Rebel - Audio Review

Rebel (2012) - Music Review

Movie: Rebel (2012)
Music/Direction: Raghava Lawrence
Cast: Prabhas, Tamanna, Deeksha Seth

There has been a wait for a Prabhas movie after his last venture Mr. Perfect which was successful movie. This movie was announced in 2011 and had been many changes in the team since then. Initially it was Anushka who was supposed to play female lead, however after she backed out due to date conflicts, it was Tamanna who stepped in her shoes.

Then SS Thaman who was initially announced as to be the music director, then when he moved out, Lawrence himself took this additional task apart from Choreography, screenplay and direction of this movie. The film is being produced by J. Bhaghawan and J. Pulla Rao under Sri Balaji Cine Media banner. The film is scheduled to release worldwide on September 28, 2012.

Lawrence has been projected and known as mass movie maker. His movie always had content which pleases masses. He has done in past with Nagarjuna, then himself and after taking a break from himself, he is now directing Prabhas who after Mr. Perfect movie has been known as the same. If Lawrence is working in a movie, the songs and movie has to be tagged as mass appealing. Prabhas had great musical hits in past with Devi Sri Prasad, however lets see how Lawrence Mass mania helps Prabhas, not only in the music also with the movie. There are 5 songs in the album, out of which one is remix, limiting the songs to be just 4. This is pretty unconventional. So the movie should either accommodate for another 10 minutes or the length might be reduced by 8-10 minutes.

The lyrics department is shared ( cannot say shared ) as Ramajogayya Sastry(RJS) got 3 out of 4 songs. He spared one song to Bhaskarabhatla. RJS with Prabhas is noted for his song "Amma leru Nanna leru" from Ek Niranjan. Lets see if had given any popular songs, whether Lawrence could appeal masses with his songs in this movie.

01. Keka
Artist(s): Lloyd Paul, Satyan
Lyricist: Ramajogayya Sastry

Lawrence might have decided that Thaman might have walked out from the movie, but the music should not. He did exactly similar to what would Thaman might have given as songs for this movie. This song goes more like an experimentation to find what is all available on the keyboard and make them into a song. Whats the meaning of Keka? Excellent, Mind blowing Extraordinary anni kalipite keka. This could have been words of Lawrence, where his typical style of ending a song with his screen presence saying few words. Ramajogayya sastry not sure how much time he had spend to write this song. He could have done without much energy and time. Lawrence choreography will add to this song and may be music is not required.

02. Deepali
Artist(s): Karthik, Priya Hemesh, Divya
Lyricist: Ramajogayya Sastry

Song starts with a kid saying "Uncle manasu chaala manchidi, akkanu baaga choosukuntaaru", then the song starts with beats heard many times and karthik starts singing similar tune that was heard many times.Holi, Diwali finally ends in Deepali. Lawrence shifts gears and goes somewhere with this song. Karthik has been the only saving grace now a days for many albums and he is for this too. The song by the time the listener catches up, is complete. Appears to be a short song but not, this is normal length.

03. Google
Artist(s): Andrea, Sravana Bhargavi
Lyricist: Bhaskarabhatla

Not sure why singers, directors choose to present song with fake accent. It sounds really horrible.( ఉంటాడా ) The tune/rhythm of the song might have been heard many many times, so they choose to present in different way which is with a different accent and doesn't go well at all. Bhaskarabhatla made sure he can write better than Chandrabose with sub-standard lyrics. Did I hear సచ్చినోడా? God save Telugu Lyrics.

04. Orinayano
Artist(s): Malathi, Vijay Prakash
Lyricist: Ramajogayya Sastry

Malathi who is known for singing popular item songs, he chosen for this song. Has "Rebel" in the song, so might be the title song. Lawrence has complete mass beats and pace. This is typical of Lawrence song and on the screen one can expect the exact steps from Prabhas which are patented to Lawrence. This song is for more on screen than to hear.Again Ramajogayya doesnt have to do anything other than go with the tune.

05. Excellent Ne Figure (Remix)
Artist(s): Nakash
Lyricist: Ramajogayya Sastry

Is it N. Akash or Nakash who sang this song, He sings in Baba Sehgal style. A remix of Keka. Again Nakash voice is mixed in different styles. Torapadi torapadi song chesesi nattundi as the song depicts. Nothing much to say on this song. Is it made on a lighter note not sure.

Pick(s) of the album: Deepali

Prabhas for sure has ventured different by taking up this movie. Need to see how his "different" help him in his career. Lawrence has taken this challenge to venture into music department, wearing a different hat might have given himself what he wanted. Have to wait to see how many would have liked this songs either listening to them or watching them on the big-screen.

Yeto Velli Poyindi Manasu - Audio Review

 Yeto Velli Poyindi Manasu (2012)  - Music Review

Movie:          Yeto Velli Poyindi Manasu (2012)

Director:      Goutham Vasudev Menon

Music:          Maestro Ilayaraja

Cast:            Nani, Samantha

Yeto Velli Poyindi Manasu by Goutham Vasudev Menon is a trilingual movie which casts Nani and Samantha in Telugu. Goutham Menon's last movie "Yem Maaya Chesave" was a huge musical and run away hit in Telugu. His movies fall in a different genre. Having a typical narration gives artistic touch to the movies. His characters play important role contributing to the success.

This movie is named after famous song of Ninne Pelladata. Goutham is known to have a great musical taste. The movie trailers talked huge about the music of this movie. And he projected this as a musical movie too by teaming up with Ilayaraja set the expectations very high. Ilayaraja though worked about 950 odd movies and composed around 5000 songs, his music treasure is never empty. He tries to give ever all it needs is to ask. With Goutham kind of directors who knew what they want, people will not accept anything but a hearing feast. Musical lovers who have been waiting for this album to unveil, the time has come and lets see how this album meets the expectations.

This movie has 8 songs, Surprisingly Ilayaraja and Yuvan Shankar Raja had sung a song each. Karthik gets a major pie which should be better for the album. This album has  Hungarian National Philharmonic involved in playing the music, the album talks why this is required.

One a side note, though a Telugu Movie, none of the singers are Telugu Singers. Telugu Film Industry has to seriously think about this. Though art doesn't have barriers, few things has to be done by native people to do the justice or some one who has command over the language. All the music talent shows aired on TV are getting no where other than just wasting some air-time.

1 - Yedhi Yedhi

Singer(s) : Shaan, Ramya NSK

Guitar can never go wrong in mesmerizing audience when Raja is at the helm. This guitar tune was played in trailers and tels us what is Raja all about one can imagine. What a melody from Raja Sir. Perfect dictionary for who want to compose melodies. slowly starts by lead singer, then the guitar picks up and accompanies the singer, beats add in and the smooth, soft rendering with right mood, tune so pleasant to hear. Everything kept so simple giving singer to express. Soft interludes gives the director to add right visuals on the screen doesn't set any boundaries for his imagination to conceive the visuals. However these type of songs needs a great help from singers, Shaan failed completely to understand the words and add justice to the song. He is a good singer no doubt in that but not in this song. Since he fails, the song fails to an extent. Ramya is only a saving grace for this song. A perfect song, could have been done better with a better singer. Not sure why Raja Sir let this song go away from his hands. Even in Tamil, this was sung by Yuvan, who also failed to do justice to this song. Miss you Balu Sir. I am trying hard to imagine how this song would have been if SPB Sir Sings this song.

2 - Koti Koti

Singer(s): Karthik

Here comes Karthik, who delivers what Shaan missed in the earlier song. Another treat from Raja Sir. This song takes thru a different journey thru the entire song. Humming in the song is mastered art by Raja Sir. This song is an example for that. After a great humming to start the song, the violins accompanying the humming takes us to yet another great start. Then after Karthik takes along with you with his youthful singing. Clarinets are best used. This is rare commodity to hear now a days. The tune doesn't appear to be in this era, but the clever mixing of tunes, accompanied by clarinets, strings, guitar, flute in right areas makes this a wonderful mix which ends up as a great song.

3 - Atu Itu

Singer(s): Sunidhi Chauhan

This song is purely composed for Goutham Menon, as the song suggest. This song tells us the female lead is on anguish and to capture her mood, this song totally in perfect justice if that is the case. The greatness of Raja Sir is that listening to the song one can imagine the mood of the song. Sunidhi is a surprise element for this song. She perfectly renders the song to bring in the right emotions, vigour and elevate the song. People should wait for Goutham's imaginations to this this song on the screen. Three in a row and this album is definitely going some where.

4 - Laayi Laayi

Singer(s): Ilayaraja, Bele Shende

The orchestration of this song speaks about the song. After composing so many songs, Ilayaraja has something up his sleeve to be different. The prelude is really pleasure to hear. This song again appears like an antique song, but what is makes to hear now is the style of composition of the preludes, interludes. They are the best. Ilayaraja and Bele Shende adds their own flavor to this song. 

5 - Nachaledu Maava

Singer(s): Suraj Jagan, Karthik

Composing a youthful song doesn't need one to be youthful. So cool peppy composition a typical Ilayaraja beats. Karthik and Suraj go hand in hand in rendering this trendful song. Trumpet and rhythm add flavor to this youthful song. Raja has given so many variations not deviating from the main flavor of the song. He goes everywhere but the song is intact. That is all about Raja's composition.This song has all college going fun elements but still sticks where it is supposed to be.

6 - Yenthentha Dooram

Singer(s): Karthik

Song appears a rare old song, but as you hear the song, this takes you else where and the old song feeling vanishes and haunts every one to nod the head in sync with the rhythm of the song. Raja once again kept very simple and let Karthik do his job. Karthik with lot of ease renders song and mesmerizes.

7 - Arthamayindi Inthena

Singer(s): Yuvan Shankar Raja

Now its turn for the male lead of this movie to blow out his anger filled emotions. Yuvan might not be the right choice for this song, as he lacks what singer needs. His voice might have been right for this kind of emotions but he fails to add value to the song. Raja Sir adds heavy orchestration depicting what is the song about. Guitar and Drums tells what is all the song about. This song is for movie only.

8 - Inthakalam

Singer(s): Ramya NSK

The hero of the song is the brilliance of orchestration of Ilayaraja. The way he layers the instruments is mesmerizing. Hungarian National Philharmonic would have performed this tune. Ramya didn't go wrong. This song ends how a  perfect harmony is supposed to end.

Pick(s) of the album: Songs 1-6 and 8 ( orchestration ), 7 depends on movie.

Most of music lovers treat Ilayaraja as GOD as it is said that when music is religion Ilayaraja is GOD. Devotees when they go to GOD they take whatever is given and be satisfied. However when someone gets much more they asks for, listening to this album, Ilayaraja fans will have exactly the same feeling. Raja Sir gave 8 songs in this album, adding one more would have been perfect to call it Navaratna. May be Raja Sir the the 9th one.

However today's youth's expectations are different, their understanding of music is entirely different. How they will embrace this album is a great question.  When the success of the album is measured on different measurements based on which the success definition itself changed. This is where it will be difficult to judge the success of the album.

Greatest complain on this album is not having a better singer for Yedhi yedhi song. Adding right singer would have made this song a classic. Not sure why Raja/Goutham missed this.

Music Review - Shirdi Sai Baba

Movie: Shirdi Sai Baba (2012)

Director: K. Raghavendra Rao

Music: MM Keeravani

Nagarjuna Akkineni Known as greeku veeerudu, loverboy, dream boy, Manmadhudu, hearthrob of ladies has surprised every one when he portrayed a devotional character in form of Annamayya. He not only surprised, but was convincingly successful in playing the role. Then he continued his devotional characters with Sri Ramadasu. Then he proved that wasn't a fluke he did continue his successful freak with the devotional characters.

He teamed up with K Raghavendra Rao who again was a out and out commercial director. When Raghabendra Raotook up these projects, everyone for sure know he would have mixed commercial elements and he did. But the stories of these great saints were so intense that whatever commercial elements he added to the movie didnt deviate the subject much. It would be a real test in this movie for him as Shirdi Sai Baba's life has basically has no room for commercial elements. So it will be a litmus test for K Raghavendra Rao. Shiridi Sai Baba always used to test his devotees in two ways, one sending them to  Radhakrishna Mai and other is the Dakshina.

Coming to Music department, MM Keeravani was successful with Annamayya but was not so successful with Sri Ramadasu, the reason was that Anammayya's music was popular with Telugu people, his music was more in lines of whatever was available by then and he got good support by SPB and Chitra. The rest of singers weren't a hurdle for the success. On the flip side, Bhakta Ramadasu's story, literature and songs were not much available as Annamayya and the available songs were performed by Sri Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna. Keeravani not only could match those songs, he chose his own style there by lost in the path. The songs couldn't reach people as there were many issues. 

Songs on Shiridi Sai Baba will be a tough test in the music sense as not many devotional songs on Shiridi Sai Baba in Telugu are available. People who ever are devotees have been singing Baba's Haarathi and the devotion they had is thru singing the Haarathi and attending the 4 Haarathi's available every day in the Temple. Not much Telugu Literature is available and most of them have not been hearing any devotional songs on Baba. So in this backdrop, creating an album is tough task for any one. Also for writing songs on Baba the only information available is thru Satcharitra, which is available for every one. In such scenario writing the lyrics also is tough. Baba songs have always been in Marathi. So the style of songs the devotees got used to is Maharastrian style of praising BABA including saying " Raajaadi Raaja Yogi Raaja Sri Sachidananda Sadguru Sainath Maharaj Ki Jai". 

However there was a movie album Shiridi Sai Baba Mahatyam  that was composed by Ilayaraja and sung by KJ Yesudas which reached people well. Few songs like "మా పాపాలు", "సాయి శరణం" " నువ్వు లేక అనాధలం", these songs not only moved people, but could make people cry with devotion. Lets see whether this movie has similar songs.

The album has total 13 songs, has around 18 singers. Not sure whats the fancy of having more singers in an album. Keeravani and Sunitha grabbed bigger pie in the music album. Lets review the whole album. 

The play list looks like the following.

1. Sada Nimbha : M.M. Keeravani

2.Saranu Saranu : Madhu bala Krishna , Sunitha

3.Okkade Devudu : Akkineni Nagarjuna , Shankar Mahadevan

4.Ne Padamula : M.M. Keeravani

5.Amara rama : Shweta Pandit

6.Manava Seve: Deepu , Aditi Paul

7.Ramanavami : Hariharan , Malavika

8.Sai Ante Thalli : SP Balu , Sunitha

9.Datta Treyuni : Sonunigam , Teeshanigam , M.M. Keeravani

10.Ekkadayya Sai : Sunitha

11.Sai Padam : M.M. Keeravani

12.Ne Padamula : M.M. Keeravani

13.Vasthunna Baba : SP Balu , M.M. Keeravani , Saikumar , Revanth , Rahul Sipligunj, A Chaitra

14. Aarathi : Sunitha

Lyrics: As said before there isn't much literature available in Telugu and the information is already known to devotees. Telling the stories in different format or any other imaginative manner is not possible as it is almost real time story.  The lyrics of this album hasn't been complicated, imaginative, literature is not very poetical. Not much fancy words, things are kept very simple except one of couple of songs.( Sai Paadam)

Singers:  A big let down for such a devotional album. Except SPB, every other singer had issues. Madhu Bala krishnan was little exceptional. Sunitha had performed very badly with over emotional singing, ( Can we say over action singing which is her trade mark?). She not only was over expressive, didn't sound well too. Her singing sounded artificial/pretending she is immersed in devotion. Keeravani why he had to sing so many songs not sure. He had pronunciation issues. He should have let professional singers sing the songs, who have the devotional feeling. Vastunna Baba song had singers say few words, didn't sound right, they were too artificial. Sonu Nigam, Aditi Paul and other singers in the list has the usual typical issues of mis-pronunciation. Singers are the asset for any devotional. None of these singers seems to have experience in singing devotional songs. Shankar Mahadevan's venture was not that great into devotional albums. He had his own issues. Sonu Nigam though a great singer, couldn't be effective in Telugu. Other female singers just did what they were told to do within their limited capabilities had done their job.

Music Composition:  Keeravani seems like he lost his magic in making this album. He couldn't make this album neither commercial nor a devotional. He missed the flavor of devotional for sure. He has become monotonous in his music making using similar tunes again. He sometimes works hard and prepares well  for few movies, but missed that hard work for this movie for sure.  His tunes didn't bring the devotional feeling, this issue could be tagged to the singers who failed to bring in the element.  Few songs appeal the listeners just heard as songs, Few songs are normal songs without a tag of devotion. The songs just are there. 

Shiridi Sai Baba Life story is like an open book to all the devotees. But HIS life is deep like ocean to understand HIM. The more they dive deep, they get more each time they learn about Sai Baba. It might read the book, an experience or a story. Hope they will find something new in this movie too.

Music Review - Life is Beautiful

Audio Review

Movie: Life is Beautiful (2012)

Director: Shekar Kammula

Music: Mickey J Meyer

Life Is Beautiful is a coming of age story of six youngsters set in the beautiful nostalgic world of a working-middle class neighborhood. The film tracks their journey through the different seasons, festivals, romances, street cricket, colony fights, and family gatherings. With the beginning of responsibilities, and adulthood looming around the corner, their dreams and aspirations bring them all together, to make the whole experience magical.

Life is Beautiful is a story about new beginnings. It is a celebration of life and its smaller joys.Produced by Chandrasekhar Kammula,Sekhar Kammula and Directed by Shekar Kammula. ( Content Courtesy FB page of the movie )

There are 6 songs including a pop song in this audio. Life is beautiful is slated for release on August 15. Mickey J Meyer has scored the music for this movie which has songs penned by Ananth Sriram (4) and Vanamali (2). Ananth Sriram in audio release told he has written 5 songs and how it gave meals to him uniting five fingers. Surprising to see why one song is removed from the album.

Shekar and Mickey started off their days Happy, and now they wanted to make their life beautiful. Mickey J Meyer has shown some caliber with his previous movies with his feel good songs. As time passes, it will be litmus test for him to sustain, maintain the standards and show variety. This movie is definetely going to a tough task for him in that regard. Shekar on other hand started off with KM Radhakrishnan, when he shifted to Mickey J, there was a big question why as KMR provided some excellent albums for Anand and Godavari. Ofcourse Mickey J didnt let Shekar down with the choice he made.

For telugu lovers, many many years the lyricists were never a scarcity. However recent times the standards were way way down, and with singers making mess out of the songs, it was a firm belief that telugu songs are going to fade away soon. Ananth Sriram and Vanamali likes were like only hope who though they can never be another Veturi or Sirivennela, these kind of lyricists are the only hope for Telugu to sustain. Asking blessings of Veturi garu, remembering on the audio release is a notable gesture by the movie makers, as Shekar can easily owe initial success to Veturi garu for his touching lyrics. Whether it be Anand or Godavari. ( నీల గగన, ఘన విచలన ధరణిజ శ్రీరామ, మధుర వదన నళిన నయన మనవి వినరా రామ!! we definitely cannot hear such lyrics again)

The singers choice appears to be better in this album though not the best. Atleast unwarranted singers dont exist which is very good.

Shekar Kammula started star hunt for this movie around September 2010, and the movie is slated to be released on August 15, 2012. It took considerable time to make movies. Lets see how beautiful are these songs.

1. Life is beautiful
Singer: KK
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Song of the title and movie is the same could be a title song. Starts with guitar play, accompanied by beats, then KK. The beauty of the song is lyrics and if not sung properly the song is wasted. This is what exactly happened to this song. The whole difference of earlier movie songs and this song is as simple as that. KK singing lacks clarity of words. Ananth Sriram's lyrics has lost the value. Mickey J humming is an extension of his earlier songs. Life is beautiful will be sung by youth as it definitely goes with them. Mickey infused traditional instrumental tunes in between, which could be demanded by situation. This song for sure is wasted. Could have been done much better it missed the chance of being an anthem among youth. Picturization only should help this song.

2. Beautiful girl
 Singer: Karthik
 Lyrics: Vanamali

Vanamali told during audio release that he got a chance to write two Telugu songs after a long time. But it is not completely true. As this song has many beautiful words is infused by the director ( Mickey or Shekar). This songs completely lacks freshness. This song reminds Mickey's many other songs. Karthik does his job, but the issue with him is that his voice doesn't suit most of the Telugu songs. Telugu song needs singing openly only when the lyrics/words can be heard, which he lacks because of his natural voice and its his limitation. What ever best he does, it doesn't sound awesome in Telugu. Karthik singing wise is a treat.

3. Atu itu ooguthu
Singer: Sri Ramachandra
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

All song are sung at same pitch there by sounding similar, which made singer struggle I guess. Sri Ramachandra didn't sound comfortable. Ananth Sriram had to go for lyrics which had logic but didnt understand why he wrote, జాబిలి కి జలుబు ని తెచ్చే చలువ నీవే. This kind of imagination proves us that he is miles far away from Veturi garu and Sirivennela. Mickey J took simple way of composing with keeping everything simple, which makes things pleasant. However had to struggle to understand even with Sriram a Telugu person singing this sentence. " మాములుగా అనిపిస్తుందే ???? వస్తే? in second stanza. Overall a feel good song as it was kept simple.

4. Its your love
 Singer: Naresh Iyer
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

Seems like Naresh Iyer is favorite of Shekar, Mickey J or their lucky charm? Somehow I felt all the songs so far are having same pattern. This is typical of Mickey J. This might be his trade mark. Again Naresh Iyer had reminded few other songs, except for the chorus. Another song which is dependent on Shekar Kammula for a better treatment in the movie to make it a lot better. Looked like there is nothing offered in this song.

5. Amma ani Kothaga
 Singers: Sashi Kiran, Sravana Bhargavi
Lyrics: Vanamali

Song starts with aarohana and avarohana. This kind of songs shouldn't have huskiness in singing. The shadow  voices took off the effect of quality lyrics. The instrumentation is lound and dominated the voice. These kind of songs need elevation by singers which is missing in this song. Just doing justice will not help the song in long run. Any song on mother has to touch heart. The lyrics should be clearly heard for the feel, music/instrumentation should not dominate the voice. This song will definitely make it to charts, be success, but doesn't go far where it is supposed to go in terms of reaching public.

6. Life is beautiful (Pop)
Singer: Sri Ramachandra
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram

This what current generation pop music does to Telugu language. Not that earlier people haven't done pop music in Telugu that appealed youth. Lack of knowledge of the people whoever is involved in making songs should for sure understand what they are making. Might sound harsh, as didn't expect from Shekar who gave lots of importance to lyrics working with Veturi gaaru. The real tribute to Veturi garu is not just saying words, need to do it in action. "ఆశయంగా" has become "ఆశ and "యంగా". It took a while to understand what Sriram had sung.For a minute I thought it was Tamil. Anyways just another routing song aimed at youth.

Pick of the album(s): Atu Itu ooguthu, Amma ani

Shekar and Mickey venture definitely missed few elements to make their life so beautiful. The songs are feel good songs, but for sure lack freshness. As every other new music director in the film industry are having  issues with consistency, variety and maintaining their standards, Mickey J too had exactly the same issues. Songs dont appear fresh, more over they appear an extension version of his old songs in a new format.  May be this is what Shekar wanted. Singers absolutely couldn't add value to the songs. They could just do justice within their limitations. There is nothing extra ordinary in lyrics which was pretty much needed for this movie. Now it all depends on Shekar's abilities to make this movie big. All the best for the entire team.