Friday, September 28, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Chekka Chivantha Vaanam

Music Review (Tamil): Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
Music Composer: AR Rahman


Bhoomi's screeching guitar strums and Sakthishree Gopalan's alluring vocals carry the listeners to the world of ecstasy. Rahman weaves the unconventional tune around the Vairamuthu's beautiful verses while Shakthishree brings life to the words and especially the rendition of Idhayam Thaangumo stanza is pitch-perfect. Mazhai Kuruvi's tune is the easy throwback to good old Rahman days and he packed the tune with the ebullient arrangements and one wish that he could have roped some other singer rather than singing by himself. The singing sounds to be off key in high pitch verses, however, the lovable tune and the buoyant soundscape makes this one an easy earworm. The charanam easily reminds me of the Nendhukittaen from Star. Sevandhu Pochu Nenju has an instantly catchy hook and the track starts with the grim prelude while Rahman ups the ante with the Ada Naana Ada Naana verses by Sunitha Sarathy while Arjun Chandy and Sathyaprakash backs her effectively. The rousing techno sounds towards the end sounds to be an odd fit in the overall tune. Nee Kalla Kalavani's arrangements sound more like Kaara Aaattakaara while the unconventional meandering tune fails to clasp the listener, but the sound mixing is top notch especially with the Lady Kash's brilliant high pitch singing. Rahman's exotic sounding Hayati is astoundingly hypnotic especially with Mayssa Karaa's singing backed by explosive Shivang Vaishnav rap portions. The best of the lot is undeniably Madhura Marikozhundhae and it's a delight to listen to Anuradha Sriram's vocals and Rahman's minimal arrangements and the chant-like rendition by the lead singers Aparna Narayanan, Shwetha Mohan makes this one a mesmerising listening experience and one wishes that song could have been longer. Karthik is spectacular in calming Jazzy track Praaptham and the intense rendition with intermittent explosive burst make this one an enjoyable listen in the album. 

Verdict: The soundtrack doesn't match up to the bar set by the combo but the tracks are immensely enjoyable for the brilliant unconventional free flowing tunes and sound mixing.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Pick of the Album: Madhura Marikozhundhae, Bhoomi, Mazhai Kuruvi  

P.S You can listen to the album in Saavn. Totally hate the trend of single release and hopefully, Rahman's Sarkar will get the release as a complete album.

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Raatchasan

Music Review (Tamil): Raatchasan
Music Composer: Ghibran


Ghibran churns out a winsome melody in Kaadhal Kadal Dhana and wonderfully weaved the melody in the backdrop of intriguing sounds especially in the Charanam portions. Ghibran beautifully mixed the sarangi synth sound effectively throughout the song while Sathyaprakash and Chaitra Ambadipudi's pitch-perfect rendition easily makes this one an enjoyable song with Umadevi's fine verses. Kannamma Kanvizhi's mood is set by the intense prelude and followed by Sean Roldan's reverberating vocals while Balaji's violin solos accentuate the melancholy effectively. Ghibran's brilliant arrangement kicks in the charanam portions with the consistent mix of strings and flute in the background.Ey Piriyame Piriyame's unconventional tune takes time to sink in, but the song turns out to be best in the short soundtrack after a few listen. The track starts with the buoyant guitar strums which pave way for the Pragathi Guruprasad's mesmerising vocals and Rathnakumar enters with the catchy hook Pera Solli. Maayangal Naanaada's funky rock base on the conventional pop tune is sufficiently engaging and the song sounds low key for the investigative thriller theme song. However, the tune work like a charm with ample support from the singers Yazin Nizar, Shabir and Ranjith.

Verdict: Ghibran continues his prolific output irrespective of the scope of music in the film and in Raatchasan also, the young composer impresses with the two melodies.

My Rating:7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Ey Piriyame Piriyame, Kaadhal Kadal Dhaana

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

Music Review (Tamil): Sandakozhi 2

Music Review (Tamil): Sandakozhi 2
Music Composer: Yuvan Shankar Raja


Kambathu Ponnu is adequately enjoyable thanks to Yuvan's right mix of techno rhythms and folk sounds intermittently thrown throughout the song. Yuvan's off-key singing continues to be the troublesome one his diction in Pallavi, However, the track is saved by the easily listenable tune which is engaging till it last while Yekadasi kept his lyrics simple and stays true to the roots. Meesai Vacha Vetaikkaaran is a typical temple festival celebratory song where the song has all the indispensable elements one can expect in the songs of this genre. Though the tune confines to its zone, Yuvan's thundering percussion sounds in the charanam and highly effective chorus works like charm. The genre is the cakewalk for Mahalingam and he aces the singing part effortlessly.

Alaala's tried and tested rhythm pattern and the mood is accentuated further by the sweeping strings section and the only part that works to the song's favour is the neatly done interludes especially which gives the haunting impression to the song. Kailash Kher still sounds exotic despite singing the considerable number of regional songs.Sooriyanum Sooriyanum is another celebratory festive folk song which starts with the extended prelude and the arrangements works effectively despite the short duration of the song.Sengarattan Paraiyula is the dance number where Yuvan mixes the right dose of techno sounds and folk flavour but unfortunately, the tune is hardly catchy while Ramani Ammal imbues life to the tune with her rustic vocals with adequate support from Senthil das.Yuvan Shankar Raja ends the soundtrack with the rustic instrumental track and theme may reach well along with the visuals than as a standalone track.

Verdict: Yuvan's Sandakkozhi 2 album sounds too casual despite trying to stick to the soundscape of prequel and the soundtrack is a blip in an otherwise impressive year for the composer. 

My Rating:6.5/10

Pick of the Album: Kambathu Ponnu, Sooriyanum Sooriyanum

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

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Vada Chennai

Music Review (Tamil): Vada Chennai
Music Composer: Santosh Narayanan


Sandanatha is the high octane raucous kuthu comes off lively by Ka Ka Balachander and Gaana Bala's vocals. Though the tune treads along in the well-known path, the real fun lies in the Martin Vijay's Trumpets and Trombones. From the prelude, expected that the song will be dark haunting track, but turns out to be celebratory track totally owned by Santosh Narayanan's arrangements. Goindhammavaala is a wacky track in lines with Santosh Narayanan tracks and he employed the chorus brilliantly. Though, Rokesh's lyrics sound to be oddly fitted to the tune, the playful Jazzy tinged piano by the composer himself and Ganapathy's Kanjira while the casual tune is a cakewalk for Dhanush. The stunner of the soundtrack is undeniably Kaarkuzhal Kadavaiye with huge backing by Vishnu Vijay's flute which gives a mild nod to Bombay's Poovukkena Poottu. The wonderful line of singers Sriram Parthasarathy, Vijay Narein, Ananthu, Pradeep Kumar and Santosh Narayanan did a fantastic job with respect to vocals. It's great to see the Indian flute Phrase idea by Sean Roldan in the 1st BGM. The interludes are brilliantly concocted with the classical sargams and flute tabla background while mixing underplayed techno sounds in the Charanam. 

Maadilla Nikkira Maanukutty throws us back to Enda Maapla from Cuckoo, lovely gaana Jazz where Telfie's guitar stands out. The catchy anupallavi and Gaana Bala's singing makes one groove to the catchy tune while Dhee joins him towards the end to give the fantastic finishing touch. Sid Sriram collaborates with Santosh Narayanan after Server Sundaram for Ennadi Maayavi Nee and the composer gives a much better-tuned song to the singer who aces the rendition as usual. However, the star of the track is undeniably string section by F.A.M.E's Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra while Sid Sriram's improvisations are the delight to listen. Eppadiyamma is a traditional North Madras melancholy Gaana tuned by Shenoy Nagar Shanmugam which may work well along with the movie. Mathiya Seraiyila is another track on the same lines with completely filled with live sounds. Alangaara Pandhal is where Vettrimaran brings back North Madras native singers to tune the song and the track sticks true to the genre. King of the Sea and Vada Chennai Theme are grand resonating theme tracks with Ananthu's vocals and the grandeur is emphasized effectively with the help of F.A.M.E's Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra. Especially, the hauntyVada Chennai Theme track is the highly effective piece for the gangster flick. The dark track turns into a mellower tune in the middle before finishing off with the grungy vocals of Ananthu.

Verdict: Vetrimaaran's association with Santosh Narayanan replacing GV Prakash turns out to be a splendid combo and the composer churns out the supremely engaging soundtrack for the gangsta flick. Santosh Narayanan is on a roll this year.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Pick of the Album: Kaarkuzhal Kadavaiye, Maadila Nikkira Maankutty, Goindhammavaala, Vada Chennai Theme

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

Friday, September 14, 2018

Music Review (Hindi): Manmarziyaan

Music Review (Hindi): Manmarziyaan
Music Composer: Amit Trivedi 



Amit Trivedi brings back his Udta Punjab vibes in Manmarziyaan where traditional Punjabi sounds mixed modern techno sounds which are sprinkled all throughout this 1 hour long soundtrack. F for Fyaar sung by one of the movie's lead Vicky Kaushal and the modern Punjabi track is incomplete without the rap and it's fulfilled by Sikander Kahlon. Though the rap portions are the pedestrian affair, Amit Trivedi's synth sounds on the background of groovy tune gives the album a good start. Amit Trivedi brings out his best in Daryaa, which starts with the soothing prelude and the flute portions are heavenly. The tracks turn into an anthemic soft rock with oh-oh chorus reaching crescendo gives way to the splendid first interlude. The brilliant song ends with the 1 minute long flute version of the Pallavi. However the song's unplugged version by Deveshi Sahgal pales in comparison with Shahid Mallya's vocals. Though, Amit did a brilliant work with respect to the guitar-laden arrangements especially the lovely first interlude. 

Composer churned out another winner, this time with the duet melody, Grey Waala Shade crooned by delightful Harshdeep Kaur and Jazim Sharma. The simple melody and the catchy hook by Ishq nazariya and Shelle's lyrics about the new age love makes this one an instant chartbuster in the album. Dhyaan Chaand is another funky Punjabi dance track where the free-flowing lyrics of Shellee along with Amit Trivedi's likable tune makes this one a listenable track till it lasts. Harshdeep Kaur and Jazim Sharma joins hands again for another beautiful folk melody and the Esraj bits are vintage Amit Trivedi which makes me to replay some of the composer's hits from Kai Po Che and Guddu Rangeela. The way Harshdeep sings Naache is lovable and makes me to hit the replay button. Sheele lyrics about the feeling of love where he makes everyone do a dance of love from Alexander to cities of Jalandhar and Amritsar. Amit Trivedi brings in Jyoti Nooran and gives her the dark melancholy Hallaa with the tinge of Sufi touch in the tune while completely the background is revamped with the punchy synth sounds. Jyoti Nooran aces the singing as usual where Shelle brings out the complex emotions of love vividly with the hard-hitting lyrics.  

Sachhi Mohabbat takes me instantly to Composer's Sooiyaan, the tender folksy tune and the esraj combination which Amit aces it like a pro. The Shehnai in the first interlude accompanied by Jonita Gandhi's vocals makes this one another instant chartbuster in the album.  Jaisi Teri Warzi starts off with the heartfelt rendition by Harshdeep Kaur backed by minimal arrangements and turns into the punchy Punjabi background with the entry of Bhanu Pratap Singh. However, the melody along with the singer's rendition makes this one works. Bijlee Giregi is a headbanging trance which brings out the female leads fiery character and I wish that the song could have been crooned by some female singer instead of band of male singers.  

Kundali is much more enthralling despite with the trance background and the amusing factor is mostly due to Shelle's superb lyrics and the tinge of retro sounds sprinkled generously. Jala di is the usual Punjabi track with techno twist but the song hardly works because of the jaded tune and the arrangements. Fyaar Pe Duniya also falls on the same category as Jala di despite Alamgir Khan's superlative singing. Amit Trivedi ends the soundtrack with the short enriching trance track Sherni and the haunting background works like charm.

Verdict: Anurag Kashyap brings out Amit Trivedi from slump and extract the best work from the talented composer and the 14 track album broadly traces out the best of Amit Trivedi from the manic Udta Punjab to soulful Kai Po che.

My Rating: 9/10

Pick of the Album: Grey Waala Shade, Chonch Ladhiyaan, Daryaa, Sachhi Mohabbat, Halla

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


Sunday, September 9, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Pariyerum Perumal

Music Review (Tamil): Pariyerum Perumal
Music Composer: Santosh Narayanan

 

Karuppi, the dark as well as kind of disturbing video which was released as a single earlier is an engaging listen especially for its simple and hard-hitting lyrics by Vivek and Mari Selvaraj. The tune treads along the familiar Santosh Narayan territory, the blues-rock which reminds of the composer's Veera Thurandhara from Kabali. The vocals of Santosh Narayanan also gels well with the tone of the song and especially the intermittent female vocals. Vanakkam Vanakkamunga stays true to the genre, raw folk tune which may work well with the visuals than as a standalone soundtrack. It's always a delight to listen Santosh Narayanan's guitar-laden track and Potta Kaattil is an absolute gem from the composer. The falsetto voice in the prelude and the consistently buoyant guitar work by Naveen and Telfie makes this one a ravishing listen. Yogi Sekar of Elanda Pazham fame from Aandavan Kattalai and Fareedha with ample support Ananthu and Vijay Narein's acapella bits makes this one an engaging listen. The sargams and the guitar riffs towards the end is a fascinating touch from the composer. Engum Pugazh Thuvanga is another folk song sung effectually by folk Marley Anthony Daasan and Kallur Mariyappan and akin to Vanakkam Vanakkamunga, this also may work well in the movie. Vaa Rayil Vidapolama is another effective composition sung brilliantly by Super Star singer fame Prithika and piano by Santosh Narayanan comes off as a second vocal. The lyrics by Vivek are once again simple and hard hitting while Santosh builds up the arrangements in the background especially in the interludes. Santosh Narayanan ends the soundtrack with the foot tapping angsty Naan Yaar and the pop soundscape especially with the synths and ooh ooh chorus sections works to its favour despite the off-key singing by Santosh Narayanan in some places.

Verdict: After Kaala, Santosh Narayanan churned out another winner in 2018 and the composer's trademark tune works much better than the folk tracks.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the album: Potta kaatil Poovasam, Vaa Rayil vida Polama, Karuppi 


P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn