Woodstock Villa Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
Sanjay Gupta and rocking music go together. There may have been a stray exception or two but time and again Gupta has proved that he has it in him when it comes to the choice of some contemporary/urban music which cuts boundaries. Dus Kahaniyaan, Zinda, Musafir, Kaante - the list just goes on. No wonder, one looks forward to what's in store while picking up the album of Woodstock Villa. So what if the film has a different director (Hansal Mehta), it's the trust in Gupta's White Feather Films banner that makes one hopeful. Thankfully, Gupta and his team do not break the trust here!
Aanchal Datta Bhatia had made a stunning impression with her double bill in Dus Kahaniyaan in the form of title track and 'Janiye'. Now she returns to the thick of things with Anu Malik composed 'Dhoka'. With some imaginative lyrics by Virag Mishra, which goes as 'Ek Dhoka Lijiye dooja Muft Paayiye', one is hooked on. Though in the first few listening one is a bit amused to hear lyrics like these, you start getting warming up after hearing the song 4-5 times.
A number which goes as per the intriguing mood of the film, 'Dhoka' is a dance track set in a Western mode which has been pretty well picturized on newcomer Neha Uberoi who makes her lead heroine debut with Woodstock Villa. Later the song gets on full swing when it comes in it's 'Club Mix' version. Honestly, this version makes a far more rocking impression due to it's pace and intermittent arrangements that only add on to the spice.
Years back Mika had come into limelight with 'Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag', which had turned out to be an instant success. Over the years the song has only gained popularity across clubs, discotheques and festive occasion and no wonder Hansal Mehta was tempted to incorporate the song in his film as well. A racy dance number which maintains a thorough Indian feel (and also comes in a 'remix version'), 'Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag' promises to look (and sound) good on the big screen as well.
There is quite some fun in store once Aryans arrive with their rock number 'Kyun'. This is an 'item number' picturized on Sanjay Dutt who gets into a full-on rock mode with guitar, drums, and the works under a scorching sun. However, one does feel that 'Kyun' may have been even more fun had Dutt himself come behind the mike since it has his attitude, which makes all the difference. A track, which has an undercurrent of emotions for the one you love, 'Kyun', should turn out to be an interesting fit in the film's narrative.
Things turn a wee bit softer with Anu Malik composed and Virag Mishra written 'Yeh Pyar Hai' which is the first song in the album to arrive with a melodic flavor to it. It is a kind of number that you want someone to sing in the background while you are on a date with the one you love. With an Indi-pop flavor to it, 'Yeh Pyar Hai' is a kind of song that Vishal-Shekhar would have loved to compose. Aanchal, who so far has been known for her full-throated rendition, is surprisingly mellowed in 'Yeh Pyar Hai' and does a good job in keeping the contemporary flavor on. On the other hand Shaan is at his best since this is a kind of number he revels singing most.
The album continues to bring on different flavors to it with every passing song and this is apparent once Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's voice kick starts the proceedings for 'Koi Chala Ja Raha Hai'. A kind of song, which somehow fits into Feroz Khan scheme of things, what with a surreal feel to the tune as well as arrangements, it only gets the graph of the album further up. Somehow after Mika's 'Saawan', one was left wondering if there would be better songs to follow but tracks like 'Kyun', 'Yeh Pyar' and now 'Koi Chala' (the best of the lot) aid in making Woodstock Villa a quality album.
There is a particular sound that one expects from Shibani Kashyap. Well, she doesn't disappoint at all with her rendition of 'Raakh Ho Ja Tu' which she also composes. Written by Manoj Muntashir who spins some unconventional lyrics to make sure that 'Raakh' is indeed different from what you have heard in the past, the song should play as a part of the film's background score. Though the track has an international flavor to it, it does sound a little like 'Kashmakash' (Sunday) at a place or two. However, one doesn't that mind that at all.
'Dhoka Dega' which comes next is just an ideal follow-up to not just 'Raakh' but also Aanchal's 'Dhoka' which had kick started the album. This time around the message is around getting back whatever wrong one may do in life. Yet another seemingly background piece which is composed and rendered by Shibani Kashyap with Virag Mishra doing the lyrics, 'Dhoka Dega' too has an urban flavor to it and fits in well with a lounge setting.
During the last few weeks, there had been a lull of sorts at the music scene. None of the newer albums seemed to be presenting anything worthwhile and one had to go back to listening the same chartbusters that had been playing on for weeks. However, 'Woodstock Villa' comes across as a welcome relief since it stands up for itself in spite of a fresh star cast. No, this soundtrack doesn't bring with it what one may term as conventional Bollywood score. But with music lovers pretty much happy to lap on anything which is fresh and different from routine, Woodstock Villa comes with the kind of variety which keeps the listener engaged.
