Choose

Choose Death. Choose to Live. Choose a Line of business. Choose happiness. Choose Joy. Choose Sadness. Choose a big HD television; choose surround sound, fancy cars, ready to eat microwavable meals. Choose new words. Choose bad health, fat and cholesterol. Choose KFC. Choose a lifetime gym membership you will never use. Choose a Playstation. Choose to travel through short-cuts. Choose to Abuse when a track rams into you from the opposite direction. Choose a book. Choose not to read it. Choose your friends. Choose Underwear. Choose a Country. Choose Sex. Choose to question Yourself. Choose your identity. Choose to marry marijuana. Choose to marry a millionaire. Choose to wonder who the Fuck you are. Choose Reality Television. Choose to have a love marriage. Choose your future. Choose a Wife. Choose to Kill. Choose to back out. But why would I want to do a thing like that? I'm not supposed to be choosy.

Dhoondein...

Abhijeet Sawant (yes of the Down Market Indian Idol Fame) is out with a new album. I downloaded it to fill up the blank space for my new car MP3 CD. I had just about enough empty space for one more Album and knowing my anal penchant from being, well, anal - I downloaded the album since it was amongst the new releases of the week. I popped it into my car and cruised along waiting for the much awaited Saawariya and Sanjay Leela Bhansali to tease my senses with eclectic sounds. Ugh, barring the title track, the music is a Dud. If I wanted to hear Devdas repackaged, I would pop it into my Sound Editing Software and do the needful. Om Shanti Om, was just Groan, Groan Groan (sorry SRK). Out of sheer desperation, engine idling and watching sweaty people alight from trains at the choc-a-block Andheri station - I hit "Next"

“Yeh Mere Dil Mein Kaisa Junoon, Mann Ko Kyun Na Mile Ab Sukoon”

Junoon, Junoon, Junoon, my four super Amplified speakers reveled with liberation. Suddenly, it was as if I, like Hiro Nakamura bent the space-time continuum, made time stand still and drowned out all sights and sounds. The music was fabulous. I couldn't believe that this was the unappealing Mahim boy whom I'd shot with 6 months ago, not wanting to ever speak to again, because he was so, err, Boring. But, looks and talent can be so deceiving. His new album, blew me away to say the least. I could not even believe he was the singer.

“Hai Aankho Mein Junoon, Hai Khwabon Mein Junoon”

Dhoondein followed Junoon and I just drifted. The song has the vocals, the beat, the rhythm, and the melody set to aural perfection. Even, as a critique, I could find nothing nasty to say about it - and that’s my job description to me in my head. Be Nasty! The music gave me a déjà vu of my new favorite composer, Mithoon and his fresh sound (Note: He and I will be the new age Mani Ratnam and AR Rahman – Remember, you read it here first Dahlings). I will not even begin to rant about Ek Shaqs even though it may be hell repetitive and almost a carbon copy of Beete Lamhe (which inspired a blog, previously) it still corrodes emotions buried deep inside. Back to Dhoondein.

“Yaadon Mein Hai Khoyi Hui Zindagaani, Kaisi Hai Yeh Uljhi Huyi Si Kahaani”

Suddenly, the people outside my window looked cheerful, the engine wasn’t idling, it just moved to the beat purring with a life of its own and wonder of wonders, the traffic cleared. I know, it sounds like the Pilot Episode of Super-Duper-Natural but then again, music like this – is simply, Magic. My apologies, Abhijeet.

Love Will Keep Us Alive

...goes the popular Eagles song. Still, I often wonder how true the statement really is? I mean what is life without the materialistic fast cars, flashy houses, gold-power weights, surround sound, HD enabled screens and slim, sexy Apple computers? Yup, the luxuries that the big greens can grab. The stuff that costs more than sweet nothings and soft murmurs into the pillow beside you. Sure, I'm no Hugh Grant and I don't much about Love, Actually, considering my limited encounters with the crazy emotion (twice) but for some weird reason, I believe the song. I believe, Love Can Keep Me Alive