For all the BSB fans out there....

The Backstreet Boys have released their new album "Unbreakable" on October 30, 2007.The group has only four members now as Kevin Richardson has left the group to pursue other interests outside the group.

I got the cd as my Christmas gift from 'V' (Thankyou!!!). There are people who think that BSB is just another boy band. My answer is that these guys can sing and they make good music. I own all their albums and it has been worth my money.

I didn't have any intention to blog about the latest album but last night when I told my cousin that I have the latest album, she was like "What!!!! I didn't even know that they released a new single?". I was like "Ok!!!".

The first single from the album is "Inconsolable" and the second single "Helpless When she Smiles" has also released. And the next single to come your way is "Everything but mine". The album has pure pop music and the guys sing amazing as ever. My favorite singers from the group is AJ and Brian Littrell.

Some comments from experts on the album:

Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B-, which is the highest grade from EW for a Backstreet Boys album since Millennium.

SputnikMusic.com said, "Pound for pound and song for song, Unbreakable may just be the best pop album of the year so far" and proceeded on to give the album a 4 (Excellent).

A Reviewer from Associated Content, David Nemecek, said "The Backstreet Boys are back with an undeniably strong album" and gave it an 8 out of 10. About.com also gave the album four out of five stars, along with comments such as, "If you are looking for a album of pure pop pleasure, you can not do much better with current releases than Unbreakable."

The album has good music and its worth having it in your music collection. My personal favorites 'Inconsolable', 'Unsuspecting sunday', 'Unmistakeable', and 'Helpless When She Smiles' (love the piano and guitar piece in that )

Click here to see 'Inconsolable' video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhQZBeaxd9M

Click here to see the video of "Helpless when she smiles"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyQroQzbgsI

Enjoy!!!!!! Happy Listening!!!!!!!

Taare Zameen Par (The Stars are on the Earth)

Taare Zameen Par (The Stars on the Earth) Aamir Khan's directorial debut movie which portarys the problems of a dyslexic child has lived up to the expectations of the people.

A very simple story with a very deep message. It is very entertaining. Each scene makes you smile, laugh, cry and wonder how often we fail to see the small yet beautiful things around us. I am been a big fan of Aamir as an actor and no doubt that now, he is an excellant director.

All credit to the success of the movie also goes to Darsheel Safary as Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi who plays the character of the dyslexic child. He is superb right from scene one and he has portrayed every emotion without any effort. Another speciality of the movie is the brilliant use of animation to depict the child's imagination.

The songs are excellant and situation specific, my favorite one is Maa sung by Shankar Mahadevan. The song is played when the boy is sent away to the boarding school which is one of the most emotional scene according to me.

It was interesting to realise how many famous people were dyslexic. Some people metioned in the were Thomas Edison, Picasso, Leonardo Da Vince and Abhishek Bachan

Here are few links to see other famous people who were dyslexic http://www.dyslexiaonline.com/famous/famous.htm
http://www.dyslexia-test.com/famous.html
http://www.indiafm.com/news/2007/12/18/10619/index.html

Other important characters in the movie:

Vipin Sharma as Nandkishore Awasthi. Nandkishore Awasthi is Ishaan’s father. He gets very angry when Ishaan’s teachers from school complain. Nandkishore is of the view that only Boarding school can teach discipline to Ishaan.

Tisca Chopra as Maya Awasthi Maya is Ishaan’s mother. She makes good food and looks after Ishaan when he gets hurt. She is very sad that Ishaan has to go to boarding school but she thinks it will be for the best.

Sachet Engineer as Yohaan Awasthi Yohaan is Ishaan’s Dada. Dada is a very good student and also plays tennis and cricket. He also looks after Ishaan and loves him.

Anyways hats off to Aamir and the team for Taaree Zameen Par. Brilliant story, songs and acting.


Some trivia:

• The title of the movie was reportedly given by superstar Salman Khan when he and Aamir met at party held at Salman's residence.
• Salman Khan is also credited as one of the many for an "inspirational factor to Taare...", in the beginning of the film.
• Aamir Khan Productions had first approached music maestro and long time favourite, A.R.Rehman , for the score of the movie, however it was eventually given to Shanka Ehsaan Loy due to reasons unknown.

My 'Art of Living' Experience..

It all started on a fine day when I mentioned to my Amma that I wanted to go for some yoga class to improve my concentration level. She mentioned to me that there is going to be a one week beginners yoga class few blocks from my apartment. My neighbor and I set out for the first session last Tuesday and I was excited. As I entered the hall I saw people of different ages, the oldest being 65 and we were asked to fill out some forms. After all the formalities we were asked to settle down and the person who is our guruji (teacher) dressed in white jhubba asked us to form a group of four. And I was like 'Ok why do we need to form a group for yoga'. Then we were asked to again settle down and he officially began the session and it was then I realized that I have actually come to attend the Beginners Course Part I of the Art of Living ( I was like 'Duh!!! What do I do?' ).

Then, I realized I had no choice but to continue the course for 3 reasons: I already paid the course fees, I told my friends about my joining the yoga and they already bet I would quit before I began (so no way I am quitting) and I really didn't know what the whole Art of Living thinggy was, so why not give it a shot .

First day went fine we had few warm up sessions and few exercises which was fun. By the end of the session we were asked to take only vegetarian food and drink lots of water before the next session. On the second day I was excited to do the exercises but it was different because he taught us Sudarshan Kriya (http://us.artofliving.org/art-of-living-course/sudarshan-kriya.html). It is a breathing based technique or the healing breath. Sudarshan Kriya incorporates specific natural rhythms of breath to release stress and bring the mind to the present moment. I wanted to quit because the stress of being able to release the stress was too much for me to handle. And all this have to be done with our eyes closed which increases the frustration. And I already made up my mind to quit.

When the kriya got over the guruji asked how we felt and we all shared our experiences and he said that everyone must be present the next class to continue the second part of the kriya ( I was like 'Oh no!'). I attended the next session with lot less or no enthusiasm at all . But to my surprise I found it lot easier to do the kriya and it was relaxing. Anyways we learnt the kriya and lots more other things were in store in the days to come. And there was lots of games and group tasks which seemed very silly to me but I have learnt how so many simple things such as concentrating on one's breath or being aware of oneself can change persons' life.

I have no regrets being there because I have interacted with wonderful people and did things I wouldn't have done otherwise and have a lot more self awarness. But of course all this will come to of real use only if I practice what I have learnt. That's even more tough because today morning, my limbs are aching :(....But the guruji said such experiences are common and will be over in a few days time :).....

I recommend this course to everyone atleast for the sake of an experience because its worth it.

Visit : http://www.artofliving.org/