Friday, June 29, 2018

Music Review (Tamil) : Tamizhpadam 2

Music Review (Tamil) : Tamizhpadam 2
Music Composer: N Kannan


CS Amudhan and Chandru's lyrics in Naan Yaarumila screams the movie's tone akin to Keba Jeremiah's screeching guitar riffs. The strength of the song lies in the amusing satirical lyrics and the song is sure to stick to the listeners especially with the mass friendly Paruppu da, Varlaam Varlaam Vaa, to Big boss dialogues makes this one an amusing listen. Vaa Vaa Kaama works mostly for the sensual rendition by Ujjayinee accompanied by wonderful flute and Harmonica solos by Kamalakar. One wishes that tune could have been much better but the singer makes up for the meandering tune. 

The soundtrack best is Kalavarame, wonderful innovative composition by Kannan where Chinmayi's tongue rolling rendition especially she pulls off the gibberish lyrics with ease and makes one fall for it. Kannan's semi-classical arrangements backed by Rajesh's veena and Pradeep Kumar brings his own classical improvisations on the vocal front. Chennai Strings orchestra displayed their prowess effectually in the interludes. Kannan brings together Sharreth and Vijay Prakash and it's delight to listen Sharreth after Thaarai Thappattai. The proficient singers nail the rendition with ease, though the tune is less appealing, the vocals and the arrangements make this semi-classical song an enjoyable listen. Kannan gives the soup girls song Evada Unna Petha and CS Amudhan makes up for all the misogyny in Tamil albums and movies by his lyrics. But the song's tune is pretty flat and it is hardly interesting but lyrics makes this one an one time listen.

Chella Penney is the short breezy guitar-laden minimally arranged track sung well by Jithin and Sowmya. It's very difficult to contemplate Ulagam Athira Vaada as a serious track given the punchy orchestration in the background and Manasi Mahadevan's energetic vocals but ends with Arohara Shiva. Phoenix Paravai is an another interestingly made song invoking KB Sundarambal's Pazhaniyaapa for Chandru's brilliant lyrics. In Aatharamaanai, Kannan effectually brings the Baahubali's Jeeva Nadhi with ample support from K Thilaka's vocals.

Verdict: Contrary to the expectations,N Kannan delivered the brilliant soundtrack for the spoof movie and the album is much better than it's prequel.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Kalavarame, Naan Yaarumilla, Phoenix Paravai 

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn.

 

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Imaikka Nodigal

Music Review (Tamil): Imaikka Nodigal
Music Composer: HiphopTamizha

Kadhalikathey is the hackneyed hiphop  Tamizha's tune with the dose of his usual Nadhaswaram solos peppered on the mass-friendly lyrics. HipHop Tamizha's vocals are strictly functional supported by Kaushik Krish. One wishes that the song could have used much better rhythm structure rather than this generic arrangement.In Vilambara Idaivelai, Hiphop Tamizha sticks to an easily accessible ear-friendly tune and Nadhaswaram solo by D Balasubramani works like a charm. Christopher Stanley and Sudharshan Ashok ace the rendition while Srinisha Jayaseelan's fangled rendition works to the song's favour.

Neeyum Naanum Anbae is another ear-pleasing tune but the track has nothing outstanding to offer and composer strictly confines to his territory without much experimenting. The only highlights being the violin solos and Raghu Dixit's singing is ably supported by Sathyaprakash. HiphopTamizha's neatly done arrangements make this an engaging song despite the passable tune. Kadha Oru Aagayam is an another Hiphop Tamizha's melancholy sung effectually by Teejay and Al Rufian. Once again the track has strictly pedestrian tune and slightly better arrangements from the composer, Thanks to the affecting violin solos in the interludes and relatively better Charanam portions. Lion Vs Hyenas works beautifully for Magizh Thirumeni's exciting story telling which is bound to raise the expectations for the psychotic villain. Though the initial two minutes mainly focuses on the vocals with minimal background, the instrumental reaches crescendo towards the end with ample support from Joseph Vijay's screeching guitar riffs.The underplayed background score in Lion Vs Hyena's comes to the front in Rudra's Symphony and Hip Hop Tamizha ensures that the instrumental is top notch which fits the racy thriller genre perfectly. The highlight of the instrumental is undeniably stupendous strings by Czech Orchestra Rec team.

Verdict: Hiphop Tamizha confines to his tried and tested soundscape and the composer's instrumental tracks work better than the easily accessible vocal tracks.

My Rating:7/10

Pick of the Album: Rudra's Symphony, Neeyum Naanum Anbae, Vilambara Idaiveli

P.S you can listen to the songs in Saavn.

Monday, June 25, 2018

Music Review (Telugu): Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi

Music Review (Telugu): Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi
Music Composer: Vivek Sagar


Swagatham Suswagatham's ultra cool vibe prodded by Cisco Chi's vocals and lyrics. Though sounds dominate the vocals most of the time, Vivek Sagar's splendid bass line makes this one works and the short song turns brilliant towards the end with the arrangements. Aagi Aagi's highlight is undeniably Abhijeet Gurjale's Celtic violin solos in the prelude and Vivek Sagar's guitar work. Vivek Sagar churned out the brilliant tune in his own style and Manisha Eerabathini enters the second half with the dreamy whispery vocals. The free-flowing tune comes off lively with Anurag Kulkarni vocals and the singer is having a good run this year after Mahanati.

The funky tone of the album continues in Parada Jarupukoni also and despite the processing in Hemachandra's vocals, the song turns out to be an enjoyable listening experience. The myriad sounds in the background are intriguing to listen especially the way Adithya Iyer's vocal is used in the first interlude and the immensely foot tapping shift in the second interlude. Vivek Sagar's quest for Electro swing continues after Pelli Choopulu in College Agelona and the retro feel of the tune amidst the heady techno sounds is a delight to listen. Kittu Vissapragada's amusing lyrics gels well with the tone of the song and Wilson Herald gets to repeat the magic of Raalu Raaga Poolamala with this wonderful track.Vivek Sagar's earnest rendition of the melancholy Veediponidhi Okateley make this one an endearing listen and the tune is backed by minimally arranged guitar strums with brief support from Sandilya Pisapati's violin solo.Vivek Sagar ends the soundtrack with another energetic rock track Maarey Kalale and the composer roped in Suraj Santosh to croon the track and the singer nails the rendition with ease especially when the track reaches crescendo towards the end with singer's improvisations adding to the charm. The soundtrack's piece de resistance is Neil Joshua's fabulous racy electric Guitar solos.

Verdict: Tharun Bhascker and Vivek Sagar delivered another quirky delightful album after Pelli Choopulu. Vivek Sagar turns out to be the promising composer in the Tollywood and scores big time this year with Sammohanam and this album.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Pick of the Album: Aagi Aagi, College Agelona, Veediponidhi Okateley, Parada Jarupukoni

P.S you can listen to the songs in Saavn.

 

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Music Review (Telugu): Lover

Music Review (Telugu): Lover
Music Composer: Ankit Tiwari, Arko, Rishi Rich, Sai Kartheek, Tanishk Baghchi


Sai Kartheek treads on DSP's template for Naalo Chilipi Kala starting from the violin prelude and the peppy outlook of the overall tune. Though nothing outstanding from the song, Yazin Nizar and the passable tune helps this song to a large extent. I haven't been a fan of Arko's work in Hindi and his Telugu debut What a Ammayi also sounds perfunctory one with Sonu Nigam's vocals being the solo selling point and the tune is pretty hackneyed and highly monotonous one from the composer. Tanishk Bagchi gets the best song in this multi composer soundtrack. In Adbhutam, Tanishk gets the groovy classical techno mix perfectly with Nadaswaram solos helping a lot. Jubin Nautiyal and Ranjini Jose ace the rendition effectually and the catchy anupallavi makes this song immensely engaging till it lasts. Rishi Rich's Ramuni Banamla is completely forgettable affair crooned by Sai Charan and the rhythm structure irks a lot. Anthe Kada Mari also benefits highly from the fine singing by the lead singers Ankit Tiwari and Jonita Gandhi. The tune has heavy influence from Ankit Tiwari's Hindi songs. Yevaipuga Naa Choopu Saagali works well with the sombre tone and Ankit Tiwari singing despite the tune has very little less to offer.

Verdict: Anidh Krishna opts for the Bollywood type multi-composer soundtrack for Lover and the album turns out to be a middling one.

My Rating:7/10

Pick of the Album: Adbhutam, Naalo Chilipi Kala, Yevaipuga Naa Choopu

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

 

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Junga

Music Review (Tamil): Junga
Music Composer: Sidddharth Vipin


Rise of Don is a mishmash of pretty average rap portions and Suraj Jagan's fatigue singing doesn't help much. Rockstar Ramani Ammal's debut makes this song interesting to look forward, but the respite is short lived. The arrangements are strictly functional prodded by familiar brass sections and the Junga chorus helps the song to a certain extent.Amma Mela Sathiyam starts with the laborious Telugu verses and the subsequent Tamil portions don't help either. The absurd lyrics mixing Tamil and Telugu which in some instances turns out to be hilarious listen. Jagadeesh's spirited singing aside, the track has very little to offer to the listeners.

Parrys to Paris buoyant tune with the backdrop of European'esque arrangements which hardly fails and the piece de resistance of the track is undeniably Kalpana Raghavendar's operatic singing. Anthony Daasan's rustic vocals for the vaudevillian track makes an interesting combination. Siddharth Vipin ensures that arrangements are pretty neat and engaging.Lolikiriya is another tiresome listen which rides on the hackneyed brass sections and silly lyrics. The tune hardly has any interesting element and Marana Gaana Viji's singing is another weak point. It's unfortunate that Nakash Aziz's vocals are relegated to the similar kind of tracks in Tamil and Telugu.Koottipo Koodave which was released earlier as a single is the only track which works as a complete package. Siddharth Vipin's simple tune dominated by synth backgrounds adorned with the pleasant chorus. Sathyaprakash's fine vocals with ample support from Ranina Reddy makes this one an enjoyable listen especially the catchy title hook by the singer.The short Makkal Selvan Fans song is the random mix of kuthu and hard rock spearheaded by Suraj Jagan's sprightly singing.

Verdict: Siddharth Vipin's collaboration with Gokul is an underwhelming album except for the single Koottipo Koodave.

My Rating: 6/10

Pick of the Album: Koottipo Koodave, Parrys to Paris

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn.

Monday, June 11, 2018

Music Review (Tamil) : Kadaikutty Singam

Music Review (Tamil) : Kadaikutty Singam
Image result for kadaikutty singam imagesMusic Composer: Imman

Sandakkari has Imman's stamp all over it, starting from the punctuating percussion rhythms and the sweeping string section in the interludes. Yugabharathi continues to pen easily accessible lyrics and the hackneyed tune which has been tried and tested umpteen number of times by the composer itself. Vandana Srinivasan's singing and the mesmerising charanam portions by the singer makes this one passable listen.Imman ensures that Kaalai theme is filled with stupendous energy propped up by punchy percussions and the energetic chorus. Composer infused few engaging Nathaswaram solos amidst the celebratory brass sections and the theme track surely enrich the mass moments on screen.

Thandora Kannaala starts off with an exotic flute and Santoor solos but nose-dived into composer's famous territory which relies on the trite rhythm sections. V V Prasanna salvages the languishing tune with his involved singing. The highlight of the song is an undeniably interesting twist in the second interlude with the soft rock sound accompanied by wonderful chorus and Yugabharathi's relatable lyrics invoking 'wire koodai' , Thandora etc.Vaa Jikki has an uncanny resemblance to Soi Soi and the composer didn't give enough time for the listeners to comprehend about the similarities because of the raw energy the track infuses. However, the track is pretty average and appears to be the hodgepodge of random tunes. Imman sung with enough verve.

Sengathire gains a lot from the Pradeep Kumar's nuanced singing of the classical-tinged tune and the singer's improvisations works like charm. especially in the charanam portions. Imman sets the gloomy tone with the reverberating flute solos and brilliant veena sections in the interludes.

Verdict: Imman's confined soundscape for the rural flicks turns out to be exhausting listen and it's high time for the composer to revamp his style.

My Rating:6.5/10

Pick of the Album: Sengathire, Sandakkari

P.S You can listen to the songs in  Saavn.

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Music Review (Telugu): Sammohanam

Music Review (Telugu): Sammohanam
Music Composer: Vivek Sagar

 
Oohalu Oorege Gaalantha's breezy romantic ballad tune with the tinge of retro mood makes the listeners easily to fall in love with the song. Haricharan rocks the tune with his splendid rendition especially mesmerising playful anupallavi which starts with Saala Pathadhiga while Vivek Sagar's top notch arrangements highlighted by brilliant bass line and banjo work by the composer himself. Srivennela Sitharama Sasthry's poetic verses blends with the dreamy tone of the song. Manasainadedo is the typical pop material with the mild hypnotic rhythm and the songs gets better with the help of engaging interludes and the composer's involved singing. The minimally arranged background sounds and the Charanam portions makes this one passable listen despite filled with customary chorus portions.

The album's towering highlight O Cheli Thaara is also crooned by Haricharan and he is one of the singer who gets to sing beautiful song in both Tamil and Telugu. The arrangements and the interludes especially the classical sounds in the first interlude are the winner from the talented composer Vivek Sagar.Vivek Sagar ends with another blissful serene song Kanulalo Thadiga and the prelude guitar notes takes me instantly to Rahman's Avalum Naanum from Accham Enbadhu Madamaiyada. Nevertheless, Vivek Sagar aces this song with the beautiful guitar laden background and Chaitra Ambadipudi's amazing rendition.

Verdict: After Yuddham Sharanam, Vivek Sagar comes up with another brilliant album in Sammohanam. Vivek Sagar continues to impress with each of his album and the composer aces in delivering tunes with tinge of classical sounds.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Oohalu Oorege Gallantha, O Cheli Thaara, Kanulalo Thadiga.

P.S You can listen to the songs in Youtube.

 

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Music Review (Telugu): Rajugadu

Music Review (Telugu): Rajugadu
Music Composer: Gopisundar
 
Rabbaru Buggala Ramachilaka's monotonous sound has very little to offer except for the Vedala Hemachandra's vocals and the catchy title hook. Hemachandra's pedestrian lyrics also doesn't help the staggering tune. Arere Arere is another mediocre tune made passable by an engaging flute solos and Sai Charan's energetic vocals. Gopi Sundar's trademark tunes Rendu Kallu Ninda and Sarasaku Ra work magically. The songs have Gopi Sundar's stamp all over it. The former song is filled with lavish violin portions while Ramya Behara gets to croon magical charanam verses. Though Sarasuku's prelude portions are middling, Mohana Bhogaraju's whispery vocals make this one an worthy listen. The anupallavi has an unremarkable similarity to the composer's Paravasame from Seethamma Andalu Ramayya Sitralu. However, the song is an incredibly enjoyable listen from the composer. Gopi Sundar rounds up the soundtrack with the festive celebratory song Devatalara Devatalara and the track fizzles out sooner after an engaging start.

Verdict: Gopi Sundar turns out to be too predicatble and uninteresting in his latest Raju Gadu.

My Rating: 7/10

Pick of the Album: Sarasuku Ra, Rendu Kallaninda 

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

Music Review (Hindi): Bhavesh Joshi Superhero

Music Review (Hindi): Bhavesh Joshi Superhero
Music Composer: Amit Trivedi
 
Amit Trivedi channels his Udtaa Punjab mode in Hum Hain Insaaf and the songs works despite being the lingering hangover form the soundscape to Babu Haabi and Naezy's vocals. The rap portions work brilliantly and the title hook is adequately catchy stuff from the composer. Chavanprash's soundscape and the average tune is prodded by Divyakumar's splendid vocals. However, the song fizzles out sooner and turns out to be monotonous listen even though few nifty guitar riffs by Sanjoy Das. Amit Trivedi reserved the best song of the soundtrack to himself. Tafreeh works magically with the steady progressing tune and the hypnotic rhythm adds charm to the beautiful tune. Look out for the brilliant mixing in the interludes and Amit Trivedi aces the singing part effectually. The composer ends the track with the punctuating rock sound lead by Rhythm Shaw's fabulous guitar solos. Amit Trivedi delivers another winner with the serene tuned Qasam Kha Ali and once again the enchanting rhythm along with Papon's magical vocals makes this one works. 

Verdict: Though the soundtrack falls few notches below the Vikramaditya Motwane-Amit Trivedi combo, two tracks standout in this Amit Trivedi's latest album.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Tafreeh, Qasam Kha Ali, Hum Hain Insaaf

P.S: You can listen to the songs in Youtube.