After some movie reviews, I thought why not try my hand at music reviews. I am kicking off it with a music review for "Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya".
GENRE: Romance
DIRECTION: Gautham Vasudev Menon
MUSIC: A.R.Rahman
An Album with much expectations and Hype! First time Gautham Menon joins hands with the Academy Award Winner A.R.Rahman after his string of successes wih Harris Jayaraj for years!
A.R.Rahman himself admitted that he has to bring out some good music to maintain the magic of songs in Gautham Menon films. He has also said he has experimented a lot in this album like breaking the prototypical Pallavi & Charanam norms, etc .
Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya has just come as refreshing breeze out of the horizon with ARR brewing the magical potion again with ingredients of Romance with Music. The Mozart of Madras has created a masterpiece with a lot of new instruments along with the most conventional ones.
Also the lyrics penned by Thamarai for all songs except one ("Aaromale") stands out with elegance and gives soul to the songs and ARR makes justice by making sure the lyrics are not suppressed by sheer loudness of music.
Few more new voices like Alfonse Joseph, Vijay Prakash got inducted into Rahman's Group apart from his set piece singers Benny Dayal, Chinmayee, Shreya Ghoshal, Blaaze,Naresh Iyer.
Lets see about each of the numbers in the album:
1. Song: Hosanna
Singers: Vijay Prakash, Suzanne, Blaaze
Lyrics: Thamarai, Blaaze
Hosanna is the pick of the album. This song set up in a situation when the Hero sees Heroine for the first time. The song with the word "hosanna" in between hints about the Heroine Jessica. Vijay Prakash who mesmerised us with his voice in "Om Siva Om" of Naan Kadavul has a rendered a beautiful song of a different genre. The song has an interlude with rap from Blaaze which gives a western touch to the song.
2. Song: Omana Penne
Singers: Benny Dayal, Kalyani Menon
Lyrics: Thamarai, Kalyani Menon
Omana Penne is just at the tail of "Hosanna" to take the top spot. The song starts with a mild eastern touch picks up the classical way as it progresses. Kalyani Menon has written the Malayalam lyrics for this song and has rendered her voice too. Benny Dayal plays with this mystifying voice to provide a smooth rendition like an ebb and flow of the tide. Rahman proves again that he can create wonders with melody. The beauty of the Pilahari raga shines in the ending notes of the song.
3. Song: Anbil Avan
Singers: Devan Ekambaram, Chinmayee
Lyrics: Thamarai
Anbil Avan is a typical marriage song. This is clearly understandable by the use of westernised version of the classical Thavil and Nadaswaram. Also the song studded with Church Bells ringing clearly tells about the man & woman of the occasion. Devan (of "iru vizhi unadhu" fame ) with his dynamic voice provides the zip-zappy mood to the song and Chinmayee teams up with him to provide an exciting number.
4. Song: Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya
Singer: Karthik
Lyrics: Thmarai
The title theme song which requires a flamboyant delivery is sung by none other than the ever refreshing Karthik. Though the song travels on the slower side, the lyrics and the music makes it a perfect song to hear when you are alone with ur earphones on. Once again a flawless melody from Karthik.
5. Song: Kannukkul Kannai
Singer: Naresh Iyer
Lyrics: Thamarai
Kannukkul Kannai is a foot tapping number in the album with Naresh Iyer in the lead. This song conveys the hope and yearning of a lover for his beloved and Naresh provides his best to the expectations of his mentor ARR. The lyrics by Thamarai creates reverberation throughout the song. Just the right one for lovers of fast paced songs.
6. Song: Mannipaya
Singer: A.R.Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal
Lyrics: Thamarai
Mannipaya sends the apologies of the lady love to her beloved. The four time national Award winner Shreya's voice is as refreshing as ever and when the maestro himself joins the song with his characteristical high pitch voice, the song reaches a peak of emotional confluence. The usage of Thirukkural in between and the absence of concept of charanam, pallavi makes this song a different one to listen.
7. Song: Aaromale
Singer: Alfonse Joseph
Lyrics: Kaithaparam
A song which stands out from the rest of the pack. Aaromale is a kind of a mix of rock and classical tunes. A complete malayalam song just apt for a Malayali heroine. The lyrics penned by the renowned Malayali lyricist Kaithaparam has the power of mixed emotions embibed in it. The new voice of Alfonse Joseph of the famous malayali rock band "Aviyal" has created ripples in the conventional tamil music.
As a whole, ARR has once again proved that he deserves every bit of the double Academy Awards and he has a urge to achieve more. It is clearly visible after "Slumdog Millionaire", ARR has decided to take the Tamil Music to the International Level. And what more millions of Rahmaniacs are by his side during this eventful journey.
Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya - Reaches the depths of human soul crossing all the skies!!
