Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Music Review (Malayalam): Ormayundo Ee Mukham

Music Review (Malayalam): Ormayundo Ee Mukham
Music Composer: Shaan Rahman


Aaromale, in Shaan Rahman vocals itself is an exuberant free flowing song with likeable tune and interesting sounds strictly confined to the forte of composer. ooh ooh humming portions gels well with the song. Chayunnavo, second song in Shaan Rahman vocals with exciting guitar portions and interesting drums aside, is more like a typical party songs from bollywood composer. 

Vineeth srinivasan - Shaan Rahman combo turns the soundtrack into awesome with high on melody.In Doore Doore Vineeth's relaxing vocals is accompanied by soft rock guitar and gentle drumming for the lovable tune despite being short. The reprise version of the song by Rinu Rezak is considerably more soothing because of the minimal orchestration only with piano and lady carries the song forward with ease. Another winner of the soundtrack track is undeniably Ee Mizhikalin with its instantly likeable tune in the brilliant Vineeth and Mrithula warrior vocals. The highlight of the song being the strings section especially violin by cochin strings and apt drums. The last song of the soundtrack is breezy Payye Payye tune handled well by K S Harishankar. But the real star of the track being the flautist who delivers cracking solos especially in the second interlude and throughout the song is ably supported by tabla.

Verdict: Shaan Rahman, after Ohm Shanthi Oshaana delivers another soundtrack to please the listeners who loves melodies.

My rating: 7.5/10 

Pick of the album: Ee Mizhikalin, Doore Doore, Payye Payye 

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Music Review (Hindi) : Happy Ending

Music Review (Hindi) : Happy Ending
Music Composer: Sachin-Jigar

Happy ending opens with  Mileya Mileya, breezy with jazz led instrumentation in the classy vocals of Rekha Baharadwaj in contrast with Priya andrews vocals ably supported by composer Jigar itself. Solo saxophone in the interludes are brilliant enough to make this an enticing listen. Rekha's voice for this duet is the core highlight of this song. Paaji Tussi such a pussy cat with its hilarious Amitabh bhattacharya lyrics and trumpet led brass orchestration along with alluring strings in the interludes is a funky listen in the lines of Sachin-Jigar's wacky fun filled songs.

Composer rehashes their D for Dopidi telugu song for the duet Jaise Mera Tu here again with whispery Priya Saraiah vocals supported by contemporary composer's favourite Arijith singh (loved the humming part in the second interlude). Duo delivered the brilliant accordion/harmonium led orchestration with heavy brass drums created the wonderful ambience. Again duo entered their dominion with party song G Phaad ke which is enough punchy to scorch the dance floors in every party. Divya Kumar and Shefali Alvares delivered enthusiastically with their thumping vocals. Khamma Gaani rides mainly on the Papon's soothing voice backed by Smitha and Vidhi. Composer duo arranges the instruments with breezy guitars and soft drumming to support papon's laid back singing. Haseena Tu Kameena mein, works mainly because of lead vocals especially Siddharth basru, Rahul Pandey and Shruthi pathak. Duo adorned this peppy tune with whistles and saxophone in the first and second interludes respectively.

Verdict: Sachin Jigar came with a fun filled, peppy album after the string of middling works in 2014.

My rating: 8/10

Pick of the album: Jaise Mera Tu, Mileya Mileya, Paaji Tussi

You can listen to the songs below



Music Review (Malayalam): Iyobinte Pusthakam

Music Review (Malayalam): Iyobinte Pusthakam
Music Composer: Neha S Nair & Yakzan Gary Periara

Maane, folk based fusion song starts with accordion sound and well handled cajon percussions. Neha S Nair and Anil Ram contrived an aura necessary for the folky song with their vocals. Short time Sarangi touch in the first interlude and guitar backed orchestration adds value to the song. Raave, released as single previously has Haricharan and again Neha S Nair in their best in vocals for this romantic duet picturised in an enthralling way with sea as a backdrop. Again in the arrangements cajon by Tao issaro stands out for his off beat work ably supported by violins and flute. Theeyattam is an amalgamation between folky raw vocals by Amala C and arabic rap portions by Walid Bensalim. Neha Nair did a cameo in the middle with her breezy vocals. The arrangements too quite eccentric in its own way with melange of instruments led by percussions resulted in creating uncommon sounds.

Verdict: Amal Neerad association for the full feature film with Neha S Nair and Yakzan Gary Periara is totally endearing album despite being short soundtrack.

My rating: 8.5/10

Pick of the album: All the three

You can listen to the songs and theme music here

Beautiful picturisation of Raave in the following video:



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Music Review (Indipop) : Andholan

Music Review (Indipop) : Andholan
Music Composer: Mekaal Hasan Band


Bheem, with its melodious starting flute by Papu digressed into heavy guitar in the mid way. The lovely combination of guitar and flute towards the ending of first interlude deserves a special mention and Sharmistha chaterjee delivers the classical raga brilliantly. Next comes Champakali eponym of the wonderful classical raga and the lady aces it.The 40 second flute portions (2:50 to 3:30) in the middle and towards the end garnished with sudden outburst of guitar riffs makes this an enticing listen in an album.In an adaptation of Baba Bulle shah's sufi poetry Gunghat again Papu's flute and Mekaal's guitar is the show stealer. This 5 minute long song has guitar riffs continuosly flows in tandem with Sharmistha's vocals.In Kinarey Sharmistha takes full control over the enchanting tune and arrangements are minimal with paced down flute to fabricate the wonderful ambience. Nearly 7 minute long Maalkauns based on the Raga Malkauns dominated with thumping guitar and some captivating flute portions is a captivating listen. The coordination between flute and guitar portions are top-notch results in the well conceived blissful song. Megh too one of the best sung songs in the album by Sharmistha with neatly done concoction of flue, guitar and drums in arrangement. Sayon, with enthusiastic start is a slow and poignant melody handled deftly by Sharmistha and supported by splendid Papu's flute solos. Catchy guitar portions throughout the song in the background is an addictive touch to the song. Sindhi, shortest song in the whole album where Sharmistha, Mekaal and Papu is in impressive form especially Mekaal churning out inventive guitar solos.

Verdict: Mekaal Hasaan band delivers extremely pleasant third album with new vocalist Sharmistha. Surely must listen Indipop Album.

Pick of the Album: Whole Album

P.S: I don't want to rate this album and disparage the wonderful work by comparing with other album reviews in my blog.Just soak yourself into the musical world created with minimal instruments (guitar, flute and drums) by Mekaal Hasaan. Surely this album will make you listen to other works done by this band.


You can listen to the songs here.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Music Review (Hindi) : Kill Dil

Music Review (Hindi) : Kill Dil
Music Composer: Shankar- Ehsaan- Loy

Kill Dil starts with Gulzar reciting his verses and SEL seemed like channelised his inner tarantino sounds with brilliant whistles, wah wah sounds along with classy brass led orchestration. Shankar Mahadevan and Sonu nigam delivered with enthusiastic vocal variations especially towards the end  results in a kickass song in the soundtrack. Happy Budday despite vivacious singing by Sukhwinder Singh and Shankar Mahadevan tune is very much average. However certain nifty touches in the orchestration in prelude like sitar and rocky guitar in the end draw attention.

Next song Sajde which again starts in Gulzar voice is hummable melody with classical touches handled well by both lead singers Arijith Singh and Nihira joshi. The melodius portions of the song has some deja-vu feeling associated with it which is easily overcomed by sprightly transition in rendering the sajde phrase every time. Bol Boleyia is a typical punjabi folk song with the line of singers Siddharth Mahadevan, Shankar Mahadevan and Sunidhi Chauhan with some interesting sounds. Sweeta has interesting violin in the start with Adnan Sami delivering the classical 80's tune in deftly manner. Only apprehension is song ends within two minutes. Daiyya Maiyya with the bunch of singers Udit Narayanan, Shankar Mahadevan, Rasika Chandrasekhar,Javaad Jaferi has some interesting tune in Rasika's vocals and the song shifts quite radically without any flow results in some parts works while others don't. Baawara, endearing tune with enticing arrangements in the hands of Shankar Mahadevan who aces both classical portions and also rock elements. Nihira Joshi ably supports him well with her vocals. Especially Shankar Mahadevan is brilliant in second interlude with his classical touches and flute portions are tandem with his rendition. Nakhriley is a 80's tune which offers nothing offbeat except for the likeable portions by Shankar Mahadevan and becomes the weakest song in the soundtrack. 

Verdict: SEL returns with the stellar soundtrack for Kill Dil and offers a lot of variety in songs.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Pick of the album: Baawara, Kill Dil, Sajde

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Music Review (Telugu) : Dikkulu Choodaku Ramayya

Music Review (Telugu) : Dikkulu Choodaku Ramayya
Music Composer : M M Keeravani

Dintana, starts off with Deja-vu feeling but Rahul Sipligunj with his verve in singing and eccentric vocals along with the chorus repeating the witty lyrics in the charanam portions of the song makes this song enjoyable. In Chembistri, Keeravani extends those off-beat vocals of Revanth similar to the previous song along with motley of interesting sounds with catchy percussions. Ramya Behra aces the unconventional song with enticing sounds by keeravani and she is particularly brilliant in the high pitch portions and Telipotuna hook variations. Easily one can think Anthe premanthe as a sad song by listening to violin and veena portions in the prelude but Keeravani averted the mood of the song with punchy percussions and energetic singing by KK Bhairava. Composer interlaced Mohana vocals with male lead in prominent way. Ramesh Vinayakam sounds wonderful for the simple and beautiful folk tune Andari Rathalu. Flute, nadhaswaram and quirky sounds by Yamini stands apart in this track. Finally title song is an average tune with heavy percussions compared to other songs in the soundtrack despite sprightly singing by Kalpana.

Verdict: Keeravani's composition still sounds vibrant and gives tough competition to young composers.Enjoyable album from veteran in his own unique way.

My rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Anthe Premanthe, Telipotuna, Dintana

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Music Review: Raunaq (Indian Album)


Music Review: Raunaq (Indian Album)
Music Composer: A R Rahman

In Laadli, Lata Mangeshkar's age factor is quite apparent in her vocals and Rahman uses her voice minimal, giving the simple yet beautiful classic portions to the chorus. Rahman enters into the foray with his high pitched singing and usage of mild tabla throughout the song accentuates well with the flow of the song. Kho Jaayein Hum is a recitation of Kapil SIbal's poetry by Shweta pandit and Jyoti and Rahman uses the minimal orchestration prevailed by vocals. 

Geet Gaaon, a somber melody adorned with Jazz flavored orchestration by Jonita Gandhi is an exciting listen. Particularly usage of sitar in the interludes and minimal strings throughout the song blends perfectly with Jonita's breezy vocals. Jonita gandhi is getting similar type of songs from Rahman but not a problem though. Aabhi Jaa, another song with a soulful rendition by Jonita gandhi orchestrated beautifully with flute in the prelude, mandolin in the middle followed by percussions and sweeping strings towards the end. K S Chitra joined with A R Rahman after a long gap for Sach Kahoon and she sounds so enticing as always for the simple pleasant filmy tune. Khatta meeta rides high on the punchy chorus along with brilliant usage of strings is an excellently arranged song in Mohith chauhan's vocals. Kismat se, fairly ordinary tune works because of Shreya goshal's singing and some nice touches in the orchestration by Rahman results in average track in the whole album.

Verdict: Raunaq is a filmy album with nice compostions by A R Rahman but lacks enough punch for multiple listens

My Rating:7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Sach Kahoon, Aabhi Jaa, Laadli


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Music Review(Tamil): Poojai

Music Review(Tamil): Poojai
Music Composer : Yuvan Shankar Raja

Devathai, the tune traverses along with strong deja-vu feeling associated with the song albeit certain musical touches by Yuvan like whistle, guitar portions, chorus portion along with power packed vocals by Nivas makes this song engaging to some extent. Ippadiye is a middling folky kuthu number arranged with electronic sounds but for the interesting second interlude. Rahul Nambiyar and Mili Nair did adequate job in vocals. Odi Odi, pulsating number by Palakkad Sriram with punchy percussions to spruce up the heroic image for vishal however fails to clasp the listeners ears. Soda Bottle appears like typical hero's introduction song in Hari's movies and rustic vocals of Antony Dasan, Yasin and sathyan unable to make this song enticing. Uyire, short pathos by Yuvan with typical tune and yuvan's voice suited for this melancholic number surprisingly. Verarum, duet by Karthik and Pooja is  again a standard tune but somewhat better compared to the other tracks in the album  and rides mainly on the vocals of Karthik. Yuvan arrangements are simple with tavil throughout the song and impressive first interlude.

Verdict: Yuvan again fails to deliver listenable album and we have to wait for his comeback soundtrack. however we cannot expect better musical from Hari movies.

My rating: 6/10

Pick of the album: Verarum, Devathai