HOUSEFULL MUSIC REVIEW

Like most XL-sized entertainers with modest brains yet abundant gimmicks, Sajid Khan's [ Images ] Housefull, too, has tons to offer.

And so big stars flaunt their tanned brawns, shapely beach bodies and nutty comic skills to indulge in this lavishly-scaled tomfoolery set in UK.

Similar to Khan's previous outing, Heyy Babyy, this one also features Akshay Kumar [ Images ] leading the brat pack while Ritesh Deshmukh [ Images ] and Arjun Rampal [ Images ] volunteer to play the indispensable sidekick. Not to forget Lara Dutta [ Images ], Deepika Padukone [ Images ] and Jiah Khan [ Images ] bringing in the glamour and gloss.

Scheduled for an April 30 release, Housefull is about a guy caught in a curious, comic situation wherein all his three wives share the same roof owing to some inexplicable mix-up and how it triggers off a series of wacky events.

Whether this seemingly goofy plot evokes a side-splitting response in cinemas remains to be seen. Meanwhile its soundtrack Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy [ Images ], against Sameer and Amitabh [ Images ] Bhattacharya's lyrics, is out in the stores.

The composer troika seldom disappoint when it comes to pop or pep. Even for an unpretentiously commercial fare like Heyy Babyy, they scooped out some genuine soul. Housefull, however, doesn't demonstrate this attribute. To its credit, the album starts out with spunk but loses ground soon after.

A whiff of accordion, the kind you associate with European alfresco visuals, makes it presence felt on and off throughout the otherwise synthetic yet funky beats of the effortlessly catchy Oh girl, you're mine. Hummed stylishly by father-daughter duo of Loy and Alyssa Mendonsa (the exhilarating voice behind Karthik Calling Karthik [ Images ]'s Uff teri ada) along with the pleasantly husky Tarun Sagar, the trippy track bounces off the usual tripe of love-you-like-crazy-I swear. But S-E-L's snazzy treatment ensures it works and bears enough repeat value until the next one of this ilk comes along. It comes in a remixed pack as well. DJ Whosane is at helm of this accelerated-to-the-point-of-distraction edition.

The man behind racy chart-climbers like Hare ram (Bhool Bhulaiyaa) and Love mera hit (Billu) – Neeraj Shridhar is joined by Amitabh Bhattacharya and Ritu Pathak to croon the flirtatious Papa jag jayega. Despite its rather situational temperament – a couple vying for some nighttime rendezvous while dodging a certain Daddy uncool, Papa sends across foot-tapping vibes thanks to a nifty arrangement and animated playback efforts from the afore-mentioned trio. Although its recurring 'toing-toing' pattern bears strong resemblance to the one in Pyaar karke from Pyaar Ke Side Effects. Liked it enough for encore? Head for the Insane Insomniac mix of the same.

Some songs are innately dishy. Remember Bachna Ae Haseeno [ Images ]? Even its spruced up remix was much-appreciated. Ditto for Lawaaris' Aapka kya hoga. The unabashedly flamboyant number created by Kalyanji-Anandji 20 something years ago makes a comeback in a pumped-up avatar, courtesy Mika's characteristic sauciness and Sunidhi Chauhan's [ Images ] sensual rasping while retaining the fiery essence and orgasmic moans of the original. As an aside, Aladin [ Images ]'s demure new-face, Jacqueline Fernandez [ Images ] reportedly beat the likes of Sushmita Sen [ Images ] to shake a leg on this coveted item song.

Truth be told, Housefull reaches its peak as a musical compilation at this point. What follows next are a bunch of bland concoctions that neither excite nor entice.

As if echoing the dilemma the listener is facing the next track is aptly titled, I don't know what to do. Sunidhi oozes oomph as usual to convey the turned-on state of her protagonist even as Shabbir Kumar (the high-pitching, piercing singing voice of Sunny Deol in Betaab) plays coy. There's nothing doable about this one. Although its remix -- Shabbirs Sexy 70s mix sprinkled with some unmistakable Biddu-effects fares marginally better.

Housefull wraps up on a Hinglish note with He's such a loser. The tune begs to suggest an element of noir what with Vivinenne Pocha employing her sinewy siren cry to hypnotic effect only to awkwardly mouth ill-fitting ones like, 'You're such a panovati.' Not quite, this.

A mixed bag of zippy and wishy-washy, there's nothing full-filling about this House.

Sura music REVIEW

The dust has barely settled from his last release, and Ilayathalapathy Vijay is back again with his next commercial entertainer, Sun Pictures' and Murugan Cine Arts' Tamil film, Sura directed by S P Rajkumar, revolving around the sea and its people.

The buzz for Sura is greater, as this is Vijay's 50th film and is believed to be his last commercial venture. He will, supposedly, concentrate on acting-oriented scripts and subtler roles in forthcoming films.

An added attraction is heroine Tamannaah -- the "it" girl of the season.

With its music tuned by Mani Sharma, here's what Sura's music is all about.

Thanjavoor Jillakkari begins with a medley of male and female voices and strong, crashing beats, rendered by Hemachandra and Saindhavi. This number has semi-erotic lyrics by Na Muthukumar, filled with lusty expressions, longing kisses and English phrases which shout out, Life-e jolly! There is also a loyal dedication to Ilaya Thalapathy himself. The best part of this number is the refrain, a truly catchy Bommaayee, which makes you listen to it more than once. A minus point is that it's a faithful remix of the Bommali number from Telugu's Billa.

The words Enga Vettu Pillai, give a pretty good indication of how exactly the song's going to turn out -- but a flute interlude adds a neat variation to the proceedings. Vetri Kodi Ethu is swiftly paced, with a solid rhythm and proceeds along unexpected lines that sound regal and appealing. Ranjith and Mukesh render the song, penned by Vaali and S P Rajkumar. The lyrics are nothing to write home about, but the song itself, though reminding you of Ullathai Killadhae from Thamizhan, is a peppy number, worth a listen.

Penned by Kabilan, Vanga Kadal Ella, sung by Naveen and Maladhi Lakshmanan is yet another hero-centric number that's all about his prowess, and women swooning over him; presumably a kuthu number. Predictably, it follows the pattern of a dozen others in the same mould, complete with folksy beats and instruments. Yet another reference to MGR's blockbuster Padagotti makes itself known here.

Siragadikkum Nilavu begins in a classy fashion, with a sax segment, until it morphs into a swift paced number and a chorus that goes chikku-mama, and you lose hope. True to expectations, Snehan's lyrics are rather dull, all about syrupy-sweet romance, sung by Karthik and Reeta and have nothing new to offer. Hopefully, the choreography and picturisation might present something new.

Written by Kabilan, Thamizhan Veera Thamizhan, sung by Rahul Nambiyar is the mandatory hero-centric song that heralds the birth of the super-hero, the one who will become the weapon that destroys evil and bring his foes to their knees. The beat is brisk and enthusiastic, but that's all that can be said of it, as the softer sections seem imitations of other, previous works.

With a burst of guitar-strings and keyboard instrumentation begins Naan Nadanthaal Adhiradi. There's a faintly nineties feel to this song, sung by Naveen, Shobha Chandrasekar and Janani Madhan, to Kabilan's lyrics. There's a veena interlude providing some variation, but its mostly heavily synthesized music, to words that lavish praise on Sura -- only expected. Guitars make an appearance again -- and you wish these segments had been given more space. Here too, the refrain is catchy enough, and meant for dancing. Otherwise, it's pretty run-of-the mill. Besides resembling Vaa Chellam from Thoranai, it's a remix of My Name is Billa, once again, from Telugu's Billa.

Sura, like every other Vijay album has all the ingredients that will make his fans insanely happy -- and a couple of numbers that have a broader appeal, despite the remix value. For Vijay fans, it's a definite treat. For the rest -- a couple of numbers match expectations.