Melodies for a monsoon month

Return Of Saturn; No Doubt; Universal Music; Rs. 125

The Heat; Toni Braxton; BMG Crescendo; Rs. 125

Latest, Greatest, Straitest, Hits; George Strait; Universal Music; Rs. 125

Ishq Brandy; Mika; BMG Crescendo; Rs. 65

Madhur Smriti (Vol. 1 and 2); Various; Times Music; Rs. 50 each.

AFTER hitting the bullseye with the song, "Don't Speak", the four-member Southern California rock band, No Doubt, is back with their new album, "Return Of Saturn". Remember their electrifying performance in the 1996 Channel V awards in India? No Doubt consists of Gwen Stefani (vocals), Tom Dumont (Guitars), Tony Kanal (Bass) and Adrian Young (Drums).

If you are wondering about the strange title, it is supposed to be a description of the first 29 years of someone's life, that is, the same time it takes Saturn to orbit around the sun. Not just the title track, but all the songs will be of interest since they are a refreshing change from the overdose of chocolate-faced boybands. These guys have some real attitude pumped into the album.

"Ex-Girlfriend", "Six Feet Under", "Comforting Life".... almost all the tracks are romantically inclined. Though on the slower side of rock, this one impresses you with vocal talents and lyrics.

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Four years after her worldwide hit, "Secrets", Toni Braxton is back with "The Heat". The first single from this album, "He wasn't man enough" is currently busy fighting a tug-of-war for the "numero uno" position in the US charts along with N'Sync's "Bye Bye Bye".

Eight years' experience does show. Known for her classic love songs, Toni maintains the reputation in "The Heat" also.

The title track, "Fairy Tale" and the others are all mellow sentimental numbers. So, all you hip party animals, stay away. This one's not for you and hope all the smoochy romantics are reading this.

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Let's shift our focus to a guy who began his musical career as early as 1981 with a song called, "Unwound" which went on to burn the Texas 'Country' charts. Ever since then, this guy has released as many as 25 (this isn't a printing error) studio albums. Welcome George Strait, who makes his comeback with his new album, "Latest Greatest Straitest Hits" as a prelude to a worldwide musical tour.

The album consists of 15 of his best works. Since Indian music fans haven't had much of an exposure to raw country cowboy music, this album can be treated as an experimental one.Not much jazzy electronic accomplishments here, but unadulterated country sound. Again, disco boys and babes, are advised to stay out.

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Oye Paaji, it's time of your monthly dose of "Punjab da pop". Okay, we have Mika, Punjab's own puttar who gave Daler Mehndi a run for his money with his electrifying "Saawan Mein Lag Gayee Aag". He is here to stay with his new offering, "Ishq Brandy". Synonymous with earthy sounds from his hometown mixed with pumpy rhythms, Mika was born and brought up in a musically-inclined family, his dad being a classically trained musician and his mom, a veteran in folk music.

We're sure all of you must have heard the title single considering the amount of airtime the video is getting on the music channels. Infectious rhythms and good ethnic sounds from the Indian instruments makes the song irresistible. Other tracks also share the same tune. Fast and groovy stuff here. Ideal to dance your exam blues away.

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Then comes a twin treat for lovers of evergreen Hindi Film soundtracks. "Madhur Smriti" is a two album venture by Times Music. One album features evergreen songs of Kishore Kumar such as "Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas", "Musafir Hoon Yaaron", "Raat Kali Ek Khwaab"... the list goes on. The other album features hits by Salil Chowdhury like "Sajna Tere Naina", "Woh Geet", "O Koi Ajnabi".

Well, if you are the kind who likes to sit snug in your bedroom on a rainy day, this one's for you, in the early weeks of the monsoon.

ANAND PARTHASARATHY

A. VISHNU

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