Sunday, January 21, 2018

Music Review (Hindi): Padmaavat

Music Review (Hindi): Padmaavat
Music Composer: Sanjay Leela Bhansali 

Ghoomar starts with roaring Swaroop Khan's Rajasthani verses and the composer packed the proceedings with an absolutely groovy folk music. Shreya Goshal aces the rendition as always and the chorus portions blend perfectly well with the tone of the song. The celebratory song culminates with the frolicking chorus. Sanjay Leela Bhansali does better in terms of tune in the next song of the album Ek dil Ek Jaan where the composer creates brilliant serene Quwwali. Shivam Pathak aces the song with his earnest rendition and Sarangi in the backgrounds serves as a perfect companion.  Khalibali starts on an ominous note but turns out to be a perfunctory number except for the sprightly rendition by Shivam Pathak and Shail Hada and some deft use of strings. Nainowale Na is more contemporary sounding track relative to the setting of the film. Neethi Mohan owns this song with her splendid vocals backed by graceful sitar notes. Manganiyar's and Langa's folk song Holi sticks to the serene traditional outlook while Richa Sharma easily outsmarts Shail Hada with her earnest rendition. Binte dil's middle eastern arrangements work like charm but the same cannot be said about Arijit's Singh's singing. The singer tries hard to blend with the tone but it kinda misfired.  

Verdict: Padmaavat falls far behind the composer's splendid Bajirao Mastani

My Rating: 7/10

Pick of the Album: Ghoomar, Nainowale Na, Ek Dil Ek Jaan

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

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Music Review (Telugu): Tholi Prema

Music Review (Telugu): Tholi Prema
Music Composer: Thaman

Raghu Dixit is relegated to his usual type of tune in Break the rules and Srimani's absurd chemical elements incorporated lyrics aside, Thaman does wonders with respect to the stupendous usage of Veena and the wonderful semi classical digression in the halfway through the song. Thaman rocks with the gorgeous melody Ninnila sung to perfection by Bollywood singer Armaan Malik. Composer kept the arrangements light and breezy surprisingly without resorting to his glaring beats. Sunonana Sunaina has nothing new to offer apart from the brilliant horns usage and Rahul Nambiar's effective rendition. Allasani Vaari derives largely from the ever dependable Shreya Goshal's vocals and the buoyant rendition is made better by Thaman's arrangements along with Kamalakar's brilliant classically tinged flute solos. Armaan Malik croons another synth dominated melody Vinnane Vinnane and the track is adequately engaging despite the predictable outlook. Thaman ends the soundtrack with another Veena laden pathos and the composer did a neat job especially in the arrangements with the wonderful mixture of Veena, Violin and guitar. 

Verdict: After an impressive Sketch, Thaman's revamped music in 2018 sounds promising.

My Rating:7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Ninnila, Allasani Vaari, Tholi Prema

P.S you can listen to the soundtrack in Saavn 


 

Music Review (Tamil): IrumbuThirai

Music Review (Tamil): IrumbuThirai
Music Composer: Yuvan Shankar Raja
 
Athiradi, hero introduction track is loaded with techno sounds matching with the lead actor's role and the Vivek's lyrics is awkwardly routine stuff which tailor-made for this kind of role. Naveen infuses enough energy to the track and the digression towards the middle of the song to the marchpast sound appears to be forced and the tune around the hook also middling one from the composer. Mudhal Murai is a neat pleasant melody dominated by the synth sounds and the brief respite being the concise Nadaswaram bit by Thirumurthy. However the tune lacks an instant catchy appeal while Jithinraj does a neat job behind the mic.Vignesh Shivn's perfunctory lyrics in Angry birds is intended to appeal the youth listeners but doesn't work as expected. Yuvan spruces up the proceedings with the upbeat tune and Jithin Raj's vocals make this short track works in its favour.

Yuvan hits the right notes in Yaar Ivan where the haunting tune and the string section in the background make this one an enjoyable track. The gravity of the techno-thriller is apparent both in the song's soundscape and stupendous grungy rendition by Kaber Vasuki.Azhagae is good old Yuvan where the pleasant serene melody adorned with the synth beats and brief unwieldy harmonies aside, the composer does the neat job with this song when compared to other tracks in the album. Arun Kamath and Jonita Gandhi provide excellent backing for the track with their gorgeous rendition. 

Verdict: Irumbuthirai is another conventional soundtrack from YuvanShankar Raja where a couple of melodies works.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Pick of the album: Azhagae, Yaar Ivan 

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




Friday, January 19, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Kee

Music Review (Tamil): Kee
Music Composer: Vishal Chandrashekar

Raaja Paatu's hipster outlook aside, the lyrics by Madhan Karky and tune is far away from the promising title of the track. Sri Rascol's roller coaster rap portions and Vishal Chandrashekar's trippy techno sounds in the background makes this one listenable till it lasts. Vishal does considerably better in the second track, Kaadhoram where the composer effectually uses Puyal Mazhainil hook and the orchestration around that hook especially the usage of the oboe is adequately engaging to clasp the listeners. Sindhuri Vishal crooned the song with aplomb and Vijay Prakash easily scores with his effectual rendition backed up by Sathya Prakash and Nikhil Mathew.

Pattikichu Paathiya once again suffers from the strictly average tune and the composer's playful tone of the song is in tandem with the carefree lyrics by Mani Amuthavan. The pack of singers led by Devan ekamabaram who comes back after a long period and they did a decent job with respect to vocals. Apart from the few nifty touches in the arrangements, the track has very little to offer. Kattappa is an another mediocre track from Vishal Chandrasekhar and except for the buoyant trumpet usage, this is highly unexciting track from the composer. Again, the composer employed line of singers led by Krishna Prasad, however passable lyrics and uninspiring tune makes this one exhausting listen in the album.Kuduthu Paaru Kee's short and also conventional sounding track relies largely on the Syd Ibu's energetic rendition.

Verdict: Vishal Chandrashekar's Kee is filled with low-key tracks except for the single stand-out melody track Kaadhoram. 

My Rating: 6.5/10

Pick of the Album: Kaadhoram, Pattikichu Paathiya

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



Thursday, January 18, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Nimir

Music Review (Tamil): Nimir
Music Composer: Darbuka Siva and Ajaneesh Loknath

Poovukku's pleasant melody is uplifted by the fabulous usage of Keba Jeremiah's Ukulele and flute in the background and Swetha Mohan aces the rendition with her dependable vocals as always. Though the underlying melody is not an instantly catchy one from Darbuka Siva, the composer ensures that the arrangements are top notch and simple enough to make the track enjoyable.Vaazhum Valluvare is a short track which is an ode to the great Poets in Tamil and Darbuka Siva's serene prayer like soundscape works despite being the very short track. The kids choir V Priyadarshini, Apoorva, Aparajitha and Jyothsna Akilan did a commendable job with the vocals.Epodhum Unmael Nyabagam's weak link is the totally typical and uninteresting pathos tune. However, Ajaneesh Loknath spruces up the proceedings with the intriguing sounds in the backdrop especially lovely usage of strings and harmonica. Vijay Prakash's singing elevates the average tune considerably.

In Nenjil Maamazhai, Ajaneesh easily scores with the enjoyable melody which is amply backed by stunning rendition by Haricharan and Swetha Mohan. The maapillai Paatu styled tune is supported by few impressive arrangements with the accordion and consistently engaging Tabla rhythm.
Darbuka Siva returns to the soundtrack with the absolutely charming melody Yaenadi, which is crooned to perfection by Haricharan. Composer's upbeat light rhythm structure and the expansive interludes portions makes this one enjoyable and easily reminds of the composer latest hit song for Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta.Darbuka Siva does even better in the semi-classical melody Geedhara Kiliye and SathyaPrakash's phenomenal vocals make this one easily the best song on the album. The singer's improvisations and the short duel between the Sargam and violin in the prelude are easily the highlights of this intriguing track on the album.

Verdict: Darbuka Siva and Ajaneesh Loknath deliver highly melodious, and light-hearted album for Priyadharshan's Nimir.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the album: Geedhara Kiliye, Yaenadi, Nenjil Maamazhai 

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

 

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Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Sketch

Music Review (Tamil): Sketch
Music Composer: Thaman

Kanave Kanave song has the mandatory Thaman's usual extreme processing of vocals and Vikram's voice is made more amibale and pleasant for the melody. The arrangements are breezy enough to lift the pleasant and vaguely familiar tune. The chorus tune and the strawberry kanna hook is a catchy stuff from the composer. Atchi Putchi is the garish mix of Aaluma Doluma and Thaman unleashed his percussion hook from his Telugu repertoire. Thaman easily scores in Cheeni Chillale where the beautiful melody is elevated by delightful mix of sounds in the background lead by Kamalakar's flute. Swetha Mohan's pitch perfect rendition is ably supported by Yazin Nizar. Dhaadikaara is a typical Thaman song where the loung'ish feel in the tune is complemented by Andrea's husky vocals while the minor grouse is Sudha Raghunathan's vocals are simply relegated to Dhaadikaara title hook. Thaman reserves the best to the final song in the soundtrack Vaanam Thooramalle where the enjoyable classical tinged melody is sung effectually by Deepak Subramanian  while Thaman kept the arrangements minimal and thrown few brilliant synth surprises in the interludes. Sashaa Tripathi's late entry towards the second half makes this one an easily much addictive song in the soundtrack and the singer's improvisations are absolutely delectable one.

Verdict: Thaman brings back his earlier days mojo in Sketch and the enchanting melodies works like charm.

My Rating: 8/10

Pick of the Album: Vaanam Thooramalle, Cheeni Chillale, Kanave Kanave

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

Music Review (Tamil): Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren

Music Review (Tamil): Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren
Music Composer: Justin Prabhakaran

Lamba Lamba is an incredibly funky song has an absurdly catchy hook sung with enough verve by Christopher Stanley and ably supported by Femcee's rap portions. Karthik Netha's crazy mix of lyrics  easily fits the tone of the song. Yae Elumba Enni is completely situational and features enticing tribal percussions played by Kumar and Thumba Raja. However the tune is mediocre and needs visuals to prop up the song. Hey Reengara is the conventional sounding track in the album sung with enough swag in Nikhita Gandhi's vocals and the guitar laden rock melody works easily. The kuthu dark digression in the middle is the forbidding element from the composer. Rakozhi Kootaalinga is also more situational track which may work well with the visuals rather than as a standalone track.

Verdict: Justin Prabhakaran's soundtrack for Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren is in line with the wacky premise promised by the trailer but as a soundtrack it falls apart.

My Rating: 7/10

Pick of the Album: Lamba Lamba, Hey Reengara 

P.S You can listen to the soundtrack in Saavn


 

Thursday, January 4, 2018

Music Review (Tamil): Thaana Serndha Kootam

Music Review (Tamil): Thaana Serndha Kootam
Music Composer: Anirudh

Anirudh brings his Naanum Rowdy Dhaan mode in Naana Thaana with ample improvisations from the music advisor Anantha Krishnan. Though the tune as a standalone sound not impressive, the arrangements are top notch with brilliant violin solos played by Ananthakrishnan itself and fabulous harmonica usage in the first interlude. Anirudh segues Dholak and Tabla sounds effortlessly in the consistently engaging soft rock rhythm structure. Sodakku is an infectious crazy song where Antony Daasaan's impeccable rustic rendition is complemented by Anirudh's manic catchy arrangements. Though Punya Srinivas's Veena is processed, it blends well with the overall energy of the song. Keba Jeremiah ably supports them with his frenzy guitar strums and Mani Amudhavan's lyrics aids the song well.

The title track's retro synth and Anirudh make sure that the recurring music loop around the title is catchy enough to hold listener's attention. However, the tune as a whole didn't work as expected and the digressions with respect to the kid chorus falter after an impressive start of the song. Anirudh scores easily in Engae Endru Povathu and the tune reaches the crescendo before ShakthiShree Gopalan's husky vocals and impressive soft rock sounds are mixed. Anirudh's vocals in the initial half are complemented by fabulous low key strings backdrop. The free-flowing tune structure works like charm and the feel is accentuated by affecting lyrics.Peela Peela's Goan sound and the tune hardly goes wrong and this song is not an exception. Apart from the pedestrian Vignesh Shivn's lyrics, Anirudh kept the song simple aided by the ebullient rhythm sounds. The tune is the cakewalk for Nakash Aziz and the man oozes out with his enthusiastic rendition ably supported by Jassie gift and Mali. The track's undeniable highlight is Kamalakar's flute solos in the interlude.

Verdict: Anirudh and Vignesh Shivn's collaboration continues to be engaging and composer churns out catchy tunes effortlessly despite the tracks are not musically rich as Naanum Rowdy dhaan.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Pick of the Album: Engae Endru Povathu, Naana Thaana, Sodakku

P.S You can listen to the songs in Saavn

Music Review (Tamil): Tik Tik Tik

Music Review (Tamil): Tik Tik Tik
Music Composer: Imman

Tik Tik Tik suffers largely from the Yuvan Shankar Raja's limited vocal range and the serviceable tune. Sunitha Sarathy's humming interspersed with the Yogi B's typical rap being the only highlight of this track. The tune is strictly average stuff from the composer despite throwing random konnakol in the half way. Imman strikes in Kurumba where Sid Sriram's vocal prowess lifts the song level. The improvisations and the classical touch in the Charanam portions are easily the song's highlight. Imman's consistent beautiful arrangements with the tinge of classical cues in the violin solos makes this one highly enjoyable track in the album.

VinVeera's optimistic Madhan Karky's lyric is prodded by the predictable flashy hard rock guitar strums and blaring drums. Ranjith explosive singing aside, the track has very little scope to clasp the attention of the listeners and Sri Rascol's rap portions are mediocre one. Kurumba's reprise version is crooned by Mirthula Siva and the reprise version is a laborious listen with all it's carnatic improvisation is replaced by more mod sound. The track's original versions works despite the sincere rendition by the lead singer.The theme tracks Race against time and Far beyond Earth are filled with techno sounds as expected and the latter track works exceptionally compared to the former one mainly because of the hanuting base melody despite filled with predominantly synth sounds throughout the 3 minute instrumental track.

Verdict: Imman plays safe in his 100th album and confined to his comfortable zone with Kurumba being the easy winner among the other tracks.

My Rating: 7/10

Pick of the Album: Kurumba

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