IR New Albums - Old responses (5 Aug 2006)

MSK, if you take a look around you will find that many regulars here and not just me, being unhappy with COA. Same with TTLS, you can check comments of others- it will be mixed reviews at best.Go back and read old responses. So its not just me. COA is medicore.
Even njv here said it was an average album. If you like it so be it, I am not going to chide you for it :-)

"I am not trying to criticize you here , but just curious what still makes you even sample a CD from IR"

Like I said earlier I sample songs of most popular MDs, as a regular TFM listener. With IR, its more so in the hope that he would atleast have one good song in an album.


"On the other hand, repeated negative criticism ( your broken record comment " IR's hit rate sucked in the 80's and got even worse in the 90s, MSV and other MD's maintained a flawless hit rate etc..) would not be taken very well.."

As for what I said in IR's composing technique thread, why discuss it now? Like you said I was defending myself against some absurd comments and its a topic that's been done and over with. And I had to unfortunately repeat myself for the benefit of those who didnt understand (or pretended not to) my points.Plus there were several ppl with whom I was talking to, in that thread and hence had to explain my stance to each one of them thus resulting in repetition. Anyways I disagree that criticism should be minimum and only blind praise should be prevalent everywhere.If you want to participate in such a forum you should be only posting in IR Yahoo fans club or some such group where no criticism is officially allowed :-) IR's recent albums invite criticism IMO and I dont mid expressing it here along with several others who feel the same way (like vem, nithya etc.)

On the other hand, Iam curious as to why you keep reading my posts and remembering my comments(even the insignifcant ones like the 45sec comment) knowing very well my taste and judgement. (and especially when I am not the only who has expressed his displeasure over some of IR's recent stuff)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vem

Guys
TTLS is a very mediocre album. Somehow the songs remind us of Anjali, albeit not being of the same class.

TTLS song is a OK song. Somehow I feel that there is an impediment on IR's thought process - Just Anjali songs breaks all the barriers and flow like a river. TTLS somehow gets blockaded frequently (as if IR is playing Nimzowistch)......

In contrast to that, Gajini songs r just fabulous.

As a lover of IR music for the past 25 years, I feel that it is time for us to move on to HJ, ARR and VS.

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oh..man this is really sad.
Like somebody said here, I really hope you find what you enjoy best in other MD's work.
Inspite of the so-called 'duds' IR is still the prime source of popular tamil music for me. Here are my reasons -

Subjective
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1. Music has a nice flow from pallavi - interlude-charanam-interlude-pallavi.
2. There is a tenderness in the tune.
3. There is a depth of emotion/poignancy to the music.
4. Notes sit very well with the lyrics. Most good MDs do this well (I think YSR has some holes there). This aspect is achieved by g

Objective
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1. Music has a flow. I think this aspect has a technical nature as well. According to Vel, a rough estimate shows around 50-60% of IR's songs stick to the same raagam.

2. Strings composition in IRs songs are much more complex and interesting. And I think strings go very well with indian melodies.

3. The harmony parts in IR's songs are much more complex than in other MDs works. (This does not mean all his songs have complex harmony layers). I have never seen better counterpoints in any other Indian MDs works .

4. Each song is a good mixture of vocal and instrumental work (interludes).

5. Basslines in any IR is more complex than the more prominent bass in modern MD's work.

and many more I can't put down right now.

Currently, bad lyrics, standard rhythm arrangements and uninspired tunes seem to plague his film songs. But look at TIS, that is mind-blowing..that is the kind of work that interests him..Unfortunately, the audience for such is not that much.

Anyways, you would notice many of the positive aspects I noted above are there even in these 'duds'. So I am perennially hopeful of finding a gem in any new work of IR, i.e even in a film song.

(BTW, did you say Ghajini..man I should go back and listen to it.. I listened to a few songs and none of them captured my attention. I liked ARR's work in two songs in ah aaah though, that intro song was a blast )

Vijayr,

I am sorry ....you are out there ..beyond....now i can understand the frustration of the folks in the IR composing tech thread.

Anyways Good luck.

Cheers
MSK

"I am sorry ....you are out there ..beyond....now i can understand the frustration of the folks in the IR composing tech thread. "

MSK, whats that supposed to mean?I have explained my stance clearly above.
If you have something concrete to say then do so, instead of taking personal jabs at DFers who dont happen to agree with your taste. Have I chided you anytime for liking songs that I consider mediocre? No. So try to extend the same courtesy.

Guys
I am not a big fan of fast masala songs :) Even today, in bad mood, I just go to Akkarai cheemayil and Chinna thayaval songs to calm myself.

Infact I didnt like any masala song until so far.

But then, when I watched Gajini, the songs fitted so well with the movie and picturization was somehow great. Then I told myself that I am not going to criticize about similarity/repetition in HJ's or ARR's songs here afterwards.

Just accept blindly and enjoy if possible from here afterwards (vathalo thothalo, poosunadho poosaadhado as in Singara Velan).

After that, I somehow couldnt resist listening to TTLS - Man - I got frustrated with the predictability/mediocrity.

Even though I goaded people to leave IR, it is with a lot of pain and sadness - after all IR's 80s,90s songs will stay for ever.

But then ARR, VS and other MDs such as HJ r making waves and I feel that even though they cannot match IR in melodies, their music is still pleasant to hear and sometimes funny too (in murdering TAMIL).

This forum is for expressing opinions freely and not intended for offending/maligning anybody.

Take it easy,

whatever we say, it doesnt matter. i will keep visiting only this thread in Tfmpage and my contribution will be there for ever in this thread (sometimes frustration)
afterall I just cannot forget IR :) and my expectation will be there for every IR album in future :)

Vem,

you shouldn't have done this :)
Well i saw Ghajini on the first day and had sever headache whenever the songs played :( except 'Suttum vizhi' I dont find any of the songs were good.
Iam happily listening to IR's Kasturimaan, COA, AOKK, ONOK etc., and when i get bored try digging out IR's lost gems from Coolgoose and listen to them. some of my recent finds were ' Idhaya Mazhai' from Aalukoru aasai, 'Aavaram kaatukkul' from Archanai pookal and 'Uriginen' from Anney anney [Mouli :shock: avar padathukku ippadi oru excellent songaaaa :shock: ]

my feelings about TTLS songs:

1) Salasalakkum Kaatre:

Promising prelude and fastens up later to match the fast pallavi. "...kaaka reeya..." thing is catchy. Endha tribe'lerndhu pudichaangalo indha vaarthaiya :). Percursions (arabian/tribal pattern or whatever) throughout song is interesting and helps the pace of the song. First interlude starts with the percursions with flute pieces & trumpets....and at the end, IR brings it to a halt with a twist that he is so known for. Charanam tune is typical of IR's style and good. Interesting is that the percursions again starts when Manjari starts "naan vaangum...". Second interlude is a bit simpler, but ok. Tippu & Manjari has given it the exhuberance needed. Tippu in the process of being stylish/enthu, should also make sure the words are heard fairly clearly (the 2nd charanam). Karthik has eased through the song. Asha is ok. Overall the song is enjoyable. It could get better with good picturisation.

2) Thudikithu:

I liked the prelude music. Soft beats with flute/synth pattern tune. The pallavi, humming & the beat pattern instantly takes us to "Aasaiya Kaathula.." song. Interludes are nothing great. Karthik impresses. Sometimes I dont like Manjari's nasal induced voice. On the whole, the tune has a deja-vu feeling to it, but still listenable.

3) Twinkle Twinkle: Seems like a song for the kids. Has a catchy & simple pallavi with constant beat pattern. Interludes are ok with some funny sounds sparkled here & there. Good picturisation can make this song gain attention amongs kids. I listened to both version of this song. None of them has Master Yatheeshwar sing much. He sings only the beginning two to three sentences at the beginning of the song and thats it. Other singers has done justification to the song.

4) Magic Journey: Seems like a kids fun song. The prelude could have been more grander for this kind of a song. I was just thinking of the prelude of "Chiraga.." (song from My dear kuttichaathan)...man that was great. Pallavi is again sort of catchy. Synth sort of strings that begins the first interlude is good, but why synth and also I felt interludes could have been better. An ok song. Kids probably may like it.

5) Hey! You: You make a IR hardcore fan hear this song and he/she will not believe that it is by IR :) This song does not follow any particular pattern. Ranjith has given the right feeling to the song. Picturisation may make kids enjoy this song.

6) Engengo Pokindra: I like this song the best in the album. A good & soothing song. Interludes are pretty decent aswell. Although in a few places Jesudas's age shows up, he has sung it very well. I did not like Manjari's version much. Some other female singer should have sung the song.

On the whole I would say one should not expect something like the mammoth "Anjali". Its an "ok" album. I will treasure "Engengo" (only jesudas version), Salasalkkum Kaatre & "Twinkle Twinkle" (for my kids :)) & maybe "Thudikithu..".

Once again I would request IR to reduce synth usage and increase usage of strings sections, trumpets, etc. He has brought deja-vu feelings to the tunes....why not give us the deja-vu feelings of those grand interludes???

thanks,

Krishnan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vem

whatever we say, it doesnt matter. i will keep visiting only this thread in Tfmpage and my contribution will be there for ever in this thread (sometimes frustration)
afterall I just cannot forget IR :) and my expectation will be there for every IR album in future :)

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Yep, same with every one of IR fans.

Rajasaranam sir, I will try out the other songs that you mentioned. Never heard them b4.