Chandni Chowk to China isnt daily bread and butter for a normal, average music listener in India..It is a brilliant mix of so many types of sounds and the spectre of music on display is as varied as Indian anthropology..It has a definite undercurrent of Desi sounds with a overlay of fusion and even some Chinese jingles which makes it liable to some serious criticize but a serious music fanatic will appreciate his ears getting a mouthful..
1.Chandni Chowk To China title song: It begins with hip hop sounds and puts in some Chinese music but finally its the Indian music which highlights it..Sung by Neeraj Shridhar(now official voice of Akshay Kumar) and Anushka Manchandani, its a highly foot tapping and highly enjoyable musical piece with some very janny but funny lyrics..The main stealer of the show but is Shankar Mahadevan who joins midway and puts a stamp of his authority..He is just brilliant..In coming times its going to be rage and it is bound to have interludes in the film which will only magnify its potential..The sounds are typical SEL but who is complaining..
2.CC2C: Now here is the surprise with Akshay Kumar getting behind the mike..He delivers some good rap along music director Punjabi Rapper Bohemia..Akshay Kumar is the heart and soul of this song and the lyrics truly have AK stamp on it...It makes no improvement music wise but is a good harmless time pass fun..
3. SIDHU: Its the Akshay Kumar introducing track in the film, sung and composed by Kailash Kher is a qawalli meets pop kind of a song..Its an average song with average sounds but the noteworthy feature of the song are its lyrics which are very basic but effective..
4. Chak Lein De: Again a track by Kailash Kher et al which is a hero appraisal written all over it..Its a thumping and pumping song which is bound to get your pulse racing and adrenaline flowing..It will be better picturised on screen..
5. India se Aaya Mera Dost: A remix of Bappi Da's old hit Bombay se Aaya mera dost but with new age sounds and intermingled Chinese jingles..The beginning is very interesting but marred by some poor rendering..Over all the poorest song in the album but might have some impact on screen..
6.Tere Naina: Now the best for the last..Like Teri Ore in SIK and Bolna Halke Halke from JBJ this song is the best of the lot and the most melodious of the lot..In fact it is the most melodious song that I have heard since long long time..Its sung beautifully and very soulfully by Shankar Mahadevan who is a master at rendering his own composition and Shreya Ghoshal..Shankar's voice flows like honey flows down the petals of a flower and Shreya is the most talented singer after Alka Yagnik to have graced the Indian Industry and she proves it emphatically..Both the singers deserve awards for such brilliant singing and a special mention to a type of rendition by Ghoshal which is unique but very sweet and lovable..A chartbuster..
Over all a very good album for a person with a broader outlook and will definitely require more than one hear to grow..
3.5/5.
(.5 extra for Tere naina)