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Rahman is one of the most gifted composers this world has ever seen. If you only know of his Hollywood projects and you like what you hear, you have been missing out on a mountain of genius compositions (songs and score) that he has created in India over the last 2 decades. His previous 3 Hollywood scores, (Slumdog Millionaire, Couple's Retreat, and 127 Hours), featured Indian styles, sounds and raagas blended beautifully through various other world music genres just too many to count. The "musical alchemist" or "mad musical scientist" as I fondly think of him, never sounds pastiche, however, no matter the extent of genre blending and fusion. What emerges is a fresh originality and universal appeal that spans global tastes and lights fires in the hearts of millions, irrespective of nation or creed, while being true, authentic, and highly respectful to his Indian roots.
With the score of People Like Us, Rahman enters into a world of mid western American rusticism and folk tilt with a healthy philharmonic platform. The music as a whole is ambient, soothing, acoustic, and spiritually uplifting, while being restraintful, spacious, and respectful to the culture within which this film is based. While avoiding the epic sounds of 127, the pop Bollywoodish character of Slumdog and the colorful global palette of Couple's Retreat, Rahman creates a soundtrack that is thematically coherent and subtly intricate, more stylistically conventional by Hollywood score standards, yet unique in its sound and execution. This is also the first time that Rahman has scored for a film demanding a Mid Western folk emphasis, but again, never sounding obviously derivative. Unlike the previous 3 Hollywood scores, one is hard pressed to notice any trace of his Indian roots throughout the soundtrack, which is a first for Rahman, and highly revealing of his incredible versatility and ability to mold his composing to pretty much any cultural context very authentically, sincerely, and delicately. This "chameleon" like characteristic of his art is extremely striking and awe inspiring and breeds an originality that is gestaltic and an appeal that is so heartwarming.
I will not get into a track by track rundown or musical analysis, but simply add that Rahman, beyond any doubt, has not only solidified his place as one of the most pioneering and path breaking composers in India, but also one of the most original and versatile composers this world has ever seen and the score of People Like Us only adds to that legacy enormously. While I have not yet seen the film, the soundtrack can stand on its own fairly confidently and one can only hope that the musical enjoyment will only be enhanced after seeing the film. While not as riveting, inventive and path breaking as many of his previous scores, it's an aural and emotional delight with sweet sounds, gentle textures, and genuinely expressed pure emotions through many passages that touch the heart. In our fast and instant lifestyle, some may find the music at times too mellow and slow paced, but this is in fact a valued balm for me. The soundtrack may not appeal much to younger generations looking for a more rhythmic, bold, and adventurous score. However, for a soothing experience and a gently breezy, organic and thoughtful score filled with simplicity, innocence and Western old world charm, I highly recommend it!
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 20, 2012
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Top reviews from other countries
Ruth Steffens
Cool, wenn man den Film mag !
Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on January 19, 2014
