Music Review (Telugu): Jai Simha

Music Review (Telugu): Jai Simha
Music Composer: Chirantan Bhatt

Ammakutti Ammakutti is tried and tested Telugu mass number where Geetha Madhuri's modulations in the Charanam portions being the only saving grace and the lyrics are ostensibly deplorable one from Bhaskarabhatla. Jaspreet Jasz infuses much energy to the languishing song with his energetic vocals. Chirantan Bhatt comes back to his form in Anaganaga Anaganaga where Vijay Yesudas sounds like his father and the composer's brilliant pleasant arrangements make this storytelling verses of Srimani works like a charm. Sanjoy Das's flute and Arun Kamath's guitar deserves special mention.

Jai Simha theme is a random outburst of Noel Sean and Vivek Hariharan where the tune and the rap portions hardly work despite lead singers tried to infuse liveliness to the song. The arrangements are predictably too loud and hardly has any catchy stuff from the composer. Priyam Jagame Anandhamayam's techno-laden duet is a tedious listen except for the lead vocals by Revanth and Ramya Behera. The backgrounds and arrangements are typical electronic sound without much to offer and the interludes fall flat along with the tune. Shreya Goshal and Chirantan Bhatt delivered few brilliant songs in their previous work and in this album also they delivered relatively pleasant jingle'ish score in the form of Yevevo Cheppanipisthundhi. Though the track falls below the combo's earlier works, this is the only song works in this weaker album from Chirantan Bhatt.

My rating: 6/10

Verdict: Chirantan Bhatt's first commercial album in Telugu is also the weakest one from the composer without much of his usual novelty or catchiness required for this kind of albums.

Pick of the Album: Yevevo Cheppanipisthundhi,  Anaganaga Anaganaga

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

Music Review (Tamil): Gulebagavali

Music Review (Tamil): Gulebagavali
Music Composer: Vivek- Merwin

Guleba rides mainly on the buoyant carefree festive arrangements dominated by Maxwell's catchy Trumpet hook and Anirudh's colloquial singing. However, Ku Karthick's lyrics are irksome at some places but the song sails through mainly because of it's fluffy tone and simple heard before nature of the tune. Seramal Ponal reminds of the Leon James kind of music and the pleasant breezy melody works quite effectually because of the lead singers Mervin Solomon and Sameera Bharadwaj who crooned many beautiful melodies in Telugu. Mervin Solomon kept the arrangements tidy dominated by brilliant strings sections by Chennai Strings and Keys by the composer duo itself.

Heartukulla is another dance number and we can't expect much more in terms of music. The tune and arrangements are predictably mediocre one where the only saving grace is in the energetic vocals of Nakash Aziz and adequately supported by Sanjana Diwakar. Seramaal Ponal comes in another version You are the Only one where Inno Genga delivers with finesse, However, predictable techno sounds are interspersed which makes this one falls tad lower than the original version. The synth programming and the classical continuum keyboard usage in the interludes are easy highlights of this reprise version.

My Rating: 6/10

Verdict: Gulebagavali is the short soundtrack where the melodies work to some extent and this is the weakest album from the composer duo.

Pick of the Album: Seramal Ponaal

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

Music Review (Telugu): Agnyathavaasi

Music Review (Telugu): Agnyathavaasi
Music Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

Dhaga Dhaga Maney's progressive rock fusion works seamlessly despite the distracting Anirudh's vocals in the much better backgrounds while Vishal Dadlani infuses liveliness with his energetic vocals. The chorus portions segue befittingly to the main tune while the brilliant Guy Bernfeld's bass line along with the stupendous guitar work by Prasanna and Rex Vijayan makes this song easily works. Baitikochi Chusthe's casual tune is complemented well by Srimani's colloquial lyrics and Anirudh guitar-laden arrangements are adorned by Kamlakhar's gripping flute solos in the interludes. Keba Jeremiah's guitar work is an undeniable USP of this enjoyable song from Anirudh.

Anirudh delivers the highly serene Carnatic fusion of the traditional Mohana Raga based Kirthi, Swagatham Krishna originally composed by Oothukkadu Venkatasubbaiyer. To the surprise, Anirudh kept the backgrounds arrangements minimal and brings the brilliant Niranjana's vocal to the front. The lead singer delivers the song in pitch-perfect manner. The best song of the soundtrack is undeniably Gaali Vaaluga where Ananthakrishnan's musical advisor role is apparent. Anirudh's brilliant rendition and the Keba Jeremiah's fabulous guitar work comes together beautifully while the composer throws in some beautiful Konnakol scatting bits in the background consistently. The icing on the cake is beautiful dilruba solos by Saroja and the peppy outlook of the 4-minute song. AB Yevaro Nee baby is the soundtrack's weakest link mainly because of the meandering and inconsistent tune. However, Nakash Aziz and Arjun Chandy make up for its flaws along with the main contribution from Keba Jeremiah's fabulous guitar work, especially in the interludes.

Verdict: Anirudh Ravichander makes his compelling and competent debut in Tollywood with the refreshing and peppy tracks for Pawan Kalyan.

My Rating: 8.5/10

Pick of the Album: Gaali Vaaluga, Baitikochi Chusthe, Dhaga Dhaga Maney

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

Music Review (Telugu): Hello

Music Review (Telugu): Hello
Music Composer: Anup Rubens

Hello highly benefits from Armaan Malik's sincere rendition and though the harmonies are quite an outdated and popular one, the track works to a certain extent mainly because of the lead vocals. The rap portions are strictly Harris Jayaraj material and the clutter-free arrangements make this title track listenable till it lasts. Anaganaga Oka Uru's lovely tune is complemented by affecting solo violin and Sri Dhruthi's naive vocals and the track reminds of the composer's Manam track. The track's female version crooned by Shreya Goshal easily trumps the original version. Shreya's effective saccharine filled vocals make this one instant likable track. The violin plays a huge part in this version also.

Thalachi Thalachi's guitar-laden melody highly rides on the effective vocals of Haricharan and Anup Rubens did a splendid work in the interludes especially classical-tinged guitar solos in the first interlude. Haricharan makes sure that the track works with his impeccable vocals. Yevevo suffers from the Akhil Akkineni's limited singing range but the earnest rendition along with the ample support from Jonita Gandhi makes this easy on ear melody works. Anup Rubens kept the arrangements minimal with mainly driven by guitar strums.  Merise Merise works magically for its low key wedding arrangements at least during initial half of the song and quite liked the female humming portions. However soon the track falls into the uninspiring Charanam portions and the languishing tune is kept alive by Haricharan.


Verdict: Anup Rubens - Vikram K Kumar's Hello falls short of the expectations and the tracks are far behind from the Manam and Ishq.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Pick of the Album: Anaganaga Oka Uru (Female Version), Yevevo, Thalachi Thalachi. 

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

Music Review (Telugu): Middle Class Abbayi

Music Review (Telugu): Middle Class Abbayi
Music Composer: Devisri Prasad

The title track is the rehashed version of DSP's stock tune and instead of singing by himself, DSP relegated it to quite an effectual singer Nakash Aziz. However, the singer is repeatedly relegated to the similar type of songs by Devisri Prasad. Chandrabose's lyrics are strictly pedestrian and serves the purpose adequately. Kothaga Kothaga is relatively better melody although strictly lies within the comfort zone of the composer. Sagar and Priya Himesh makes this one saleable although the tune invokes deja-vu feel. DSP kept the arrangements simple and prodded by quite an effective violin solos by Balaji.

Family Party is a foot tapping song with the outburst of energetic vocals from Jaspreet Jasz and though the tune is strictly mediocre and outdated one, the peppy outlook of the song make this one an enjoyable fare from the composer. Yemaindho Teliyadhu Naaku's simple melody remains greatly listenable for the ever-reliable vocals of Karthik and Deepika V. DSP's neat arrangements topped by brilliant veena solos by Devi in the interludes and upbeat mandolin by the composer itself. The simple rhythm and the composer's trademark melody makes this one works to a certain extent. Yevandoi Naani Gaaru's meandering tune is made tolerable by the vocals of Divya Kumar and Shravana Bharghavi despite the diction is mangled by Divya Kumar. Apart from the catchy title hook and the punching percussions, the song has very little to offer.

Verdict: DSP throws another predictable album and the tracks are the highly rehashed version of the composer's stock tunes.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Pick  of the Album: Yemaindho Teliyadhu Naaku, Kothaga Kothaga

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

  

Music Review (Tamil): Sakka Podu Podu Raja

Music Review (Tamil): Sakka Podu Podu Raja
Music Composer: STR

Kalakku Machaan's grandly mounted string-laden orchestration aside, Anirudh Ravichander and Simbu's vocals are a heavy sore point on the track. Rokesh's pedestrian lyrics doesn't help the song either. The only solace being the adequately enjoyable Karthik's violin and Thirumoorthy's Nadhaswaram.Yuvan Shankar Raja's heavily digitized vocals in Kaadhal Devadhai props the song to some extent but the tune is strictly mediocre one. STR employed brilliantly the classical Kishore's sitar and Srinivas's Mirudangam. The song totally turns into upbeat techno instrumental towards the end and though it sounds random incongruous transition, the track is enjoyable till it lasts.

STR delivered another lively track Unakkaga and the track works wonderfully for its largely buoyant soundscape. Leon James's processed vocals irk at some instances while Andrea Jeremiah's amusing portions makes this song listenable. The interludes are also enjoyable especially brilliant Baritone Sax by Martin and clever Sundar, Kaviraj's Thavil inclusion. Siri Siru's semi-classical tune is gorgeous and the beauty of the tune is enhanced by the Karthick Iyer's solo violin and the grand strings-laden orchestration by Chennai Strings. Vasudev Krishna's improvisation works like charm while Keerthana Vaidyanathan amply supports him with her effectual rendition. Though, the string section and the violin sounds to be more magnificent than required, lilting tune makes up for that minor grouse. STR closed the soundscape with the heavily processed family song featuring vocals of STR, Rajendar and Usha Rajendar. The track is absolutely a mediocre one with hardly any enticing elements to listen and the synth beats are too bland to hold the attention.

Verdict: STR makes surprisingly decent debut in Sakka Podu Podu Raja and the album works partially.

My Rating: 7/10

Pick of the Album: Unakkaga, Siru Siru, Kaadhal Devadhai

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

  

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Music Review (Tamil): Balloon

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

Rizwan's throaty vocals sounds contradict with the buoyant waltzy arrangements in the background. Though the vocals and tune are distracting one, Arunraja Kamaraj's vocals sound tandem with the consistently engaging sounds in the rhythm. Loved the brief plucked string musical cues in the interludes. Mazhai Megam benefits largely from the Yuvan's dependable melody and Priya Jerson's effectual vocals. However, Yuvan's singing mauls the melody to a large extent and Thankfully Yuvan as a composer performed much better than as a singer which makes this one marginally interesting song in the album.

Yuvan delivers stellar melody track in Uyirile Uyirile where the Raja'esque tune accompanied by neat arrangements makes this track easily best one in the album. Yuvan throws in surprises especially classical-tinged first interlude and Yuvan must revisit this kind of tracks frequently. Vijay Yesudas and Priyanka totally owns this song and especially the former's soulful singing make this one an engaging. Shut up Pannunga has very less to offer musically and the track rides mainly on the familiar title hook along with Anirudh Ravichander's name in the credit list. The arrangements are mainly dominated by the sneaky techno sounds which have very less shelf time. Balloon's Mystery ticks off every sound one can associate with the horror genre and the theme track ends in a high with the strings reaching crescendo towards the end. Revenge of the Joker is adequate background material and may blend well with the visuals rather than as a standalone track.

Verdict: Balloon is a consistently light and engaging album from Yuvan Shankar Raja after a recent misses.

My Rating: 7/10

Pick of the album: Uyirile Uyirile, Vaanam Dhaane

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

Music Review (Tamil): Velaikkaran

Music Review (Tamil): Velaikkaran
Music Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

Karuthavanlaam Galeejaam is a manic raw kuthu from Anirudh and the composer easily carries the swag with his carefree vocals. The lyrics can be easily mistaken by Rokesh if not for Viveka's names in the credit list. Though the tune is strictly mediocre, the raw energy in Anirudh's processed vocals makes this one easily sails through until the end.Vaa Velaikkara starts off in a dreamy fashion with Shakthishree's affecting vocals and the sound in the background is build up in a resounding manner. Anirudh ensured that synth loop is catchy enough while Bjorn Surrao's rap energy sets the tone of the song. Though the song is short, it keeps the listeners hooked till the end.

Idhyane's lush strings and keys laden background elevates the pleasant melody while Neethi Mohan's saccharine soaked vocals make this one works despite the tune is strictly an adequate one. Anirudh's overused vocals don't help the melody and the consistent engaging background along with Neethi's vocals help to some extent. Anirudh returns to his heavy metal sound of Vivegam in Iraiva and the transition from manic energy in Anirudh's vocals to pleasant classy melody is done in a neat fashion. The flute cues welcoming the pleasant portions after an outburst from Anirudh are a nice touch from the composer. Jonita Gandhi steals the show in a highly affecting track in the album. Anirudh ends the track with the gush of hard rock guitar strums. Ezhu Velaikkara's exotic sound and the optimistic vibes around the Viveka's lyrics is strictly background'ish one from the composer. The punchy percussion rhythm and the arousing chorus may work well with the visuals but not as a standalone song. Siddharth Mahadevan does an adequate job with respect to the vocals and the song sounds a tad too long with its monotonous soundscape.

Verdict: Anirudh plays safe and confines strictly to his usual sounds in Velaikkaran with two standout tracks.

My Rating: 7/10

Pick of the Album:  Iraiva, Vaa Velaikkara, Karuthavanlaam Galeejam

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

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.