Anniyan is a album i've been looking foreward to over a year now, ever since news broke that Shankar decided to have Harrish compose his songs rather than A.R.Rahman Sir.
FLASH BACK! a few weeks ago i finally get a hold of a "Anniyan" song, which being "Kadhal Yannai". My initial reaction: "um...what the..?". I hated this song, what a overworked composition. It hints similarities from the feel of "Secret of Sucess" from the earlier "Boys" , however not copied! I had the song on repeat for hours trying to like the song, but nothing changed from my intial reaction - disapointed! Then the rest of the songs are out.. Heres my review of the songs:
Kumari - a wonderful peice. This is what i was expecting from a HJ-Shankar collaboration. It has a refreshing excitementi had felt which is usually how i feel with most A.R.Rahman songs. Shankar Mahadevan sounding amazing as ever, and the Harini teaser near the end is beautiful! This song spells SUCCESS. All these allegations of HJ copying all these different songs are getting annoying, but i have to say this song does have copied elements from "en uyir thozia" from KKS.
Iyengaru Veetu - With a carnatic basis, Harrish once again amazes me with his versatility i thought he never encompassed. The spiritual and festive essence of this song is outstanding, a song that will be praised by Shankar on the screen with extravagent setting and picturisation.
Stranger theme - is mysterious and dark. It will certainly emphasize in the movie. Overall its average, nowhere on the same level as A.R.Rahman instrumental themes.
Adangkaka - I was looking foreward to this song, as Jassie Gift was appearing on it. Shankar maybe wanted a Jassie and Harrish collaboration after hearing the awesome '4 STUDENTS'. Shankar is looking for mass appeal in his songs to paralell his movies, and '4 students' has that appeal. However the song is just another foot tapper by Harrish, just like 'utagathu' from Arul and others from saamy, kovil and chellame. It will be a moderate hit, nothing big!
Kannum - OK this songs is just as stupid as "Kadhal Yannai". I like this guys voice though, but it was wasted on this song. This song is not for a Shankar movie! Catchy yes, but mass appeal NO!
Overall Harrish has only composed two songs that will shine in the movie, being 'Kumari" and "Iyengaaru veetu". Anniyan is unlike no other previous shankar albums, it is definitly inferior to shankar's previous albums, what was Shankar was thinking? Listen to "Jeans", "Boys", "Kadhalan" etc...those songs had the tamil world rocked! It had a mass appeal to anyone , even people who don't like tfm. This is not the case with "Anniyan", it will be the first case where the movie will promote the songs to a full extent! "Kumari" will be the biggest hit in 2005 so far (until GODFATHER comes out LoL)
