Maximum Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
From the very genre perspective, Maximum doesn't really warrant the kind of music that makes or break a film. At maximum (no pun intended), there may be songs as add-on or perhaps they may perk up the proceedings at a place or two. Yes, the makers have included an item number here (which by the way turns out to be a good decision) but by and large this ensemble affair (with lyricist Shabbir Ahmed) turns out to be the kind that won't be remembered for long.
MUSIC
It's the item number 'Aa Ante Amalapuram' that kick-starts the album and despite the fact that it was first heard around a decade ago down South, it has the kind of rhythm and pace that makes it catchy all over again. A 'desi' number to the core which is composed by Devi Sri Prasad (of 'Dhinka Chika' - Ready) fame, 'Aa Ante Amalapuram' is sung with a lot of spunk by Malathy. Even as one is willing to ignore Raqeeb Alam's lyrics which won't really flatter those who are expecting a little more fun, 'Aa Ante Amalapuram' turns out to be the kind that has in it to find good audience for itself who are rooting for a 'masala' outing.
From this point on lyricist Shabbir Ahmed takes over and the first song to arrive is 'Ya Maula'. Composed by Vikram-Sawan, the song has a beginning which comes quite close to 'Ya Rabba' [Salaam-E-Ishq] before coming on its own. Sung quite well by Shafqat Amanat Ali, something which is expected with the singer at the helm of affairs, 'Ya Maula' turns out to be a pensive outing which may have covered a much greater distance but doesn't quite manage to do that. Yes, it has a serene feel to it but then the arrangements could have been a tad better.
'Aaja Meri Jaan' by Amjad Nadeem completely changes the pace of the album while coming across as an item number in the making. However this one with Tochi Raina and Ritu Pathak as the singing duo doesn't quite carry much spunk to it and fails to excite you into giving it a repeat hearing. Now that's a pity because it starts off reasonably well but just doesn't manage to sustain itself.
Amjad Nadeem and Shabbir Ahmed collaborate for yet another track, 'Sutta', and one can imagine this one to be playing as a part of the background score while a crucial scene is in motion. With the kind of beats that had accompanied the 'remix' version of Meghna Naidu's 'Thoda Resham Lagta Hai', 'Sutta' tries to take the fusion route. However the coming together of Nadeem Khan and Tulsi Kumar doesn't quite end up creating the intended magic and though it is still a tad better than 'Aaja Meri Jaan', that isn't saying much.
Daniel B George, who had also composed for director Kabeer Kaushik's debut film Seher, is the guest composer for 'Namami Shamishaan', a short devotional track by Bandini Sharma. In its own setting and limited space, this leisurely paced number does well and is more of an orchestra in motion than a song per se.
Last to arrive is 'Maan Qunto Maula' which does manage to leave a good impression. Written by Nasir Ali Nasir and sung by Raga Boys, this Sufi fusion track is composed by Wali Hamid Ali, Kamran and Saaji. A smooth flowing track that is time bound, isn't quite restricted to any film in particular and deserved a place much higher up in the album, it gives some reason to cheer about for those looking for a worthwhile song in Maximum.
OVERALL
As stated earlier, Maximum wasn't meant to cover a huge distance when it comes to the music and in that aspect, the album turns out to be an okay hear. Though not all songs really stay with you or entice you to hear them all over again, diverse tracks like 'Maan Qunto Maula' and 'Aa Ante Amalapuram' do catch your attention to some extent at least.
OUR PICK(S)
Aa Ante Amalapuram, Maan Qunto Maula
