Neethane En Ponvasantham | Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu | Assi Nabbe Poorey Sau

[dochu]

Vaanam mella is my top pick and next is ennoda vaa vaa.

Saindhu really got wasted with singer choice.

Pengal endral/pudicala mamu definetely lowest in my rating - or more explicitly, not in the rating at all.
Pudicala mamu had the wonderful teaser starting material - but it shows that IR is in time wrap when setting college type music. Anyways I am too old to like such songs. On top of that, GVM is still in a time wrap to wring out such a situation for IR to tune.

I am not a music critic or something, as a layman I agree orchestration (to me music) sounds different, but not sure if there was a necessity for using an orchestra group from abroad. I had high expectations of using much more elaborate instruments.

I am sure BGM wise, IR would have done his magic.

except for few, other songs will be a tough sell.

[Hulkster]

I may be in a minoriy but I thought Yuvans solo is great - what guitar work and a brilliant tune...pls. give it a try...Also I think Yuvan has resung the Saindhu song from the one that was released a trailer... it looks much cleaner

You ain't the only one. I didn't like the starting part of how Yuvan sung but the tune and guitar work is certainly brilliant. The guitar work in the first interlude of pudikala maamu is another amazing piece.

[rajkumarc]

You ain't the only one. I didn't like the starting part of how Yuvan sung but the tune and guitar work is certainly brilliant. The guitar work in the first interlude of pudikala maamu is another amazing piece.

I liked Yuvan's singing in both of the songs. Pengal Endraal sounds like a proper rock ballad especially with the stunning orchestration and Yuvan's voice feels apt for that song.

[ajaybaskar]

Kaatrai konjam and Ennodu Vaa Vaa are my picks. On loop from the morning.

Other songs.. Not much impressed. Let me give them some more time.

[San_K]

awesome Flipkart delivery and received my CDs just now and listening

CD has awesome quality :superb:

app_engine wov probably this album in Akni Natchathram range

[senthilv.com]

First impressions: Part II

5. Kaatrai Konjam

Love the prelude. The tune has a retro touch and slightly predictable flow but paradoxically feels fresh and addictive. Great orchestration from beginning to end. The instruments talk to each other, intertwine and help each other go on a journey. The repetitions of pallavi at the end has nice additional orchestration. Karthik has sung well but at the end of saranam his voice gets bit drowned by orchestration. Overall, a smooth composition by Raja.


6. Pengal Yendral

Song fits Yuvan and sung well by him. Raja blasts feeling of anguish using electric guitar (no strings in this song) May not get as popular as other songs but Raja breaks some new ground here. The progression of the whole song is totally unpredictable, just when you think the pallavi is going to end, it hits a new progression.

Every time the song goes around and lands on the word "kathaadi" it adds value. Probably the song would average without that particular passage -- "Enna solli... enna penne... nenjam oru kathaadi" (Master class for new composers!) Saranam is done really well and orchestrated. The middle portion of the song has some great progression.

Totally a situational song but stands on it's own leg.

7. Pudikale Maamu

Great prelude and interlude. Totally new. But rest of song the just the opposite. Disconnection from current college reality. Lyrics is a big fail here. In the middle, the song morphs into kuthu paatu, with playful orchestra fueling retro raja right till the end. The ending dialogue between singing and instrument is super. Amazing and ordinary co-exists in this song.


8. Saindhu Saindhu,

Hummable hit. Melodious all the way through the song and evokes a great feeling in saranam. Yuvan singing is weak but gets better in the saranam. Orchestration is top class. First interlude shows Raja's new orchestral touch and conception. Just very fresh, surprising and moving. Anything like this interlude from Raja I could listen to it forever. One of top moments in the album.

Still, waiting for the '"alternate" version of this track that GVM wanted to release!

-- -- --

Overall Raja excels. Orchestral guys keep pace with him. Singers lag a bit behind. Last comes lyrics. The voice of singers could have been a tad bit more in the forefront of instruments.

Saindhu Saindhu, Kaatrai Konjam, Yennodu Vaa Vaa & Vaanam Mela are strong Raja melodies wrapped with fresh orchestral treatment. I assume more people will like these songs. IMO, Sattru Munbu, Mudhal Murai, Pengal Yendral and Pudikale Maamu are new type of Raja songs....will probably be less appreciated or catch fire slowly.

Anyway, It would be unfair to call this "new" Raja or Raja 2.0 or term it is a comeback. He just shows he has lot of music left in him. It is up to directors to extract music out of him.

GVM gave him opportunity to explore and Raja has hit new territories and also feels home there. One of Raja's best in recent times.

[San_K]

I see My Dear Maarthaandan raaja in Pudikkala maamu song. Dont miss it

[San_K]

senthilv.com nice review

Anyway, It would be unfair to call this "new" Raja or Raja 2.0 or term it is a comeback. He just shows he has lot of music left in him. It is up to directors to extract music out of him.

well said. but raja 2.0 or 1.1 or even 1.01 is enough to enjoy,

[kj]

After a looooong time an album (irrespective of the composer/genre/language) in which I throughly liked and enjoyed most of the tracks. Stupendous orchestration in the long interludes in all songs.

[Hulkster]

Pengal Endraal sounds like a proper rock ballad especially with the stunning orchestration and Yuvan's voice feels apt for that song.

You are right about it being a proper rock ballad. It is even more unremarkable when you consider the way he moulds the song. No matter what genre or instrument he uses, he has this composing technique which cannot be traced to anywhere but to only him.