Now playing...in repeat mode.

Anniyan

Kumari….
Entreating? Beseeching? Pleading his love? Try as I might, I just can’t seem to find the right adjective to describe the way Shankar Mahadevan sings this refreshingly new number and Konji is the most fitting Tamil equivalent I can think of. The honey dripping sweetness in the way he stretches and drags the words is cloying, the nasal twang is overused and the brahminical accent where the ‘s’es become ‘sh’es is exaggerated and yet they all only end up adding to the song’s attractiveness. The stringed instrument which, I figure is the mandolin, does wonders in the interlude and all of the above make Kumari the song of Anniyan.

Andankakka konda kaari….
Harris! Harris! This is probably why you can never be a Rahman! *Shake of the head, clicking noises to show disappointment*
Its great that he is making use of fresh talent like the Lejjavathiye sensation Jassie Gift, but then he should also learn to give them a free rein and let their natural creativeness flow. What has he done to Jassie! The exotic voice goes all awry and you get loud, jarring screamy vocals. Yet all is not lost as a good tune and Shreya Ghoshal come to the party to make this a nice and happening song.

Arindhum Ariyaamalum

Konjam Konjam....
Probably one of the classiest, peppiest numbers I have heard in recent times, this song is in the classic Yuvan Shankar Raja mould. Starting off with a husky, sensuous female voice (Maheeva Kammat), bolstered by a pulsing with energy male chorus, and supported throughout by an underlying bass harmony, this song straightaway sets you in the feet tapping, rhythmic head bobbing mode.

Yen Kannodu...
Most people hail Yuvan Shankar Raja as the next king of Tamil film music, to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious father and A.R.Rahman. And this song is enough evidence of Yuvan’s fabulous talent. Singing in an uncannily Rahmanesque style, blending Arabic influences with trance and haunting vocals, Yuvan gives you a real treat to hear. Purists may complain he is a little off key but I am floored especially at the point where he goes ‘Thaangamudiyaadha Anandam, Thoongamudiyaadha Perinbam”

Sadurangam
This is a gem of an album from Vidyasagar which has gone fairly unnoticed mainly because the movie itself has not been publicized due to release problems. It would be a pity if such great work doesn't get the credit it truly deserves. Vidyasagar seems to be getting better with every movie, if you are willing to ignore Kanaa kanden, which I don’t think is even close to what he is capable of.

Enge Enge....
Enge Enge is a wonderful melody sung exquisitely by Karthik. Check out the sexy bass guitar that runs through the song, the violins, the flute and the saxophone in the interludes and the overall arrangement-a class act.

Ennai Thandhiduven...
The tabla and the vocals of Karthik and Srileka are the lifeline of this duet. The beginning seems oddly reminiscent of a combination of Snehidane and Evano Oruvan from Alaipayuthe and the song transitions into a fast paced, lively number. The Thana Dhom Thanana singing in the interlude is simply fantastic.

Vizhiyum Vizhiyum....
This song, Ladies and Gentlemen, is currently the reigning jukebox queen on my discman. The prelude is in Bengali and I have to accept there is something almost musical about this language that makes it an obsession for Tamil film music directors. An extremely melodious duet, it is almost conversational with Madhu Balakrishnan(who has an almost Jesudas like voice) and Harini, competing with, and complementing each other. The interludes are entirely dominated by the flute and the way the first interlude ends with the bird chirpy tweet is an absolute pleasure to hear. An almost perfect song, which forces you to listen to it again and again and again….