Kadal Music Review – First on Net

The album opens to Chithirai Nila, with a stunning rendition by Vijay Yesudas, who was thoroughly missed all this while in Tamil. Earthy, inspiring lyrics from Vairamuthu, over an intricately structured tune, with an interesting use of what I think, is the glass flute. The exuberant orchestration stealthily gains weight with the horn section and then falls down to Chithirai Nila again. And you can’t help but find yourself humming ‘Ore nila..’

Like a sister song to Aaromale, Adiye is a brilliant confluence of international genra over Tamil folk. The vocals take centrestage, Sid Sriram springs in with a fantastic debut, and he gets the mix between jazz and folk right on line. Grows hugely over more listens.

Tell me Moongil Thottam is an Illayaraja song, I have ten reasons to tell why and a thousand for not. Simple, and a heart-wrenching with a dash of nostalgia. The plucked instrument ensemble over the accordion strikes out vivid on the well-mixed vocals of Abhay Jodhpurkar and Harini (another one, sorely missed), both of whom I am just running short of words for.

The moment ARR screams ‘Oye’, and George Doering’s guitars go into Mode funky, you gear up for the peppiest song of the album. Elay Keechan‘s country folk is uber refreshing and instantly throws in the image of a happy seashore. With the highly spirited vocals, the even brilliant chorus that accompanies through all song, Madhan Karky still manages to shine in his poetry, for all the authenticity that doesn’t bring down the impish charm factor.

Absolutely enough has been said about the next track. The enchanting voice of Shakthisree Gopalan, a wave-like string section and the soulful flute. Nenjukulle is an out-of-the-world musical experience that surprisingly stabs your heart on first-listen. The unplugged and the film versions are equally good.

And left here is another goosebump-fest called Anbin Vaasale. A marriage between the likes of Anbendra Mazhaiyile and Thamizha Thamizha, the orchestration is escalating grandeur in its pinnacle. With a surprise choice of Haricharan for the lead, over the Chennai Chorale that has equal footing with the lead, you wouldnt be surprised if Anbin Vaasale turns out to be one of the tracks of the year. It  leaves us at a point, wondering how impossible it is for a director to picture this kind of a song.

Magudi is an interesting rap number, an eclectic mix between folk sounds and techno with an interesting element of dubstep. The mixing is just on a skull-cracking level to even imagine. Yet to listen to the entire track, but seems like a fitting talent display of the brilliant engineers, working on every ARR track.

This was expected, nothing less. Kadal is the quintessential quality ARR always ensures Mani Ratnam. With a very fresh, interesting choice of vocals, the unconventional melodies the composer stands for and a mix on par with what the best in the world can. Here, finally in December we have the album-of-the-year!

7am Ezham Arivu-Movie Review-First on Net

7am Arivu, since its inception had been a red hot project watched closely by geeks. And this fever reached an all-time high over last week with the tickets selling like hot cakes. What does the movie deliver? Up to the expectations? Read this.

The movie revolves around a bio-tech research professional Suba Srinivasan(Sruthi), specialized in DNA memory and operations is on a mission to trace Bodhidharma, a Tamil prince in the 6th century who went to China, and made a revolution in the medicine and martial arts there, and activate it in his descendant for the world’s good. What comes up against her? Does she make it forms the rest of the story.

The story does sound good, but the treatment goes haywire. The makers know the story has the potential of an intelligent thriller, but made it so SO preaching and not self-explanatory. Audience are intelligent now! We dont need 3 scenes for 1 to make us understand. Neither way this is not an Inception for us to be confused.

The screenplay is terrible. My strong feeling is they got too fascinated about Bodhidharma, and on the way forgot about everything else, including the screenplay. It is almost like 3 acts over a film. First 20 min of decently shot history, then a love story that runs for an hour, then the action part for the rest. After the interval, you know what’s going to happen in the next half, everything! And 6 songs, provide enough hurdles over the viewing experience. Something seriously went wrong on the editing table.

Coming to the Tech aspects, its Ravi K Chandran all the way. Be it the songs or the action sequences, he makes everything look as they have to be and something more!  China looks great and his cinematography elevates the 6th century portions to a higher podium.The background score is just okay. Art by Rajeevan marvels in the Yamma Yamma number.

For an otherwise boring film, the performances are a welcome relief. Suriya is just as usual great. Sruthi impresses big-time even though she has to improve her voice modulation a lot, pretty bland sometimes. The villain Johnny Nyugen does a fantastic job, menaces through the film. Great to see, all 3 characters share enough screen space without hindering the character’s nature

Throughout the film, you might be reminded of Dasavatharam, the Kamal starrer…the themes and the format of the film! Great scenes interpersed between boring ones, sample, the filming of the way the epidemic spreads is brilliant. The film though has great things to say, but falters in the medium, notably the Tamilians and their significance part, and how scientifically developed we were.  Tamizh Tamizh Tamizh, you can’t get a clap everytime! 😉

I go for a 2.5/5 for 7th Sense. We expect better stuff from Murugadoss and the combo.

P.S: My friends send their best wishes to the team, dedicate a scene that plays in their film, Sruthi Haasan scene shouting at her professors, muted dialogues no? 😀

P.S2: Must say, I didnt like the voice overlay in the 6th century portions, and the familiar voice made it even more sloppy. But what poise from Suriya, Bodhidharman stands in front of you!

Rockstar Music Review-(First on Net)

Rockstar's one hugely awaited album of the year, since Rahman is back after a really long hiatus! And to compensate it all, there are 14 songs in total! A real treat for music buffs!

• 1.Phir Se Ud Chala: Amazing guitar decking here. Apt vocals combined, makes it an instantly impressive number though repetitive in its course. Good start to the album.

• 2.Jo Bhi Main: Important number in the album, starts off like Vaanam's Deivam Vaazhvadhu Yenge and proceeds to pure unfazed mellow rock, spiced with melody, a la Aaromale of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya(2010). The tune is extremely catchy, not on first listen though! Mohit sounds perfect here. Impressive guitar-decking here too!

• 3.Kateya Karoon: A remix, yet sung with much panache by Harshdeep Kaur, backed by Sapna Awasthi who impressed in Raavan. Infectiously energetic, the fun album in the number, Reminiscent of ARR's Kuchi Kuchi Raakamma days..But the best point in the song is ofcourse the transition between the folk and the melody portions. Masterpiece of a transit!

• 4.Kun Faya Kun: This started out to be my album's first pick since the promos. When it's ARR and Sufi, and you have a strong vocal like Javed Ali in the helm, it's pure bliss. And the best part of the song is, the transit from Quawwali's Harmonium to the guitar, sheer marvel, and Mohit's vocals seem to be the icing on the cake! ARR could have been toned down a little at places though. Straight into the leagues of Tere Bina, Khwaja Mere and Arziyan.

• 5.Sheher Mein: This one's tough to classify in this album. Superb energy, totally responsible here is Rahman and Karthik. Rahman's beats add a zing, and Karthik's vocals seem to strike a chord with the tune. Mohit's voice may sound inappropriate in points

• 6.Hava Hava: Latin's the way to go! A dedicated Mexican number that is instantly likeable due to it's amazing array of vocals, Mohit and an additional troupe with Tanvi, Suvi and Pop Shalini who all have been immensely liked for their individual pep numbers. A masterpiece, in terms of arrangements. When it's Mex, it's almost always that directors find a simple known tune, and add some spice to it, But kudos to Rahman for taking the untrodden approach towards the genre.

• 7.Aur Ho: This one explores the other end of the romance spectrum, pathos. Backed heavily by strings, this seems like ARR's sequel to Tu Hi/Enn Uyire from Dil Se. Mohit's vocals take it to new dimension, whatte feel!

• 8.Tum Ko: So melodious, no other words to say. It's tough to digest the fact this was sung by a 53-year old veteran singer Kavita Krishnamoorthy. Wonderful orchestration behind, especially towards the end. Love the layering in ARR's melodies always!

• 9.Naadaan Parindey: Tango between Rahman and Mohit this time. Eclectic tune, grows on you over time. Supported by rock guitars and beats, the fast paced number is a unique experiment. ARR scores an edge over Mohit here though!

• 10.Tum Ho: No, that was Tum Ko earlier, No confusion! This is entirely contrary to the slightly differently titled track. Kind of the normal romantic number we've been hearing over decades. Sounds familiar, though Suzanne's humming is delightful as always! A small dip in the album's appeal, only to be shrouded by the magic of the next.

• 11.Sadda Haq: Even the title suggests, In every right, this album's finale song could turn out to be the year's youth anthem!What an energy this song's got! And Oriantho(incidentally, MJ's last lead guitarist) makes a bang with the rock theme throughout the song. Mohit is out-of-the-world. The way the song slowly picks up momentum to unleash the demon, a sure winner was predicted on the promos itself.Thumbs up!

And now, we have 3 instrumental pieces left.

• Tango for Taj is an extremely pleasant listen, relying totally on the smooth motion of the song, and wonderful work with the piano! You can picture the couple on a tango right in front of your eyes as you listen.
• The Meeting Place is a poem written by the Sufi poet, Rumi. Totally Ranbir reciting the poem, in the backdrop of ARR's deep pensive chords.
• The Dichotomy of Fame. Whatte title first! Amazing fusion of instruments, the shehnai just sounds mind-blowing.  Touches your heart instantly. Guitars dance their way to end the extremely emotional masterpice! The starting portions do remind me of Illayaraja's amazing score in Mouna Raagam.

There's no way am going to give individual marks for each song this time. Way beyond rating. I just go with a central final rating. Let the listeners tell me what if it's underrated or overrated on the poll below. Salute ARR! Rating:4.5/5 Verdict: Daddy's Home! [polldaddy poll=5549011]

7am Ezham Arivu-(Music Review)-(First on Net!)

This is one album most would be expecting for so many reasons like Harris’s first after Ko and for the ARM-Harris-Suriya combo.
Expectations are sky-high. Lets see whats delivered.

1. Oh Ringa Ringa!

This one’s a typical HJ hip-hop number ranging from the likes of Pudhu Pudhu from Dhaam Dhoom
and Damakku Damakku from Aadhavan (incidentally a Suriya-HJ intro number). The lyrical side takes
a setback for the composer to experiment with the audiography, great mixing. Will reach better with
visuals, shot in bustling Chennai Localities, a first for a biggie.
MIScore:5/10

2. Mun Andhi

Very melifluous. Pleasing. Karthik elevates an otherwise familiar Harris melody to a new quantum.
Visuals by DOP Ravi K Chandran will take it even further for sure. Sureshot hit.
MIScore:8/10

3. Yellae Lama

Intensely energetic! Great singing from the ensemble vocals. Sruthi Hassan impresses again after
Adiye Kolluthe from VA. This would be the ‘Oru Maalai’ for 7am Arivu. Addictive too.
MIScore:6/10

4. Yamma Yamma

One song, Harris decides to tone down things and bask in the glory of SPB! Its out and out the legend’s
piece of the gone-out-of-love boy’s melancholy.  Wake-up call for Kollywood to give good numbers that really
bring the best out of him. The toned down BG helps a lot in conveying the song’s sense. Swetha is apt.
One of the best in the album.
MIScore:8/10

5. Innum Yenna Thozha

One of the few lyrically brilliant songs that come once in a blue-moon in here. Pa.Vijay’s the best when
it comes to writing inspirational numbers, this one’s dedicated to the Srilankan Tamils supposedly.
An excerpt:
‘Panimootam vandhu padindhenna, kadum pagalavan maraiyuma?
Pagaimootam vandhu paniyamal engal iru vizhi uranguma? ‘

Music-wise, blaring techno could have avoided, the composer could have resorted to softer notes.
Balram makes a great comeback after his extremely appraised Kaatrin Mozhi . A low point in the
album, yet a great listen. How’s that? 🙂
MIScore:6/10

6. The Rise of Damo

Last number’s the crest of the album, the icing on the cake.
Extremely authentic Oriental music with great singing by Hao Wang and lyrics by Madhan Karki,
that conveys a sense of mystery. Music sounds like a rhyme (A.B.C.D….EFG 😛 ) first and then proceeds to
amazing orchestration with apt choice of instruments, and the Mridangam interludes add a new dimension to
this number. Defines a new genre to Indian film music, easily the pick of the album.
MIScore:8/10

Summing up,

Upside: Orchestration; Apt choice of singers, instruments ; Experimentation
Downside:  Lyrics in few cases; Familiarity

7am Arivu is totally a great album, definitely worth buying.

I go with a 3.5 on 5 for this..A 10 pointer rating will be given after polling soon.

MIRating: 3.5/5

P.S: Have a look at the Chinese-Tamil lyrics at http://madhankarky.blogspot.com/2011/09/song-zhe-yindu-nanzi.html .

P.S2: