MUSIC REVIEW: Rabbi's new album
There is something about a bearded, bespectacled and turbaned guy strumming a guitar. It looks exotic. And when he sings in Punjabi, he sounds exotic too. When Rabbi first exploded onto the scene, the nation sat up and listened in rapt attention as he sang soulfully about the truths of life. Three years and a misadventure with Bollywood (called Delhii Heights) later, our favourite bearded singer is back. He still has his turban, his spectacles and is still singing about the truths of life. Only this time, one of his music video has a leggy model doing a near strip-tease.
With Avengi Ja Nahin [Watch Video], Rabbi has experimented generously with genres, styles and languages. His voice surely has its limitations, but listen to the first few tracks and you know Rabbi has really pushed the envelope this time.
Most of the tracks in this album are love songs with three/four bearing social and philosophical messages. Guess, they are for the Rabbi fans who wouldn't be too happy with love ditties alone.
If Chhalla seems more like the old Rabbi, Karachi Valie is pure rock, with the singer-songwriter packing in enough energy to burn the speakers. There is nice organ playing in some tracks such as Maen Bolia. But check out Ballo (about female foeticide) which has some chorus parts that sound eerily like Bulla Ki… There is also the hauntingly beautiful track Tu Avin Bandra (here's to you Mumbaikars!) with a string and piano section that gives a rather classic touch to the song.
Pagrhi Sambhal Jatta and Bilquis (in Hindi) are the rousing songs with the latter bearing a profound influence of Bob Dylan. But what was the National Anthem at the end? Too contrived if you ask us!
Last but not the least, Rabbi's English song, Return to Unity starts off with a tribute to U2/Coldplay (maybe unintentional?), and ends up being a sad attempt at something Rabbi should steer clear of.
Nevertheless, there is some neat guitar playing by Rabbi, with the old guards Karl Peters and Ranjit Barot bringing in that special touch with their bass and drums respectively.
Overall, quite a nice album, but here's what quite doesn't work. Unless you follow the English titles printed on the CD sleeve, or know the language, the beauty of the lyrics in some cases will be completely lost on you.
Some of the songs still have the Bulla Ki Jaana hangover and clone each other in their progressions, the slow, meandering buildup to a rocking crescendo…in a nut shell they seem to begin and end the same way.
Our verdict on the Avengi music video: What was Rabbi thinking? I mean, we thought he'd tread a different path but with that leggy model in the bikini…and a visibly uncomfortable Rabbi in the frames…sigh!
Here's to you Rabbi fans!
Album: Avengi Ja Nahin || Artiste: Rabbi || Released by: YRF Music
WATCH: I might have to do B'wood to survive: Rabbi
Nice music. Most of the songs are making sence with great
music. Wonder why this album is not popular. I guess only
glamour sells not good music.
Bilqis is too gud.. Sadly u misinterpreted it as dylans
inspired. Whats wrong in inspiration? The work is purely
rousing as u said. Perhaps makes u stand up and think. The
video is awesome.. Stupendous rabbi.. Keep raising the bar
I am surprised this review has missed one of the best song
of this album, the name is bilqis. This song is sarcastic
comment on the most unfortunate incidents happen, like
murder of manjunath, navleen kumar.... . There is one line
in the song which i guess is picked from one of the songs
of old classic pyasa . The line says " jinhe naaz hai
hind par woh kahan the " .
all and all the album is very rich with lyrics and some
good songs, but all depends on the listeners mood.