Achamundu Achamundu, Karthik Raja

A fantabulous entry for the classical singer Sowmya into the playback, something which the film crew can boast of. The tune is simple ; the voice and the haunting(Karthik Raja is an expert in giving that.. Ragasiyamai Ragasiyamai is one such!) orchestration makes this number an absolute must-listen. Rahul nambiar is another apt choice for the same tune, but that bit song seems to be churned out in a hurry and hence lacks that finesse. The theme music is another outstanding attempt. USA USA is a sore point in an otherwise mindblowing album. The song gains some steam midway and loses again miserably.

Verdict :- Kannil dhaagam.. en seviyin dhaagangalai thanithadhu :)

Rating :- ***1/2 plus bonus 1/2 for Kannil dhaagam

Rare OSTs - 1

Anbu- an awesome listening experience!

Anbu- this unheard B-grade (literally "B", the song picturization itself confirms it!!) has some spendid songs composed by melody master Vidyasagar. Barring one item number song, all the other songs in this soundtrack are in my loop for almost 6 months. One song called "Thavamindri kidaitha varame" is quite famous especially in radio & in music channels too. There are other songs in this OST which are worth listening.  "Aval yaar aval" (sung beautifully by Karthik) and "Othachollu thaan" (soulful rendering by Anantharaman, an awesome folk number!) are my personal favourites.

Anbu songs download link :

http://www.123musiq.com/Anbu.htm

Aval yaar aval video link :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIm1VJ7Zg_I&feature=PlayList&p=C5F20E6C481A81BD&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=47

Thavamindri kidaitha link :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn9rKYZWgyA

Ayan, Harris Jeyaraj

Its high time for Harris Jeyaraj to stop copying tracks and to think out of the shell for more tunes. Inspite of the copied and worn-out tune, "Nenje nenje" alone works. No words to review more than this. 

Naan Kadavul, Maestro Ilayaraja

"Pitchai paathiram" uses Madhu Balakrishnan's vocals to the fullest extent, happy to have a person to fill up the Jesudas-void!An emotionally and spiritually soaring song!! "Amma un pillai" uses the "Maatha un kovilil" tune and is decently good with great orchestration, except that Sadhana's vocals sometimes become too much strained and sound awkward. All done, we have a honey sweet "Kannil parvai", though the orchestration seem to be missing the synch. But after repeated listenings, I feel that we have got a greatest melody of the year 2009(going to be a strong contender for other songs!!). "Oru katril", the male counterpart of "Kannil Paarvai" is equivalently good, an apt song for the composer. The album reaches its apex in "Om siva om"- spiritual geeks are sure to get goosebumps! Vijay Prakash(the male voice which rendered the evergreen "Poo vasam"- Anbe sivam) deserves a strong place in tamil-playbacks!!

Verdict : Maestro in his recent best.
Rating : ****1/2

Annual Top 10 songs- 2008

1) Kanden Kanden.. (Pirivom Santhippom, Vidyasagar)
2) Mazhai nindra pinbum.. (Raman thediya seethai, Vidyasagar) &
Naan varaindhu vaith (Jeyam kondaan, Vidyasagar)
3) Marudhani... (Sakkarakatti, A.R.Rahman)
4) Thendralukku nee.. (Arai en 305il kadavul, Vidyasagar)
5) Manasukkul.. (Anjathey, Sundar.C.Babu)
6) Enthan vaanamum.. (Vazhthugal, Yuvan.S.Raja)
7) Kangal irandaal.. (Subramaniapuram, James Vasanthan) &
Dhayyare dhayya.. (Vellithirai, G.V.Prakash)
8) Palaanadhu.. (Kuruvi, Vidyasagar)
9) Aavaram poo.. (Poo, S.S.Kumaran) &
Lesa parakkudhu.. (Vennila kabadi kuzhu, Selvaganesh)
10) Ava enna.. (Vaaranam aayiram, Harris Jeyaraj)

Composer of the year : Vidyasagar

Best overall sound-tracks : Arai en 305il kadavul, Raman thediya seethai & Sakkarakatti

Dissappointments : Vidyasagar (with damp-squib albums like Muniyandi VMA, Alibaba and Abhiyum Naanum) and Yuvan shankar Raja (no 'great' album this year)

Best up-coming music directors : S.S.Kumaran, James Vasanthan, Selvaganesh

Best Movies of the year :-
1) Pirivom Santhippom
2) Anjaathey
3) Subramaniyapuram
4) Raman thediya seethai

5) Abhiyum Naanum
6) Pudichurukku
7) Yaaradee nee Mohini!

November Top listens

1) Thajam thajam... (Mahesh Saranya matrum palar, Vidyasagar)
2) Aavaram poo.. (Poo, S.S.Kumaran)
3) Siru thoduthaliley.. (Laadam, Dharan)
4) Where is the party?.. (Silambattam, Yuvan Shankar Raja)
5) Lesa parakkuthu.. (Vennila kabadi kuzhu, Selvaganesh)
6) Kanaa kangiren.. (Anandha thandavam, G.V.Prakash)
7) Ava enna.. (Vaaranam Aayiram, Harris Jeyaraj)
8) Vizhiyil vizhiyil.. (Mahesh Saranya matrum palar, Vidyasagar)
9) Makkah... (Laadam, Dharan)
10) Vaa vaa en devathaye.. (Abhiyum Naannum, Vidyasagar)

Abhiyum Naanum, Vidyasagar

Surprisingly, a "step-down" attempt from my favourite music director. I usually prefer his albums because all his tracks has versatality & more importantly head-phone friendly!! "Vaa vaa en Devathaye" & its miniature version "Moongil vittu" are listenable, both soul-fully rendered by Madhu Balakrishnan. The bhangra-ish interludes in "Pachai katre" rocks big time, but the main tune is pedestrian. Kailash kher leaves our ears burning, really, in both " Ore oru oorile" & bit song "Chinnamma kalyanam". The former is listenable, while the latter is completely atrocious. "Sher Punjabi", another bit song, falls flat completely. Even S.P.B's track doesn't impress us & the tune just goes without any aim. In addition we have instrumental tracks of "Vaa vaa", "Pachai katre" & "Ore oru", nothing much to say about them! After the stupendous Mozhi, which still runs in my playlist quite often, the much expected RadhaMohan-Vidyasagar combo disappoints , to say the least! Lets hope for a better picturisation atleast!!

Verdict: Extremely disappointing
Rating: **1/2