Suddenly, Last October

Allah Rakkhha Rahman surely has some divine force in him to create such earth-shatteringly innovative musical pieces. And everytime he releases a new soundtrack you think, "Wow, he reached his limit and has no more to offer us. He has exhausted his given gift." I mean, his first score was Roja, way back in 1992. Sixteen years of creativitity has to take a toll on a man. I thought he reached that limit with his masterly Jodhaa Akbar, an iconic landmark in musical history, perfectly blending the musical stylings of the era while making them relatable to the 21st century. Yes, Rahman made Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na in between JA and now but that only only boasted of three songs which had traces of the Rahman of yore ("Kabhi Kabhi Aditi," "Jaane Tu Mera Kya Hai (Aditi)" and, of course, "Pappu Can't Dance").

Then suddenly, last October, the score for a little Indo-European musical opus called Yuvvraaj was released (onto CoolToad). This is a film directed by Subash Ghai and it promised to return him to his roots after 2.5 disasters. (The degree of Black & White's failure is debatable). Also, it boasted of a star cast that only Ghai could bring together: Anil Kapoor (aka me in 25 years), Salman Khan, Boman Irani, Zayed Khan and newcomerAushima Sawhney. Don't you worry, she's not the main female lead. Katrina Kaif, who plays a cellist named Anushka in the film, finally gets that big dramatic role that will take her from glamour girl to serious actress. The lyrics are by Gulzar, who delights us with his stunning poetry.

The album opener is called "Main Hoon Yuvvraaj." No, it's not a title song. It's a dialogue track with Sallu explaining his character, accompanied by Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Salman is impressive enough and the choice of music fits well with this Western style musical. I'm not going to rate this track.

The first real song is called "Tu Hi Toh Meri Dost Hai" and it is spectacular. This simple love song is filled with complex melodies and inspiriing lyrics. Relative newcomer Benny Dayal starts off the song strongly but it is Shreya Goshal's entrance in the first verse that steals the show. In her second outing with Rahman ("Barso Re") Shreya knocks you out with her mesmerising vocals. Love it! 10/10.

The next song is "Shano, Shano" and it is unimpressive. Every Rahman score has that one song that just isn't up to par with the rest ("Mann Mohana," "Mere Dil Ka Woh Shehezaada," "Jhoombalika, Jhoombalika") and this is that song. The lyrics are just plain out dumb--no offense, Gulzar! Rahman's tradition of using new singers and veterans is upheld here. "Shano, Shano" is sung by Sonu Nigam, Srinivas, Karthik, Timmy, Sunaida, Vivienne Pocha and Tina of which I only know the first three. Rahman uses some interesting arrangements for this dance track but it has the misfortune of being sandwiched between two stellar tracks. 6/10.

Katrina Kaif is hands down the most beautiful woman in Bollywood (sorry, Amrita Singh) and there is just something enchanting about the image of her playing the cello. Actually, there's a funny story as to why I think this. Rahman himself in an interview with IndiaFM said, "The sight of a beautiful girl playing an instrument like the cello seems like an overwhelming visual. It's really nice." Having read this, I looked at all the Yuvvraaj pictures with Katrina at the cello and became obsessed with the image. If this movie is as spectacular as it promises, Katrina at the Cello will be as iconic an image as Akshay-Raveena in "Tu Cheez," the James Bond Gun Barrel sequence or Carrie in her tutu.

All of this leads to "Tu Muskura," the very same song for which Rahman fans have been asking endlessly. Sung effortlessly and sensually by Alka Yagnik and Javed Ali, this song has a perfect composition and astounding lyrics. Alka Yagnik can add this to her Hits Of list along with "Yeh Silsila Hai Pyaar Ka," "Barso Ke Baad" and "Paalki Mein Hoke Sawaar Chali Re." Allah Rakkhha Rahman is Ms. Yagnik's best composer and she will touch your soul with her revolutionary rendition. The cello is the third star of this number (hence the above paragraph) and it haunts you with its Godliness. I legit listen to "Tu Muskura" at least three times a day. 10/10.

Also is worth mentioning is the fact that this is the first time Ms. Yagnik will be singing for Ms. Kaif. I always like to point out the debut of a certain playback singer as the voice of an actress. Like when Sunidhi Chauhan first sang for both Kajol and Madhuri Dixit (Fanaa, Aaja Nachle respectively), it was note-worthy because here you have a modern singer, used to singing for struggling actresses who think their big break is starring in "Mind-Blowing Maahiya" and she's singing for two old-school, mature, successful, gorgeous women (let's be real here, they're cougars). It's quite awesome, I will not lie. Same goes for the Yagnik/Kaif pairing. A great match!

After "Tu Muskura," the next song is called "Mastam Mastam." This song has some of the most original music in Rahman's repetoire, yes, even beating "Shakalaka Baby" and "Meherbaan, Meherbaan". The music is festive, giving an Indian rhythm and melody a European twang. Sung very well by Nigam, Yagnik, Benny Dayal (from "Tu Hi Toh Meri Dost Hai") and Naresh. This song, though long, is absolutely enjoyable. 8.5/10.

"Zindagi" comes next and it is a very thoughtful, soulful number. Even though "Dost" and "Tu Muskura" are my favorites from the score, this song has a special place in my heart because I never seem to expect it (thanks to being sandwiched by two lavish numbers). It's quiet, hummable, and very 2nd level Koreatown (under-the-radar). Srinivas's performance is stellar. And Gulzar's lyrics are poignant. Rahman at his best. 9.5/10.

The next song is "Dil Ka Rishta" and it tells of an amnesiac who falls in love with the man who accidentally killed her husband in the same drunken accident that took her memory. Oh, no, wait, that's the drama that both starred and was produced by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan! Sorry, sorry, sorry. The song is a grand, passionate song that includes Sonu Nigam, in a full throated performance, Roop Kumar Rathod, Rahman, Clinton Cerejo (husband or brother to Dominique Cerejo, singer of "Yeh, Tumhaar-Meri Baatein" from Rock On!!), Suzanne D'Mello and, of course, Vivenne Pocha. Nigam and Rathod are the main singers, and everyone else provides stellar background vocals. However, the lyrics and the music are little over-the-top. They're just too...whiny? It'll probably look better on screen. 7/10.

"Mannmohini Morey" is next and this is a very short, classical number. Vijay Prakash provides some stellar, stellar, exceptional classical singing. Rahman uses Indian classical music for the first time as a major player in the song and this song is fantastic. Gulzar's lyrics are again excellent. 8/10.

Finally, the album ends with a remix of "Shano, Shano." It doesn' have anything new to offer, just like the "Pappu Can't Dance" remix. Rahman, sir, remixes are not your forte! 5/10.

I highly, highly, highly suggest you find the Yuvvraaj score and listen to it all the time like I do. If anything, download "Tu Muskura," "Zindagi" and "Tu Hi Toh Meri Dost Hai." Allah Rakkhha Rahman is the best composer of Bollywood and he never ceases to amaze, bewilder and touch us. Yuvvraaj rates a 64/80.