Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Mukunda Audio Review

Movie: Mukunda ( ముకుంద )
Music: Mickey J Meyer
Director:  Srikanth Addala
Producer(s): B.Madhusudhana Reddy
Cast: Varun Tej, Pooja Hegde

Another hero from Mega family. Now its turn for Nagababu's son Varun Tej. Seems like they are just coming and probably more to come. It seems Varun was supposed to be debut with another team of director and producers, but got scrapped and finally ended with Srikanth Addala directing him. Mukunda being title for a debutant movie is unusual and Srikanth who has been successful directing family movies trying to direct a movie where fans expect something else is a tough choice for the Hero's team, but they made it. Pooja Hegde who made her debut in Oka Laila Kosam is acting as female lead. 

Sirivennela garu getting a single card for lyrics is just fantastic to see after a long time. Mickey J Meyer who has composed some successful movies is know for his feel good songs, tying up with Sirivennela garu and Srikanth is an interesting combination. Not sure whose choice it is but not getting into youthful music is something notable for a debutant. Mickey didnt experiment on singers which is good to see in inlay card.

With lot of good names attached to this album lets see how the songs fared.

1. Chesededo
Lyrics : Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Singers : Rahul Nambiar, Revanth

Sirivennela is the hero of the song, next comes Mickey and if singers could have done a little better, it would have been more excellent. Sirivennela in his usual best gives perfect messages to the youth in this youthful song composed by Mickey. Rahul and Revanth had given their best. The words are important for this song along with energy, and they need clarity rather than casually saying them. Phrases like "Kalalaki kallaki kanureppe addamani" are really treat to listen. They not only make one think, they give more than mere message. Sirivennela garu pointed a technical issue in Audio release in this song. But that's fine, we do have technical glitches everywhere. Srikanth and Mickey should be commendable for having this kind of powerful song if used to introduce the hero. Varun Tej must be extremely lucky to get this kind of introduction. 

2. Daredumdadum
Lyrics : Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Singers : Mickey J Meyer, Sai Shivani

This song except for the male voice, everything is good. I was not sure about whether its an audio issue or my hearing problem. The song chorus, start of the song didn't match the male voice. They both are completely off sync to each other. Both appear good when heard separately. The initial interludes are familiar. This song should be fixed for the sake of rest of the song. We cannot mute selectively. Mukunda is synonym for flute, it has to be extraordinary and it is good in this song. 

3. Chaala Bagundi
Lyrics : Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Singers : Hari Charan

Another good start, with nice foot tapping guitar. MIckey nicely mixed guitar with accompaniments and they all sound good. Guitar accompanying the singer is cool. Haricharan surprisingly didn't do anything extra, kept low which is good. Chala Bagundi could have sounded better. Once again Sirivennela garu rocks. Mickey tried to add different flavors in interludes mixing different styles and they gel well. Overall a cool song that will haunt.

4. Gopikamma
Lyrics : Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Singers : Chitra

Sounds like a song in SVSC but that's only similarities in the beats. Chitra garu is just awesome. Trying to wake up the heroine. Mukunda so there has to be a gopika. Who is trying to wake up whom is something the movie will tell I guess. Sirivennela garu has I guess patented on the word Kalalu. He understands about the dreams better than anyone. Doma tera is white, Machu Tera is white. Something changed in 2nd stanza did someone sang in between? Words just flow and treat us. If listener is aware of Krishna and Gopika, they will understand this song better. The nuances of this song. Another good song in this album.

5. Arere Chandrakala
Lyrics : Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Singers : Karthik, Sai Shivani

The only issue in this song is with lack of freshness . Karthik and Sai Shivani have no issues. Lyricists who try to write rhyming song should listen to this song. This will teach how not to just add words without meaning. Have rhyming with a meaning is what matters. Another foot tapping song. Could be better on screen if nice moves are added. If Hero and the group are better in dances like the hero's Mega family is known for, fans should go crazy. 

6. Nandalaala
Lyrics : Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Singers : Swetha Pandit

Why didnt Chitra get this song? Swetha Pandit had issues with pronunciation and few endings. Also the words are not clear from her singing. Lacks clarity. The word "Ullamu" in Ullamu Jhalluna ponginade is rarely heard these days. If not Sirivennela who would have used it effectively. The songs are lost in Multilingual words written by latest lyricists. Srikanth Addala's choice of songs are really good. Not sure who is behind the idea of Sirivennela getting to write all songs. That person should be commendable. Srikanth could have done much better as interludes didn't appear fresh, but still song feels good. If Chitra and If Srikanth added freshness to this song, this could have been a lot better to hear. And complete justice to lyrics would have been achieved. Having said that, this is definitely a better song to hear.

7. Mukunda Theme
Listen and enjoy. Nothing much to say. 

Pick(s) of the album: Feel good album

Mickey J Meyer is known for his feel good songs, Srikanth Addala is known for feel good movies and the combination should make us doubly feel good and as a matter of fact they do and is a lot better feel good album in recent times. Sirivennela garu tells us what we are missing these days and why he is there where he is. Mukunda ( Krishna ) obviously appeals everyone alike and this one too. Varun Tej gets something that normally everyone doesn't. Time will tell where he will go, but his start of career is really good out of so called youthful music(noise). Wish the entire team all the best. Hope the movie fares well at box office too.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Rowdy Fellow Audio Review

Movie: Rowdy Fellow (రౌడీ ఫెల్లో )
Music: Sunny M.R
Director:  Krishna Chaitanya
Producer(s): T Prakash Reddy Entertainment banner
Cast: Nara Rohit, Vishakha Singh
Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya, C Narayana Reddy, Vasistha Sharma

Rowdy Fellow is an upcoming film of Nara Rohit, written and directed by Krishna Chaitanya This movie is produced by Prakash Reddy under his banner Moviemills, and presented by Cinema 5. Nara Rohit and Vishakha Singh are the male and female leads and Nandini Rai playing an important role in this film, supported by other actors like Rao Ramesh, Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, Posani Krishna Murali, Gollapudi Maruti Rao.

Nara Rohit who had done movies at a very slow pace since his debut film Baanam, took two years for his next movie Solo. I guess he realized that this is not going to work and increased pace in 2014 and lined up atleast 4 movies in 2014 after Pratinidhi, which got good acclaims. This movie though started in 2013, took some time to complete.

Sunny MR who is flying high with back to back hits in the names of Swamy Ra Ra, Uyyala Jumpala, going to try his third film in Telugu. A Sound Engineer and Recording supervisor in Bollywood has big Hindi movies associated to his name. Seems like it was Krishna Chaitanya who introduced to the team of Swamy Ra Ra and got a chance as music director.

This movie has 6 tracks named in the album, one song is a remix of old song. The title track and call of Rowdy doesn't count as songs, so literally there are 3 songs composed by Sunny. The Singers list is complete foreign to Telugu full of bollywood singers, Sunny association tells it all. I thought Sunny had a studio in Hyderabad. So trying to understand the reason of bringing so many singers to Hyderabad to sing Telugu songs.

Anyway lets see whether Sunny got a hat-trick or not.

01 Rowdy
Singer(s): Arijit Singh,Aditi Singh Sharma

Arijit has a unique voice and doesnt work for all songs, and mainly in an alien language to him. Neerasam Nuvveraa, if we hear this we get really neerasam. For a minute I thought I am listening to Sunny's earlier album Swamy Rara, did I play something wrong? Not thats Swaamy Rara, this is Raraa Rowdy, there is a difference. Not sure what else to talk about this song. Arijit was ok, but the way the words are broke and sung is becoming normal in every movie. The style was similar to Gulabi Kallu sung by Javed Ali in GAV. Anyway short length song so its a relief.

02 Yedo 
Singer(s):  Armaan Malik,Harshika Gudi

Surprising to see Sunny suddenly switch gear to provide a melody. Armaan Malik was fine, but Harshika's voice was feeble and faint. This was better made song. But the instruments supporting the voices were loud. Melody songs the instruments in background should be light sounded when singers are singing and should take over in interludes. But they sound exactly same, no matter what. Having said that this is a good song, that ended good. The lyrics are good too.


03 Aa Seetadevi 
Singer(s):  Arijit Singh

Arijit gets one more song. This song in his voice sounds similar and hear somewhere. The beauty of Telugu is that when words are said correctly, even without any tune they sound sweet. However lately music directors without knowing the greatness of Telugu try to tune to Telugu words in their style. They don't have to put any afford if the words that give a meaning said together. This song is perfect example for how not to break words in the name of tune. There is difference between kallu, KAllu. When these singers sing, we don't know what to make out of these words to understand. Not matter how the great tune is how great the singer is if the words are not said right, the song goes to drain. 


04 Yentha Vaaru Gani 
Singer(s): Nakash Aziz,Natasha Pinto

This song is yesteryear famous hit song of NTR from Bhale tammudu. The specialty being sung by great Mohammad Rafi, which is Telugu version of baar baar dekho. Even though those days Hindi Industry had great singers, they were not asked to sing as their Telugu sounded alien. However this song was popular. C Narayana Reddy those time wrote the lyrics and good thing that the lyrics are untouched. The song doesn't sound different as that time it was sung by Hindi person and now it is repeated with similar voice. Sunny did good job by keep the original flavor intact and adding some own touches here and there, Didn't create issues. Any ways when original is there, duplicate is always second choice. For those who never listened to original song, can enjoy this version too.


05 Red & Yellow 
Singer(s):  Shalmali Kholgade,Samrat Kaushal

In child hood days, whenever any one say Red and Yellow, it was said Rowdy Fellow. Glad that this phrase was used in this song. Other than that this song doesn't offer anything much. Shalmali and Samraut not sure what they were singing. This song falls flat in terms of every angle of the song. First issue is understanding this song. Then try to get the feel of the song. Anyways since this song has not much to offer, cannot say much about it.


06 Call of the Rowdy 
Singer(s):  Jennifer Abraham,Sunny M.R.

Theme of the movie? I guess so. Again Raa Raa Rowdy Raa Raa is sung with different sounds supporting it. In movie it might be different but its too loud I guess for normal listening. Sunny also lent his voice but cant know who is singing what.

Pick(s) of the album: Yedo, Aa Seetadevi sounded better in this album, not that they are great songs.

One more so called trendy album, where tunes are repeated, sung by non-Telugu singers for Telugu album. Slowly Telugu movie is loosing its Teluguness in the name of youthful, trendy, catchy music. Since music is objective, there will be no bad music, it can be said bad if majority dislike it. Yet there will be some one who will love the songs. This album is for those. Nara Rohit didnt get enough support from music, Sunny MR missed a hat-trick. It is upto listeners if they choose to listen. Sunny has just started career so he has long way to go, one album here and there will not create much problems for him as long as he is focused.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Dikkulu Choodaku Ramayya Audio Review

Movie: Dikkulu choodaku Ramayya ( దిక్కులు చూడకు రామయ్య )
Music: MM Keeravani
Director:  Trikoti
Producer(s): Sai Korrapati on Vaarahi Chalanachitram
Cast: 
Naga Shaurya, Ajay, Sana Maqbool



Dikkulu choodaku Ramayya is 5th film from Sai Korrapati as producer with his earlier movies Eega, Legend and Oohalu gusa gusa laade being hit. He is a producer who is known for lavish spending, yet making some sensible movies. Oohalu was example of that. This time he gives chance to Trikoti who was working with SS Rajamouli before and inspite of getting so many chances, those didnt convert to real happening. Trikoti as per Rajamouli is very talented and he himself often takes Koti's opinion for all his films. Glad to see such support from Filmi fraternity to Koti.

Keeravani supported this movie thru his music and the entire family was present at the audio release function. This movie offers 6 songs with Ananth Sriram penning 4 of them. Keeravani's father wrote one song and the other was written by Sharath.

Singers are pretty much standard from the team of Keeravani. Lets see how the songs fared.


01  Dintana  
Singer(s): Rahul Sipligunj
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

The album starts with a off beat song from Keeravani sung by Rahul Sipligunj who is another singer part of standard team of Keeravani. The song adds the style of a tv show anchor who says words ending with "Andi". The audio release function too has the AV's created with his style of commentary. Ananth Sriram who wrote 4 songs in this album shows a glimpse of what he is going to offer further. Some fun filled lyrics added with latest technologies and happenings, added with the style makes this song different. Guess this is a situation song for probably on the hero. Keeravani should be commended to make a song with this style. 

02  Chembistri  
Singer(s): Revanth
Lyrics: Sharath Jyosthna

Another fun filled song. Not sure how many of current generation know what is Chembu Istree. Revanth is good fit for these songs, did well. Keeravani gave standard routine song make for a situation in the movie. This song could go well with visuals. "Wanna Love one beatiful Stree (woman), chesta vayasuki chembistri, what does it mean have to see only on screen I guess.

03  Telipothunnaa  
Singer(s): Ramya Behara
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Ramya behara has become part of Keeravani's team. She was apt. She emoted the expressions very well. But I guess her voice doesn't have the grandeur, but still she managed to sing it very well. She has quite a few pronunciation issues, when she says "rellu poola rekulaa" "Tella Doodi Pijalaa" and misses the stress on Rellu and Tella and some fake accent.. Yet, keeravani covers these issues with his magical tune and Ananth Sriram's good lyrics. Ananth Sriram is maintaining some standards and good to see him continue that. This song would have been elevated if singer gave a little bit more. The trailer showed some fantastic dances from female lead. And this being main song that got advertised will hit the right chords and will be good on screen too.

04  Anthe Premanthe  
Singer(s): KK Bhairava, Mohana
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

It has been quite some days that we have listened to such a start. Keeravani proves, why he is, where he is. He announced retirement in coming years, as actor Nani said, he should reconsider for the sake of music lovers by doing a movie once a while to make us refreshing from the noise/sounds we are hearing in the name of music. After the start, this song slowly transforms to a different pace. This song has a lot of variety with classic touch. Bhairava and Mohana has done good. There are some tongue twisters/fast said words which were said well. Bhairava had sounded like Shankar Mahadevan at times, but that can be left at that place. This song has violin flashes which are good to hear. Song has very few issues unlike the other songs we are hearing these days. At the end of the song we feel it could have been for some more time. No worries, we can hear again.

05  Andari Rathalu  
Singer(s): Ramesh Vinayagam, Yamini
Lyrics: K.Shiva Datta

Keeravani's father Shiva Datta has written this song. Ramesh Vinayagam who sang the famous song in Khaleja along with karunya, sang this song. Keeravani garu should have taken care of not breaking "Pokada" as "Po" "kada" when said second time.  But that doesn't create any issues for this song. Keeravani's perfect trademark song. This is so well made, that gives the lyrics so much required strength. Its starts like Ninda/blame on Brahma but the song later on reveals the story. Keeravani lent his voice in between was so impressive and his stamp. The interlude Ramesh is best fit for the song. He adds so much required expression, flawless rendering is really great to listen. The alaap is rarely heard is these days in a song. Keeravani garu, thanks for you and your father for the song.


06  Dikkulu Chudaku Ramayya  
Singer(s): Kalpana
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Title song. Ananth Sriram did very well in this song. His choice of words are good. Kalpana rendered it very well. After all the song, it says interval. May be this song is used just before intervel to spice up a little bit. This song should be just perfect for the situation. 

Pick(s) of the Album: Telipotunna, Anthe Premanthe, Andari Raatalu

Trikoti proved that he is one tasteful director. The choice of technicians and the output always proves that.  The lyricist, music director choices were good and they delivered what it is required. Keeravani never disappoints in his albums and recently with the sound/noise, these songs are quite refreshing. With good names attached to this movie, this should do good. Wish Trikoti who struggled all the life finally got a chance on his own and hope the movie will be success too as the album.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Govindudu AndariVaadele Audio Review

Movie: Govindudu Andari Vaadele ( గోవిందుడు అందరి వాడేలే )
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raaja
Director:  Krishna Vamsy
Producer(s): Bandla Ganesh
Cast: Ram Charan, Srikanth, Kajal Aggarwal and Kamalinee Mukherjee


Krishna Vamsy known for family drama, Telugu nativity, sensuous scenes is coming up with latest offering which is yet another family drama but casting the mega power star Ramcharan. This would be Ramcharan's 8th film. Second time pairing up with Kajal. This would be a different genre for him as first time he would be venturing a whole family entertainer with lots of drama. With Srikanth and Kamilinee Mukherjee along with PrakashRaj, Jayasudha acting in this movie already defines how this movie is going to be. With village dropback, the teasers/trailers being so colorful made KS Ramarao during audio release function say that this is going to be a "Colorful Hit". 

Krishna Vamsy even though is out of form currently, huge cast along with Ramcharan's presence should help this movie to make a big come back. Krishna Vamsy has some cult following and hope this movie will fill in some life for him. As usual this movie too saw lot of names for different roles changed quite a bit, but finally what it is, is what we see in the movie. Bandla Ganesh is on a winning spree and there are huge expectations on this movie as usual.

Coming to music department, SS Thaman who was initially signed for this movie, but due to creative differences with director Krishna Vamsy, he was replaced with Yuvan Shankar Raja. Yuvan is a quite familiar name for his direct and dubbed movies in Telugu. Need to see whether this change will be a common scenario going forward, whether Yuvan did what Vamsy expected or something else.

Vamsy filled this album with each lyricist writing different song. There are 6 songs in this album and each has a different name for lyrics. Krishna Vamsy who is know for good sensible lyrics in his movies could be the reason for choosing different lyricists. Sirivennela, Suddala Ashok teja and could have added Ananth Sriram. This would have made a better trio combination. But having 2 of three is not bad. Chandrabose and Ramajogaiah could be used as fillers for mass songs. Srimani is getting more chances these days. But Lakshmi Bhoopal is a good name to see in the list. Regarding singers, Hariharan is back after some gap, rest all are routine names. Now its time to see how the songs fared..


1. Neeli Rangu Cheeralona
Singer(s): Hariharan
Lyrics: Suddala Ashok Teja

The album starts with Suddala Ashok Teja's song. Which Charan's father he got national award, but this time I guess the situation didn't demand for a superlative song. He wrote a song with some definitions and messages mixing romanticism in between. Hariharan as a singer excels but the pronunciation with extra stress on "Cha" "sa" and others, doesn't appeal much, makes us check our-self for a minute. Its been a while that a singer was let to sing by himself and the voice is heard without any tinkering in the name of auto tuning. This song tune is simple, the beats are simple, the singing is simple until first stanza and in interludes Yuvan adds energy and then takes it back to its simplicity. The magnanimity should come on screen only. I guess this song is purely made for onscreen. This a happy go lucky song, with nothing extra ordinary and at the same time it is not a just ordinary song. The lyrics and Harirahan makes us listen to the song than Yuvan himself. The beats in between should create energy for fans. Overall a feel good song.

2. Gulabi Kallu
Singer(s): Javed Ali
Lyrics: Srimani

Guitar on high energy level sets the tone of the song. This song is written by Srimani a youthful romantic song. However it takes a while to understand what Javed is singing. The voice is not clear, the words are broken didnt fit right in the tune and on the top singer lend his hand to the cause. Pisinaari Naarive is already heard phrase, not sure why Srimani chose to reuse this word..Ye madhuvu daagundo Ye maguva lo, kind of phrases are good. Slowly Srimani is also becoming another Ramajogaiah with Hindi/English/Telugu mix of words in his songs. Yuvan's tune and words are completely out of sync making this song confuse listeners. However this has all youthful elements, phrases and speed. Lets see if Ramcharan adds his value to make it big on the screen.

3. Ra Rakumaara
Singer(s): Chinmayi
Lyrics: Sirivennela Seetarama Sastry

Chinmayi has grown to different league in singing. The way she sings effortlessly is amazing. Seems like a pathos the way Chinmayi sings this song. Yuvan is good at tuning pathos and he does show some of the glimpses of his father in this song. The only drawback is that the words are not clearly heard. Whenever Seetarama sastry garu writes, the anxiety would be on what he wrote, but this song doesn't let us to have that kind of the luxury. There should have been some more clarity in orchestration or recording. Yuvan shows some brilliance in interludes. The beats, flute show the mood of the song. This song is example of what a composer can do to a song given the liberty. Having said that this song being pathos will not appeal many of the listeners out there. Sirivennela garu as usual wrote lyrics that he is known for. Strictly for pathos or slow melody lovers.

4. Prati Chota Naake swagatham
Singer(s): Ranjith
Lyrics: Ramajogiah Sastry

A typical RJS song and youthful song without great auto tuning. This style might have been heard many times as the song doesn't demand much. RJS wrote exactly what he is known for and Yuvan composed to the demand. Aimed for youth or fans who wanted some dance steps from Charan. This song definetely needs help from Charan on screen.

5. Bava gari Choope
Singer(s): Ranjith, Vijay Yesudas, Surumukhi, Srivardhini
Lyrics: Chandrabose

A family drama and Vamsy at the helm of affairs, we wonder where is the song that includes entire family and entertain us. Chandrabose got the chance to write to the situation and he makes merry out of it in his own way :). So many singers in this song. Somehow felt Vijay Yesudas was sounding odd. He is one of the decent singers in current lot, but in the first stanza felt odd but later he was fine. Same with female singers. Something didn't sound in this song, felt disconnected in between. This could be the audio. Anyways a nice song could be another onscreen song which entertains everyone with typical Krishna Vamsy's taking involving everyone.

6. Kokkokkodi
Singer(s): Karthik, Haricharan, Manasi, Rita
Lyrics: Lakshmi Bhoopal

Karthik is an asset to this song. He starts with full energy/josh. On the other hand Haricharan falls flat when compared to Karthik. The beats make listeners foot tap. The interludes are typical of Yuvan and sound really cool. and follow females very well. Could be a song with Charan, Srikanth, Kajal and Kamalini so two male and two female singers in this song. The interludes are really cool. This would be another Krishna Vamsy type song leaving with great feel of family. Laskhmi Bhoopal wrote some mass lyrics probably which was missing in this album so far so he fills in that gap. Not sure what is the fantasy of filmy makes on "Kodi" and "Kodi Thoda kottatam". This song is full of energy, beats, will have dance movements, and probably a feast both onscreen and off screen.

Pick(s) of the album: Neeli Rangu Cheeralona, Ra Rakumara, Kokkokkodi..

Having listened to the album, Yuvan relieves us from the issues like auto tuning, cannot hear singer properly, getting rid of the feeling of hearing same sounds again and again and many more. That itself is refreshing. Yuvan did decent job in the music department providing what the director needs, couple of melodies, a patho, couple of youthful songs. Since it is family drama, the songs will be different and cannot appeal all alike. Charan fans who got used to mass songs, will not have so many of them, but they should slowly get used to as Charan took a first step of doing family oriented movies rather than it playing safe. The songs of the album are not instant winners except but were done as demanded by the movie. Hope Vamsy, Charan will get another hit in their careers and the family drama will entertain film lovers.

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Aagadu Audio Review

Movie: Aagadu ( ఆగడు )
Music: SS Thaman
Director:  Sreenu Vytla
Producer(s): Ram Achanta, Gopichand Achanta and Anil Sunkara on 14 Reels Entertainment banner
Cast: Mahesh Babu, Tamanna, Shruti Haasan, Rajendra Prasad

After Dookudu, another combination from Mahesh Babu and Srinu Vytla. Though 1 Nenokkadine was critically acclaimed, Mahesh didnt taste success at the box office. There are very high expectations on this combination of Vytla and Mahesh Babu. Tamanna is making her debut against Mahesh Babu. There were many names that came out to be as lead pair with Mahesh in the likes of Samantha, Deepika Padukone, Sonam kapoor, ShrutiHaasan and finally Vytla settled with Tamanna. The milky beauty's tweets would shows her excitement being part of the team.

14 reels second movie with Vytla and third movie with Mahesh, his third movie as cop has set the bar very high for this movie. On flip side, Kona venkat getting separated from Vytla's team and Prakash raj's issues with Agadu team finally settled down as creating differences between them. If the movie gets success, these issues wont be seen altogather, but if the result is other wise, they get magnified.

Coming to music department, Thaman has a great achievement for his life doing this prestigious film as his 50th movie as music director. Thaman inspite of all criticism and issues he came long way all still appears as mystery. They way he never bothered what criticism he is getting and stuck to his template and became successful is a great case study for all music director wannabe's. No matter his haters number increases, he keeps getting prestigious projects. Congrats to Thaman for all his success commercially and hope he changes and becomes successful with his music too. Hope that day is not far away.

Lyrics for this movie is shared between Bhaskarabhatla, who is known for mass songs, and Srimani who got success with one song, but yet to prove a lot. His other movies songs were not to upto the mark. This album has 5 songs and a theme of the movie with dialogs of Mahesh Babu and BGM by Thaman. Lets get into the songs.

Srinu Vytla said in the audio launch that Thaman had worked hard for more than an year to get the songs of the movie. Lets see how much of his hard work really made mark and how much is wasted.

1. Aagadu ( Title Song )
Singer(s): Shankar Mahadevan
Lyrics: Srimani

Srimani told he worked hard and was lucky enough to get this song. The theme music with chorus shouting "Hey" was repeated non-stop during audio launch and after some time it appeared so loud/noisy, that it wasn't pleasant any more. The song starts with a typical template Thaman guitar and thousand times heard beats, and Shankar high energetic, high voltage voice that sounds like "భూకంపనుడు ( Shankar swallows the "Du") భూవిద్వేషకుడు కబళించే దాక ఆగడు" and the next line goes as "అణు ధార్మికుడు రణ ప్రేమికుడు ఆణి చేసే దాక ఆగడు". Srimani should know that to write a powerful song, words need not be complex and powerful without any meaning. Simple words with powerful meaning makes powerful song. The way words are trimmed, enlarged, transformed to Hindi and English shows that he didn't find words for the tune and changed gears. An example is "నేను ఉండే నగర్ నగర్ మే షహర్ షహర్ మే చెడుని వధిస్తాలె ". Also something like "టెరా బైట్ హింసని జీరో సైజు కే కంప్రేస్స్ చేసేలా aagadu" Some kind of funny expression that is. Poetry at an extreme ends. There is no correlation of why chorus sings "Tu Jahaan Bhi chale" to what Srimani wrote in song. When there is no meaning, it just made for some catchy phrases so that people can just hum it. Thaman as usual his beats and chorus are not pleasant at all. He also got the concept of powerful song as being loud and noisy. The noise can be on screen and in the theatre but not in the song. If it is too noisy, then once cannot listen again and again. Even Shankar Mahadevan struggled ending and also starting the stanza's. Never see such issues with Shankar Mahadevan. Thats shows the composing issues that Thaman had, One music director can never give tough time to singers, that too Shankar Mahadevan types who easily sings any pitch, any pace. Overall it might appear a powerful title song for all its content, pave, voltage but its non-sense repetitive noise as it appears. Hope Vytla and Mahesh bring some content on screen for fans. For music lovers its not pleasant song.

2. Aaja Sarojaa
Singer(s): Rahul Nambiyar
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla

Thaman and Bhaskarabhatla claimed that this is their favorite song. A melody. Thaman starts this song with a nice melody, but not sure why he shifts gears "paatalanni maripistunnave", and then completely changes the mood of the song when "aaja saroja" starts. This I feel did not go well and is a setback for this song. He should have let the song go freely with a single mood and tune. Then comes the horribly part in terms of auto tune of the voice. Why he is so passionate of changing the voice of singer. He should remember that the song strength is singer's voice and tinkering that ruins a song. Also the chorus is absolutely sarcastic and the singer too was over expressive changing the song to lowest setback. This is a new definition of melody as interludes are loud and noisy. In one song we can hear so many flavors that the song is lost somewhere even before the interludes start. This song has some good parts/flashes that unfortunately doesn't appear too long. One more song that didnt reach the expectations set by the makers. Having said that I feel I am not on same page of what they feel when they say worked hard, its their favorite.

3. Bhel Poori
Singer(s): Rahul Nambiyar, M.M.Maanasi
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla

Thaman has his template beats that means this song is a mass song and doesnt need much attention for an off screen listening. Bhaskarbhatla lives to his trademark mass song writer using all words that is used in this song. The way Bhel is sung, its like hitting some one :) This song is perfect template song of Thaman. Mixes many sounds sorry beats, instruments, his favorite auto tuning in between. Having said this, the song reminds some other songs. Vytla said he said many times he didnt like the tune to Thaman so he got good tunes. His movies never had a great music and when he asked for changes we can expect what he might have asked.

4. Junction Lo
Singer(s): Shruti Haasan, Sooraj Santosh
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla

When a song starts with auto tuning a singer's voice, then we know Thaman has nothing much to offer. And he proves the same when singer says Junction Lo and the beats attach to the song. This is out and out mass song, with only saving grace is Shruti Haasan lending voice. Ths song is pretty ordinary and all tuned for onscreen shaking of Shruti Haasan with Mahesh babu. Strictly for fans and in theater. Bhaskarabhatla has nothing to offer in this complete mass song.

5. Naari Naari
Singer(s): Thaman, Divya
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla

Thaman and Divya sing this routine template song from Thaman. Thaman added some strange accent that didn't go well. However this song is foot tapping and energetic. Thaman could have provided some variance in template beats and Divya better voice expressions. This could have made this song more listenable. This time interludes are different, but the shoutings are same. This song leaves a mixed feeling as Thaman is not able to go beyond the limits he set to himself. Somehow this song at times appears better at times noisy. 

6. Theme of Aagadu
Singer(s): Thaman, Mahesh Babu, Srinu Vytla
Lyrics: NA

Mahesh babu's dialogs added with Music. The title song tune is added in different forms, but both dialogs and the tune never matched so they sound alien towards each other. Not sure why they had to do this. This is neither theme music nor just dialogs. Could have done better and with care.

Pick(s) of the album: Tough Choice..

The songs doesn't offer any variety, didn't offer any excitement, didn't appeal. Lyrics also doesn't contain wow factor. This will be one more album that passes by for Thaman and adds to his movie count. Srinu Vytla heavily dependent on comedy, but never had great music in his movies, so for him it doesn't matter. Fans always supported Thaman earlier be it Dookudu or Businessman, so they will support this album. For them it is a genuine hit album. If the movie is hit, the songs will be chart toppers anyways. So everyone except music lovers will have issues with this album. As usual, people feel that my reviews are negative for Thaman, but I cant help it. After 50 movies of Thaman, I still cant find my issues resolved :( :(

Friday, August 1, 2014

Rabhasa Audio Review

Movie: Rabhasa ( రభస )
Music: SS Thaman
Director:  Santosh Srinivas
Producer(s): Bellamkonda Suresh and Bellamkonda Ganesh Babu
Cast: Tarak ( NTR Jr ), Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Pranitha Subhash

Tarak's latest offering is Rabhasa, started in October 2013, this movie audio launch has been getting postponed and finally got released today 1st of August 2014. The movie is slated to release on 14th August 2014, but now seems like finalized to be released on 15th August 2014, on the independence day. They say producers initially started a movie which was sequel to Kandireega but those plans were shelved and decided to do a movie with Tarak and finally titled it as Rabhasa. Even there was some confusion on who was the director ever since movie started as Santosh Srinivas had some health issues, those were too cleared by Koratala Siva that he is not part of this film.

Even in music department there was some confusion as it was thought Anup Rubens would compose music for this film, but finally it was Thaman taking the lead to get into music department. It was thought there would be remix of "Attamadugu vaagulona" from Sr NTR blockbuster movie "Kondaveeti simham" released in 1981. However the audio doesn't have it. may be will have to wait for it or they didnt plan for it not sure.

Coming to Audio, there are absolutely no expectations from Thaman, as he lives upto expectations of delivering same songs. Srimani got bigger share in lyrics department as one song was penned by Ramajogayya Sastry and other was by Ananth Sriram, rest by Srimani. Obviously that song by RJS will be a mix of Hindi, English with few words in Telugu. Coming to Singers, as everyone know and are eagerly waiting to listen to Tarak in a song. In other song there are tons of singers almost 6 of them sang a song. There are 5 songs in the album, guessing they will add the remix later.

Lets review the songs 

1. Maar Salaam
Singer(s): Suchith Suresan
Lyrics: Ramajogaiah Sastry

Guess this is a title song. Starts with some tongue twisting words, then starts the problem with Thaman back in form with his usual template beats, that doesn't have any relation with the start of the song. Wish RJS would have continued with the initial flow rather than HT(Hindi Telugu) words. Suchith Suresan did better than expected, expect for pronouncing ఉండాలి. Thaman was not creating in tunes, he still has issues lack of freshness and each song resembling one or many of his earlier songs, He is not trying to avoid it at all. He still has to get basics in song composing that each song is different. Since title song, its all lecture by RJS of how one needs to be as hero is always a good boy. This song is loud and energetic. Sometimes appears as noise, but it might help to elevate in the movie. With such high energy levels it will be a treat to Tarak's fans. Music wise it doesnt stand tall. Suchith Suresan is only reason to listen to this song.

2. Raakasi Raakasi
Singer(s): Tarak ( NTR Jr )
Lyrics: Srimani

Srimani who wrote decent lyrics in other movies wears a complete mass hat in this album. His lyrics are not what is expected from him. NTR proves he is multi talented, he did better than many professional singers out there. As usual Thaman has nothing to offer in this song too so he used his sound mixer for NTR's voice. The excitement comes from Tarak singing this song, Srimani just filled some words for this song. If not for Tarak this song doesn't have any place.

3. Garam Garam Chilaka
Singer(s): Srikrishna, Deepu, Bindu, Parnika
Lyrics: Srimani

Song starts with typical template music from Thaman. Not sure why he is not getting bored offering same music again and again. May be director/producers are not demanding. Srimani writes perfect mass song. But he should have kept the words of choice in check. He could have avoided many of the words for the half of the song easily. "Jila putti sachentala"  "Love anitchesave o duradala", not sure what these lyricists are thinking. They are for sure thinking in the noise and loudness of the song, these words would not be heard or no one cares? Mass song, strictly for on screen view. Easily avoidable song.

4. Hawa Hawa
Singer(s) : Karthik, Megha
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

When we hear the start of the song, we think did we hear this song else where? Supposed be a romantic duet I guess. But interludes are too loud and noisy. Too crowded there is no pleasantness. I guess Thaman's concept of the song is totally different. He adds whatever sounds he likes in interludes totally unrelated to the song. Did I hear some one say "Check" somewhere in between the song? Not sure its intentional. Anyways Karthik too didn't sound pleasant at places of high pitch. This song didn't sound like Ananth Sriram's song at all. May be I got the info incorrect. This song appeared that Thaman was playing around and experimenting on sounds instead of organizing a song.

5. Dam Damare
Singer(s): Simha, Sooraj Santosh, Nivas, Deepthi Madhuri, Manasa Acharya, Pavani
Lyrics: Srimani

Again one more song that resembles other song that Thaman made earlier. Srimani didnt do well in this movie. He was so so. Song made for Tarak and the team. So many singers in a song not sure who sang what. Thaman's typical singing, shouting is all over the place. The template beats, the saying words all exactly same to same :) Again one another song for on screen rather than audio. Good thing in this album is that Thaman did not alter singers voices as much as he is known for, atleast one less irritating thing for listeners.

Pick(s) of the album: Raakasi, Maar Salaam

This album is once again for Tarak fans, and Thaman met the expectations of music fans out there, by not offering anything new. He is consistent enough and will be. However there is a ray of hope in future as recently I had been to recording of the Paadutaa Teeyaga, where SPB gave some good feedback to Thaman. If Thaman follows that and changes his ways, then there will be good days else we will be hearing the same again and again and he lives upto his name. I cannot say the audio is disaster but one of the low quality albums for Tarak. If the movie goes well, then this music will not be an issue.