Re: [arr] My revised VTV Review
Chord's write Up - 100/100. you are the best .. On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 8:30 AM, ichord purev...@yahoo.com wrote: After some corrections and additions: If there's a distinct trend that I see in ARR's music over time, it's his reduced emphasis on musical adventurism and acrobatics and increased emphasis on subtle musical forms within a composition, often perceived subjectively as not living up to his own standards. I don't agree with that notion since it's ARR who recreates his own standards with each release, just like destroying his own ego before a compositional session. The burden of responsibility to recognize this is up to the listener, who may be challenged and confounded by expectations and biases, which is normal and natural. Again, these are trends only and just from my observational standpoint...nothing is black and white or exclusionary. This trend may be a function of two forces: 1)Age (emphasizing more of a gestalt perspective) 2) Progressive evolution as part of a unique artist whose mindset is bent on conceptual expansion and really trying hard to avoid being typecasted, escaping from his own set trails to form new and distinct roads. The music of VTV is a major step in AR's evolutionary process as an artist who's never content with the status quo, or even his own previous success. Remember, it's the artist over the entertainer, and in VTV, it's the pure artist within ARR, even beyond musician, that is in the driver's seat. I will not comment on the lyrics since I don't understand Tamil. 1) Omanna Penne: Steady and soothing.a composition that oozes with spiritualism and introspection. I love how AR juxtaposes the Western rhythms with the Carnatic raagas first by the female voice, and weaving throughout the stylistic Nadaswaram, whose roots are deeply Carnatic, but expressed so universally in this track. Wonderful singing by Benny and the Nadaswaram ending is surely a page from the Rehna Tu continuum outro. Nothing fancy in this composition, but the feeling left behind is extremely elevating and cleansing. Fantastic start. (8/10) 2) Anbil Avan: ARR at his playful best. He must have had a lot of fun putting this track together. There is nothing heavy or mind blowing about this track, but what makes it work for me is the joyful innocence in the melody and the very interesting sonic arrangements using a Shehnai type sound juxtaposed with a church organ sound. The musical interlude that has this also has some very nice, quick chord progressions that defy banality. The melody sticks easy and would be a fun song to dance with. (7/10) 3) Vinnathaandi Varuvaayaa: Wow..what a minimalistic impact! Minimalistic impact is something that I have been missing from Rahman's oeuvre in recent films, but here it is, in its full glory and form. Using a minimalistic sound template for a title song is quite bold and outside the box, but boy does it work for me!!! The acoustic strings (guitar? harp?) along with vibes and small bells create such a unique, peaceful ambiance in this song that transports me into a dreamlike world. Beautiful string additions in the mid section only add depth to amazing vocals, chords, and heartfelt emotions in this gem, but likely to be underrated track. Delicate, subtle, dreamy, ambient, soft, restrained, soothing, warming.I can go on and on. Again, a track doesn't have to be complex and adventuresome to be powerfulthis is the genius of ARhe can create such a powerful ambience using minimal quantity. (8/10) 4) Hosana: There is no other composer in India who can arrange better than AR. In this song, many of AR's strengths are showcased.sound structure, layered, thick, yet uncluttered arrangements, symphonic textures, haunting melody, soothing ambiance. The sound layers are so clean and crispthat beautiful strumming acoustic guitar is so nice!!! Also worthy of metion is the high toned Scottish flavored flute and the subtle mandolin rhythms in sync with the main rhythms, punctuated by the pulsating string sections. The female choir with the angelic expression is one of the most beautiful choir sounds I've heard. This song sticks to you and won't let go. A complete masterpiece IMO that is one of the best songs that ARR has composed in recent years. (9/10) 5) Kunnukkul Kannai Another playful techno oriented track with some pleasing electronic arrangements. The unique feature of this track for me are the string quartet type rhythmic accents throughout that give this youth song a very Western classical feel. Relatively simple by composition and sound, but again, a nice dance number with good melody. Rahman not living up to his standards on this one? Well, that's up to you to decide, but it's an enjoyable one for me, though If I had to pick my least favorite in this soundtrack, it's this one. (7/10) 6) Mannipaaya I was looking forward to
Re: [arr] My revised VTV Review
Loved every word of your review!!! Thank you so much for this excellent write-up, Chord... And will this revision be updated here as well?! :-) http://simbucentral.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-review-of-vtv.html On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 11:55 AM, Vithur vith...@gmail.com wrote: Chord's write Up - 100/100. you are the best .. On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 8:30 AM, ichord purev...@yahoo.com wrote: After some corrections and additions: If there's a distinct trend that I see in ARR's music over time, it's his reduced emphasis on musical adventurism and acrobatics and increased emphasis on subtle musical forms within a composition, often perceived subjectively as not living up to his own standards. I don't agree with that notion since it's ARR who recreates his own standards with each release, just like destroying his own ego before a compositional session. The burden of responsibility to recognize this is up to the listener, who may be challenged and confounded by expectations and biases, which is normal and natural. Again, these are trends only and just from my observational standpoint...nothing is black and white or exclusionary. This trend may be a function of two forces: 1)Age (emphasizing more of a gestalt perspective) 2) Progressive evolution as part of a unique artist whose mindset is bent on conceptual expansion and really trying hard to avoid being typecasted, escaping from his own set trails to form new and distinct roads. The music of VTV is a major step in AR's evolutionary process as an artist who's never content with the status quo, or even his own previous success. Remember, it's the artist over the entertainer, and in VTV, it's the pure artist within ARR, even beyond musician, that is in the driver's seat. I will not comment on the lyrics since I don't understand Tamil. 1) Omanna Penne: Steady and soothing.a composition that oozes with spiritualism and introspection. I love how AR juxtaposes the Western rhythms with the Carnatic raagas first by the female voice, and weaving throughout the stylistic Nadaswaram, whose roots are deeply Carnatic, but expressed so universally in this track. Wonderful singing by Benny and the Nadaswaram ending is surely a page from the Rehna Tu continuum outro. Nothing fancy in this composition, but the feeling left behind is extremely elevating and cleansing. Fantastic start. (8/10) 2) Anbil Avan: ARR at his playful best. He must have had a lot of fun putting this track together. There is nothing heavy or mind blowing about this track, but what makes it work for me is the joyful innocence in the melody and the very interesting sonic arrangements using a Shehnai type sound juxtaposed with a church organ sound. The musical interlude that has this also has some very nice, quick chord progressions that defy banality. The melody sticks easy and would be a fun song to dance with. (7/10) 3) Vinnathaandi Varuvaayaa: Wow..what a minimalistic impact! Minimalistic impact is something that I have been missing from Rahman's oeuvre in recent films, but here it is, in its full glory and form. Using a minimalistic sound template for a title song is quite bold and outside the box, but boy does it work for me!!! The acoustic strings (guitar? harp?) along with vibes and small bells create such a unique, peaceful ambiance in this song that transports me into a dreamlike world. Beautiful string additions in the mid section only add depth to amazing vocals, chords, and heartfelt emotions in this gem, but likely to be underrated track. Delicate, subtle, dreamy, ambient, soft, restrained, soothing, warming.I can go on and on. Again, a track doesn't have to be complex and adventuresome to be powerfulthis is the genius of ARhe can create such a powerful ambience using minimal quantity. (8/10) 4) Hosana: There is no other composer in India who can arrange better than AR. In this song, many of AR's strengths are showcased.sound structure, layered, thick, yet uncluttered arrangements, symphonic textures, haunting melody, soothing ambiance. The sound layers are so clean and crispthat beautiful strumming acoustic guitar is so nice!!! Also worthy of metion is the high toned Scottish flavored flute and the subtle mandolin rhythms in sync with the main rhythms, punctuated by the pulsating string sections. The female choir with the angelic expression is one of the most beautiful choir sounds I've heard. This song sticks to you and won't let go. A complete masterpiece IMO that is one of the best songs that ARR has composed in recent years. (9/10) 5) Kunnukkul Kannai Another playful techno oriented track with some pleasing electronic arrangements. The unique feature of this track for me are the string quartet type rhythmic accents throughout that give this youth song a very Western classical feel. Relatively simple by composition and sound, but again,
Re: [arr] My revised VTV Review
Thanks a lot.everyonefor reading my review and commenting. I write these reviews from the heart to express my feelings towards ARR and his music and if others appreciate it, it's just bonus, but I'm very grateful. --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, Madhavan Rajan rsamadhu2...@... wrote: Loved every word of your review!!! Thank you so much for this excellent write-up, Chord... And will this revision be updated here as well?! :-) http://simbucentral.blogspot.com/2010/01/music-review-of-vtv.html On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 11:55 AM, Vithur vith...@... wrote: Chord's write Up - 100/100. you are the best .. On Tue, Jan 12, 2010 at 8:30 AM, ichord purev...@... wrote: After some corrections and additions: If there's a distinct trend that I see in ARR's music over time, it's his reduced emphasis on musical adventurism and acrobatics and increased emphasis on subtle musical forms within a composition, often perceived subjectively as not living up to his own standards. I don't agree with that notion since it's ARR who recreates his own standards with each release, just like destroying his own ego before a compositional session. The burden of responsibility to recognize this is up to the listener, who may be challenged and confounded by expectations and biases, which is normal and natural. Again, these are trends only and just from my observational standpoint...nothing is black and white or exclusionary. This trend may be a function of two forces: 1)Age (emphasizing more of a gestalt perspective) 2) Progressive evolution as part of a unique artist whose mindset is bent on conceptual expansion and really trying hard to avoid being typecasted, escaping from his own set trails to form new and distinct roads. The music of VTV is a major step in AR's evolutionary process as an artist who's never content with the status quo, or even his own previous success. Remember, it's the artist over the entertainer, and in VTV, it's the pure artist within ARR, even beyond musician, that is in the driver's seat. I will not comment on the lyrics since I don't understand Tamil. 1) Omanna Penne: Steady and soothing.a composition that oozes with spiritualism and introspection. I love how AR juxtaposes the Western rhythms with the Carnatic raagas first by the female voice, and weaving throughout the stylistic Nadaswaram, whose roots are deeply Carnatic, but expressed so universally in this track. Wonderful singing by Benny and the Nadaswaram ending is surely a page from the Rehna Tu continuum outro. Nothing fancy in this composition, but the feeling left behind is extremely elevating and cleansing. Fantastic start. (8/10) 2) Anbil Avan: ARR at his playful best. He must have had a lot of fun putting this track together. There is nothing heavy or mind blowing about this track, but what makes it work for me is the joyful innocence in the melody and the very interesting sonic arrangements using a Shehnai type sound juxtaposed with a church organ sound. The musical interlude that has this also has some very nice, quick chord progressions that defy banality. The melody sticks easy and would be a fun song to dance with. (7/10) 3) Vinnathaandi Varuvaayaa: Wow..what a minimalistic impact! Minimalistic impact is something that I have been missing from Rahman's oeuvre in recent films, but here it is, in its full glory and form. Using a minimalistic sound template for a title song is quite bold and outside the box, but boy does it work for me!!! The acoustic strings (guitar? harp?) along with vibes and small bells create such a unique, peaceful ambiance in this song that transports me into a dreamlike world. Beautiful string additions in the mid section only add depth to amazing vocals, chords, and heartfelt emotions in this gem, but likely to be underrated track. Delicate, subtle, dreamy, ambient, soft, restrained, soothing, warming.I can go on and on. Again, a track doesn't have to be complex and adventuresome to be powerfulthis is the genius of ARhe can create such a powerful ambience using minimal quantity. (8/10) 4) Hosana: There is no other composer in India who can arrange better than AR. In this song, many of AR's strengths are showcased.sound structure, layered, thick, yet uncluttered arrangements, symphonic textures, haunting melody, soothing ambiance. The sound layers are so clean and crispthat beautiful strumming acoustic guitar is so nice!!! Also worthy of metion is the high toned Scottish flavored flute and the subtle mandolin rhythms in sync with the main rhythms, punctuated by the pulsating string sections. The female choir with the angelic expression is one of the most beautiful choir sounds I've heard. This song sticks to you and won't let go. A
