Music Review (Telugu): Prematho Mee Karthik

Music Review (Telugu): Prematho Mee Karthik
Music Composer: Shaan Rahman

Okka Chinukulo has Shaan Rahman's melody written all over it and Anne Amies's resonant punchy vocals are ably supported by reliable Sachin Warrier. Shaan kept the arrangement breezy enough to accentuate the feel-goodness of the melody. The mild tabla base in the charanam portions creates wonderful aural effect for the song. Pacha Pacha Kalale is another delectable melody which works more because of the pleasant arrangements and Pranavi Acharya's effective vocals. Shaan once again throws mesmerizing flute sections in the first interlude. Shaan Rahman's Malayalam accent is evident in Visirina Banthalle and the upbeat tune is enjoyable till it last especially for its splendid harmonium usage. Though the tune is relatively an average one, the arrangements and rhythm do the tricks in favour of the song. Shaan Rahman ends the soundtrack with brilliant celebratory song Vanavaasam and the semi-classical tune is brilliantly rendered by Hemachandra and Malavika. The beauty of the song lies in the Charanam and Hemachandra makes it more enjoyable with his improvisations.

Verdict: Shaan Rahman makes his memorable Tollywood debut in a relatively unknown film Prematho Mee Karthik.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Okka Chinukulo, Vanavasam

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

Music Review (Tamil): Richie

Music Review (Tamil): Richie
Music Composer: Ajaneesh Loknath

Sollathaan Nenaikirane's tune has 90's vibe associated with it and the chorus segues into the tune beautifully. Ajaneesh Loknath adorns the beautiful folk track with the spellbinding flute and keyboard while string sections by Chennai Strings give middle Eastern tweak to the arrangements. Though the Kannada equivalent had superlative vocals of Vijay Prakash, Ajaneesh manages with the neat rendition of the Tamil version. In Thaayai Thedi, Ajaneesh brings in Vijay Yesudas for the vocal portions while retaining Shankar Mahadevan for the back and forth classical sargams towards the end. Vani Harikrishna's vocal portions are diminished and Ajaneesh tweaked the interludes by removing the Tabla base. The song is adequately enjoyable with subtle changes mainly because of soulful tune and superlative vocals. Ajaneesh gives the theme music Rich Tarantino styled haunting flavor and the intriguing sounds throughout the three minutes instrumental makes this one immensely enjoyable fare from the composer. The cornucopia of sounds created in the theme music is enough to bolster Nivin Pauly's screen presence. Ajaneesh pushes the boundary further in another instrumental Final Showdown and the Puli Aattam mix with the chenda mela and the resounding strings makes this one a terrific listen. The mild Latin/Middle Eastern flavor along with the traditional beats is the highlight of this 4-minute instrumental track.

Verdict: Richie is a fitting follow up album after Kurangu Bommai for the successful Sandalwood composer Ajaneesh Loknath.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Thaayai Thedi, Final Showdown, Sollathaan Nenaikirene

P.S: I wish Ajaneesh could have composed fresh tunes for the Tamil version and also I miss terribly Kaakig Banna and Male Marathu's Tamil version

Music Review (Tamil): Semma Botha Aagathey

Music Review (Tamil): Semma Botha Aagathey
Music Composer: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Semma Botha Aagathey's trippy upbeat techno-laden short track is mangled by Yuvan Shankar Raja's strictly limited vocal range. Yuvan's buoyant rhythm and title hook make this one an enjoying fare from the composer. Rokesh and Badri Venkatesh's lyrics aptly blends with the tone of the song. Itemkaaran is another mediocre work from composer and this techno-laden kuthu falters from the start and curiously titled song aside, the track has little to offer. Ranjith and Anita's lively singing keeps the song extant and the interludes also sound outdated.

Idhayathai Oru Nodi is a bankable melody from the composer and the only sore point being the composer's vocals and the deja-vu factor associated with the tune. However, the track is enjoyable till it lasts and the composer's minimal background rhythms and arrangements make this one easily the best song in the soundtrack. Gaali Pannura's highlight is undeniably sensual vocals of Ramya Nambeesan and though the tune meanders along, the infectious title hook along with the vocals makes this one engaging short song in the soundtrack.Yuvan scores easily in the Survival theme and the composer packaged the haunting score with some lovely plucked instruments.

Verdict: Semma Botha Aagathey is a short conventional mixed bag from Yuvan Shankar Raja.

My Rating:7/10

Pick of the Album: Idhayathai Oru Nodi, Semma Botha Aagathey

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

Music Review (Tamil): Kathirupor Pattiyal

Music Review (Tamil): Kathirupor Pattiyal
Music Composer: Sean Roldan

Pradeep shines in a breezy serene romantic track and the mood is accentuated by Sean Roldan's minimal pleasant arrangements. Though, the lyrics sound to be a misfit to the tune, Pradeep Kumar's impeccable vocals makes this one an enjoyable listen till it lasts. Call Mela Call Pottu is a fun listen and Sean Roldan's kickass Tambrahm accent meets Hara Hara Mahadevaki which makes this one whimsical song on the album. Kaathirukkum Kootathukku's tune is middling and treads on the familiar path but Sean tries to prop up the song with brilliant interludes especially violin in the second interlude. Harihara Sudhan backs up the song effectually with his vocals. Thee Thee Theeyana benefits largely from the lovely Sax laden arrangements and efforts of superlative vocals by Adithya Rao and Shakthishree Gopalan works magically. Composer's pop rhythm aids to the song's proceedings. The theme track doesn't offer much and ends the soundtrack in a flat note.

Verdict: Sean Roldan manages to deliver an enjoyable mix of songs for Kathiruppor Pattiyal after a few mishaps.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Call Mela Call Pottu, Thee Thee Theeyana, Azhagile Enai

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

Music Review (Tamil) : Aruvi

Music Review (Tamil) : Aruvi
Music Composer: Bindumalini and Vedanth Bharadwaj

In Kukotti Kunnatti, composer splendidly mixes the two parts where Vedanth's blissful ukelele gives way for the serene acapella towards the second half of the track and ends the track with once again top notch combination of string instruments. The acapella reminds us of the Prashant Pillai's stunner soundtrack in Malayalam film Amen and Bindumalini and Praniti effectually crooned the humming portions. Composers delivered another stunner in Asaindhadum Mayil where the combination itself an unimaginable one, Oothakaadu Venkata Subbaiyer's Carnatic verse meets the swanky Jazz instrumental. Bindumalini's brief Simmendramadhyam based rendition of Asaindhadum is pitch perfect and paparapaba hook is an enjoyable hook to the core. The second half is completely Balu's trumpet show with enough support from Fedrick Rosario's accordion. 

Cement Kaadu's ebullient tune is complemented well by Kutti Revathi and Arun Prabhu Purushothaman's lively casual lyrics. Composers adorn the enjoyable tune with energetic arrangements by employing brilliant mix of Joraj Stanley's drums and Niranjan's violin. Bindumalini once again aces in the vocals portions. Maanatha Tholachadey part towards the end is an amusing note from the composer.Though Uchham Thodum anbin Kodi is named as Party song, the song is more like an motivational number and the feel is accentuated by Kutti Revathi's lyrics. Composer's soft rock arrangements in the background gels well with the tone of the song. The genre elements aside, Fedrick Rosario's accordion and the scatting accompanied with the accordion is the brilliant touch form the composers.The soundtrack's most minimal song is Merku Karaiyil and the composer weaves the brilliant song around the simple yet astounding Banjo played by Vedant Bharadwaj. Vedant supports Bindhumalini in the vocal section and the splendid track ends with the classical Sarangi by Mano Thangamani. Composers ends the delectable soundtrack in high note with moods of Aruvi and the instrumental is prodded by Hemanth and Chandran's sincere violin solos accompanied by highly enjoyable Bindhumalini's humming and Vedant Bharadwaj's acoustic guitar.

Verdict: Aruvi's soundtrack is the most unconventional soundtrack in recent time and the highly inventive arrangements makes this one easily best debut for the composers.

My Rating: 9/10

Pick of the Album: Just listen the whole soundtrack.

Music Review (Tamil): Annadurai

Music Review (Tamil): Annadurai
Music Composer: Vijay Antony

Thangama Vairama starts off in a high note but once the outdated tune kicks off in Ananthu's vocals, the song fails to entice the listener. The interludes are strictly pedestrian and generic while Ananthu and Karthik tried to infuse life with the sincere rendition. The more memorable and inventive tune could have made this song an engaging listen. Vijay Antony brings back Nenjorathil fame Supriya Joshi to croon GST with the similar soundscape especially Tabla base. Though the tune fares tad lower than Nenjorathil, Vijay Antony able to deliver an adequately listenable song especially interludes and charanam portions. Arun Bharathi throws  GST in the lyrics to gather enough attention.

Apart from the slightly mellowed background soundscape, Odathey (Pathos) and Odathey doesn't have much variations, especially in terms of Ananthu's vocals. The tune strictly confines to the tried and tested Vijay Antony's stock list and also falls in the quite generic climatic soaring tune. Annadurai theme song falls into the composer's generalised melancholy template and Ananthu pushes a languishing tune with his effectual vocals but tune fails to engage. The only solace being the beautiful Piano interlude in the middle of the song.

Verdict: Vijay Antony's Annadurai is another unremarkable soundtrack from the composer and the short soundtrack from the composer has hardly any memorable tracks.

My Rating: 6/10

Pick of the Album: GST 

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

Music Review (Tamil): Theeran Adhigaram Ondru

Music Review (Tamil): Theeran Adhigaram Ondru
Music Composer: Ghibran

Ghibran opens up the album with the stellar song Oru Veetil, Ghibran's haunting tune starting from the chorus prelude till the end and Thamarai's poetical sensual lyrics makes this one easy winner. Ghibran's layered arrangements especially brilliant flute and strings-laden interludes combined with the superlative singing by lovely Shashaa Tripathi makes this one an immensely enjoyable song from Ghibran. Inno Genga provides fabulous support to Shashaa. Ghibran delivers gloomy track O Saathiye and once again arrangements are top notch especially lovely Carnatic violin solo in the second interlude. Ghibran sets the Charanam portions with the tabla base and engaging chorus while composer's immersive tune and Uma devi's affecting lyrics makes this one another easy pick of the album. Armaan Malik delivers the song effectually.

Ghibran channeled his inner Ilayaraja in Laali Laali and the melodious tune is adorned with the consistent engaging arrangements while Pragathi Guruprasad's humming along with the thumping rhythm works like charm. Ghibran's simple yet hummable tune and the brilliant Charanam portion crooned perfectly by Sathyaprakash makes this song an easily accessible one.The title track is in lines with the expected soundscape, highly racy explosive track but the tune doesn't work to its favor as in other songs. The debut singers Aravind Srinivas and Sarath Santosh did a neat job with respect to vocals, However, the arrangements strictly confined to the relatively known hard rock material. Ghibran comes up with quite a surprising thing in Tamil album, a complete song featuring Hindi lyrics in Tinga Tinga. Though the accent by Padmalatha is questionable, the tune is lovely one with an enjoyable predominant folk sound throughout the track. Ghibran started to use Padmalatha's vocals differently after Magalir Mattum unlike his initial collaboration with the singer. Apart from the inconvenient vocals, the track is enjoyable till it lasts. Ghibran ends the soundtrack with another simple lovable melody Sevatha Pulla and the interludes are incredibly lively one with the sprightly sounds sprinkled throughout the song. KG Ranjith sails through the neat tune effortlessly.

Verdict: Ghibran's delivers an impressive enjoyable soundtrack for the high profile commercial entertainer and the melodies standout in the album.

My Rating:8.5/10

Pick of the album: Oru Veetil, O Saathiye, Sevathapulla.

P.S: You can listen to the songs on Gaana.

Music Review (Tamil) : 2.0

Music Review (Tamil) : 2.0
Music Composer: A R Rahman

Endhira Logathu Sundariye, as expected highly techno sounds laden track and Rahman's mixing make this one immensely enjoyable as well as the hummable track. Madhan Karky deserves special mention for his imaginative lyrics like Java Roja and invoking every robot parts in the verses. Sid Sriram nails the rendition as usual while Sashaa Tripathi mesmerizes the listener with her whispery brief sound cues.Rajaali Nee Gaali is the techno mass and majestic track for Rajini and Rahman once again ensured that the sounds are groovy enough to clasp the listener's attention. Composer's consistent engaging rhythm structure and the mastery in sound mixing is evident throughout the track. However, the lyrics sound discordant especially with all the grandeur with the sounds. Blaaze, Arjun Chandy and Sid Sriram deliver exceptionally well.

Verdict: Rahman's unique sound mixing and Madhan Karky's imaginative lyrics is sure enough to satiate composer's fans.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the album: Endhira Logathu, Rajaali Nee Gaali

Music Review (Malayalam): Chakkaramaavin Kombathu

Music Review (Malayalam): Chakkaramaavin Kombathu
Music Composer: Bijibal

Bijibal delivers simple foot tapping Manjaniyum and the rhyming tune sung effectually by the kids Dev Dutt Bijibal and Sreya Jayadeep. Bijibal brilliantly employed earthy sounds throughout the track. Alanjoriyana brims with the lovely throwback melody which the composer always weaves his magic while the interludes evoke pleasant feeling especially the extensive usage of flute sections. Bijibal aces with his splendid rendition. Bijibal ends the soundtrack with another gorgeous melody backed by Subha's lovely rendition. Loved the way veena and the consistent mesmerizing rhythm employed in the arrangements.

Verdict: Ultrashort soundtrack (less than 10 mins) but immensely likeable work by Bijibal.

My Rating:7.5/10

Pick of the album: Mele Manathu, Alanjoriyana.

Music Review (Telugu): Oxygen

Music Review (Telugu): Oxygen
Music Composer: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Adi Lekka hardly sounds like the Yuvan Shankar Raja music and the composer totally blends with the usual sound cues which are familiar in Thaman or DeviSri Prasad soundtracks. The track, unfortunately, sounds dull and Ramajogayya Sastry's lyrics about the Telugu language being the only highlight in an otherwise boring start to the album.Yuvan easily scores in the synth-dominated melody O Kshanam and Thanks to the lead singers Aishwarya and Deepak for their splendid radiation. Composer kept the rhythm structure simple and though nothing stands out especially in terms of arrangements, neat pleasant melody makes this one listenable till it lasts.

Aakaasam also suffers from the shades of heard before sounds and MLR Karthikeyan's hard-hitting vocals being the highlight of the song while Yuvan splendidly employed the plucked string instruments in the second interlude. Aishwarya provides the splendid support to Karthikeyan and one wish that the tune could have been little more engaging one. Queen of Dhaba as the title and Geetha Madhuri in the credit list easily ticks off everything in the genre of the song one can expect. Yuvan's brass usage aside, the song has little to take away. However, it's a delight to listen Geetha Madhuri's astounding energy level despite the middling tune and hackneyed lyrics by  Srimani. Watch out for danger theme track hardly evokes any interest despite Blaaze in the vocals and the theme track fails to elevate from the mediocre level.

Verdict: Yuvan's much-expected Oxygen turns out to be a downer and the tracks are unremarkable except for the single melody.

My Rating:6.5/10

Pick of the Album: O kshanam, Aakaasam

Music Review (Tamil): Ippadai Vellum

Music Review (Tamil): Ippadai Vellum
Music Composer: Imman

Imman provides the optimistic positive attitude title song for Shreya Goshal and the lady aces it perfectly with minor hiccup during the arousing chorus sections. However, Imman beautifully crafts the background, with the standout Nathan's woodwinds and Saxophone work. Arunraja Kamaraj shines with his aspirational lyrics for this title song. Aadharaa's fangled rendition of Arunraja Kamaraj's verses aside, Godfather Kanmaniye is predictable with very less awe or influencing element in the track. The tune also fails to evoke interest except for the occasional brilliance in the form of Raghavasimhan's solo violin.

Thodra Paakalam verses are tailor-made for Arunraja Kamaraj's vocals but Imman's vocals also work adequately for the pedestrianly composed tune by the composer. Keba Jeremiah's guitar and punchy percussions go well with the energy in the verses but the tune hardly sticks to the listener's mind. The tune reminds some of the Imman's earlier days compositions. Kulebaa Vaa rides mainly on the adequately engaging Kaviraj's Arabian Rhythm and the tune standalone doesn't make quite a cut but still, the overseas singers Kumaresh Kamalakannan and Nalini Krishnan make this one a listenable track till it lasts. One wishes Imman could have done a more imaginative track with this rhythm sound.The theme track is the tweaked upbeat version of the title song with a few intriguing sounds added to get the thrilling effect but makes the lesser impact mainly because of the vocal portions.

Verdict: Imman continues to be pigeonholed with his stock sounds and Ippadai Vellum is not an outlier either.

My Rating:6.5/10

Pick of the Album: Ippadai Vellum Nichayame, Kulebaa Vaa

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

Music Review (Tamil/Malayalam) : Solo

Music Review (Tamil/Malayalam) : Solo
Music Composer: Assorted Composers

Roshomon's buoyant and lively tune has the Russian folk music flavour and Alok Kulkarni's jaunty guitar is undeniably star of the song. The underlying programming by Sreerag Saji brings out the accordion sounds quite effectually. Overall, Prashant Pillai opens this multi-composer soundtrack with a highly infectious stunning track crooned by the string of singers led by Ashwin Gopakumar. Filter coffee selects Jog Raag based classical song Sajan More Ghar Aaye and builds the fantastic atmosphere around it with Swarupa Ananth's brilliant Konnakol and Jhanvi Srimankar's splendid rendition. The unconventional musical structure accompanied by Govind's solo violin cues make this one an engaging song till it lasts. Sooraj S Kurup of Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti fame delivers the song of the soundtrack in this multi-composer soundtrack. The classical song crooned in a splendid manner by Renuka Arun after Endaro in Telugu and she aces the classical rendition brilliantly. Hope composers utilize her vocals frequently. Sooraj's minimal sounds in the background accentuate the reverberating vocals.

World of Siva opens up with Masala Coffee's Aal Ayaal and the track is synchronous with the band's signature sounds rooted in Malayalam folk. Sooraj Santosh aces the vocals part as usual while adorning the track with magnificent arrangements topped by Krishnaraj's violin and awesome bass guitar work by Paul Joseph. The song's reprise version is done in a more stylish manner with much emphasis on Preeth P S's guitar strums and Sooraj's vocals. Thaikkudam Bridge reproduced the famous Aigiri Nandini and gave the haunting treatment to the track and the Govind's gloomy rendition and vocal texture gel perfectly with the arrangements. The arrangements turned towards the expected rock genre but the violin and guitar solos make this one easily works despite the overall familiar sound. The track has predominantly the sound of Thaikkudam bridge's latest brilliant album Navarasam. Govind presents his another adapted classical track Shiv Taandav composed by Raghini Bhagwat and the energetic arrangements sung in an effectual manner by Saylee Talwalkar works seamlessly. The drums rhythm and the singer's vocals amalgamate well and make this one wonderful listen.

Madras Kuthu meets the rap in Singa Kutty in the track composed by Sez on the beat. Though the track is less intriguing compared to other tracks in the album, Chinna Ponnu's vocals and Balasubramani's Nadhaswaram keeps the song afloat amidst other sounds.Thoovanam is the conventional mainstream sound in the album composed by Abhinav Bansal and the tune is a cakewalk for Vijay Yesudas. The tune didn't work for me except for the brilliance of the lead singer. Harish Sivaramakrishnan effectually recreated their hit boat song and the pulsating rock fusion easily works and the thittithara is the highlight in this highly effectual song while Agam brilliantly infuses the serene version of boat song in Uyiraagi especially the way Thittithara is incorporated. Shashaa Tripathi gives life to the song with her mellifluous vocals.

Separation is led by Ashitha Ajit's brilliant vocals and Gaurav Godkindi's serene arrangements topped by solo violin intermittently.Karaiyaadhe is another sing-along soft rock song crooned by Siddharth Basrur splendidly. The arrangements are dominated by typical English pop sound but work beautifully till it lasts. You is an English version of Karaiyaadhe and Siddharth owns the song with his pitch-perfect vocals.

Verdict: Extraordinary soundtrack for an anthology film and Bejoy Nambiar extracted another brilliant album from the multiple composers after David.

My Rating:9/10

Pick of the Album: Just listen to the whole Album and you won't regret.

Music Review (Tamil): Nenjil Thunivirunthal

Music Review (Tamil): Nenjil Thunivirunthal
Music Composer: Imman

Yechacha Yechacha  starts with famous Muthu dialogue which has been added solely to justify the title but soon spiral towards typical Imman tune which usually composer reserve for himself but handed over to Jithin Raj in this track. The track has the busy arrangements in the background but nothing sticks out except for the enticing usage of trumpets in the second interlude amidst the gibberish sounds. The mild awkward imitation of rail sound aside, Rail Aaraaro is a neat listen dominated by guitar-laden arrangements and brilliant singing by Shreya Goshal along with current favorite Pradeep Kumar and the improvisations by the singer is phenomenal. Imman kept the interludes also engaging along with the brilliant show by the lead singers.

Imman roped Hariharan to croon the classical tinged track Aram Seyya Virumbu and it's always delight to listen Hariharan's singing. Though the tune lacks instant appeal, the sitar cues throughout the track and the lead singer makes this track enjoyable. Madhan Karky's trendy lyrics and equally fangled rendition by Aditya Rao and Sharanya Gopinath aside, Sophia has very little to offer. The interludes are hardly interesting one while Sharanya Gopinath's thunderous vocals and Karky's lyrics makes this song listenable till it lasts. Aei Arakka's middle Eastern rhythm structure has been heard umpteen number of times and Benny Dayal is able to infuse life to the song with his energetic vocals. The singer able to do justice for both the lyrics and busy orchestration by the composer. Dark Rooster has an intriguing atmospheric soundscape created around it and the theme should go well along with the visuals rather than as the standalone track. Badass Theme music fails to make an impact with the sonorous chant packed in less than one minute and the track has the shades of earlier Suseenthiran films. 

Verdict: Nenjil Thunivirundhal is the weakest album from the composer-director combination and it's high time that Imman should reinvent himself.

My Rating :6/10

Pick of the Album: Rail Aaraaro, Aram Seyya Virumbu