Music Review - Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (Updated) ...
Finally I have been able to write a few words on the music of Rahman's latest offering - Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya. This isn't a a music review as the title suggests, instead this is about my thoughts on what I felt while listening to the album. I have been listening to the songs in a repeat mode all the while I have been writing this post.
1. Omana Penne (Benny Dayal, Kalyani Menon) *****
Benny Dayal teases you for about a minute and then croons "Omane Penne". No one dares to even try yoodling which was a trademark of late Kishore Kumar and everyone who tried failed. Benny makes a bold attempt to yoodle and I would say he hasn't let himself down. Your ears would find it indifferent the first time, but it becomes a huge attraction point. Kalyani Menon chips in with some classical stuff (like Thiruppavai) which reminds you of the bit in "Rakkama Kaiyya Thattu" from Thalapathi.
2. Anbil Avan (Devan Ekambaram, Chinmayi) **** (updated from ***1/2)
After a long time, Chinmayi is back. And she sounds heavenly. Devan does a pretty decent job (given that he is paired with a seasoned campaigner). A peppy number that's going to be next "Love Theme" of today's youth (including me). I can equate this number to the "Mustafa Mustafa" track of Kadhal Desam for the cult status potential that this track has.
3. Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (Karthik) ***1/2 (updated from **1/2)
The title track that has nothing special to write home about. This track is a big letdown.
4. Hosanna (Vijay Prakash, Blaaze, Suzanne) *****
The rap part reminds me of a song (can't remember exactly which one, guess I am becoming older), but apart from that one glitch the song is a rocker. The lyrics are awesome and just sink into the music to create a mesmerizing effect. Blaaze breezes through the rap and boy, isn’t he good! Hosanna. Way to go. The best track of the album alongside Omana Penne.
5. Kannukkul Kannai (Naresh Iyer) ****1/2 (updated from ****)
Naresh Iyer. The name that rings a bell because of the sheer talent that this guy possesses. And he doesn't disappoint one bit. Though the song impresses me very much, I haven't been able to put in my thoughts in words. I guess I need to listen a few more times.
6. Mannippaaya (A.R. Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal) **** (updated from ***1/2)
A pathos with Shreya starting off with her lilting voice with the "Mozart of Madras" joining in later. A song wherein the couple accepts their mistakes and long for the love of their partner. This song is a magic potion for all those heart-broken love-birds to get back closer once again.
7. Aaromale (Alphonse) ***** (updated from ****)
A different start to the song, and then suddenly the chorus picks up on a Vedic like chant. The background music arrangement is extra-ordinary. It’s a pity that though I enjoyed this song, I couldn't understand the lyrics as they were in Malayalam (Haven't had the time to google for the meaning). Nevertheless, a wonderful example that music transcends the language barrier.
I don’t remember if I have ever heard about the singer before. He sounds different and has done justice to the song. I would compare him to Naresh Iyer who burst into the scene with a classic for Rahman.
On the whole, the album is EXCELLENT. As always with Rahman's compositions, the tracks take time to grow on you and have an intoxicating effect as time goes by.
I read somewhere on the internet that Rahman worked very hard on this album because Harris Jayaraj had created such magics for Gowtham Menon and that he did not want to disappoint the millions of Gowtham Menon's fans. All this from a man who has been churning out amazing music for the last two decades. This shows to prove that he doesn't rest on his laurels. And he has proved once again that he is amongst the BEST.
Overall: ****1/2
1. Omana Penne (Benny Dayal, Kalyani Menon) *****
Benny Dayal teases you for about a minute and then croons "Omane Penne". No one dares to even try yoodling which was a trademark of late Kishore Kumar and everyone who tried failed. Benny makes a bold attempt to yoodle and I would say he hasn't let himself down. Your ears would find it indifferent the first time, but it becomes a huge attraction point. Kalyani Menon chips in with some classical stuff (like Thiruppavai) which reminds you of the bit in "Rakkama Kaiyya Thattu" from Thalapathi.
2. Anbil Avan (Devan Ekambaram, Chinmayi) **** (updated from ***1/2)
After a long time, Chinmayi is back. And she sounds heavenly. Devan does a pretty decent job (given that he is paired with a seasoned campaigner). A peppy number that's going to be next "Love Theme" of today's youth (including me). I can equate this number to the "Mustafa Mustafa" track of Kadhal Desam for the cult status potential that this track has.
3. Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (Karthik) ***1/2 (updated from **1/2)
The title track that has nothing special to write home about. This track is a big letdown.
4. Hosanna (Vijay Prakash, Blaaze, Suzanne) *****
The rap part reminds me of a song (can't remember exactly which one, guess I am becoming older), but apart from that one glitch the song is a rocker. The lyrics are awesome and just sink into the music to create a mesmerizing effect. Blaaze breezes through the rap and boy, isn’t he good! Hosanna. Way to go. The best track of the album alongside Omana Penne.
5. Kannukkul Kannai (Naresh Iyer) ****1/2 (updated from ****)
Naresh Iyer. The name that rings a bell because of the sheer talent that this guy possesses. And he doesn't disappoint one bit. Though the song impresses me very much, I haven't been able to put in my thoughts in words. I guess I need to listen a few more times.
6. Mannippaaya (A.R. Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal) **** (updated from ***1/2)
A pathos with Shreya starting off with her lilting voice with the "Mozart of Madras" joining in later. A song wherein the couple accepts their mistakes and long for the love of their partner. This song is a magic potion for all those heart-broken love-birds to get back closer once again.
7. Aaromale (Alphonse) ***** (updated from ****)
A different start to the song, and then suddenly the chorus picks up on a Vedic like chant. The background music arrangement is extra-ordinary. It’s a pity that though I enjoyed this song, I couldn't understand the lyrics as they were in Malayalam (Haven't had the time to google for the meaning). Nevertheless, a wonderful example that music transcends the language barrier.
I don’t remember if I have ever heard about the singer before. He sounds different and has done justice to the song. I would compare him to Naresh Iyer who burst into the scene with a classic for Rahman.
On the whole, the album is EXCELLENT. As always with Rahman's compositions, the tracks take time to grow on you and have an intoxicating effect as time goes by.
I read somewhere on the internet that Rahman worked very hard on this album because Harris Jayaraj had created such magics for Gowtham Menon and that he did not want to disappoint the millions of Gowtham Menon's fans. All this from a man who has been churning out amazing music for the last two decades. This shows to prove that he doesn't rest on his laurels. And he has proved once again that he is amongst the BEST.
Overall: ****1/2
posted by Kaushik R @ 00:20 IST
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