I dont consider music director(s) MD as a benchmark, I consider songs as a benchmark and because a MD = A has delivered more hits compared to the other MDs = B, C, D, etc. then its automatic that B, C, D, etc. will be ignored! Unfair
A hit song is one which spreads like a virus and can be considered opium for the masses. Now we all have our different viewpoints and my definition of a hit song is something that gets all my senses engaged.
I think it is foolish to be biased to a specific MD because of their past hits. An unknown composer will only release a single in his lifetime and go in hibernation and if this song becomes a hit then it is the song that becomes the benchmark not the composer. Mediocre MDs will occasionally release that one life changing song but because their other material is usually lost somewhere in the ditches, the biased aficionado wont give the mediocre MDs song a chance! Unfair
Word of mouth is the only hope mediocre MDs have but sometimes its too late as fanboys will start slating, meaning not having constructive criticisms but going on foul digressions.
To sum it up, MDs should not be considered Gold or Iron... it is songs that should be considered Gold or Iron.
Before coming to my take on NEPV, I would like to express where I stand with Isaignani. He has a Gold status because of his songs/hits but to be biased towards him is turning you to naivety. Open your ears and Im not asking you let go of your favourite MD but there is beautiful songs pouring from every direction and because of ignorance certain gems are washed to the side.
For e.g. Ismail Darbar has landed in a blunder but most of his songs are very memorable even today therefore his songs are Gold and not him. Dont judge a MD, judge their music... Thats all Im saying!!!
First impressions of NEPV based on ignoring Raaja Saabs and GVMs previous material.
Vaanam Mella wont even let me move an inch to the other songs, so is this Gold and the rest of the songs, Iron? When I heard this song, I was getting thoughts like no other song can beat this number in the album. After regaining consciousness, being calm and composed I moved to the next numbers.
I heard the album once and Vaanam Mella ascended the most. Thoughts on other songs at that time were:
Kaatrai Konjam 2
nd interlude is the sole highlight of the song.
Yennodu Vaa Vaa Song belongs to karthik IMO. Charanams have a gargantuan soothing impact. The shift between the 2
nd interlude and 2
nd charanam is a rollercoaster ride from the world of electronic rock to the orchestral world.
Sattru Munbu Couldnt get to grips with this on first hearing but deep down felt theres a dark horse nature in this song. The Anglo-Indian Voice modulation is something Im a sucker of off late.
Mudhal Murai Was too dense for me to digest. Overshadowing orchestration!
Pudikale Maamu The already familiar interlude made me jump up with joy hehe Excluding the tipsy voice(s), the rest of the song had nothing going for it. Raaja Saab wouldve been apt from this song!
Pengal Yendral Seems like another dark horse. The part where Yuvan sings Madhi ketta yen niram, manam nondha sonnadho. Mara nathai pol indhu, pen ival indrudhu. Completely melted my heart. (Sorry for the typo)
Saayndhu Saayndhu Thought this will be favourite song but as always expectations create disappointments. Underwhelming on first hearing!
If this was Raaja Saabs debut and ignoring slow poison notion, its best to say its a mixed bag but because we have warmed up to Raaja Saab over the decades then Ill also express my feelings as fanboy too.
There have been numerous teen/college flicks that we have grown up watching and listening too. What makes this different? Orchestration! We should consider ourselves very fortunate that Raaja Saab has gone full on with a grand orchestration for repeatedly tested script formula of college romance. Is it a life changing album for me? Yes, yes and yes!
2
nd hearing is more than a punch in the face. Mudhal Murai becomes the most hummable song, followed by Saayndhu Saayndhu which is overwhelming with equally overwhelming interludes. The other songs engulf you; drench you with love and leaving you soaking on end. Raja turns the game around and delivers a complete rock ballad with Pengal yendral, which is unlike anything to come out of his repertoire. But I feel I still havent warmed up to Pudikale Maamu.
Theres nostalgia and theres moderness too... The orchestral highs are enough to change sound of TFM.
After all, even Google translator accepts that Isaignani translates to Ilaiyaraaja and not A man with great knowledge in music because Ilaiyaraaja is an individual that is greater than a man with a great knowledge in music.
Happy listening
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