 Himesh Reshammiya is being touted as the global rockstar. But when this rockstar makes a comeback of sorts after a brief hiatus of few months (thankfully), his offering is miserably out of form-n-tune. For Red is a miserable failure on all counts. First of all Himesh’s singing is intolerable. Alright, he sounds good in Dil Ne Ye Na Jaana (one of the better songs of the album), but apart from that, his voice in Aafreen Tera Chehra, Aamin and Loneliness is Killing is pathetic to say the least. Ek Tum Hi sung by rocker Jayesh Gandhi sounds decent, mostly because you are relieved of not listening to Himesh once again on this album. He must stop trying to be one man show on his film albums. For he is sounding pathetically bad. Even if you are a Himesh fan, you shall crib if you buy Red. Instead buy a Tere Naam cd where Himesh had given quality singers like Udit Narayan a chance to give a lasting quality to his compositions.
Himesh Reshammiya goes Aafreen Tera Chehra in his trademark repeating-the-hookline fashion. Well, I’d been hoping that Reshammiya’s comeback after a brief hiatus would be something to write home about. But alas it is the same old wine in the same old bottle. So, what you get in this number is a regular bassed-up-beat with some keyboard generated string sounds. Characteristic sarangi notes filter in too. Himesh’s singing style doesn’t have anything to offer. If you’re fond of Reshammiya brand of repetitive music, then you may find it worth a few replays. Else, give it a miss.
The Aafreen Tera Chehra Remix starts off on a heady note. It picks up the momentum as it goes along. The female chorus section in the middle adds pace to your dance steps. Once again, Himesh Remix scores over the original. I’m sure you shall relish on a Saturday night out in a glitzy disco. Maybe, it might be your choice while driving back home in the silence of the night…
When you start listening to the second song of the album, for most part you are unable to understand the hook line. It seems like Hameen. But when you check the credit list, it’s given as Aamin. Now, that’s a blatant error. For there were tutors in the earlier era who worked on the pronunciation of the singers (No wonder Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle in spite of being Maharashtrians have excellent command over Urdu. Same with Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey). It seems Himesh Reshammiya is too big to worry about pronunciation. As for the song, it’s a rehash of his exhaustive works in Dil Diya Hai, Ahista Ahista etc. Statuary warning: Aamin can get on your nerves beyond a point.
Aamin (Remix) doesn’t have anything new to offer either. An add-on rhythm tries to flog a dead horse. The song doesn’t have anything worth writing anything about. Even for a die hard Himesh fan, it can be a suffering.
 Rock band Indus Creed’s guitarist Jayesh Gandhi puts his heady vocals to good use in Ek Tum Hi. The music arrangements aren’t drastically different, but it’s definitely a better number in the album. For the acoustic guitars, the electric guitars carrying the rock edge and certain fillers make for impressive moments. Himesh’s Aafreen in the middle is a put off. But the fact that you get a reprieve from him for once is a welcome change. Gandhi’s high pitched vocals are good. Ek Tum Hi is one of the better Rock ballads one has come across in Bollywood music in recent times.
Ek Tum Hi Remix carries loads of reverb with techno fillers. It’s a well produced remix that makes for hip shaking moves. This one’s a worth-it number.
Dil Ne Ye Na Jaana is a better song even though Himesh is back behind the mike. For, it’s a low pitched number and Reshammiya is able to emote better. Even Harshdeep’s soulful vocals leave a lasting impact too. The gentle playing around with Tabla and the Saraangi interludes are appealing. Sameer’s lyrics are impressive too for it conveys the depth involved in a heart aching for someone without saying much. Dil Ne Ye Na Jaana is one of the better numbers composed by the-man-with-the-cap.
Loneliness is Killing finds Himesh jamming with Akrity Kakar in a slow boring romantic ditty. Sorry fillers, too laidback rhythm and tired singing of Himesh unusually wrapped in heavy duty reverb for no rhythm or reason. The Remix of Loneliness is Killing isn’t exciting either. The dhinchak rhytm necessarily doesn’t make for exciting fare. Or does it! It’s a waste of a number. Give it a miss for sure.
Red: Give-it-a-miss
Star Rating: *1/2
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