Andhra Rocks

Striker has 8 songs with 8 different composers. The album boasts of talent like Vishal Bhardwaj, Blaaze, Amit Trivedi and Gulzar, among others. Actor Siddharth is the producer of the album and has sung too. The lyrics are tongue-in-cheek and insightful. So, be prepared for some eclectic variety. Striker has something for everyone. Cham Cham is easily an instant favourite, while the other songs might take a while to grow on you. But Striker is a ‘soundtrack’ in every sense of the word and an album for keeps. You will want to listen to it several times over. It is something people will talk about after seeing the film. All the songs capture the spirit and diverse facets of Bombay.The album opens with the energetic Aim Lagaa, sung by Blaaze and Nitin Raikwar. The hip-hop beat is addictive, and the song has an innately sexy, fusion vibe. You will want to listen to the song more than once. The ‘Rickshaw mix’ has some fabulous beats and is like a carnival song. The lyrics are laced with sexual innuendo.

The minute you hear Bombay Bombay, you can immediately figure that Amit Trivedi has composed it. It’s a fusion rock song that takes you back to the music of Aamir (Ha Rahem) and Dev D (Duniya). Siddharth is a talented singer, and we’d love to hear more of him. It’s a mad song that everybody will not like, but those who like it won’t get enough of it. Watching the video would definitely help.

Cham Cham sounds like a Sufi song, sung by the familiar Sonu Nigam, and he has not sounded this good in a long time. His vocals have been used beautifully by composer Shailendra Barve. It’s a beautiful, haunting Sufi number with a joyous, steady beat that will get you hooked instantly. This song could put you in a trance.

Haq Se is Yuvan Shankar Raja’s first Bollywood composition, with Siddharth on the vocals again. It has a catchy, street beat with cheeky lyrics. It is something you can sing along to.

Maula is another qawalli, composed by Swanand Kirkire. It is instantly likeable with an old-world and playful flavour. He sounds like a seasoned qawalli singer. This song will transport you straight to a celebration at a mosque or dargah.

Pia Saanvara sounds like a Vishal Bhardwaj, but it is Shailendra Barve instead. Beautifully sung by Sunidhi Chauhan, this is one is a stunning and intensely romantic track.

Yun Hua Raat Ne is a soothing track, with Vishal Bhardwaj’s wispy vocals. It’s like a lullaby with shades of the title track of Kaminey.You could listen to it endlessly.

Rating: 4 on 5

Composers: Vishal Bhardwaj, Shailendra Barve, Gulzar, Blaaze, Amit Trivedi, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Swanand Kirkire

Singers: Swanand Kirkire, Vishal Bhardwaj, Blaaze, Nitin Raikwar, Siddharth, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Yuvan Shankar Raja

Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire, Gulzar, Blaaze, Nitin Raikwar, Prashant Ingole, Jeetendra Joshi