Autonagar Surya - Audio Review

Movie: Autonagar Surya ( 2014 ) - ఆటోనగర్ సూర్య 

Music: Anoop rubens

Director: Deva Katta

Producer(s): RR Movies

Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Samantha

Deva katta's much anticipated and delayed movie Autonagar Surya is all set to be released. He made a great impact on Telugu audience with his earlier movie Prasthanam. His first movie Vennela made in 2005 was a huge success. His earlier two movies were helped by Mahesh Shankar in music department, however this time he signed up Anoop Rubens for this latest offering. This movie even though started in December 2010, took a while due to financial issues, but somehow made light to be released on 7th February 2014.

The lead pair Naga Chaithanya and Samantha gave a runaway hit "Ye Maaya Chesava" a goutam menon's movie. This is Naga Chaitanya's 7th movie, which as per industry sentiment supposed to be a milestone in his career. 

Anoop Rubens hit gold by three movies in a row, Bheemavaram Bullodu, Heart Attack and this movie. He also signed "Manam" movie starring Akkineni family.  Though debuted way back, Anoop is yet to make a mark in Telugu Music Industry. With these chances will need to see whether he will improve his market or stay where he was. Ananth Sriram wrote 3 songs in this movie, which is good to know. Rest are supported by Deva katta, Kandikonda and Rahman. Singers are not much notable and Anoop took major pie in singing department too. Lets see how songs fared.

1. Time Enta Raa   

Singer(s): Vijay Prakash 

Lyricist: Ananth Sriram 

In the name of variety if same variety is followed in every movie/song, then the variety is gone and becomes routine. Then the song with routine variety, will appear so dumb and will be a huge turn off. This song is perfect example of that. Also this song proves how one can ruin such a well made song in the name of variety. Here the variety is putting singers voice in voice changer or voice synthesizer. May be after few years, singers cease to exists and machine might take over. Listener never tend to listen to a machine, we all tend to listen to natural voices. Hope Telugu industry recognizes this fact.

Having said that, coming to the song, Anup started of the song promising, the chorus, rhythm, prelogue, all set for a right take off, but then after couple of lines and interlude, the song is taken and thrown away from the moment singer says Ammayo.. We have to say Ayyayyo.. Ananth Sriram maintains his standards, doesn't get justice to what he wrote. This song needs the feel of singer which doesn't exists as it is take over by alien within. This song appeals here and there but false voice takes away that feeling. Anyways that's how the songs are these days, cant help much. 

2. Mancheli  

Singer(s): Anoop Rubens 

Lyricist: Rahman

Now Anoop Rubens sings this song for himself. As every other music director singer, he too is not different. This is a melody that Anoop composed with song revolving around the word Mancheli. This will let listeners hum along, the beats let them tap their foot. Again the naturality in the song is gone for toss and Anoop sings typical singing style of breaking words, adding accent to it and on top added voice effect. Not sure why these music directors are fascinated with this style of singing. Anoop seems to be having good grip over guitar. Rahman added simple words for this romantic melody. Any romantic melody should have the feel, emotion, involvement of the singer, which should make the listeners involve into it. Somehow this is missing in this song. Yet again another song well made and well ruined. 

3. Autonagar Brahmi   

Singer(s): Brahmanandam, Venu Madhav, Anoop Rubens, Sai Charan, Amrutha Varshini, Pranathi 

Lyricist: Ananth Sriram 

Brahmi is Brahmi, whether it is Autonagar or not. Since he has lent his voice too, this will sure let audience into splits. Yet another song with voices put in changer. Why this false voice and false accent, only movie makers should know. Venu Madhav, Bemmi, and others give voices to the words made around a rhyming pattern. Song is made for the film only the pitcurization will help. Song wise nothing much to say. 

4. Sura Sura   

Singer(s): Chaitra, Anoop Rubens, Santhosh, Ramki 

Lyricist: Ananth Sriram

Anoop should stop this style of making songs, else he will be soon written off. All song so far sounded same, Chaitra's voice is not heard lately, Good to hear her, but this song doesnt allow us to hear her. Alas her voice is changed too. Anoop is trying something different in each song, but he is not able to present them well. Somehow he is ruining his well made songs. This song would have sounded lot better if he would have let it go naturally. He shows some flashes in this song, but it doesn't appeal the way it is supposed to be. Again people really dont get what is Telugu, పరవశం is one word not two. If I start listing this will never end. So better to stop and go to next song 

5. Hyderabad Biryani  

Singer(s): Rithu Patak 

Lyricist: Kandikonda 

Kandikonda got a word Super Untaadi, then lists what all he thinks is super. Item song, so it is fine for this type of formula based songs. This song offers what all is required for an item song, typical beats, pace, energy, different voice, chorus. Again another song for on-screen.

6. Ayudham   

Singer(s): Deva Katta, Siddarth, Raghu 

Lyricist: Deva Katta 

Seems like title song. Base voice was a struggle for singers. Deva katta wrote this song. He knows what this movie is about and guess tried to convey about that. First song was about time, this song also says time is weapon, even though it says many things are weapon. Guess somethings are related. 

7. Autonagar Surya Theme   

Singer(s): Anoop Rubens 

Lyricist: Anoop Rubens 

Theme music is good as not much voice in the song other than few guys trying to say Autonagar Surya

Pick(s) of the album: Mancheli, Sura Sura ( Adjustments here and there are required though)

Telugu Film industry is in dire scarcity of good music directors. MD's like Manisharma, Keeravani, Chakri, KMRadhakrishna and others were set aside saying they are outdated, DSP is busy cannot make every movie, Thaman is repetitive, if he makes one movie it will be same as every other movie in that year. So Anoop, Mickey J Meyer and others have great chances of grabbing greater share if they utilize the opportunity in a right way. However these music directors have lost track of what is Telugu song about. Past couple of years, it has gone to a low that they don't know where to start and where to end. This movie album perfectly proves that the confused state of movie makers. Even good names are not able to provide good music. Anoop though he did a decent job, seems like he is confused the way he wanted to present the songs.  Movie makers need to understand and avoid the artificiality in the songs. Then only a song can live, else it will die before it sees the world. Anyways All the best for the movie.

Tanu Monne Vellipoyindi - Audio Review

Movie:           Tanu Monne Vellipoyindi ( 2014 ) - తను మొన్నే వెళ్ళిపోయింది 
Music:            Chakri 

Director:        Vamsy

Producer(s):  Poorna Naidu Productions, Shreeyas Chitra

Cast:               Ajmal, Nikita Narayanan

Director Vamsy has a unique place in history of Telugu Film. His movies have cult following and is worshiped by many Telugu film lovers, actors and Telugu film fraternity. His unique way of story telling, picturization has made a special place in history of Telugu film making. Not only his special way of writing screen play, the music in his movies have created wonders. 

His association with Maestro Ilayaraja has produced some gems of songs. Their combination is one of the best director-music director association in the history of cinema. They have som much deep understanding that we hear many stories about that. However, after series of wonderful movies, he took a break and started his second innings with "Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru" This movie not only recreated his magic, but found chakri who gave the music that was compared to Vamsy's style of music. This movie went on to become a huge hit and Vamsy gave few more movies, but could never reach the standards once he set for himself. He tried music with Ilayaraja with Anumanaspadam, but there after stuck with Chakri for most of his other movies since his comeback.

What makes Vamsy movies so special is all can be understood when we hear music in his earlier moveis. Just closing eyes and listening to couple lines of any song, one can easily tell that it is from one of Vamsy's movies. That's the impact he created on audience. That is the power of Vamsy. His movie always had outstanding for music, lyrics and quality. However as time goes and things started subsiding, yet each time his movie is released, his fans has some hope to get back to the olden memories at least in the name of the new movie. 

This movie marks as 25th movie in his more than 3 decades of film career. Also this marks as 100th movie of Chakri. 

Praveen Lakms who has earlier written couple of songs for Vamsy's Saradaaga kasepu, got chance to write entire songs for this movie. This movie has 5 songs and one being second version of other song. Lets see how the songs are without any late.

01 – Tholi Choopuke Ne Padipoya 
Singer(s): Karthik, Kousalya 
Lyrics: Praveen Lakma

Karthik and Kousalya start a standard template song of Vamsy's style. This tune is beaten tune. Kousalya strangely during the start itself had to struggle a bit. The chorus, interludes are derived from standard template. Karthik surprisingly sounded dull. Praveen's lyrics are decent. This song will heavily depend on Vamsy's picturization. This will help the speciality that Vamsy has for picturizing the songs. Felt like that this song basically missed the soul and energy.  

02 – My Dear (Version1)
Singer(s): Sudhamayi
Lyrics: Praveen Lakma

Another Vamsy template song from Chakri. Sudhamayi's vocal is added with some special effects. My dear raa, the ending raa is Vamsy's typical style which will help him add his gimmicks in the songs. Praveen has met the standards of Vamsy's songs. He did decent job again. Chakri tried to provide some variations in interludes for otherwise standard song. This song will grow on listeners once movie is released. This song has nothing special to offer but doesn't disappoint. Chakri could have let singer's natural voice to be listened.

03 – Subhame Sumame  
Singer(s):  Karthik, Kousalya
Lyrics: Praveen Lakma

Karthik and Kousalya once again paired up for a rehashed song. Chakri absolutely doesn't have anything to offer other than wrapping up in new cover and presenting to listeners so that it appears new. Praveen again did a decent job. Karthik and Kousalya again are not upto the mark. They could have done better. Vamsy's help is again needed here.

04 – You Are My Love 
Singer(s):  Krishna Chaitanya, Sudeeksha
Lyrics: Praveen Lakma

Chakri offered something different in this song, Not Vamsy's style but this song will help with different set of audience. The young neice of Chakri, Sudeeksha has sung this song. The immature voice is obvious from her age, but singing wise she doesn't have any issues. She with krishna Chaitanya have done a decent job. This song is made different, the trailer shows the female lead is all covered up which marks specialty of Vamsy. This song is catcy, foot tapping, stylish and different. Praveen wore a different cap writing this song.

05 – Nuvvevaro Nenevaro 
Singer(s): Kousalya
Lyrics: Praveen Lakma

This song could be situation based. Has nothing special in this song. Chakri added different things including gangnam style, techno style music, but doesn't help the song. Many things are is lacking in this song. Didnt sound good at all. can easily skip this song.

06 – My Dear (Version 2) 
Singer(s):  Kousalya
Lyrics: Praveen Lakma

Different version of initial song #2, My dear. Kousalya always had special place in Chakri's album by getting major share in the album. Getting that opportunity doesnt help her or the album. She misses energy, power, makes things very simple thus not helping the song much. The problems in original version exists in this song too..

Pick(s) of the album: Tholi Choopuke, You are my love.

This album proves the declining path of music in Vamsy's movies. Chakri couldn't recreate the magic. Singers didn't help Vamsy. Clearly the soul of Vamsy's music is missing from this album. Chakri guess remains as initial wonder who surprised everyone, but over the period of the time he could not sustain. This album for Vamsy's fans will be a huge disappointment, but give the latest times where in general music is on the downtrend, this doesn't come as surprise. Vamsy Sir, we miss your music, but you have given enough for the life, so we will happily live with that, is what his fans feel listening to this album. Now it all depends upon how Vamsy makes this movie whether he still has the magic or not, whether movie becomes huge success or not, time will tell. All the best Vamsy Sir.. 

Emo Gurram Egaravachu - Audio Review

Movie: Emo Gurram Egaravachu ( 2014 ) - ఏమో గుర్రం ఎగురవచ్చు

Music: MM Keeravani

Director: Chandra Siddhartha

Producer(s): Pudhota Sudheer Kumar

Cast: Sumanth, Savika Chaiyadej

Sumanth's latest movie titled "Emo Gurram Egaravachu" is said to be a romantic comedy. He has been low at box-office after two below average movies Raaj and daggaraga dooramgaa. His latest movie is with sensible director Chandra Sidhartha ( Aa naluguru fame ) who earlier made a movie with Sumanth called Madhumasam which was a run away hit. Hope this combination brings in another hit to either of them. Sumanth is seen in a female getup which is been quite a while in Telugu movies. The female lead Pinky Chaiyadej is a Thai actress/singer/model.

This movies takes credit of release a telugu movie first time in Bangkok. MM keeravani composed music for this movie. No introduction is necessary for this name. He is not seen much these days, and its good to see his name again for a non family commercial movie. Chaitanya prasad got major share in lyrics and Keeravani helped writing the rest. Singers are from his standard team. Nothing good/bad surprises. Emo Gurram egaravachu is a phrase that is quite common in Andhra Pradesh. Having this as a title to movie shows what the director is about. Hope this movie made good songs, lets listen and see how they fared.

1. Neelavenini yedipinchina bullabbai

Lyricist : Chaithanya Prasad

Singer : Rahul Sipligunj

Typical Keeravani start of a song. Nice tune to start the album and a song after Vel signature tune. Song slowly picks up the rhythm and instruments add to the song. Interludes are perfect sync with the melody and sets up the mood of the song. Chaitanya Prasad wrote some decent lyrics. Keeravani known for best usage of violin does it again in interlude. However this song doesnt sound fresh, remind earlier songs of Keeravani. The only weakest link is Rahul. నువ్వు ఏడూ మల్లెల ఎత్తు అని ఇష్టం గా మొయ్యన, Keeravani should have taken care of not sounding as "నువ్వు ఏడూ" then the rest. Somehow this song though well made doesn't hit the right chord with listener. Appears something missing.

2. Bharatam pattina naatyam

Lyricist : Chaithanya Prasad

Singer : Rahul Sipligunj

Is this song with Sumanth in female getup? Rahul singing in different tones could be the reason.Another standard feel good song from Keeravani. He made it quite simple and yet got what he want. Chorus, instuments, singer, all helped him in the process. Chiaitanya Prasad didnt go overboard in writing this song, except for couple of words here and there which should be fine. This song should get help on screen. Overall a nice song that can be enjoyed.

3. Salahaalivvoddu

Lyricist : Chaithanya Prasad

Singer : Prudhivi Chandra

keeravani comes up with another signature tune added with satirical lyrics from Chaitanya prasad makes this song good to listen. Prudhivi Chandra did a decent job in singing this song. Bullabbayi ki salahaalivvodu sounds very good. The song has energy, satire and rhythm, added by good interludes, this song comes out from Keeravani's storage box to be well received. Chorus did really good.

4. Bull boy.. What's ur problem.?

Lyricist(s): Prudhivi Chandra, MM Keeravaani

Singer : Ramya Behara

Bullabbayi becomes Bull Boy?? Though the start of the song reminds many other songs, Ramya behara surprises us with her voice modulation. Then after though the tunes are nothing refreshing, she makes a clear mark. Her accent could be demanded by Keeravani. There are some issues in terms of the breaking up the words that sounds different, kattu baatlanni, sounds like cats bats. Ramya is the difference in the song else, it’s nothing much in terms of lyrics and tune.

5. Maid in India

Lyricist : Chaithanya Prasad

Singer : Ramya Behara

Ramya sounds so different in this song that is made up from different songs. Chaitanya Prasad who so far wrote some decent lyrics I guess ran out of imagination or words should have avoided writing some lines like వంగ దీసి గుద్దిన for other than nice song. This is the issue with current generation, they lack consistency. Keervani picked up nice tunes. Ramya again did an excellent job.

6. Bullabbaayini yedipinchina neelaveni

Lyricist : MM Keeravaani

Singer : Revanth

Revanth is always part of the team Keeravani has. He started off well in this extension song of pathos for the song #1 Neelaveni. He strained on higher notes, but other wise this rendering is good. He got the feel and energy. Violin again played major role. Not a standard length song, but Revanth did decent job.

7. Yennisaarlaina

Lyricist : MM Keeravaani

Singer(s) : Ramya Behara, Yamini

Seems like this movie entirely revolves around bullabbayi. Keeravani this time chose a different path to compose this song. Since he wrote and composed the song, both go hand in hand unlike other songs. Again one more short length song, but singers make it good to listen.

8. Boorela buttaloo padda gurram

Lyricist : MM Keeravaani

Singer(s) : Rahul Sipligunj, Prudhivi Chandra, Ramya Behara, Revanth, Yamini & more

Title song. Yemo gurram egaravachu is all that was in this song that is less than half a minute. By the time the song is felt this is complete. May be the signature tune of the movie. Whatever it is it sounded very well. Normally titles of the song are first two words of the song, quite interestingly the titles and songs are different. Definitely a good experiment of Chandra Sidhartha.

Pick{s} of the album: This is a feel good album. Every song has something to offer.

Keeravani lately has been limited to his family owned movies or devotional albums or some entirely different genres that others cannot offer music to those movies. His last major movie that doesnt fall into the above categories is Dammu. This shows how he has cut down movies or no one is offering him movies. This album is a nice feel good album which goes steady with few melodies and some interesting songs.

The only issue and impact that even this album has is that changing tunes are changing telugu words all togather. When music directors like Keeravani himself cannot avoid, this is very difficult for others. Chaitanya Prasad could have been more consistent. Ramya was a surprise. Other singers did decent job, but could have done better. Chandra Sidhartha once again proved why he is sensible director. All the best for the movie.

Uyyala Jampala - Audio Review

Movie:           Uyyala Jampala ( 2013 ) - ఉయ్యాలా జంపాలా 
Music:            Sunny MR

Director:        Virinchi Varma

Producer(s):  Ram Mohan P, D Suresh Babu and Akkineni Nagarjuna

Cast:               Raj Tarun, Avika Gor

Producer of sensible and successful movies Ashta Chamma and Golconda High School, has combined hands with two biggies of Film Industry Suresh productions and Annapurna Studios to offer his latest venture called Uyyala Jampala. The trailer released some time ago was a pleasant surprise not only in the form of content, but also interms of cast. Raj Tarun who is known for youtube viewers for his numerous short films, seeing him as a lead for this movie was very pleasant to see. Then the female lead Avika Gor known for TV viewers for her role in Baalika Vadhu ( Chinnari pellikooturu ) and then with fantastic village back drop, a cute short scene on female lead has instantly caught audience attention. The movie is based on relationship of bava maradalu, which again fascinates Telugu audience. With producers background and sensitivity, the movie is expected to create wonders. Ram Mohan's earlier movies were musical hits too. Ashta Chamma's songs were heard for much more longer time than the normal life of any telugu movie in terms of songs. With all these positives obviously the songs and the movie created interest among viewers/listeners alike. 

Sunny MR made debute in Telugu Film Industry with "Swamy Ra Ra" and this is his second film in Telugu. With his first movie he showed some promise and said he is going to stay here. Need to see how he composed music with such huge expectations for this movie. There are 5 songs in this album and most of the names associated to the lyrics and singing are less heard in Telugu. Himabindu and Deepu lent their voice for a song. Sunny sang a song and there is a Hindi song too which was sung by Arijit Singh. Major pie in lyrics went to Vasu Valaboju again a less heard name.

With all positives about the movie, lets see how music did.

01 –  "Uyyalaina Jampalaina"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju

Singer(s): Harshika Gudi, Anudeep Dev

Uyyala Jampala are such a fascinating words for telugu audience as they have great memories woven around these two words togather. Have to mention the positives of the song before going further as Sunny did a commendable job.  The lyrics are very decent. However the lyrics were not done justice is sad part for the lyricist. Sunny has provided a slow rhythmic melody with interludes are so perfect and the foot tapping rhythm accompanying the song perfectly, appears a great feel good song. The song catches slowly and ends on a great note. All this is based on tune composition. The singers doesn't have problems with singing as such. The title of the movie and song with this is a great start. 

However this song is perfect classic example of the current sad state of Telugu music. A Telugu song is best known for the words and its bhaavam ( meaning ). The melody of words in terms of music is what Telugu song is about. Lately in the name of trendy catchy music, in the name of appealing the audience is going in some direction which is getting beyond control and someone needs to bring it where it belongs to. The singing has been so alien to Telugu that the words has lost the nativity and the meaning is gone for toss. 

This song is well made, but what hurts is the singing. The composition stands out as top class but the tune and words doesn't match there by lost its soul. This song will be good to listen and watch, but audience cannot croon it as words are broken to fit the music. Few examples "నీతో ఊ   గమని "  "ని  చూపులే "  "స్వయం"   "వరం " ,  "న పై  పడే " "న గుండెలో" "న ఊహలో "  "చెయ్ చాస్తే" "చందా మామ", "పొయెదె  ముంది " "రెపంటు" "మ పంటు" "ఉండా  లిగా "  " న పాదమే" "ఎద లా". Once cannot break these words or cut short the words or give space between them. This reverts back the feel that song has created as listener tries to assemble the words. Thats' all about the synatax of the song. Since listeners got used to these type of songs having said all things, this song is done much better and if picturization helps, viewers will forget the issues with the song.

02 – "Lapak Lapak Ayipothundi"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju

Singer(s): Harshika Gudi, Bindu, Deepu

I guess this song is between the lead who want to irritate female lead by pretending that he is in love with some one. A teasing song probably, as the mood of the song says that. This song is a typical Ram mohan types. He is fascinated with vintage music in the contemporary times. In ashta chamma the song "Hello antu pilichi" was so well made song. In that lines, this song doesn't stand out as such but will impress to some extent. Since a situational song this will be enjoyed on the screen. Ram mohan/Virinchi needs to be appreciated for having this type of songs in the movies. This slow melodious song will appeal on the screen. Deepu and Himabindu will take care of issues with words that earlier song had. They did justice to the song along with Harshika. Could be an enjoyable song on screen. People might enjoy this after seeing on screen.

03 – "Nijamga Idi Nenenaa"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju, Rambabu Gosala

Singer(s): Harshika Gudi, Sunny MR

Another vintage song. The start of the song is so interesting, though it doesn't appear fresh once the song starts. The instruments kind of dominate the singer. This style of saying Nijamgaa has been dominant now a days with every other singer. Harshika could have said the words openly, lacks clarity. Sunny once again did great on this song too, except for instruments dominating the singers. The western folk is nicely made for this telugu native song. Chorus is well mixed with instruments. The subtle play of instruments in later half of the songs is also well made. Alaap and instruments were kind of competing at one stage. With small issues, this song doesn't go where it belong to. Could have been well made.

04 – "Mana Bandham"  

Lyricist: Vasu Valaboju

Singer(s): Sunny MR

Pathos needs not only the tune, but the words too and an expression. Except for these two, the song again is well made. Vasu Valaboju has done a good job in lyrics department, keeping everything simple, yet communicative, but its music department wasted the lyrics. Sunny comes out as winner as composer, but fails as a singer. Not in terms of singing the tune in shruti, but in terms of expressing the mood of the song. He needs to realize what nativity means. 

05 – "Der Tak Chala (Hindi)"  

Lyricist: Ashish Pandit

Singer(s): Arijit Singh

Not sure what this song is about in a movie having Telugu nativity as back drop. May be used as a background song for some scenes. Seems an extension of song #4. This song is another nice composition from Sunny, which suits better in Hindi than Telugu. This shows the tunes are not made for Telugu, Tunes are just made and trying to use them where ever possible. Whatever is the history, this song is good to listen irrespective of movie.

Pick(s) of the album: Lapak Lapak, Nijamgaa Idi Nenenaa, Der tak Chalaa

Rammohan clearly misses the magic of earlier movies, if not at-least the initial movie he made. Sunny MR on other hand doesn't have any issues with the composition of songs, but the issue is how they are presented to audience. Sunny MR if he would have taken care of the issues here and there, this album would have done lot better than expected. This album is classic example of changing times, which is not appreciated by traditional music conservatives as it creates fear among them of loosing the glory of the Telugu song. It is very unfortunate that this happened even with big production houses are associated with this movie.

The reason I guess is that either producers/directors are fine with this style of presentation as audience don't care anymore or they are not present at recording to take care of such issues, These are the days when Music director or lyricists are not available most of the time during recording to see whats going on. SPB in one of recent Padutaa teeyaga said that when he sang for Greekuveerudu, the music director gave instructions over phone how to change style of pronouncing the song. Good luck to Telugu songs and Telugu movies. Hope someone will revive as life goes in full circles and until then, this album should not have any issues.