With the heavy workload for the past 1 month, I hardly had any time to spend on myself no movies, no hangouts with friends, no chatting and/or interacting on the net, and no music :( So, when the last of my assignments were sent in last Friday, my mind was all set to embrace the activities that I've missed thus far.
Call it fate, but Endhiran's audio release was set at a time when I desired the much-needed emancipation from the maddening world and boy, what a relief it brought to my life. Honestly speaking, I wasn't expecting much from Endhiran soundtracks. Western, particularly techno music has never been my favorite. Why, even when the whole world went ga-ga over the funky Hello Doctor and Kalloori Salai (when Kadhal Desam was released), I've been more moved by the blissful Thendrale and Anbe Anbe from the same film. And with the kind of film Enthiran was anticipated to be, I was very sure that there weren't going to be any soulful melodies in the tracks. Nevertheless, Enthiran is definitely an album which stands tall among others, even as it continues to create a delightful impact on the listeners. Leaving the musical aspect of the album to the experts, I'm merely here to share my experience with the album. The album starts out with Puthiya Manidha, which also happens to be my favourite track. The prelude music, coupled the chanting of "Puthiya Manidha" in sci-fi tune (who is this guy?) and Kathijah's soulful voice creates a certain anticipation in yourself. Well, if you know ARR's music, then you'll definitely know that this number is just going to get bigger! And before you could stop thinking, the song hits you like a bang! SPB pushes into the front lane and with the occasional support from ARR, delivers a splendid performance. And yes, the whole song has a techno feel to it, but it's far from being loud and noisy. There's a life in this song, a soul waiting to embrace the world and by the end of the song, you know that Enthiran has born to rule the world. Kadhal Anukkal didn't create an impact on the first listen as Puthiya Manidha did to me. To begin with, it took me some time to realize that it's Vijay Prakash who delivering the number. Is he the same guy who sang Hossanna? He definitely sounds different. At times, I even felt that he was imitating Udit Narayan's way of singing. Maybe he's not but I certainly wasn't taken by his singing nor the song .at first. With repeated hearing, you realize what you've missed at the first listen. Sounds you've never heard before, the cheekiness in Vijay's voice, the joy in Shreya's and a positive vibrancy in the whole number. The song sound fresher after numerous hearing. It's my fault for dismissing Vijay too soon. He was amazing. Shreya was at her usual best, and leaves a distinguished mark with the way she loops around the notes at the end of the song. Wish she had continued singing the notes a little longer. I still don't listen to this number as much as I enjoyed listening to Puthiya Manidha, but yes, this is definitely a track to look out for. ARR switches back to techno with Irumbile oru Idhayam. The song exudes sci-fi and techno music at its best. Was I thinking that this would be soulful? A definite no, but surprisingly and funnily, it is. The whole idea about this number is to project a man who feels love blossoming from his heart of steel. ARR uses the right techno sounds to present the number. The high technology, sci-fi tune depicts the robot's inflexion, while the lyrics, regardless of how funny or techno centric they are, illustrate his feelings towards his lover. In fact, I would group Irumbile Oru Idhayam in the same category of Chitti Dance Showcase and Boom Boom Robo Da. They are definitely exciting; with amazing, crisp, clear, sci-fi sounds nevertheless, I failed to strike a chord with any of them. With the right visuals though, these songs would definitely create a rage in future, but for the time being, they stay at the bottom of my favorite track list. Arima Arima on the other hand belongs to a different genre. I must admit that the number has yet to grow on me but I'm starting to have a fondness on the grandiose that the number exudes. After a long time, Hariharan is back to ARR's camp and as usual, he deals the high notes with élan. Sadhana Sargam on the other hand, is someone I prefer to hear in softer melodies. For some reasons, I always found her voice to be a little annoying when sung in the higher notes. Then again, the arrangement of music in this number takes the front line as compared to the vocals. Such high-flying orchestration, such perfect crafting. The song belongs to neither Hariharan nor Sadhna Sargam this one belongs to the one and only ARR! Kilimanjaro is a surprise package in this album. It's a result of tribal music meeting modern melody. Both Javed Ali and Chinmayi seem to have loads of fun with this track. They sure sound different from their other numbers, Chinmayi especially. In fact, I must confess that I always had difficulties recognizing Chinmayi's voice. This could serve as both advantage and disadvantage to her. Advantage in which she keeps proving that she's good in presenting various style in her singing. And disadvantage in the sense of losing her identity. I mean, each singer have their distinctive styles and voice modulations. This difference is what sets them apart from one another. Of course, failing to bring upon your own distinctive style is hardly seen as a negative aspect, nevertheless, failing to stamp your voice in the minds of listeners will definitely be a disadvantage. Chinmayi should start focusing on bringing upon different styles in her natural voice instead of changing her voice to make it sound to something it's not. Coming back to the song, I was mighty impressed with the vocal and music arrangement. They have been done tastefully and radiate a blooming presentation to the track. As an album, Endhiran is definitely not of my taste of music but it's also not an album with mere sounds and technology. There's something about the album which sparks a positive vibrations. There's no "Style Style" of Sivaji or "No Problem" from Love Birds here. In fact, Endhiran's music arrangement is something which is not only enriching but inspiring as well. And it's only made possible by ARR. With Endhiran, ARR has once again proven why he's the epitome of music virtuoso- he has practically revolutionize the current music scene, escalating it to such greater heights, that it will be highly impossible for other musicians to climb, let alone touch the peak the music is brought to. Endhiran may not be my most favorite albums but I'm certainly glad to have lived to hear them. Gayathri
