Blue- An Electro Storm (New Era Rahman)

Delhi 6 was liked by all. All the songs in the album were masterpieces. It doesn’t happen all the time for any composer this way. It happens to Rahman once in few years. Examples : Roja, Dilse, Alaipayuthey, Laagan, Rang de Basanti etc…Delhi 6 belonged to this race. I wish this album wins the best music award for 2009 keeping in the mind the movie failed. But musically it was terrific.

Now I am linking Delhi 6 here because the new Rahman was born in Delhi 6. New era – If you notice the songs in Delhi 6 had a new sound to it. The mixing is completely different, I think his new sound system (Studio) and the MAC base is producing some amazing new sounds and bases. He started using the MAC base from Swades if I am not wrong. By now he has mastered it and is a pro at it.

Blue is an example that proves that Rahman is the best sound engineer out there. He can produce an outright new sound be it beats or pads. On to the tracks:

• Chigy Wigy : I have not much to say about this track. So much controversy, chuck all those and enjoy the beats. Wow this song is already rocking all channels and Saturday night out cars. Kylie is awesome in this track, her voice sounds crystal clear even better than her singles. Ok..No harm combining it with an desi portion but, I feel he should have opted for some one other than sonu…But nevertheless an awesome try by the maestro and should say there is some class in the mass that he tries and that is Rahman.
• Notice – The opening 0:00 – 0:007 International Standards. Amazing opening.
• 0:37 – Widero Beats, just too good.
• 2:16 – Bangra Transformation, new sound altogether.

• Aaj Dil Gustakh Hai : Instant hit. The tune is commercial and cute. Right choice of singers. The instrument (Piano) is very enthralling. This song excites me a lot because of the interludes. I miss this kind of interludes from Rahman big time. Now again here in this song both the interludes are of new formats. He has tried something totally new which has shades of vintage Rahman but new sound and presentation. Overall an Chillo feel track.
Notice – The opening is just mind blowing, listen to it on a bose headphone you will know it.
Both the interludes are terrifically awesome. No words to explain.

• Fiqrana : Took some time for me to grow. But now my favorite. I would call this as an roller coaster ride. Hahah…Because the track has so many variations. Got Vintage Rahman at times. I am sure this track would have suited Farhan Akthar perfect. Coming back to the track, second charanam in a typical Rahman goose pumping tune. I hear the portion again and again and will never get bored. I just felt the second interlude could have been better. The beats are an old one but when Rahman produces these it is totally new. My most favorite track. Enjoy this track it grows big time.

• Bhoola Tujhe : What an song. This is way better than the tracks that Rashid has sung in his previous albums. The orchestration is out of the world. This song gives that class that Rahman is capable of producing every time be it any genre (movies) that he signs. This is the next era of Rahman. This song can be repeated in your play list for even 100 times a day. Hats of Rahman Sir.

• Blue Theme: Rocking, Kicking and completely electro. I am happy Rahman has given his best in terms of technology to this track. The sounds suits perfectly to the underwater shots. This song should be enjoyed in the theatre with visuals. Rahman’s presence would be felt.

• Rehnuma : I am yet to get into this track. Will get back soon.

• Yaar Mila Tha : Whew…What to say. The tempo reminds me of those bollwood remixes or the famous Raghav song. But here this is what Rahman can give with a tempo like this. Naughtily rendered by Udit and Madhu. Other composers can learn a lesson or to as to how can these beats be linked to an original tune. The song has no flaws and rocks all way through. The interludes are fantastic. Overall enjoyable track.

An experience - Banglampoo – Backpacker’s street (Bangkok)

My dad was traveling from Chiang Mai to Bangkok by bus earlier this year in March 2009. A Japanese traveler who travelled with him in the bus mentioned about the place called Banglampoo in Bangkok where the rooms for stay (Actually guesthouses) are very cheap and easily available.

This time (August - September 2009) during our (Myself and dad) stay in Chiang Mai at (Little Home), the landlord told us about this place again. She told being a Localitie she prefers to stay in Banglampoo when she goes to Bangkok. We decided to stay in Bangkok for a day at Banglampoo. We cut short the stay in Pattaya by a day which was so pleasing and comfortable just to venture out this place. All my trips to Bangkok have been packaged well in Royal park view hotel in Sukumit Soi 18. I find this place close to being home, because being an Vegetarian; I get south Indian vegetarian food in Ganesha Restaurant down Soi 18. This time we decided to stay in the Swiss park hotel in Sukumit Soi 11 called as Nana. Since we had proponed and arrived a day early in Bangkok we wanted to venture a day in Banglampoo.

Took bus 501 and proceeded towards Banglampoo from Nana. Informed the conductor to tell us when we reach Khao San Road (Banglampoo). Reached the place we could see lot of Backpackers crossing the roads, immediately could guess we were close to the place. It was shocking to see a street full of Guest houses. Rooms starting from 200 bahts to 1500 Plus. It was indeed a very different experience for me as I have always seen the classy part of Bangkok, nevertheless I don’t mean that this place is low, but the truth is it’s not worth even dreaming of staying at this place if you are “Indian”. The standard reply you get from all the guest houses is the rooms are full SORRY. We have tried almost at all the guest houses in the street. We actually thought the rooms were full until a person from Burma told us this is the treatment we would get every where in Banglampoo if you were an Indian. I could see tears in my dad’s eyes. Come on he loves this country Thailand and more the people of this Gods Blessed country. He was so given up and told this is atrocious that Thai people were treating the tourists so bad, who are known for their hospitability and smiling faces. He became so irritated and wanted to come back to India the same day. I was shell shocked to see this (sorry to say) DIRTY side of Bangkok. I would rather stay in PATPONG which is the red light area in Bangkok than in Banglampoo.