Daft Punk scores Tron – Legacy

Can you imagine a score of epic proportion from an House band? Well, while watching the movie, there was a feeling as if you are in hands of a good DJ on a kamikaze arena. The pace of the movie was set by the music effectively from the beginning.

Daft Punk n Sydney (time-line - sometime before Tron release)

Any fan of Tron would not have any doubt in understanding the logic behind going by Daft Punk. The duo has long been staging elaborate live shows with visual elements as much as part of their music. Their emphasis on visual and story components associated with their musical productions, as well as for wearing ornate robot costumes while performing make them a perfect fit in the scheme of things. It is even more fitting that they play the DJ on the house when Kevin Flynn enters into the club, and sets the pace for the fight so superbly.

The overture is one classic example of old school Hollywood movie soundtrack mixed with elements of House. The grid voiced by Jeff Bridges also has enough punch in it to send through the images through the brain. The best thing about their music is the way they end things and switch between the tempos.

Adagio for Tron is a smooth music, filled with soft strings and hard interlaces. The fight scene where Sam is betrayed by Zuse is a medley of Daft Punk earlier hit Derezzed, Castor etc. The entire scene has

The best songs in the lot will be Son of Flynn and End of Line. Son of Flynn strikes as if you are in some 60's video game/sci-fi movie, but if you see the visual splendor associated with the music, it is awesome. End of Line is another very Housey music, but not much heavy drum beats, only nice synth music.

The entire soundtrack is worth buying if you are a hardcore House fan. Else it is better to download some few from iTunes :)

A few notes about Daft Punk

1. Their songs that were considered essential in the French house scene.
2. Won Grammy for Alive 2007 (Best Electronic/Dance Album)
3. Daft Punk is Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter.

Rest from Wiki:

Early in the group's career, the band members were strongly influenced by classic rock groups such as The Beach Boys and The Rolling Stones. Bangalter and de Homem-Christo were originally in an indie rock trio called Darlin', which disbanded after a short period of time, leaving the two to experiment musically on their own. The duo became Daft Punk, and released their critically acclaimed debut album Homework in 1997. The 2001 release Discovery was even more successful, driven by the club singles "One More Time", "Digital Love" and "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger". In March 2005, the duo released the album Human After All to mixed reviews. However, the singles "Robot Rock" and "Technologic" achieved success in the United Kingdom. Daft Punk toured throughout 2006 and 2007 and released the live album Alive 2007, which won a Grammy award for Best Electronic/Dance Album. The duo composed the score of the film Tron: Legacy and in 2010 released the soundtrack album of the film.

Lyrical power!

And love is not the easy thing

The only baggage you can bring...

And love is not the easy thing....

The only baggage you can bring

Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart

And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off

And if your glass heart should crack

And for a second you turn back

Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on

What you got they can't steal it

No they can't even feel it

Walk on, walk on...

Stay safe tonight

You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been

A place that has to be believed to be seen

You could have flown away

A singing bird in an open cage

Who will only fly, only fly for freedom

Walk on, walk on

What you've got they can't deny it

Can't sell it, can't buy it

Walk on, walk on

Stay safe tonight

And I know it aches

And your heart it breaks

And you can only take so much

Walk on, walk on

Home, hard to know what it is if you've never had one

Home, I can't say where it is but I know I'm going home

That's where the hurt is

I know it aches

How your heart it breaks

And you can only take so much

Walk on, walk on

Leave it behind

You've got to leave it behind

All that you fashion

All that you make

All that you build

All that you break

All that you measure

All that you steal

All this you can leave behind

All that you reason

All that you sense

All that you speak

All you dress up

All that you scheme.

U2

When you really love someone

Alicia Keys via last.fm

Alicai Keys has been gone long time from indian music scene. The year she came to scene with a bagful of grammies, she was ruling the prime time music shows. She was a real talent at the time when Britney and similar kop acts were making charts with their sweaty sounds and right on face gyrations. Well, these over sexed music is not first, and surely, it was not females who made it cool in the scene - it was none other than The King(the real King) who did it first. That was cool because he could swing his hips the same way he could modulate his voice, a magical voice which could make any woman swoon. That age is gone. In the digital age, acts have become more theatrical rather than talent.

Alicia was different. She could compose great songs. That was not Britney's forte. She produced or co-produced many of her singles and albums. This was real stuff, but that won't sell in market. So Britney came and went, so did many others, and latest is Taylor Swift. Well, it is too early to make such statements, and I truly hope she comes up with a geniune album. Alicia Keys has suung with many legends in the industry, like Jay-Z and the other legend, John (Not Lennon, obviously!). Her songs have been soulful melodies, and mixes lot of influences into one beautiful song. The power of lyrics are the masterpiece in her songs, most of which are written by her or co-written. I like that in an artist.

The particular song I like has most beautiful lyrics. I have never found anyone who has exactly my own musical tastes. If I say I like a song based on lyrics alone, it would be partial truth. If it is only melodies or harmonics, then again it will be partial truth. Is it a particular artist that make me like it? Maybe, but again very minor partial truth. There are many other reasons. My musical interests are sum of all these partial truths. This song is one of those which I like at this particular point in my life. I have written down the lyrics myself. It helped me listen to them more, with my brain in line with my heart, which normally bunks such sessions.

Particular portions of the song, like the hummed chorus at end, would find very little likers. I would even have difficulty in making half my acquaintences listen to it even. And that is my dilema. To find someone who will hear me, but will let me listen alone. Me and my music, the only true love which will never betray me, unless I do.

So here are the lyrics to the song _____________________

WHEN YOU REALLY LOVE SOMEONE

I'm a women, 

and lord knows its hard, i need a real man to give me what i need(uh)

sweet attention, love and tenderness

when its real, its unconditional

i'm tellin' ya

cos man's just ain't a man, if he ain't man enough

to love you  when you're right

love you when you're wrong, 

love you when you're weak, 

love you when you're strong

take you higher, when the world that you're, feeling low

he's giving you his last, cos he's thinking of you first,

giving comfort when he's thinking that you're hurt

that's what done when you really love someone

I'm tellin ya, I'm telling ya

cos you're a real man, and lords knows its hard

sometimes you just need a womans touch

sweet affection, love and support

when its real, its unconditional

i'm tellin' ya

cos woman ain't a woman, if she ain't woman enough

to love you  when you're right(uh hun)

love you when you're wrong,

love you when you're weak, (uh hun)

love you when you're strong

take you higher, when the world that you're feeling low

she's giving you the best even when you're feeling the worst

giving comfort when she's thinking that you're hurt

that's what done when you really love someone

I'm tellin ya, I'm telling ya

sometimes you're gonna argue, sometimes you're gonna fight

sometime's its gonna feel like it ain't ever gonna be right

but something so strong, keeps you holding on

it don't make sense, but it make a good song

cos man's just ain't a man, if he ain't man enough

to love you  when you're right

love you when you're wrong, (woo hoo)

love you when you're weak, 

love you when you're strong

love you when you're strong

take you higher(take you higher), when the world that you're feeling low

he's thinking of his last, cos he's thinking of you first,

giving comfort when he's thinking that you're hurt

(oh)that's what done when you really love someone

I'm tellin ya, I'm telling ya

(I'm tellin ya) cos woman ain't a woman, if she ain't woman enough

to love you  when you're right

love you when you're wrong, 

love you when you're weak, 

love you when you're strong

take you higher and higher, when the world that you're feeling low

she's giving you the best even when you're at the worst

giving comfort when she's thinking that you're hurt

that's what done when you really love someone

I'm tellin ya, I'm telling ya

I'm tellin ya, I'm telling ya

I'm tellin ya, I'm telling ya

hmmmm hmmm yeah

hmmmm hmmm yeah

hmmmm hmmm yeah

hmmmm hmmm yeah

hmmmm hmmm yeah(yeah)

hmmmm hmmm yeah(yeah)

hmmmm hmmm yeah(yeah)

(fades)

Thaman

Thaman is a great Music director. He has great ear for sound and mix. He doesn't over mix, neither does overlay with heavy vocals. He keeps a good ratio between vocals and music. The best of his comes in Mundhinam Paartheney. This soundtrack is superb for its use of western influences - English lyrics, Jazz, Swing and a variety of musical instruments. It doesn't go fast too. It would be nice to hear this guy try out new dimensions in music. Only this kind of experimentalist will make the much necessary shake up in music industry. It is also very heart breaking that this person has not followed up, or maybe not been allowed to follow up with a great album.

All the songs are good, but some are better. All of Suchitras songs are excellent, but I would not say anything about it with respect to others. So among the rest of the track list, Maya sung by Naresh Iyer and Janani is a good easy listener, Indre Indre by Ranjith doesn't live up to the singers level, and Manadhil Adiyil sung by Priyadarshini is barely OK. All these songs have heavy rock influence and a failed attempt at fusion. Even then all these songs have been nicely produced.

The other songs by Suchitra are Mundhinam Paarthen with Thaman, Pesum Poove with Krish and Kanavena with Haricharan. The best of this lot is Pesum Poove. Mundhinam Paarthen is a class apart. The song Kanavena is good in parts, though there are at times when you feel what the music tries to say.

So Mundhinam Paartheney: Must Have.

Recommended buy for sure.

Other soundtracks by same director from movie Eeram is also good, though I would not recommend to buy it.

Trivia: He debuted in the movie Boys as an actor.

Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein

Lyrics : Harivansh Rai Bachan

This is the poem which has been moulded in the song. Listen it in the mountainous voice of the Shenshah of Bollywood, Amitabh Bhachhan.

It has certain pain. People who have suffered in pain can live without anyone, even without his lover, because the grief is enough to allow him to live.

*******************************************************************

कभी  कभी  मेरे  दिल  मैं  ख्याल  आता  हैं 

की  ज़िन्दगी  तेरी  जुल्फों  की  नर्म  छाओं  मैं  गुजरने  पति 

तो  शादाब  हो  भी  सकती  थी 

यह  रंज-ओ-ग़म  की  सियाही  जो  दिल  पे  छाई  हैं 

तेरी  नज़र  की  शुओं  मैं  खो  भी  सकती  थी 

मगर  यह  हो  न  सका  और  अब  ये  आलम  हैं 

की  तू  नहीं, तेरा  ग़म  तेरी  जुस्तजू  भी  नहीं 

गुज़र  रही  हैं  कुछ  इस  तरह  ज़िन्दगी  जैसे,

इससे  किसी  के  सहारे  की  आरज़ू  भी  नहीं 

न  कोई  राह, न  मंजिल, न  रौशनी  का  सुराग 

भटक  रहीं  है  अंधेरों  मैं  ज़िन्दगी  मेरी 

इन्ही  अंधेरों  मैं  रह  जाऊँगा  कभी  खो  कर 

मैं  जनता  हूँ  मेरी  हम-नफास, मगर  यूंही 

कभी  कभी  मेरे  दिल  मैं  ख्याल  आता  हैं

*******************************************************************

शादाब /Shadab=fresh,delightful

रज/Ranj=distress,grief

जुस्तजू /Justjoo=desire

हम-नफस/Hum-nafas=companion,friend

Plagiarized into 'My Lover's ode'

Image via Wikipedia

This is a very personal post. It is not written by me, neither do I remember where I got it from(I won't try to find it, because then it will cloud my emotions and start evaluating). But this is what I feel like, and I even got a perfect picture to go along with it. This picture is of 'AVAHA', which means 'LOVE' in Hebrew, at the Israeli museum. I can't express any more than what is already done. Beautiful.

Don't go changing, to try and please me

You never let me down before

Don't imagine you're too familiar

And I don't see you anymore

I wouldn't leave you in times of trouble

We never could have come this far

I took the good times, I'll take the bad times

I'll take you just the way you are

Don't go trying some new fashion

Don't change the color of your hair

You always have my unspoken passion

Although I might not seem to care

I don't want clever conversation

I never want to work that hard

I just want someone that I can talk to

I want you just the way you are.

I need to know that you will always be

The same old someone that I knew

What will it take 'till you believe in me

The way that I believe in you.

I said I love you, and that's forever

And this I promise from the heart

I could not love you any better

I love you just the way you are

K'Naan - a prophetic voice beyond, for humanity!

I have never felt so strongly affected by any lyrics as I have been by “Wavin' Flag” by K'Naan. The celebration mix feat Will.I.Am and David Guetta is official song of FIFA 2010 WC along, and has been making lots of rounds in the ESPN. The original lyrics are very raw and says a lot about the actual situation in Africa. The song was redone with lyrics given more feel good touch by Will.I.Am and K'Naan to make it more 'palatable' to the developed countries. But then, the old lyrics have such more power, I can hear that one more than the new one, because I can listen to the words any number of time.

The song starts without any musical instruments accompanying K'Naan and his voice is like a kid singing just so that he can forget his pains. There is joy in the voice, a hope which radiates from the person even though it is only recorded version. The lyrics show the history of the powerful continent of Africa, where the first kingdoms came to be. The nations which even rattled the mighty empire of Rome, which now is full of violence. Each of the citizens of these nations run to west, to the havens there, looking for hope. Only a few make it, and one of those few is now President of most powerful nation of the modern world.

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

(n then it goes back, n then it goes back)

Born to a throne, stronger then Rome
A violent prone, poor people zone
But it's my home, all I have known
Where I got grown, streets we would roam
Out of the darkness, I came the farthest
Among the hardest survivors
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak
Except no defeat, surrender, retreat
So we strugglin', fightin' to eat
And we wonderin', when we'll be free
So we patiently wait for that fateful day
It's not far away, but for now we say...

Each of these cantos make you think what it is out there, how the people are living, if the images that you see in BBC are really there, why the billions and trillions put together by charities through the years haven't been able to bring any betterment in the conditions. The nations which paved thousand of kilometers of road with goal for the fancy of a king going to Mecca is now poorer than many companies. The nations which were among the first to be civilized are now uncivilized, their art and literature are looked upon as ethnic and exquisite, a collectors choice kind. Wars are common still, while many haven't heard a single shot fired in their life. An AK 47 is cheaper than a liter of milk, and fresh milk is almost unavailable unless you are really rich or powerful. The rest of the lyrics says why.

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

So many wars, settlin' scores
Bringin' us promises, leavin' us poor
I heard 'em say, love is the way
Love is the answer, that's what they say
But look how they treat us
Make us believers, we fight their battles
Then they deceive us
Tried to control us, they couldn't hold us
Cos we just moved forward like Buffalo Soldiers
But we strugglin', fightin' to eat
And we wonderin', when we'll be free
So we patiently wait for that fateful day
It's not far away, but for now we say...

The wars fought for their sake are bleeding them more. Is it really bringing any good? What is the answer to this question which every sane person asks. Are they being deceived by a mirage, of better future after the war while they are kept in perpetual conflict, the zone never demilitarized!

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

And everybody will be singing it
And you and I will be singing it
And we all will be singing it

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a wavin' flag

(Outro)
When I get older; when I get older
I will be stronger, just like a wavin' flag
Just like a wavin' flag, just like a wavin' flag
Flag, flag, just like a wavin' flag

So many kids out there are waiting to get older, to grow old into freedom. When will this happen, patience is their only weapon. Let the powers in the nature give them strength.

Wavin' Flag (FIFA version Spanish)

If I could understand Spanish, then it would have been great because of all the songs which I have heard for a football game, the song by K'Naan and David Bisbal is superior to everything. It evokes all the emotions which only WC can give.

The video starts with last years winning moment, but the real images that gives vent to all emotions pent up inside are the yellow, blue, red, white and green painted fans. The big drums which beat to your hearts beat just brings those old matches to life, you see Pele being taken on shoulders of his team mates, wrapped in Brazilian flag after 1970 victory, the image of Maradona, kissing the cup, and the the great man crying after the loss in 1990, the crest fallen Baggio standing with his hands on his hip, the image of Cryuff playing the 1974 final, marshaling his troops without luck, and still trying, the desperation in each moment as the clock ticks away, and the resolute Germans defending, all the memories flood and you are left groping for words. As the song says, see the champions take the field now,you are the fighters, make us proud now.

Each person, irrespective of the nation they support, no matter if their country has qualified a light year back, and still couldn't play because they could play only barefoot, is a winner in this beautiful game. As we lose our inhibitions, celebrations' are around us, lets rejoice in the beautiful game.

1 Goal: Education for all

Image by alicepopkorn via Flickr

As the WC unfolds in the continent where the humans first walked and civilization started, the same people are now facing a threat to their very life each day. FIFA is championing the cause of education for all in Africa and WC in South Africa is seen as the special purpose vehicle for that. On the eve of Kick off day of WC 2010, FIFA organized a charity concert with some of the biggest names in African and World music taking stage for the cause. There was a good mixture of native and international songs, some of the music were truly great. There was Alicia Keys singing Empire state of mind to the tune of World Cup, and boy it was wonderful. The official song of WC 2010, Waka Waka(its time for Africa) by Shakira was much awaited. Sadly, the live version didn't live up to the magic when the same had football's greatest moments interceded with the visual. Though Shakira is beautiful to watch, football is ethereal. The highlight of the concert was the song by K'naan. What a powerful lyrics, when you hear him sing about how they are cheated by the authorities, the way they are told gang wars are cool and the way their lives are taken away from them for the joy of a few, evokes vivid images. His voice is very smooth, singing as if he is telling you a lullaby only to wake you up from your slumber. The magic of the Waving flag is the nakedness of the song. It doesn't preach, neither does it cry out, it just says the life. I have heard FIFA theme songs over the years from Cup of Life to Waka Waka, but this song is the closest to my heart. There were advertisements in between about the 1GOAL program. This is endorsed by lots of people, people who cannot afford not to- on various counts. I do not know my part in this, but whatever is to be done by me, will be done. I hope everyone sees the advertisement of 1GOAL, not the one with Pele and Zidane, but the one with people of Africa, and decide for yourself.

Waka Waka

Image via Wikipedia

The official anthem of FIFA 2010 WC is shown in all the channels. Its beautiful Shakira singing it in her husky voice, for Africa and for the people of the world. The beautiful game sees its latest host in the beautiful nation of rainbows. The land of Big Four of Africa, the beautiful land with ultimate human experience – Suda Africa.

The song is beautifully pictured with greatest moments in football captured in the canvas. The joy of a country, and the cry of passion, the dance, the drums and the ticker tapes – all are captured in the video and the voice takes the entire passion into another realm. The opening concert also had the same song sung live by Shakira. She is so beautiful. Her body is so sensuous to the movements of the wind, and the smile is as good as the song. Her hips move as if they are caressed by some invisible hand, and the body bends backwards being held by same hand. Only the wind can make the tender sapling move like this. Is it primitive to dance like she does or is it a superior abandon? Whatever it is, she takes the entire singing and dancing to the heart rather than mind.

Snatch!

Image via Wikipedia

My friends have been going ga-ga about Snatch for last 2 months at least and somehow I managed to not to see it. The statements they made for situations, facebook status messages...well for almost anything.

One particular statement made me watch this movie. That was about 'unconventional music for a conventional guy'.

First thing into the movie, you are given the introduction of characters. The names Turkish, Jewish guys, Doug, etc etc and their very serious profiles. I watched the entire movie and found that this was the most appropriate soundtrack mixing I have seen, beating even death proof, although I couldn't find why it was told as 'unconventional'.

There have been debates whether QT should be deemed an (H)auteur but I feel Guy Ritchie already has made it into the list, maybe a few more movies shall do the trick for him. The high light of the movie is the dialogues. The slangs are funny to the right limit. It doesn't overkill the language. The reference to catholic church and Jews by Benicio Del Toro in the beginning of the 'snatch' is the ultimate start, you don't feel like you are in a James Bond movie and it feels good. When Boris comes to get his stone, he sees Benicio Del Toro tied and hacks his hand off to get the stone. In the end he says in typical mugger style, “You can keep the ten grrand along with the body. But If I see you again, you motherfuckers, well, look at him”. The ultimate dialogue of the movie is the definition of nemesis delivered to perfection by Alan Ford. You can never get a better delivered dialogue with such a powerful effect. Alan Ford also says why guys should fear him. Because he owns a pig farm. A PIG FARM. Well, if you hear it being said, you will fear him.

In the end, it is the cycle of events which end up death of Boris, who stays true to his nick name while Toni tries to kill him emptying a full round, of Toni who is killed freakishly and loss of diamond to the Dog. And the dog is taken by Turkish. And Turkish takes the stone to Doug. And Doug calls ISD. And Farina is again going to London, after his declaration at customs “Don't go to London!”.. All the while, soundtrack gives you a real good company.

Another time, and place and better health might prompt me to write a bit more on unconventionality. It is a tricky affairs - this unconventionality.

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"God, the Devil and Kings of Leon"

Again a band from Nashville. Another family from Nashville. And they are playing alt. rock. WTF. They are sons of a preacher man playing the about sex drugs and revelry! And they have the coolest music in the world.

The first album by the band, Only by night, has some of the biggest hits of 2009. What makes them special. First it is the really unusual pitch of Caleb's drawl. He sings as if someone has taken him neck and is making him sing(or something of that sort, not at all open ordinary) Then it is their drums. They are using plain old fashioned drumming style, which almost is good enough as that Jimi Hendrix band. And the lyrics. They got real exquisite lyrical ability. Songs like sex on fire and revelry are words pulled up together by somebody who great imagination while in a joint.

I haven't heard more from them, but I am having their first album with me. And presently I am getting real fucked up and don't want to fucking write anymore. I won't need any bitching from anyone and I won't be giving any.