Singh is Kinng - Music Review

Just what makes something worth reviewing? Many of us who do this week after week, often live in the hope of finding that one film or television show or music album that makes our job a little more interesting. To say that not a single interesting film music album has come our way since Jodhaa Akbar would not be an overstatement. Indeed, there has been the music of Race, which though catchy hasn't exactly made us stand up and cheer.

Akshay Kumar's Singh Is Kinng hit the music stores recently and before we knew it, the CD was already waiting on the desk to be heard. So just how is it, you ask? Well, let's just say if you've liked Race, chances are that you'll like this one too. This however is not to say that the music is of the same genre. But Singh is Kinng, just like Race belongs to the generation that has grown up listening to assembly line tunes. So it does lack personality though it is bound to do well in the music stores.

The album comprises 12 tracks of which six are remix versions. That brings us down to six original tracks of which the title track is by far the catchiest. Four other songs from the album – Jee Karda, Bas Ek Kinng, Bhootni Ke and Talli Hua – are just about okay.

But if you're one of those who simply swear by hardcore Punjabi music, Singh is Kinng is the kind of music you should buy. It has an international Punjabi feel to it and you know it's directed towards the NRI junta who oh-so-love being in touch with their roots through their music.

In this light, Teri Ore, the only love ballad in the album stands out for its soulful tunes, music arrangement and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal's voices. But this is also the one song, which sounds as if it's been forced in the whole ensemble of bhangra and bhangra-inspired music.

A word about the title track sung by Snoop Dogg and Akshay Kumar. The track has chartbuster clearly written over it, though the fusion of dhols and drums may not necessarily impress you all the time. Nonetheless, it's one of those tracks that will become a hit or a flop depending upon its picturisation.

Just a small warning to those who haven't had a taste of the North Indian culture – be ready to hear some not-so-pleasant words. It's part of the vocabulary, as the F word has become almost a must-use in the urban Indian context.

So you have a song that goes Bhootni ke (one of those untranslatable gems of the Punjabi language) or another one that goes Talli Hua (you don't want us to translate that, believe us). However for the more curious and outrageous, we'd suggest listen to Jee Karda. It's what will give you an insight into this wonderful culture of the Punjabis.

Verdict: It's your regular Punjabi fare. Buy it if you like that genre a lot.

Rating: 3/5