Music of Jimmy

Who can get those images of Mithun Jimmy Chakraborty's signature gyrations in I am a Disco Dancer out of their head? Guess what? Jimmy's back, reincarnated (in name only, though) as star son, Mimoh Chakraborty. A lot meaner (maybe not leaner). However, when you hear the Anand Raaj Anand-directed soundtrack, the first thing that comes to mind is - sure hope that Mimoh's comeback vehicle comes with a full and unconditional warranty.

The album opener, Aaya Hoon elicits the response, "Kyun aaye? You really shouldn't have bothered." The track, sung by Kunal Ganjawala, appears to want to ignite the same response in the listener as Sitaaron Ki Mehfil Mein from Kaho Na Pyaar Hai (also a star son launchpad), but owing to weak melody and orchestration, it ends up sounding too much like an advertising jingle that just doesn't end.

Do Minute Mein opens with a Latino-hip/hop beat layout, and has vocals by Shaan. The song recovers slightly with its chorus loop line, which may get this song and its potential remixes into the club scene, but the rest of it just sounds way too confused. The song also features those Hinglish lines that seem to be becoming all the craze, these days. One such gem of a line in this track is expression "na sad kar". Ah Jimmy, we just can't help it. At least we're holding the tears back, at this point.

Jeevein Bulliyaan, which brings back memories of another Anand Raaj Anand track - Dil De Diya Hai from Masti - has its moments. Sung by Anand himself, whose coarse voice is a bit of an acquired taste, the sad and simple ballad is definitely not one of his best renditions or compositions, but its similarity to some of his best work is its only saving grace.

An ineffective and forgettable melody layout plagues the interestingly-titled Why Not Jimmy (didn't know that we had a choice here), which has Shaan's smiley vocals over a Dus Bahaaney-type backdrop. Nothing memorable. More weakness in terms of orchestration and melody are spotted in Marhaba. In the main chorus lines, Debojit tries too hard to be intense, and ends up sounding like he's in pain.

The highly ineffective Ye Meri Hai Daastaan appears to be a ballad sung in a state of drunkenness. One would sincerely hope so, because the rendition by unknown singer Vijay Verma is appalling and doesn't sound professional at all. Almost like the off-key take of a karaoke night that a first-time singer wants to forget.

And even Kailash Kher's powerhouse vocals can't save the stereotypical Zamaane Se Keh Do which sinks into oblivion within seconds.

Balance Sheet: Soundtracks like this make you wonder if the production team actually listens to the final versions of songs, before they go out for release. Did they actually gather in a room, and honestly listen to this album end-to-end, and think to themselves - wow, I foresee a blockbuster here?

Jimmy, the music album, lacks any personality or attitude whatsoever - two essential ingredients for a launch vehicle. There's no two ways about it - with the exception of a few short outbursts of average quality (Jeevein Bulleya), Jimmy's music is overall fairly awful, bordering on un-listenable.