Music Review (Tamil): Mehandi Circus
Music Composer: Sean Roldan
Mehandi Circus starts with a blast using Layath Siddique's Balkan violin in Avoji but turns out soon into Amit Trivedi flavoured Punjabi track especially the rhythms and Santhosh Narayanan's singing. Sean Roldan employed the Sargam choir's kid chorus sections effectively and amps up the buoyant factor of the circus show song.Sean Roldan marks his idiosyncratic music both in terms of tune as well as vocals in Vellattu Kannazhagi. Yugabharathi's relatable as well as colloquial lyrics easily strike the chord with the listeners while Sean Roldan does his magic with the manonmani's Sarangi and wonderful bass line in the charanam. The simple tune associated with the hummable lyrics which is easy on ears makes this one winner.
The best thing happened in Veyil Mazhaye is undeniably Vignesh Ishwar's playback debut and the singer's earnest singing makes this charming melody easily works. Subhiksha Rangarajan, not sure if it is a movie debut, but easily churns out the winner with the other language folk verses in the interludes and towards the end. Sean Roldan beautifully blends both the portions backed by ghatams and guitar played by the composer himself.Kodi Aruvi comes up with another rooted melody supported amply by Yugabharathi's lyrics especially the gorgeous anupallavi kicked in by Nithyashree. The Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra in the interludes evokes Ilayaraja's memories and Pradeep Kumar sounds different compared to his other songs though in a good way which fits the folk nature of the tune.Siragi Un Sirippala's rhythm evokes memories of Ratchagan's Chandirani Thottadhu yaar especially oho bit in the prelude. The melody works impeccably and aided by Sathyaprakash's superlative singing while Lalitha Sudha ably supports him with the charming interlude sargams. The atmospheric sounds mixed with Yugabharathi's simple lyrics make this one a great listen.The guitar-laden melancholy Love Polladhadhu is the weakest link in the album strictly in comparison to other tracks in the album. The tune doesn't work well despite Vijay Yesudas's splendid rendition and the tune sounds sketchy and ends in an abrupt note.
Verdict: Sean Roldan after a muted 2018 comes back with another sure shot winner in Mehandi Circus and the album brims with lovable melodies which lingers in listeners mind after it ends.
My Rating: 8.5/10
Pick of the Album: Kodi Aruvi, Veyil Mazhaiye, Siragi Un Sirippala
P.S You can listen to the album in Jio Saavn
Music Review (Tamil): Vantha Rajavathan Varuven
Music Composer: HipHop Tamizha
Hip Hop Tamizha ropes in Kannada hit singer Sanjith Hegde once again after Imaikka Nodigal for Paravaigal and the singer aces his portions quite effectively. But the track turns into a mishap once Hip Hop Tamizha familiar template kicks in and the composer tries to mishmash a lot of musical cues especially in the interludes but the overall tune sounds to be a patchy track from the composer. In Pattamarangal, HipHop Tamizha concocts an interesting song based on Kaatrinile Varum Geetham borrowing the lyrics from the evergreen song for the prelude. Sanjith Hegde kicks in with the mod rhythms to back him and the singer delivers effortlessly while Manonmani's Sarangi is an engaging addition to the track.
Red Cardu is another mediocre dance track which has Hip Hop Tamizha's stamp all over it. The garish arrangements and Hiphop Tamizha rides mainly on the colloquial lyrics. The singing as well as background fails to impress the listeners. HipHop Tamizha reuses his last year Telugu hit song Dhaari Choodu for Modern Muniyamma but the essence and beauty of the Telugu original are completely lost in Arivu's superficial lyrics and Srinisha Jayaseelan's vocal turns out to be a misfit. The foot-tapping tune is the only winner and at any time one can go back to much better Telugu version. Onnuku Renda is another random track from Hip Hop Tamizha which also suffers from the pedestrian lyrics. Senthil Ganesh and Sathya Narayanan prod the song with the effective rendition while Poova Pushpama hook by VM Mahalingam borders on the annoying zone. Arshad Khan's esraj being the only solace in an otherwise laborious track.Hip Hop Tamizha rehashed Madurai Veeran's famous Vaanga Machan Vaanga and the track is listenable because of a nostalgic factor associated with the song bits. Though hip Hop Tamizha's lyrics are too self-indulgent, the track is better compared to other songs in the album.
Verdict: HipHop Tamizha's rehashed tracks work relatively better than the original tracks for this Atharintiki Daredhi remake and the composer continues to stick within his confined soundscape.
My Rating: 6.5/10
Pick of the Album: Pattamarangal, Vaanga Machan Vaanga
P.S You can listen to the songs in Jio Saavn.
Music Review (Tamil): Kanne Kalaimaane
Music Composer: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Azhaikattuma doesn't match the singer's previous hit number Makka Kalanguthappa from Dharmadhurai and the whimsical lyrics being the only curious thing from this casual gossipy track. Neendamalare has the gorgeous anupallavi crooned deftly by Yazin Nizar and Shwetha Pandit while Yuvan Shankar Raja adorns with the neat orchestration especially the flute solos in the interludes. Endhan Kangalai's lounge'ish mod soundscape mixed with Yuvan's trademark tune which takes me back to Paiyya. However, the tune doesn't work for me thoughSooraj Santosh ably delivers while Yuvan spruces up the interludes with Sitar solos. Sevvandhi Poove is another average song from the composer where the tune has shades of Seenu Ramasamy's earlier collaborations with the composer. Vaa Vellai Rasathi is the best of the lot and I wish Yuvan opted for some other singer rather than himself. The brooding undercurrent tone especially the rhythm structure and the apt arrangements make this one an engaging listen in the album.
Verdict: Yuvan Shankar Raja starts his 2019 with the lacklustre soundtrack which doesn't match the composer's magical run last year.
My Rating: 6.5/10
Pick of the Album: Vaa Vellai Rasathi, Neendamalare
P.S You can listen to the album in Jio Saavn
Music Review (Telugu): Mr Majnu
Music Composer: Thaman
Mr Majnu's synth coated peppy song Pallavi instantly reminds me of Rahman's Netru Illadha maatram but the similarity ends there and Thaman weaves pretty much enjoyable track filled with mod sounds backed by Ramya NSK's vocals. The gibberish and synth sounds are easily Harris Jayaraj territory but nevertheless, it's a neat song by Thaman. Thaman's current favourite Armaan Malik croons two songs Yemainado and Koppamga Koppamga for Mr.Majnu. The former melody is similar to Ninnila from Tholi Prema and the tune is adequately entertaining with splendid support from Chennai strings Orchestra's strings sections throughout the song and the strings along with the synth rhythm make it an enthralling listen. The latter one being another peppy number which rides mainly on Aalap Raju's guitar strums and Armaan Malik singing while Thaman churns out the easy on ears tune which clasps the listeners till the end. Thaman strikes another winner in Hey Nenila where the arrangements are top notch with excellent support by Haritha's Veena and Kamalakar's flute solos. Sruthi Ranjani owns the song starting from the beautiful humming in the prelude itself. Naalo Neeku is another warming melody where Shreay Goshal aces the tune with ample support from Sandilya's violin solos, though the tune takes its own time to get the listeners immersed, Thaman's soundscape in this album is consistent and endearing. Chiru Chiru Navvula turns out to be a weak composition in an otherwise splendid work from Thaman and in this track also, the composer makes the interludes sounds interesting despite the staggering tune.
Verdict: Thaman continues his revamped style of music with his first 2019 album and Mr Majnu is the wonderful follow up for the composer in lines of Tholi Prema.
My Rating: 8/10
Pick of the Album: Hey Nenila, Yemainado, Naalo Neeku
P.S You can listen to the songs in JioSaavn.
Music Review (Kannada): Natasaarvabhowma
Music Composer: Imman
The title track sounds more like Imman trying to give stiff competition to Telugu hero introduction numbers and the track is merely loud and jarring affair from Imman and equally the track is perfect for Puneeth Rajkumar fans especially Pavan Wadeyar lyrics. Open the bottle is tried and tested Imman tune propped up by Vijay Prakash's stupendous singing and also Imman's catchy hook helps the song. Yaaro Naanu is an enchanting tune with the sprawling Chennai Strings Orchestra's work blends smoothly amidst the Kaviraj' Mridangam and Balasubramaniam's Nadaswaram. Shreya Goshal undoubtedly aces the beautiful melody effortlessly. Tajaa Samachara also largely benefits from Chennai Strings Orchestra's brilliant arrangements while Imman's melody is complemented by 80's rhythm mix and neat job by the lead singers Jithin Raj and Vandana Srinivasan's respective versions. The theme instrumentals Paranormal action and Power Play are strictly functional ones playing to the gallery of a commercial movie.
Verdict: Imman's sophomore straight Kannada album is salvaged by two listenable melodies.
My Rating: 7/10
Pick of the Album: Yaaro Naanu ,Tajaa Samachara
P.S You can listen to the songs in JioSaavn.
Music Review (Tamil): Sarvam Thaala Mayam
Music Composer: AR Rahman
The complete album of the much expected movie Sarvam Thaala Mayam and Rajeev Menon joins hands with AR Rahman after Kandukondain Kandukondain in 2000. The title track is an absolutely engaging piece and though the tune take it's own time to settle with the listeners, the undercurrent chendamellam rhythm is an alluring one accentuated by Haricharan and Arjun Chandy's splendid rendition. The Thai Thai Thalaathil and the chendamelam beats makes me yearn for Rahman's upcoming Malayalam film. Rahman delivered an unadulterated melody Maya Maya backed by superlative singing by Chinmayi. The simple guitar (Keba Jeremiah) laden arrangements and Na Muthukumar's poetic verses make this one a blissful listen in the album. Peter BeautaYethu is the soundtrack's weakest, strictly in relative scale, Rahman composes local kuthu after a long time but it's more like refined one unlike Thara local comes from Anirudh. The tune lost its appeal especially once the charanam kickstarts despite an undeniably catchy title hook and Rahman makes the interludes interesting with the brass sounds and exotic percussions. The soundtrack's highlight goes to Rahman's current favourite Bamba Bakya and the singer's rustic vocals in Dingu Dongu reminds me of Sangamam's Mazhai Thuli especially with the thumping percussions in the background. Rahman's fascinating blend of feeble syth sounds amidst the festive Nadaswaram and Mirudangam makes this one an enjoyable listening experience and the kid chorus portions are icing on the cake.
The album turns into unconditional classical genre in the remaining two songs and both the songs turns out to be an absolute gem in the album. Rajiv Menon composed Varalaama and arranged by AR Rahman, the consistent Kanjira rhythm makes me revisit another great composition Malargal Kaettaen by Rahman. The Kedaragowlai based melody is beautifully complimented by sweeping arrangements and Sriram Parthasarathy's spot on rendition makes one this an immensely gratifying listen. Bombay Jayashree returns to singing for AR Rahman after Narumugaiye Narumugaiye is enough reason to fall in love with the song and the composer gives Ravichandrika Raaga based Thiyagaraja composition Maakelara Vichaaramu to the popular Carnatic Vocalist. Rahman adorns the beautiful composition with the sprawling arrangements backed by strings and the synth layer behind the dominant percussion. Listen to another version of the same by Bombay Jayashree.
Verdict: Barring Peter Beata yethu, Rajiv Menon's collaboration with Rahman after 18 years turns out to be another rewarding musical experience and one hopes that director won't make us to waitthis long for their next release. On contrary to the expectation, the album turns out to be more contemporary one despite the brilliant two classical song in the album.
My Rating: 9/10
Pick of the Album: Complete Album.
P.S You can listen to the songs in Jiosaavn.
