Mahanubhavudu Audio Review

Movie:              Mahanubhavudu (మహానుభావుడు)

Producer(s):     V. Vamsi Krishna Reddy

Cast:                Sharwanand, Mehreen Pirzada

Direction:         Maruthi Dasari

Music:              SS Thaman

Sharwanand is always clashing with biggies during the festival season. Last time he was colliding Chiru and Balayya, yet scored a hit. Now its among Mahesh babu and Tarak. And his fans hope this one to do the same. Maruthi after super success with Bhale Bhale magadivoi, did Baabu Bangaram and didnt meet the same result as Bhale Bhale magadivoi. Now he is coming up with combination of Sharwanand naming the movie Mahaanubhaavudu along with Mehreen Pirzada. He roped in Thaman for music which was surprising as lately Thaman is not seen much compared to what he used to be. Probably Thaman has to blame himself for that. However whether this would be a comeback for Thaman or whether he offered routine music, is what everyone interested to know. The initial songs that were released gave a pleasant surprise for sometime before web media went to explore further. But his fans were so happy to see the kind of songs from Thaman. Now since the album is released, lets see how they did. The comparisons with other big albums will be there among fans, but that will not really help any one. 

1. Rendu Kallu

Singer: Armaan Malik

Lyrics: Krishna Kanth

Starts with a nice melody, guitar beats accompanying the tune, but when the singer starts singing it appears it is heard somewhere. As usual Thaman doesnt keep us forgetting his style. Nannu Lagesaye, Oopiraapesaaye, the way he makes singers sing doesnt deviate from his standard template. His style of song making is to make sing in high pitch, stop the singing add instruments to it. So as long as he follows this pattern, the songs will be same. Meghana Meghana and words before and after are slow rap? The tune at times when saying this dominates the words. At one place the voice is not heard. Probably recording could have been done better. First interlude sounds better than the start and the rap. Rendu Kallu Rendu Kallu the way its said is not very pleasant. Krishna Kanth got "Rendu Kallu" and weaved song around that. Armaan Malik as usual got confused with lyrics and makes this song so so.. However this song can be heard for 2nd stanza inspite all these issues. Also I can say this is a decent start for the album. This song appears to be deliberately made a normal song, which otherwise would have been a better song. 

2. Mahaanubhavudu

Singer: Geetha Madhuri, MM Manasi

Lyrics: Krishna Kanth

When this song was released, people got pleasantly surprised looking at the name on this song that this was from Thaman. However immediately people found the source of the song that it was from a KV Mahadevan's composition.  Thaman's fans supported him, saying that he only got heavily inspired from the original source. Questions were, Did he copy, Answer was No, Did he Program it?? Answer was yes. Every song in the album label has a special mention as Programmed & arranged by Thaman S. This is what probably he did for this song. He got the base and then programmed it to different song. Excessive stress on each word to add "Ehhh" makes this song not very pleasant to hear. He also unnecessarily accompanies the singers with instruments at many places this doesn't go well. 

"Dont you wanna come and get me now" is for sure well done and well sung. Coming to singers, One has to understand the word "Mahaanubhaavudu" to sing it well or fit into the tune well. I dont think neither the singer nor music director did. Manasi and Geetha Madhuri combination worked well. Geetha Madhuri had few minor issues, but that gets suppressed by the interludes arranged by Thaman. Again Thaman lacks the skill of making an extraordinary song. He himself limits the song by inducing some small issues into the song. Else this song has every capability to be one of the decent composition from Thaman, even though its heavily inspired or copied. 

3. Kiss Me Baby

Singer(s): Thaman S, Manisha Eerabathini

Lyrics: Krishna Kanth

Thaman singing this song is very unfortunate. He is no professional singer by any means and he sounds so amaeturish in this song. He misses notes in few places. At some places its not singing its reading and added to his not so good voice. Not sure whether its intentional or not. Thaman doesnt forget the auto tuner to this song probably to coverup his mistakes. Manisha doesnt get enough footage, but her presence is felt. He brings in template rhythms, adds in different sounds to make this different. Manisha is Paaduta Teeyaga Product who was a finalist in USA version. Glad to see that she is getting oppurtunities to sing for movies. Even though she is limited in this song and her voice is not really heard. If not Thaman, this song might be heard once or twice. For now this can be easily ignored. 

4. My Love is Back

Singer: Rahul Nambiar

Lyrics: Krishna Kanth

Once again back to typical song making style of Thaman. This song is not so refreshing as others. Appears to be rehashed. Not sure why Thaman is comfortable making songs at this pitch. Not every song can work in that range. Even singers will never be comfortable. Probably thats why he uses AutoTuner. Krishna Kanth got 4 of 6 songs. However he doesnt make much impact. As none of the song stands out in lyrics. Probably this is what the best he can do for the tunes or situations provided to him. Rahul Nambiar as usual lacks the right saying words. The way "My love is back" is definitely heard somewhere. One routine song from Thaman. Not sure what is the back drop of the movie. Thaman at times took classical route along with his routine style of song making. He is good at making song sound stylish with all modern sounds brought into the song, and voices sounding alien to Telugu. Youth are getting caught to this and this style is appealing them. Probably this will catchup with Youth. 

5. Bhamalu Bhamalu

Singer: Nakash Aziz

Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla

Once again Bhaskarabhatla gets to write a song which he is made to be known as good at. The phrase, Pony tail vesukunna domalu, probably fits the situation. Nakash Aziz had the required energy to sing the song. One mass song, with added rhythms, patterns, rightly programmed and arranged by Thaman, this song should appeal on screen than off-screen. This song some how appears as other music director style of composing not typical style of Thaman. Not sure why. But it appeared better. 

6. Eppudainaa

Singer: Swetha Pandit

Lyrics: Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry

Sitarama sastry garu writing a song is anyday better to listen. Even for a routine commercial song, he makes his mark and difference to others. However Thaman has taken no care making this song, neither the singer. She was not comfortable at all singing this song. Her voice was not in comfort zone. This is where Thaman misses to either choose right singers or compose to the singers comfort level. What ever one adds to the song, if singer is not pleasantly heard, the song goes to drain. This shows the capacity of composer and the difference between one who understand the lyrics and who doesnt. Just adding a good tune doesnt help. Her voice is fragile which didnt suit the song. Thaman doesnt fail, in making this song but arranging the song is where he fails. Anyways lately not many understand these issues, so it will appear fine to them. There is no complain about this song other what is said before. Unnecessarily he adds additions to already feeble voice which messes up the overall feel of the song. Having said that Thaman composes this song very differently keeping aside his routine hat. He should be commended for that. 

Pick(s) of the album: Mahanubhaavudu, Eppudainaa

The last album which Thaman made an impact was Jabardast, where he stayed outside his routine stuff and provided different music. Its took so much time to comeback and offer such stuff again. Earlier it was Nandini Reddy who made the impact and probably its Maruthi's turn now. Whatever it is, he still has issues here and there, which needs to be fixed. Else he will have to fade in and fade out like what happened to him lately. Also a music director shouldn't wait for director to make an impact on him. Anyways this album is different to what Thaman usually offers and it should help the movie a lot. 

Jai Lava Kusa Audio Review

Movie:             Jai Lava Kusa (జై  లవ  కుశ )
Producer(s):   Nandamuri KalyanRam
Cast:               N.T.Ramarao(Tarak), Raashi Khanna,Nivetha Thomas
Direction:     K. S. Ravindra
Music:             Devi Sri Prasad

After Janata Garage becoming phenomenal, Tarak tried to start few films with different directors, but eventually they all ended up paving way to this film by K.S.Ravidra ( Power fame ) and rest all went behind either being shelved or delayed. Kalyanram took Social Media route to announce the film and the initial teaser which marked some fantastic eye-expressions from Tarak became viral and raised expectations towards the movie to a different level. Then the teasers followed or the songs released didn't deter the initial feeling that movie created with fans and viewers. 

This movie is all set to be released on 21st September right when Dasara season starts. With Sypder around the corner, this has as much as the vacation to grab the viewers to the movie. All it needs is to meet the expectations that the teaser has set. DSP was roped to provide music. Tarak's earlier combination won many awards in the music department, singing and lyrics department. As usual fans expectation is that this movie will offer nothing below that. Chandrabose got major pie in this movie getting 3 of 4 songs and the remaining song went to Ramajogayya. Chandrabose is not see lately as much as he used to. So he should have given his full to write the lyrics. 

Lets see how the songs go.

1.Raavana
Singer: Divya Kumar
Lyrics: Chandrabose

Chandrabose after long time writes lyrics to a movie. He gets a major pie in the movie, which is surprising. As usual he invents words with hard to find meanings from the overall sentence or song. DSP and Divyakumar didn't take care of the words, as their focus was more on the rigorous tune and aggressive singing. Satruseshana (it should be Satru Saasanaa), Simhasana, Jai Jai Jai, Ramanagara pattanala, sakala janaakarshaka Chandhrabose should have some hidden meaning in many such words. Svairavihaara is one word. There is no Svaira vihaara. Thats words side. Now the tune, this is for sure agressive and electrifying. If one forgets about the words and what it means, This song is definitely foot tapping, catchy and instant appealing. One would keep saying Jai jai Jai. Satrusaasana is not said properly as the singer would have no idea what it means. 

2. Tring Tring
Singers: Jaspreet Jasz & Ranina Reddy
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Ramajogayya as usual writes casual no sense lyrics for a routine commercial songs. He is very good filler to tunes as he is multilingual and he gets his job done effortlessly. DSP comes with a routine template song for this situation in the movie. Probably sensible lyrics ended with Sitarama Sastry garu, who even for a casual commercial duet comes up with something to think about. Of course this generation got used to tune and since no one cares about the lyrics anymore, lyricists are making merry. Jaspreet Jasz's voice is somehow not appealing for Telugu songs. He sounds sometimes sarcastically different. Ranina Reddy does her part . Overall a routine song that needs help from movie.

3. Nee Kallalona
Singer: Hemachandra 
Lyrics: Chandrabose

Lately Hemachandra's singing is not up-to mark. Something happened to his voice over the period of years and he is at times not comfortable singing few lines. He is not himself. Not sure what happened to his singing otherwise a very good singer. Having said enough of the singer, this song should come into the typical quota of good songs DSP offers. Asura Asura bhaga bhaga, was rendered well by Hemachandra. The rhythm added a lot of weight to that. However later the way the same words are said is typical style of DSP where he adds nasal type style to the words. Initially Hemachandra disappoints but later on picks up well with the base voice and ends well. Could have done better.

4. Dochesta
Singer: Nakash Aziz
Lyrics: Chandrabose

Lava, Kusa, a movie title about these and a song about Ravana, suddenly we come hearing about Krishna. Even though it appears totally unrelated as per the title and songs so far, only movie should resolve the connection. mullu annitini Erestaa, this is not E  restaaa.. There is no gap between them. Rangula maatuna rangaalanni is something to note of Chandrabose. When its all about Dochestaa, and the character is assuring I will steal, why in the end everyone has to ask please steal is the question movie should answer if not Chandrabose. Chandrabose added cute Krishna, naughty krishna kind of phrases not sure why? Is it Venna Krishna or Enne Krishna?? Anyway another routine song from DSP. Nakash sounded more like Sagar and the singing style with extra feelings and expressions are typical of DSP. This songs seems an absolutely situational song with many questions that needs to be answered by the movie. This song has the rhythm, catchy words, will grow on repeated hearing. 

Pick(s) of the album: Raavana, Nee Kallalona

DSP came up with a safe venture for this movie. Not sure whats the movie genre is about and why only 4 songs in the album compared to standard 6 is something that movie should answer. With other movies around the corner one from Mahesh, there will be competition and this album will not be in competition to anyone as it played safe. Except for Ravana that will hit listeners instantly others have to grow on multiple hearings. Movie will have to help the songs not the other way round. Hope that will become reality. 

5. Swing Zara

Singer(s): Neha Basin, Devi Sri Prasad

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

After the jukebox is released Lahari, this song was released as a single but the jukebox is not updated. This is probably the latest trend that movie makers are following to keep the buzz around the movie until it hits the release date. This song has an additional attraction as Tamannah Bhatia performing dance to this song in the movie. There is a sentiment going around with the fans that the movie that Tamannah plays a guest appearance, the movie was successful at the box office. Keeping aside all these lets see how the song fared. Whether added value or didn't make any difference. This song is sung by Neha and DSP. Lyrics say that the song will be performed by the lead who is bad. DSP did good saying the stammering words. However matching Tarak would be tough, seems like Tarak mastered the stammering when the trailer was released. Normally when any person stammers, they wouldn't repeat the word again, they would continue. This was done perfectly by Tarak. This song is pretty much routine so called item song. But the difference is that it is situational as the words say. DSP and Neha did well with singing, and DSP did well with the song even though it appears routinel, he added enough variations in between to sound different. I guess they did save the best till the end. 

SPYDER Audio Review

Movie:             Spyder (స్పైడర్ )
Producer(s):   N. V. Prasad,Tagore Madhu,Manjula Swaroop
Cast:               Mahesh Babu,Rakul Preet Singh,S. J. Surya
Direction:       AJ Murugadoss
Music:            Harris Jayraj

Lyrics:            Ramajogayya Sastry

AJ Murugadoss has a tremendous track record from Tagore to Ghazini to Thuppaki. He is teaming with Mahesh and SJ Surya who plays antagonist (a director by himself) in this bi-lingual film called Spyder.( not Spider ) as its a Spy Thriller. This movie is slated to be released on 27th September to cash in Dasara vacation crowd. As per the latest trend the songs are released one by one and finally the jukebox getting released with an event. This probably brings more cash to producers and also the publicity. So far its working well.

Mahesh babu's fans are eagerly waiting for this thriller as they are in need of a success after latest debacle in the form of Brahmotsavam. They are hoping that their hero will bounce back with this film.

Being a bi-lingual film, obviously as Murugadoss has earlier worked with Harris Jayraj before, he was roped in to provide music again for this movie too. Ramajogayya Sastry got a single card for this movie as he wrote all 4 songs. This album as as many as songs and one theme track. Lets see how songs did.  

1) Boom Boom
Nikhita Gandhi

Seems like title song. Everything about the lead character.  Only if one can understand what Ramajogayya Sastry wrote and what Nikita Gandhi sang. Some rhyming words here and there and some repeated words here and there, the lyricist figured out this can make a hit song. This song appears like a break song not in the terms of tuning, but the sentence broken into pieces to make it sound different. Song sounds alien to Telugu, but Spider is not. Harris Jayraj provides electrifying interludes to compensate the issues of the song so far. Hogwarts is an imaginary school of witchcraft ( Singer sounded like Hogwards ) . This contradicts what is said that hero can do so far. Or its hinted that Hero is a witch in this movie or he has some powers like Harry Poter? Movie will tell. Tayyarai (తయ్యారై), The singer sounded it like తయ్య రాయ్.  No need to wonder, these kinds of issues are to be ignored in this album. Lately when few movies are made multi lingual the issues in songs is clearly visible like this one. Bottom line, they sound alien to Telugu. But that shouldnt deter the listeners mainly fans. They could just go for the tune Harris provided, which will appeal to them. 

2) Ciciliya Ciciliya
Hari Charan & Sakthi Shree

This song sounds different right from the start. Goru Vecha is not two different words. Not sure when singers will understand Telugu songs. Each word have its own meaning. Lyricists like RJS claim that they take utmost care to see words are said right, but we dont see the effort at all. Harris infuses the tap dance style in between. Then get backs to the original style. Sakthi Sree when singing the first charanam after Haricharan lines, sounds odd. " naa deha desam nee sparsa kosam, nee chilipi mosam its OK mousam" BTW what RJS did to write these lines, defined the words kosam, mousam and added desam?? Crazy.. The interludes are done differently by Harris. The word cicilia and the instruments attached to this word are good to listen. Pandora poolu, This song has mix of many styles of music, rightly mixed and it sounds good. And the ciciliya is catchy and gets hooked instantly to listeners. However Ramajoggayya sastry known for bringing in the catchy phrases that youth can get hooked up uses many such phrases, but overall what they mean to the song is really what people look for and its hard to find something in these lyrics other than filling up with some catchy phrases. Like Pandora Puvvulu, gunde window, pedavanchu samaram, chekumuki muddulu,  Individually these are technically right, but how they make upto a complete sentence into a meaningful lyric is a question. Having said that, this song is catchy and will catch-up instantly. 

3) Haali Haali

Brijesh Tripati Sandilya, Harini & Jogi Sunitha

Putchakaya, putchakaya, what a start of the song. This song reminds few other songs. Not sure this is intentional. Atleast in first charanam, it appears like rehash. The surprise element of this song is that both singers couldn't say "Chunni" they said Chuni. There has to be same lyric provided to both songs or the origin of the issue might be same. Ramajogayya Sastry garu, when criticized by MM Keeravani, justified that people are not making them write good lyrics so they are not able write to inspite of having abundant talent. This song needs one more justification from the lyricist. This song not only sounds alien to Telugu, the words used are too funny. There is a saying that the choice of words defines the standard of the lyricist. He has a fetish on "Dindu". Earlier in Kabali as talagada and now as dindu.. :) :) Coming to singers, they made this song sound as much as non-native as they can. Purely the lyrics have to be ignored if one has to like this song. Which is not possible while listening Telugu song, so better to listen to Tamil version if one likes the tune. Not to bring in any new controversy, but this is unfortunate fact, as the way singers sang, its better that way instead of feeling different after listening to song in Telugu.

4) Achcham Telugandam
Pravin Saivi, Christopher Stanley & Sathya Prakash

Acham Telugandam the way it is said, people loose interest on Telugu. A lyric that has other than this word, doesn't have anything beyond that as this is typical Tenglish words. One can learn different measuring instruments from this song. This goes with that formula of explaining these instruments to measure different things. Not sure why to write the song as Acham Telugu beauty when nothing  sounds Telugu in this song. Probably song is little Telugu when Satya Prakash sings this song. Confucius, mysterious, gorgeous, Obscurus. Sounds like an English person's reaction watching a Telugu lady. Seems like Lyricist has referred to lot of Harry porter literature before writing these songs. Forced accent and details of instruments will not make this song appeal. But not sure these days anything on repeated hearing is working. This might too.

5)  Spyder On Mission
Harris Jayaraj

Theme music nothing much to say. Something related to title music and short bit. 

Pick(s) of the album: Ciciliya Ciciliya

This album is for sure not an instant hit. Might grow on repeated listening as with all latest movies. Harris tried to provide different music. People might get it as a different album. However this song miserably fails on lyrical department and also singing department. These two being critical departments probably let down Harris Jayraj, not sure whether he had choice to choose different persons in these departments. This movie has enough craze in fans and non-fans not sure how they embrace these songs. Probably movie will change the fate of these songs. Since its bi-lingual, people can try different route too. However Harris Jayraj has very limited success rate in Telugu as a whole, sometimes even though music worked, the movie failed miserably, sometimes even though movie worked, his music didn't work. Hope this movie will be the later scenario.