|| Enthiran - The Robot | Shankar | Rajni | Aishwarya ||

[hamid]

few stills from audio launch

[rayan36]

ENTHIRAN MUSIC REVIEW

Review by : Malathy Sundaram

Music Director : A.R.Rahman
Vocals : S.P.Balasubramaniam, A.R.Rahman, Khatija Rahman, Vijay Prakash, Shreya Ghosal, Kash n’ Krissy, Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Yogi B, Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Benny Dayal, Naresh Iyer, Javed Ali, Chinmayee, Kirthi Sagathia, Swetha Mohan, Tanvi Shah.
Lyrics : Vairamuthu, Karky, Pa.Vijay

Produced by Kalanidhi Maran and directed by Shankar, this very costly movie was filmed at locations around the world. It stars Rajinikanth ( as Vaseegaran and Chitti) Aiswarya Rai, Danny Dengzongpa and others. This was the last movie writer Sujatha penned dialogues for. With Sabu Cyril handling the art department and A.R.Rahman doing the music and background score for it,( not to mention the special effects and CGI) this film is being eagerly anticipated by all film buffs.

Pudhiya Manidha...
Vocals: S.P.Balasubramaniam, A.R.Rahman, Khatija Rahman.
Lyrics: Vairamuthu

Excitement, breathlessness and hope all find a
place in this song which has synthesized music weaving in and out of it all through. Almost an ode to Craig Venter, this song! The alternating low and high pitched rendering serves to add a lot of attention to the interesting lyrics. What made Vairamuthu write ‘naan naalaiya gnana oli’ and then go’en thanthai mozhi tamizh allava’ and’en karthaavukku adimai allava’? it almost negates the impersonal knowledge of the robot! Neat to listen to.

Kadhal Anukkal...
Vocals: Vijay Prakash, Shreya Ghosal
Lyrics: Vairamuthu

The feathery guitar notes at the start just make you wonder- -yes, Rahman’s fascination with Bilahari raga continues (remember ‘Omana Penney’ from VTV?) even here. The repeated use of ‘pa dha sa sa’; ‘ri gaa’ swaras with no gamaka give the song a nice western touch. The brisk music bit two minutes into the song that goes’sa pa ma ga ri ri ga pa ga---‘etc; is so delightful and so is the refrain’Ho baby, ho baby---‘. Sharp youthful lyrics here. Fleeting touches of Pahadi raga add to the ‘aha!’ effect. Good singing and possibly fabulous visuals!

Irumbile oru Irudhayam...
Vocals: A.R.Rahman, Kash n’ Krissy
Lyrics: Karky
English Lyrics: Kash n’ Krissy

Intelligent lyrics from Karky- the way ‘neelakkannoram’ and ‘neelappallaale’ combine and the phrases ’naan ennai anaippen’ ‘theymaaname illa kadhal kondu’ are quite amusing. But the English lyrics are flat. This could be a tight dance number. By locating this song on the ‘pa’ note of 1-kattai sruti, Rahman has been able to play around with the ragas Madhyamavathi and Suddha Danyasi at the same time and still retain its western slant! And such lighthearted singing from him! This song may take its time to get on to the charts.

Chitti Dance Showcase...
Vocals: Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Yogi B
Additional Programming by Pravin Mani

A small fusion bit with vibrant guitars, wispy flute notes and calm violins and some fiery ‘konnakkol’. Let us see how the visuals do justice.

Arima Arima...
Vocals: Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam
Additional vocals by Benny Dayal, Naresh Iyer
Lyrics: Vairamuthu

Based on the Kiravani raga, this number has some ‘spillover’ effect from Rahman’s ‘Usure Pogudhe’ from Raavanan. But a sexy use of trumpets ( sa ga sa ga---sa ga pa ma ga ri sa at the start with the bigger ‘ma’ swara adding drama), aggressive vocals from Hari balanced by sweet singing from Sadhana all make you long for the visuals.

Kilimanjaro...
Vocals: Javed Ali, Chinmayee
Additional vocal arrangements by Clinton Cerejo
Lyrics: Pa.Vijay

Such heady use of percussive instruments here! They add a whole new touch of gaiety to the song. You can almost feel the hopping of ‘kinnikkozhi’ which the song refers to. Must be a fantasy number, this, with Shankar’s famed visual richness. A very taut use of Karaharapriya raga scale. Javed Ali’s effort deserves mention. Chinmayee sounds naughty. This song is supposed to have been filmed at the historic Macchu Picchu site in Peru.

Boom Boom Robo Da...
Vocals: Yogi B, Kirthi Sagathia, Swetha Mohan, Tanvi Shah

Oops! Is that the raga Aboghi that has been given such a modern makeover in this song? The ‘Robo Da’ bit that goes ‘ri ri dha; ri ri dha’ and the instrumental bit’ sa ri ri ma ma ga ga ri--- ‘ half a minute into the song suggest Abogi. The phrases ‘minsara kannano’ ‘autokkaara’ are amusing! Could find favour with young ones, this song!

Verdict:

Yes, it exasperates you when you listen for the first time. But as you listen again, you realize that though Rahman gives this album a crisp metallic touch in keeping with the theme of the story, he still remains faithful to his Carnatic roots in a touching way. Watch how cleverly he varies the feel of the normal duets and ‘robo-based’ duets. The lyrics are interesting too. If the listener shakes off his conditioned thinking while listening to this album, he is in for a treat.


Behindwoods.com

[rayan36]

ENTHIRAN MUSIC REVIEW

Review by : C.Karthik

Music Director : A.R.Rahman
Vocals : S.P.Balasubramaniam, A.R.Rahman, Khatija Rahman, Vijay Prakash, Shreya Ghosal, Kash n’ Krissy, Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Yogi B, Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Benny Dayal, Naresh Iyer, Javed Ali, Chinmayee, Kirthi Sagathia, Swetha Mohan, Tanvi Shah.
Lyrics : Vairamuthu, Karky, Pa.Vijay

The Endhiran storm has intensified. It is raining music around the world with the launch of the year's most awaited audio released in Malaysia. There was secrecy maintained first, then a few stills released, then it was Shankar's tweets and finally the music of Endhiran is out. With the superstar and Aishwarya in lead roles, Sun Pictures producing, Shankar directing and AR Rahman composing the music, we wonder what we can expect out of this album. Technical brilliance, hugeness, flamboyance and a touch showy, Endhiran has it all.

The first few seconds of the song "Puthiya Manitha" tells you what to expect out of this album. "Techno". The robotic tone of AR Rahman is just the appetizer for more to come. Robotic ? Oh come on, this is Endhiran after all. Then we just slip our senses listening to Khatija Rahman's





(Rahman's eldest daughter) serene rendition only to be awakened by the bold voice of SPB. Vairamuthu pleads to the robot "Ella uyirukkum nanmai aa iru ... entha nilaiyilum unmai aa iru". Just an amazing opening number.

We move forward to "Kadhal Anukkal" by Vairamuthu of Gen X. If your ears are treated to strumming guitars and the husky voice of Vijay Prakash, Vairamuthu showcases his understanding of this generation with peppy lyrics. Known for his semi-melodious romatic numbers, Rahman is at ease delivering this. The bag piper interlude is pure genius. No robots, no techno. This one is purely for the die hard romatic. Though the grand arrangement of music catches your imagination, it is hard to miss the voices of Vijay Prakash and Shreya Goshal. A poesy and foot tapping number this.

The start of "Irumbile oru idhayam" is an indicator of what is to follow. Lyrics by Kaarkhi, this one will make you dance right from the word go. We are treated to super example of the "Techno" genre. If the initial lyrics are english, Rahman's settles down things with his husky voice and tamil lyrics. This one is about the iron hearted Endhiran infected by the love virus. If Rahman, the lover, proposes love in Tamil, Lady Kash and Krissy, the curious girl raps back with exciting English lyrics. Verses like "Thottu pesum bothum shock adika thonum.... iravin naduvil battery thaan theerum" makes you want to listen to this more than once. This is easily the pick of the album.

If you think the next song falls in the same category after the first few lines of heavy techno sounds and with slightly uncomprehensible english lyrics, you are mistaken. This is "Chitti Dance Showcase" sung by Pradeep Vijay, Pravin mani and YogiB. A fusion of western and classical music, we wonder where this piece will fit in the movie. We get to hear some wonderful amalgamation of neatly arranged percussion, techno sounds and classical interludes.

We are now welcomed to the grandness of the bigger than the biggest in "Arima Arima". Yes now we see Endhiran with digitised trumpets announcing the arrival of the beast. Vairamuthu is at his best with the finest translation of computer terms. with male chorus and digital notes playing in the background, we can feel the Robot walking forward, amidst praises, trying to conquer a woman's heart with arrogance. If Hariharan showcases the arrogance, Sadhana Sargam's voice surely seems to tame the lordiness. The never stopping drums add charm to this song.

We are now travelling to "Kilimanjaro". Yes, tribal vocals, beats and chimes welcome you to the grandeur of Africa. With Javed Ali and Chinmayi in control, you cannot miss this one. We are now treated to some drum beats and vocals by the virtuoso. Lyrics by Pa. Vijay adds spice to the romance. No this is strictly not the Endhiran style music we have heard so far. This is more the style of our lover-girl lover-boy routine.

Sung by Yogi B, Keerthi Sagathia, Swetha Mohan and Tanvi Shah, the last song of the album "Boom Boom Robot da" sums up the overall experience with a dose of digitised technco music. Lyrics by Kaarki, the song is about the characteristics of the robot. This one certainly evokes interest if one listens to the lyrics carefully.

If AR Rahmman introduced "Blues" genre of music in VTV, this time around he loudly announces "It is Techno time folks". We are just mersmerised with the digital beats and sounds and of course some amazing voices and lyrics. This Robot is out to win all hearts I'm sure.

Behindwoods.com

[jaiganes]

From boom boom robo (the second half of this song is amazing)
சிட்டி சிட்டி ரோபோ
நீ சுட்டி சுட்டி ரோபோ
பட்டி தொட்டியெல்லாம் நீ
பட்டுக்குட்டி ரோபோ

nursery rhyme thEvalai.

Now this part is the most addictive

Hey Auto autokaara
Automatic kaara
Koottam koottam paaru
un Autograph kkaa

Lyrics are still ordinary.

Thats not my worst fear..
it is robot participating in a "maathadu maathaadu mallige" kinda marriage song. if so - that can be the worst thing to happen to an "authentic" scifi movie.

[jaiganes]

Arima Arima definitely reminds the listener of Mayilarage song (in the middle part). It also reminds one of the Jodha Akbar song Azeem Oh Shah Shahenshah and ARR's Dilse se re. Nevertheless it is a beauty. There is another song in this album reminding one of another song in Ah aah, the sensual one that goes like "aNai aNai aNai kattu kattu kattu" that occurs in thigu thigu raathiri song. No surprise ARR said no to Shankar's next (is this true?), who perhaps doesn't inspire him anymore.

Have to buy the CD as soon as it is available in the US stores. Ravanan was awesome, IMO (bought both Hindi and Tamil cds).

Surprised! Raavanan is yet to strike any interest in me! In fact I even forgot about it until Endhiran came along. Right now VTV is The album for me, like a old wine its taste is very mature now

(Sorry I am always late to appreciate anything )

Good that some one brought up the comparison between Raavanan and Enthiran. I felt that Raavanan songs were taken away from the cooker a good 5 mins before the first whistle. Endhiran songs however have all the nicely added layers perfectly blended and well cooked. It also could be the fact that Mani cares two hoots about songs while Shankar knows that they are the main course for the kind of movies he makes. One felt that even ARR was kinda pissed off with the kind of treatment Mani has been giving to his musical output and that kinda shows in how the fantastic starting to "usure pogudhe" tapers of with a rather meek theermaanam while here the conclusion to songs are as captivating as their rocking beginning. It is time ARR takes shankar wherever he goes (Bollywood or hollywood) - no one gets better danceworthy tracks from Rahman than Shankar and Mani continued the trend of messing up superlative Rahman tracks with Raavanan.

[Raikkonen]

voted for irumbu.

B.E.P.-esque.

[cm123]

Album rocks! Ella pugalum ARR ke..

And many thanks to Thalaivar who allowed ARR & Shankar to go for a different way.

[lancelot]

its crazy how this album is growing on me. didnt have much expectations on this album. never really been a big fan of ARR/Shankar (except Kathalan, Boys).

At first listen, Enthiran sounded below par (even with me going in with low expectations). however, it has started to grow on me. will listen to it more (the whole day during work) and give you guys my thoughts.

[A.ANAND]

so far,album was good review from both rajini and arr fans!

[Scale]

//I felt that Raavanan songs were taken away from the cooker a good 5 mins before the first whistle. Endhiran songs however have all the nicely added layers perfectly blended and well cooked.//

And I know how much you loathe MR. To your favour, we will see the reaction once Enthiran releases.

cm,

Replace "thanks' with "regrets", thats my opinion.

natha,
I dont find anything 'futuristic' infact it has certainly killed the vision that Shankar-ARR had pre sivaji releases Shakalaka baby, boom boom, dating even chikku bukku. Its almost impossible to create that image if you RK in mind. The songs are ok but nothing of that kind.