Rating:****

Expectation

Huge with a capital H - That's the best way to describe the expectations that one has from the music of Ghajini. An Aamir Khan project is always big. When A.R. Rahman gets involved, it only becomes bigger.

And when it's a project like Ghajini, which is a hardcore commercial fare, it has to be of one of the biggest, if not 'THE' biggest soundtrack of the year.

Add in a name like Prasoon Joshi, who writes the lyrics for the film and you know that there is just no room for any error whatsoever. So what do we get here? Let's read on!

Music

Ever since the music release of Roja, the common saying for almost a decade and a half has been - 'Rahman's music takes time to grow'.

That has indeed been the case for some of his best work ever which has gone on to be huge commercial success. Now imagine his music appealing to your ears in the very first go itself! The results are meant to be fantabulous and immediately acceptable, something which happens in case of Ghajini.

A.R. Rahman truly creates a soundtrack which makes an instant impact and yet retains the classy touch which is expected from him, especially noticeable in songs like 'Guzarish' and 'Kaise Mujhe'.

Both being complex compositions due to the kind of variation that Rahman brings in spinning a melodic tale, 'Guzarish' and 'Kaise Mujhe' work and how!

While 'Guzarish' is sweet-n-saccharine with Bollywood romance at its best, 'Kaise Mujhe' reminds of the kind of work that Ismail Darbar has been doing ever since his Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam days. Slow and pensive, it has a classy feel to it and sound even better in its 'instrumental' version. Someone bring on that 'Karaoke' please!

Only Rahman could have made something like this possible and if you have been a fan of 'Latka Dikha Diya Tumne' (Hindustani), then be sure that 'Aye Bachchu' would get the house on fire, which is a foot tapping track that is way beyond the likes of 'Shano Shano' (Yuuvraaj).

It is a party track which has an out and out Western rhythm to it and should be quite some eye candy. Ditto for 'Latoo' which is heavy on orchestra, rightly so since the genre of the number requires that to be the case.

The only number which is 'un-Rahmanish' in appeal and appears to be coming from the house of Pritam or Vishal-Shekhar, it is fast paced and boasts of an instant recollection quotient.

'Behka' could well be the 'Main Aisa Kyon Hoon' (Lakshya) moment for Aamir Khan in the way it is has been composed.

The most unique composition of the album and something which Rahman has attempted after a long time. 'Behka' has an international sound in the way it is paced and arranged.

Especially watch out for the 'antara' portion and you know for yourself that what sets it apart from any other Rahman song you would have heard in the recent times.

Lyrics

With Prasoon Joshi around, lyrics are bound to be not just impressive but even way different from what one hears in a regular Bollywood album.

Whether it is the poetic feel of 'Guzarish' or the intoxicated feel of 'Behka', Prasoon is in full form here. Of course when it comes to bringing on some fun on the house, 'Aye Bachchu' and 'Latoo' win hands down.

Vocals

Javed Ali makes best use of the opportunity that he gets with 'Guzarish'. First 'Jashn-E-Bahaaran' and now 'Guzarish', the young man is certainly looking up in his career.

Another new singer, Benny Dayal, who made a worthy debut with 'Tu Meri Dost Hain' (Yuuvvraaj), is good once again in 'Kaise Mujhe'. What comes across as a pleasant surprise is to see Shreya Ghoshal letting her hair down for 'Latoo', a kind of track which, on any other day would have fell in Sunidhi Chauhan's lap.

Suzanne, who continues to make an impression with every opportunity that comes to her, knows that 'Aye Bachchu' is the number for the dance floor and she gets the right attitude in place to justify her presence in the song as the chosen one.

Overall

Ghajini is what one calls as a chartbuster album in the offering.

Clearly boasting of Rahman's best soundtrack of the year (yes, it is better than Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa, Jodhaa Akbar, Yuvvraaj and Ada), Ghajini in fact, sees Rahman-Aamir collaboration being successful yet again after some of their best work together in Rang De Basanti, Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India and Rangeela.

The music of Ghajini is all set to make waves way into 2009 after the Christmas release of the film. When 'best of the best' list would be compiled at the year end, it would be hard to ignore Ghajini.