Azhagiya Tamil Magan

Well well... I never could imagine Rahman composing for Vijay; someone whom I admire the most working with someone who I consider should quit... But honestly, the album simply rocks. Not once did I get a feeling that it was a Vijay movie except for the lyrics in the opening song. And in fact, for the first time after quite a while, I am loving all the songs in the album without having to skip any track.

I do get the "sounds-similar" complaint about which I am not too bothered. The songs rock. And they are not blatant rehashes like a few others out there who keep dishing out the same stuff over and over again. A brief look at the songs in no particular order. Use an excellent headphones to catch many of the intricate sounds.

Ponmagal vandhaal: By far the best remix I have heard so far. Aslam's voice is excellent and the rap is out of the world. Especially when the rapper sings the "muthukkal sirikkum" line. Have an ear for the occasional female voice in the background.

Valayapatti: Only Rahman can ever come up with this number. A song that fluctuates between so many genres, yet blends so perfectly into one magnificent composition. A tight song to sing as well. Not a place where I can complain about the song. Having small aalaps for raga names is another thing to watch out for besides the stunning Nadhaswaram pieces, multitude of strings, the harmony and backing vocals. The lyrics is something noteworthy and catchy ("Nee nerungumbodhe current erudhe unga ooru kalpaakkamaa). The singers have done an amazing job in this song, for that matter, in all the songs.

Ella pugazhum: High pitch rahman sung intro for Vijay. First of its kinds and by far, should have been the best intro song for Vijay. The high pitch is something that only rahman could possibly go. The intense harmony energises the song pretty much. A much needed reprieve from the dappankuthu Shankar Mahadevan sung intros. This song is set to set the theaters on fire by Vijay's fans.

Kelaamal: What a song!!! Saindhavi's voice is so mellifluous. Especially the "kokilam kokilam" bit is simply too good. Sriram does a good job as well. A very tough song to compose and sing as well... Vintage rahman stuff.

Maduraikku pohaadhadi: Another folk number. Another winner. Am tired of writing excellent, fantastic, etc etc... Benny is someone I am going to look out for... "asarudhu asarudhu" bit is very much hummable.

Nee Marilyn Monroe: Benny rocks with Ujjaiyinee in this song. Western song from ARR has always been my cup of tea and this one is yet another one of those. Not another MD can dish this out.

An album that I expect to do commercially well too.

Am mighty pleased and very happy as a Rahman fan.