Too Good AJ. Well framed word for Puli Music. Engaging review indeed On Sat, Jul 17, 2010 at 1:59 AM, Kalyan K <[email protected]> wrote:
> > > Superb Review Chord. Thanks for that. > > Kalyan K. > > On Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 7:15 AM, AJ <[email protected]> wrote: > >> >> >> Substance Matching up to Style – Music Review of Komram Puli >> >> (Cannot comment on lyrics and placement of them since I don't know Telugu. >> I am fully aware that the lyrics and the use of them have been a huge sore >> point of the album in others reviews.) >> >> In my opinion, Rahman composing for a hardcore commercial flick had >> yielded mixed results going by history, but falling more on the positive >> side of the fence. Commercial flicks can offer a somewhat safe canvas for >> Rahman to let his hair really loose and experiment like the mad musical >> scientist that he is, but often depends on the director's musical taste and >> film scope. With SJ Surya at the helm of this Telugu flick, would Rahman >> burst through or remain uninspired? >> >> One observation to made about ARR's Indian soundtracks since his Oscar >> recognition and having Western doors more wide open for him is that the >> attempt to "internationalize" the music is evident to me, since the >> spotlight on Oscar winning AR Rahman was on. Of course, Rahman's albums >> always had the international/world influences, but somehow, post Oscars, the >> intentionality of this seemed more focused. But, this intention did not come >> without much cost when you look at soundtracks like VTV and Raavan, both >> featuring world influences, but retaining a core Indian-ness to the music. >> What a tricky balance and tightrope act that Rahman managed to >> achieve…..widening the universal appeal scope of the music for more diverse >> ears throughout the world while still needing to satisfy the aum junta in >> the local domain! Did Rahman walk the tightrope without tipping in Puli? >> >> Well, a pretty fine start if you ask me as the thumping beats of Power >> Star blast their way into a high octane, adrenaline pumping track with a >> solid raag Bhairavi based melody sung spiritedly and spritefully by Tanvi >> and Vijay Prakash. This tune is totally energizing and becomes ablaze with >> an electronic fire with splashes of folk. The part where Tanvi sings "Power >> Star" sounds a bit too cheesy for my taste and is the only drawback in an >> otherwise excellent track. During the antara, Rahman has used the same >> techno synth sound sample that he used in the song Kannkul Kannai from VTV >> and has used it very tastefully. Did you also notice a bit of operatic >> singing at the end of the first interlude following the brass solo? A >> mélange of sonic colors define this hot track and I only feel like dancing >> to it like crazy when I listen! >> >> My oh my, what do we have here in track 2? What a beautiful start with >> only techno drums and plucked strings setting the minimalistic backdrop for >> what is to become one of the most genius tracks from ARR. Totally >> unconventional in structure, it's a track where the singing in double time >> is punctuated by one of the most frequent and wild chord changes in one song >> I've ever heard, not to mention how the various raagas used in the main >> melody seemingly shifting with each second! Only a genius legend like ARR >> can pull this off so brilliantly! Total drama and surging emotions cast a >> plucky hue to this scintillating number that is bound to become a favorite >> by many who appreciate the wild and freakish side to ARR, and freakish in a >> good way! Rahman is playing and having fun in this track!!! I also love how >> ARR has used the flourishing symphonic based interludes so tastefully that >> only add class to an already refined juggernaut of a track. Parts of the >> song do sound a bit cluttered and mildly noisy arrangement wise at times, >> but that is entirely forgiven by me given the complete brilliance showcased >> here! Warning: This track is not for the conventionally and traditionally >> minded….you need to really open your ears and mind to enjoy this one! >> >> And the brilliance only continues in track 3 with a patriotic surge voiced >> by the one and only…… What a beautiful symphonic and epic soundscape that AR >> has used for this intensely passionate track that is full of courage and >> gusto. The beautiful brass interludes add a uniquely dimensional sonic >> texture to an already richly laden, multilayered power track alongside the >> soothing "Mannipaya" like choral interludes, once again full of aestheticism >> and refinement. The thumping drum beats and the backdrop tanpura throughout >> the song add even more depth and beauty. This song somewhat reminds of the >> same passion and style of the song "Ellapazhugam" from ATM. >> The intensity backs off a bit in the fourth track, but not the quality! A >> paced track full of attitude, certainty and spirit, the symphonic strings >> and patient electronic accents give an all around beauty to this punchy >> number. Both male and female voices alternate between the heavy and lighter >> styles, adding a nice vocal balance, but with conviction! Possibly my least >> favorite track on the album, but that is only a relative dislike…..it's >> still a solid number! >> >> We suddenly shift gears in the fifth track as the Gangsta Blues template >> appears, but with a sweet melody! A very sexy and seductive sounding number >> to me, this track scores and how!! ARR goes into sonic experimentation mode >> more minimalistically this time with light techno, crafty and sweet acoustic >> guitar, spacious electro sound effects, and accordion type sound. This track >> breathes slowly and patiently with breaks! The melody in the antara is the >> sweetest part of the song as Shreya croons the high notes with incredible >> ease with her sweet as honey voice. A beautifully crafted melody that only >> has one asking for more! A very unique track by ARR, despite using the >> Gangsta Blues rhythm and style template. >> >> The final track is my favorite. So what if it somewhat sounds like >> Rahman's previous devotional numbers? The melody is still unique, despite >> using similar ragas and the musical arrangements are incredibly refined, >> harkening back also to the Roshan Hua from Sapnay days with the Arabic >> sounding mandolin like splashes. Oh, and Rahman has used the acoustic guitar >> here so beautifully and delicately throughout the song and with such >> softness adding just the right feel to this incredibly moving and spiritual >> number. I love the intro and first interlude use of the solo oboe followed >> by very moving strings shifting to a major scale temporarily. Oh, and did >> you notice the short flute insertion at the 3'17" mark, that is so perfectly >> timed and placed to reflect the emotion of the moment? PURE MAGIC! The >> second interlude has Chitra doing her usual alaap best along with a loopy >> clarinet like sounding insertion before the low octave tuned tablas come in >> with a time signature that is really hard to figure out! I hope everyone >> noticed the nice bass guitar throughout the song adding only depth to an >> already deep number. Rahman has used raagas Charukeshi, Asawari, Pilu in >> various avatars so beautifully with a slow, drawn out melody that squeezes >> out every drop of emotion. This devotional track totally takes me to the >> clouds and has me floating on air. What a masterpiece! >> >> So, there you have it. This is an album full of stylistic panache only to >> be matched and even subdued by the substance that Rahman has poured into >> each and every track. The fact that the songs remind one of ARR's earlier >> works doesn't bother me one bit and I never get hung up by such things, >> because there is way more uniqueness and innovation in each track than >> similarities to previous tracks, as there usually is in an ARR album! When >> listening to an ARR album, there are certain core features of his music that >> I pay attention to like sonic range, innovation, emotion, passion, >> intensity, melody, orchestration, depth of arrangements. The surprise for me >> was the level of musical intensity and highly refined and sweet sounding >> sonic range and orchestration and arrangements, which I did not expect for >> an album for this type of movie under this director. This album has gotten a >> strong hold on me and I keep wanting to go back to it, signifying another >> test passed for an ARR album. So, yes, an inspired soundtrack with Rahman >> walking the tightrope with great élan, once again showcasing why he is one >> of the greatest composers ever with a musical versatility, depth, and range >> that is in a league of his own. >> >> If I had to give a numeric judgement: Comparing to other ARR albums, 7/10, >> and comparing to contemporary Indian film albums in general, 9/10. >> >> (This review or any part of it may not be reproduced without the expressed >> consent of this writer. Copyright 2010 by ichord) >> >> > >
