Album – Rock On Hindustan

Music- Siddharth Kasyap

Singers – Roopkumar Rathod and Madhushree

Lyricist- Azhar Hashmi, Muhammad Iqbal, Siddharth Kasyap and Shakeel Azmi

Label - Crescendo Music

Launch of the album is timely as it’s around that time of the year when India celebrates ‘Republic Day’. Crescendo Music, the pioneer in promoting Indian Pop and Rock music is providing the perfect platform for artistes to showcase their talent. The label has launched ‘Rock On Hindustan’ that consists of six patriotic tracks composed and produced by Siddharth Kasyap.  It is the unusual mix of rock and classic.

Western and Indian instrument music have mixed in well. Sitar, Shenai and Rawanhatta (bowing instrument) are the Indian instruments that were used in the album.

Sitar magic and the shehnai act for the first track is really fab. The tune of the conventional ‘Vande Mataram’ builds up a patriotic environment in the first track ‘Vande Mataram’ of the album and then it moves into the newly composed ‘Vande Mataram’ with new music and lyrics. Its holds some really beautifully sung lyrics by Madhushree. Soft rock complied along with some shehnai is really appealing. The music has complimented the vocalist. It’s a six minutes track penned by Shakeel Azmi.

Madhushree's warm voice is so brilliantly placed in the melodious music in the track ‘Aisa Jahan’.  Shakeel Azmi has put in some meaningful lyrics. The touch with the English chorus matches perfectly well with Madhushree’s voice.  Drums by Agnelo Picardo hold a good place in the song and is really appealing.

Next track in the album is 'Raam Wala Hindustan' which holds excellent lyrics. Shenai played by Yogesh More holds a prominent position in the track. Azhar Hashmi has penned some meaningful lyrics. The lyrics take you through a journey of patriotism. Roopkumar Rathod has given a power packed vocal for the track. ‘Maula mere maula’ singers’ voice has bought in a depth to this song. Hard Drums and Shenai combination is also very pleasing.

'Yeh Desh Humara Hai' is penned by the composer of the album Siddharth Kasyap. Low on music and high on backup vocals takes you to the conventional patriotic song in spite of the rock style used in the track.

Tough lyrics to create an impact and the touch of sitar had worked well with the track ‘Jaago India’. Again lyrics by Shakeel Azmi have strengthened the voice of vocalist Roopkumar Rathod. Composition is complimenting the aggregate song. The power of sitar in the track plays a significant role. Well done track.  If tomorrow you hear this track in Tata tea advertisement than don’t be surprised as the power of the song should reach large audiences.

Last track ‘Sare  Jahan Se Acha’ has moved ahead with its hard rock; breaking the normal tune associated with the traditional ‘Saare  Jahan Se Achha’. The traditional track plays much stronger role so this track fails to create the impact that the music composer must have planned. Muhammad Iqbal has penned the lyrics for the track. Fusion of hard rock and traditional style didn’t work well.

Overall, good work with rock music in the album but for people who enjoy conventional ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Sare  Jahan Se Acha’ then this is not the album you would love to listen.