Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Pazhassi Raja(Malayalam,Ilaiyaraja)

Kunnathae Konnakyum is a cracker of a song-Has a mesmerizing tune with bewitching arrangements by Raja,and Chitra's stunning vocals add to the magic.Aadhiussandhya,with uber-inventive orchestration and a soaring tune,once again has some excellent vocals,this time by Yesudas and MG Sreekumar.Raja goes behind the mike this time for Ambum Kombum,which starts off with a tribal sound and then goes on with an interesting tune structure while Aalamadankala Mythavanalle carries the period film'ish sound really well,added with some extraordinary arrangements by Raja.Odathandil Thalam Kottum has a seductive tune,just like Kunnathae Konnakyum and both the singers,Chandrasekhar and Sangeetha do full justice to their song.Ilaiyaraja's score for Pazhassi Raja is very imaginative and is completely in sync with the film's theme!..

Village Lo Vinayakudu(Telugu,Manikanth Kadri)

Karthik's Neeli Meghama,despite sounding a little like the chorus of Chinna Chinna(En Swaasa Kaatre)works beautifully,with mesmerizing arrangements and an enchanting tune.Aha Na Pellanta remix by Baba Sehgal and Manikanth is enjoyable for the most part,but the same cannot be said for Benny Dayal's Superman,mainly due to the assembly-line tune.Shwetha Mohan sounds awesome in the mellifluent Chinukai Varadai,ably supported by Hariharan.Haricharan towers over Theese Prati Swaasa,a stunning melody with some excellent interludes,while the composer's reworking of Muddugaare Yashoda,the Annamacharya Kriti is laudable-He adds an interesting layer to an already great musical piece.Both the versions,by Guru Priya and Sooraj works effectively.But the Theme Music with some stunning violin pieces by Karthik Iyer is the highlight of the soundtrack.Manikanth Kadri,for sure has a winner in Village Lo Vinayakudu soundtrack!

Aladin(Hindi,Vishal-Shekhar)

Bachke O Bachke,barring the predictable tune works quite well,mainly due to the groovy arrangements while Genie Rap,despite the annoying rap by Amitabh Bachchan also works,thanks to the catchy orchestration and the addictive chorus.Giri Giri,with a bizarre tune and droning vocals is a complete non-starter while in O re Saawariya,Amitabh Bachchan part is a huge let down and some portions which sound like Tere Angane mein doesnt help either.But You Maybe is the highlight of this soundtrack-With a beautiful tune and excellent arrangements,the duo is in full form in this track-But this time,in both composing and rendering it!..Vishal-Shekhar's Aladin soundtrack is predominantly weakened by Amitabh's rap portions and therefore disappoints,barring the last track!..

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Couples Retreat(Original Motion Picture Soundtrack-A R Rahman)

Rahman's score for Couples Retreat cannot be appreciated without watching the film,given the number of instrumental tracks in this score.But the 2 full tracks,Sajna and the tamil track,Kuru Kuru are catchy-Sajna,with a breezy outer ring works well but is overshadowed by Kuru Kuru,a vintage Rahman track with some brilliant layers and Rahman's voice blends amazingly well along with the minty-fresh tune.Among the other tracks and instrumentals,Nana,the launch pad for Rahman's son is instantly catchy and is enjoyable while Salvadore,featuring Kailash Kher is also pretty good.Waterfall,with some amazing assortment of sounds is mesmerizing;Ditto for Tour of the Villas too!..The above tracks stand out for their addictive and ambient sounds.The whole soundtrack only seems to be a sporadic mix of different background pieces with each piece portraying a different genre.Waiting to watch this movie,because it is difficult to connect to the Rahman's score without watching the movie!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Vettaikkaran(Tamil,Vijay Antony)

Shankar Mahadevan's Naan Adicha is a stale khichdi of Vijay's earlier annoying introduction songs and is instantly forgotten while Puli Urumudhu pushes a step further and is a full-on attack on the senses.Even though En Uchi Mandai reeks more of Vijay Antony's style than the actor Vijay,this track too with adequately cacophonic and jarring sounds is plain silly!..But the soundtrack gets a shade better with the next two songs,Oru Chinna Thamarai and Karigalan-Oru Chinna Thamarai has a lovely tune,completely tainted by the unnecessary rap fragments but has some competent singing by Suchitra and Krish.However Surchith and Sangeetha's Karigalan works beautifully-Despite the occasionally annoying lyrics,this track has a very enjoyable tune with some interestingly infused folkish arrangements.Barring 2 songs in which the composer gets the better of Vijay,Vettaikkaran's soundtrack is maha-stale.

Peranmai(Tamil,Vidyasagar)

Barring Madhu Balakrishnan's angst-ridden singing that is laudable,Kaadu Kalai fails to make an impact mainly due to a profound tune structure.Kaatu Puli,thankfully has a neat and simple tune with lilting layers that unfold in the middle even as the composer infuses some adequately catchy sounds in the later part of the song.Choice of K.K to croon this song is a pleasant surprise!..Thuppakki Penn has some very good orchestration with a mundane tune,but gets reasonably better when it reaches the paragraphs while Sonia Irabar and Sianed Jones' When the Boys is plain tedious and is annoying after an amount of time.Yerathala Yezhu Mani is the highlight of the soundtrack-With a Raja like tune and enchanting orchestration,this track showcases Vidyasagar's maturity and Sadhana Sargam simply sounds astounding in this song!..Vidyasagar comes up with a dithering soundtrack in Peranmai!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Shankam(Telugu,SS Thaman)

Mahalakshmi is pure Thaman style-With an enjoyable tune and hep arrangements,this track works with Karthik's neat rendition being another highlight!..Dhakku Dhakku fails even with a host of some good singers like K.K and Rahul Nambiyar,mainly due to the routine tune while Maamu has some good backgrounds undone by a mundane tune and Udit Narayan's vocals.Dheeradhi Dheera,a hero worship track is predictably superfluous but passes due to some ebullient vocals while Ei Baboi,with a stock tune is instantly forgotten.The theme of Shankam,with an interesting mix of rousing sounds works effectively.Thaman as usual meanders again in this soundtrack and is getting supremely stereotyped with each passing soundtrack!..

Thursday, September 17, 2009

London Dreams(Hindi,Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy)

Barson Yaaron carries the typical SEL sound well and the choice of singers is the surprise element-Vishal Dadlani,Roop Kumar Rathod and Shankar Mahadaven help things considerably.Jashn Hai Jeet Ka and Mann Ko Ati Bhavey,with predictable tunes fall flat even with some lively vocals while Khwab Jo is largely reminiscent of the trio's earlier works,but the song definitely makes the cut for Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's vocals.Tapkey Masti sounds like a messed up version of Mast Kalander(Heyy Babyy) while Roop Kumar Rathod's Yaari Bina,right from the start is plain silly.Shola Shola works mainly due to the neat,catchy tune and excellent orchestration and the song also has some good vocals by Zubeen.But Khanabadosh is the best song in this soundtrack-With a vintage SEL tune ably supported by some quirky backgrounds,this track hits the bulls eye.London Dreams music pales in front of SEL's work in the recent past,mainly due to some sloppy work in the predominant part of the soundtrack!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Yogi(Tamil,Yuvan Shankar Raja)

More than the tune,it is the abolutely divine Saarangi backgrounds that hits the bulls eye in Yaarodu Yaaro-Yuvan's off-key vocals actually adds charm to this song!..Yuvan's catchy orchestration is used to the maximum in Yogi Yogi-Barring the minor irritant in the form of Blaaze,this song is foot-tapping,grows more on you on multiple listens and Neha as usual,does full justice to her job!..The other version,with some addictive hooks also works effectively!..Yuvan carries his Oororam Puliyamaram sound in Seermevum Koovathiley-With some amazingly-conceived lyrics and authentic tune changes at regular parts of the song,this song works yet again!..But the highlight of the soundtrack is Yogi's theme and the other Saarangi version-Both the tracks are sheer delights and Yuvan elevates it to another level with his stunning orchestration(Especially Ustad Sultan Khan's repetitive humming in the Saarangi version is just brilliant!)..Yogi's soundtrack is divine and is refreshingly different from the surfeited and one-dimensional stuff that other contemporary music directors are presently doing in the Tamil industry-A must listen!..

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Ganesh(Telugu,Mickey J Meyer)

With a rather scratchy beginning,Karthik infuses life into Chal Chalore,a lively and an enjoyable number.Tanemando reminds a lot of the composer's earlier compositions in Happy days and Kotha Bangaru Lokam,but the song as such is beautifully compiled with mesmerizing arrangements.Mickey rarely fails in such songs!..Rajakumari,despite some catchy hooks has a stale tune while Lallaila Majnu is too simplistic and hackneyed to make an impact.But Mickey makes up for it with the next two tracks,Yele Yele and Raja Ganaraja-Yele Yele has an enchanting tune with amazing orchestration and SriMathumitha sounds awesome here.Meanwhile,Ranjith's Raja Ganaraja is seeped in Mickey's style-Has an instantly addictive tune complete with rocking arrangements and corny lyrics!..Despite tune-ageing that is glaringly evident in some of the tracks,Mickey J Meyer does wonderfully well in Ganesh!..

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Tum Mile(Hindi,Pritam)

The title song is a perfect sing-along'ish and catchy material that Pritam has pioneered over the years-All the three versions work,but the rock version by Shafqat Amanat Ali is the most interesting version.Pritam uses his sound to the zenith in Dil Ibaadat-A kind of a track that Pritam composes with utmost care and KK,as usual with his stunning vocals does another Zara si(Jannat) here!..The rock version,with some good arrangements also works effectively.Mohit Chauhan's Is Jahan is another fine attempt-Pritam infuses some good interludes to a middling tune and exploits Mohit's vocals to the maximum!..O Meri Jaan is another gem of a song-With one heck of a tune,KK's magnificent vocals takes the song somewhere altogether!..Even with a brilliant tune,Tu Hi Haqeeqat has Pritam simply doing magic in the orchestral department while Javed Ali fits really well in the scheme of things!..The Soul of Tum Mile-Instrumental,which starts off slowly,gets into an astounding mode in the middle!..Tum Mile is one of Pritam's finest attempts as a composer-He is on an all time high!..Hats off!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Blue(Hindi,AR Rahman)

Aaj Dil Gustakh hai is vintage Rahman-has a mighty hummable tune and as usual Rahman adds some incredibly impressive layers to the song,particularly the free-flowing backgrounds!..Choice of Sukhwinder Singh and Shreya Ghoshal to croon this song is a masterstroke(Particularly Sukhwinder Singh!)..Fiqrana is another cracker of a song-Though the chorus reeks of Rahman's earlier compositions,the tune is a winner all the way,with Rahman's groovy orchestration used to the hilt!..Roping Kylie Minogue is a pleasant surprise and she does full justice to her job in Chiggy Wiggy-a totally unexpected(but refreshing!)song from Rahman,particularly in terms of the tune and arrangements but the real highlight is the Sonu Nigam's Bhangra portion towards the end!..Rehnuma has shades of Yuvvraaj but has Rahman weaving magic in the backgrounds(The transition from the haunting blues sound to a considerably rousing backgrounds in the end is remarkable!).Rashid Ali's Bhoola Tujhe is at best a non-starter but Rahman wisely underplays the orchestration and the song gets considerably better in the middle.Yaar Mila Tha is perhaps the most commercial track in this soundtrack-the digitised vocals works wonders and the song has some really catchy hooks that are outright addictive!..The Blue theme is the culmination-Has a kick-ass orchestration and is lively till the end(The repetitive Bi-lloo phrase is cheesy!)..Rahman does his usual jaw-dropping stuff,this time with a refreshing soundtrack in Blue-but perhaps not wholeheartedly!..

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

All The Best(Hindi,Pritam)

The title song is damn addictive-With a rousing rhythm and a great tune,this song is immensely listenable and only gets better in the middle!..Dil Kare also carries that rock-base pretty well but doesnt match the title song's standards.KK's Haan Main Jitni is another fantastic song-KK does an Alvida(But of course less intense!)here with this track and succeeds big time!..And the tune propped up by Pritam is amazing!..Kyon,has a lovely tune with lilting layers that adds to the charm considerably while the last track,Your My Love is adequate fun-Has an addictive tune and Neeraj Shreedhar-Pritam combination rarely fails!..Pritam delivers the goods again-but with uber-inventive and likeable tunes in All the Best!..

Main Aurr Mrs Khanna(Hindi,Sajid-Wajid)

Even though Dont Say Alvida is a typical Yash Raj'ish filmy track,it is quite likeable with its simple tune and subdued arrangements.And Sonu Nigam elevates the song to a different level altogether!..Rabba is sleep-inducing material and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's vocals only add to the ennui.Happening is laboured and assembly-line at best,with competent vocals while Tum Ne Socha is reasonably good,with a neat catchy tune which is only undone by the routine tune.The final track Mrs Khanna only adds to the woes-With a plain dumb tune that doesnt offer any excitement whatsoever,this track is also instantly forgotten.As always,the question remains-This duo has composed so many crappy soundtracks for Salman.Why does he stick to them still?!..

Love Khichdi(Hindi,Pritam)

Jazeeren has Pritam's catchy sound used to the hilt-With an oh-so addictive ring aroung the song,Ranu Mazumdar's vocals is only a huge bonus!..Zarasa Halkasa is a beautifully composed and arranged song-With some great interludes and unbelievable rendition by Shreya Ghoshal,this is a track that Pritam usually reserves for big films!..Yo Baby is frivolous and lacks any taste to make an impact while Mujh Jaisa Hero,is again is tasteless.Sunitha Sarathy's Kyon is the highlight of the soundtrack-With a tune that is right up Rahman's alley,Pritam thoughtfully adds moody backgrounds and deviates from the tune frequently and the song is a clear winner.Pritam delivers another very listenable soundtrack with Love Khichdi-This time with some mature and engaging tunes!..

Identity(Indipop,Raghav Mathur)

Angelina,with its hep arrangements and good vocals makes for a great listen while My Kinda girl,with an uninteresting tune only annoys.Humrahee is a lovely melody-Raghav's seemingly measured vocals only adds to charm!..His vocals adds a completely new flavour to Jaadugar,a neat enjoyable track with some catchy hooks!..Once feat Icebarg Slimm is also enjoyable,almost like a Kevin Lyttle song(Especially the chorus!)..Naino Wali,with a surprisingly local flavour is competent and Raghav once again impresses with his vocals!..Quincy Jones also takes the western style further and is catchy but gets boring in the middle while the last track,Reasons fails to make any impact.Raghav Mathur's largely westernized debut Indipop album,Identity is solid fun!..

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Unnaipol Oruvan(Tamil,Shruti Hassan)

Kamal Hassan fritters away from his usual singing and pretends in Allah Jaane,which also has a sleep-inducing tune,but the song also has occasional spurts of quality backgrounds in the middle which ultimately goes in vain.Shruti Hassan with her atrocious pronunciation is a complete misfit in the other version!..Shruti seriously fails to exploit a competent tune in Nilai Varuma with good vocals by Bombay Jayashree and Kamal Hassan and the song ends up as a bummer!..The title song also doesnt work-Beyond the catchy backgrounds,the tune is amateurish and is a complete let-down.Blaaze annoys throughout Vaanam Yellai and that nursery-rhymish tune and rap is only laughable.Giving the composing job to Shruti was indeed a big move,but she makes a terrible mess of the soundtrack-disappointing!..

Banam(Telugu,Mani Sharma)

Kadile Padam,with an enticing tune and excellent backgrounds just rocks-Shankar Mahadevan is unbelievable in this song!..Hemachandra and Saindhavi's Naalo Nenena,with a dulcet tune is amazing and Hemachandra is particularly fantastic in this song!..Shreya Ghoshal towers over Mogindi Jeganta in a totally Non-Mani'ish tune and this track is another great add-on to this soundtrack.But the highlight of the soundtrack is Padara Padara-With soaring backgrounds and a kick-ass tune,Mani literally elevates this song to somewhere with his imaginative orchestration and choice of singers!..The Banam theme,with a beautifully arranged tune(used repetitively)is mighty impressive!..Mani Sharma frays from his trademark style of composing and comes up with an inspiring soundtrack in Banam-A pleasant surprise!..

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Radio(Hindi,Himesh Reshammiya)

Mann Ka Radio has a competent tune along with great backgrounds,but with disastrous lyrics-Himesh's new voice sounds good but he loses his grip halfway and there on it is his usual nasal twang that comes into play.But make no mistake,Himesh rocks in the fantastic Rafa Dafa-Has an amazing tune blended with some imaginative backgrounds!..A quite likeable track!..Rekha Bharadwaj's unbelievable vocals in Piya Jaise Ladoo takes the song to new heights-Has a lovely tune along with some mesmerizing arrangements!..Jaaneman has a strictly dated tune,but it is quite listenable.Kailesh Kher's rendition does the trick in Damadji Angana Hai Padhare,ably supported by subtle backgrounds.But from here on,soundtrack meanders and has Himesh annoying in the rest of the songs with his gruelling nasality and the tunes arent great either.With what seemed to be a compelling soundtrack,looks like Himesh has lost the trick,once again!..