for Himesh Reshammiya after Namaste London and this one is nothing like Main Jahan Rahoon for sure. The song sounds something like a Nadeem-Shravan tune, at least from the preview, reminding me of Dulhe ka Sehra as Rahat sings so much like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Btw, I’d not suggest you to keep the thing in mind because at least as of now, the song doesn’t seem anything close to the old one.

The surprise for me was Hare Kaanch ki choodiyaan. I was expecting the least from the song as it has only one version, sung by Alka Yagnik. But the song is more than that as Alka renders the wonderfully simple lyrics ‘pehne tere naam ki, radha ho gayi shyaam ki,’ on a simple and catchy tune. While the higher notes of the song remind me of older songs, say of early ’90s or something, the beat-based part is total catchy and the overall mixed effect is quite good. Nothing really new, but likeable.

Besides this, the album has typical Himesh style remixes, especially of Kuch to Baaki hai. And frankly, after such a long break from that Himesh-mania on dance floors, these remixes are at least okay with me. In fact I am kind of liking them.

Another thing worth mentioning besides the remixes is the Unplugged version of Tum Chain ho. While the original song sounds good, the unplugged version sung by Vineet Singh sounds even more awesome. A total surprise with some superb singing by the guy.

Overall, Milenge Milenge is quite expectedly old but at the same time good. Himesh Reshammiya has given his ‘touch’ to the album but not made it a noise of his own. Sonu and Alka seem to be doing good in the album, Alka after a long time I guess. Rahat is not bad either. My guess is that for the first few times you might find the songs a bit old and not-so-good, but in due time, you will probably like the songs. At least quite a few of them.

I’d say, a bit below expectations, but above average.

My Picks: Tum Chain ho Unplugged, Ishq ki Galee, Hare Kaanch ki Choodiyaan, Kuch to Baaki hai.

Kajraare opens with your very own Kajraare. No, don’t be angry. By your very own I mean like it or not, this song is going to be there with you. Very, Very Himesh. The only interesting thing in the song is that he has used both western and traditional instruments in the song, if only you can notice that behind Himesh’s voice. If you think you don’t like the song and can keep away from the song, I can only smile.

The second song of the album is again the one you might have heard already on TV, Rabba luck luck luck luck rabba luck barsa. Oops. Who is that in the voice over? Mahesh Bhatt I guess.. Well, whatever, the song is a typical Himesh song again which might easily stick to your tongue and you can be found cursing yourself for humming the song sometime. I won’t say it’s good but Himesh certainly what he’s doing. So not bad.

The third song of Kajraare, Aafreen, is actually one of the best songs of the album. Some good music with Indian traditional instruments and Dholak beats sound pretty good and if you don’t mind Himesh Reshammiya’s voice, the song is definitely worth listening to, and more than once. The slow song
also has Harshdeep Kaur singing near the end for sometime but most of it goes to Himesh only. Good but Himesh’d.

Before you listen to the fourth song of Kajraare, REDUCE VOLUME. Because if you don’t, you may get shocked by the sudden high voice of Himesh Reshammiya in Bhindi-lelo-aalu-lelo-paalak-lelo mode. I don’t know why he does that in the song which runs comparatively much smoother after the literally killing start. Tujhe Dekh ke armaan jaage is a soft number with beats, or something that can be close to it in Himesh’s voice. By the way, the song also has Shreya Ghoshal in there and she sings really soft and sweet in the song. You can listen to the song just for her.

Next comes Teriyaan Meriyaan which has some good, soft, music again. The interludes are really beautiful, especially the Santoor part of them, and the melody is good too. Himesh is nasal but doesn’t keeps his voice comparatively low, not going too high, while chakhne-pakne sound a bit interesting. With some other singer, the song could probably be a real interesting thing. Shreya doesn’t get to sing much of this one.

Wo Lamha Phir se Jeena hai sung by Himesh and Harshdeep is the next song of the album. This one is a beat based, typical song of Himesh Reshammiya that really isn’t ‘good’, to say the least. The melody isn’t bad but then Himesh packs the song with instruments and his voice doesn’t help much. I wonder if the song could have done well in the Himesh era but for now, chances are almost negligible, mostly because people not really look interested in his voice.

The last song of the album is again a traditional type, dholak based, and nose-talgic Sanu Guzra Zamana yaad aa gaya. Frankly, the song is good and the music is definitely worth listening to, and had anybody else sung the song, it would have been a hit for sure. In fact, the song doesn’t sound that bad to me with Himesh even but on a few points he just goes too nasal. Another Himesh’d, but good song. Btw, we have Sunidhi here too, if that matters.

Overall, Kajraare is totally a Himesh Reshammiya album where he sings from his nose almost everywhere. Still, if you don’t mind his voice for some good songs, go for Aafreen and Sanu Guzra Zamana. Teriyaan Meriyaan sounds okay too while Tujhe dekh ke armaan jaage has some really beautiful parts sung by Shreya.

In even more short, the Himesbhai is back. Be happy if you’re a fan. Beware else.

Anyway, Rahat, or for that matter, anyone else does not sing this song that goes like Wo kissa purana yaad aa gaya, sanu guzra zamana yaad aa gaya, so let me talk of the song as it actually is.

Well, good music, wonderfully simple orchestra, Sunidhi Chauhan, lyrics that pretty well match the music of the song, and Himesh Reshammiya. Overall, the song has four positives and one negative. Now it depends on you how much you like how badly you take that one negative. For me, I’m kinda liking it. In fact, after listening to the song for a few times, I’m fine here with the singing of Himesh too.

In short, good one. Go for it if you can bear with that voice.

Here are the lyrics of the song.

Ho yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Ho yaad aa gaya

Woh raatein, jo humne, saath mein kaati thi
Woh baatein jo humne, mil ke baanti thi
Kissa purana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzra zamana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzra zamana yaad aa gaya
Ho yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Ho sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Woh raatein jo hum ne, saath mein kaati thi
Woh baatein jo hum ne, mil ke baanti thi
Kissa purana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Ho sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya

Jag ko main ishq mein, jag ko main ishq mein
Bhula gaya bhula gaya, bhula gaya bhula gaya
Chahaton mein khud ko jaane mann bhula gaya
Apni saansein apni hi dhadkan bhula gaya
Tere liye main saara jeevan bhula gaya
Bhula gaya
Woh vaade jinhe hum roz nibhaate the
Woh mausam jo saari raat jagate the
Hoo kissa purana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya

Tujhse door rehna, tujhse door rehna
Rula gaya rula gaya, rula gaya rula gaya
Rula gaya rula gaya, rula gaya rula gaya
Tere ehsaas ka pagalpan rula gaya
Teri yaadon ka woh saavan rula gaya
Bikhre sapno ka woh bandhan rula gaya
Rula gaya
Woh galiyan jahan hum, khwaab sajate the
Woh lamhe jinhe hum, saath bitate the ho
Kissa purana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Ho yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Ho sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya
Ho sanu guzara zamana yaad aa gaya

The song, Aafreen, is a slow, duet song with dholak beats and kinda old background. As a result, the song reminds the listener of Dhoom tere ishq ki from Karzzz. Also, the song has long interludes and given the slow speed of the song, the song reaches almost 7 minutes, making the song sound way too long.

The song also has Harshdeep Kaur singing near the end but she doesn’t get to sing much. In short, the song reminds me of old Himesh, the one that existed before Radio.

Here are the lyrics of the song.

Jab se tose ankhiyaan, ladayi hain
Jab se tose ankhiyan, ladayi hain
Meri jaan pe ban aayi hai
Aafreen… aafreen…
Jab se to se akhiyan, ladayi hain
Meri jaan pe ban aayi hai
Aafreen… aafreen…

Laagi chhoote, chhoote na
Laagi chhoote, chhoote na
Lagi chhoote na
Kya bolun kya tadpan hai
Virahaa mein pyaasa, yeh mann hai
Dil se rukhsat dhadkan hai
Jab se to se akhiyan, ladayi hain
Jab se to se akhiyan, ladayi hain
Meri jaan pe ban aayi hai
Aafreen… aafreen…

Tera chehra aankhon mein..
tu hi meri saanson mein..
saansen maala japti hain
teri raahen takti hain
sooni raatein tapti hain..
jabse tose ankhiyaan ladayi hain..
meri jaan pe ban aayi hai..
aafreen…
aafreeen…

For now, the first song from the move is out and you can hear him crooning kuch to baaki hai, a slow number, belonging to the Himesh era only.

The Interesting thing is that after a long break, Himesh sounded good, at least to me, In the song. And in case you happen to be a Himesh fan, just be happy, your days are here, at least for sometime. Again.

kuch to baki hai..
kuchh to baaki hai..
Sab khatm ho ke bhi,
Tere mere darmiyaan,
Kuch to baaki hai…

kahin to kasak aisi
dil mein baaki hai..

Here are the lyrics and the video.

na main jaaga na main soya
ujhko dekh ke sudhbudh khoya
maar gayi
mati maar gayi matvaare
kajra kajra kajraa re

The traces of Title song that I saw during the first promo also had a nasal touch and now I can listen to Himesh singing Mahiya se deedar kara de rabba luck barsa in a fairly nasal style, though I doubt if he’s actually singing as nasal as he did earlier.

In case u wanna see Himesh in his old avatar, here is a video.