Thanks for your feedback and appreciation Kalyan, as always!
--- In [email protected], Kalyan K <kalyan...@...> wrote:
>
> Superb Review Chord. Thanks for that.
>
> Kalyan K.
>
> On Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 7:15 AM, AJ <purev...@...> 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)
> >
> >
> >
>
