9.20.2009

"Yogi" Soundtrack

‘Tamizh MA’ happened two years ago and after that there isn’t a single movie soundtrack of Yuvan, which one could call a complete musical feast. There definitely were few gems here and there but overall there weren’t movies that could feed the creative hunger of Yuvan Shankar Raaja. Well now, here it is the soundtrack of ‘Yogi’ that displays what Yuvan Shankar Raaja adds musically to the movie, when he gets genuinely inspired by the script. Yuvan has always delivered for Ameer and he does it again (though the movie is directed by Subrmaniam Siva, screenplay and dialogues are written by Ameer).

The album kick starts with a song where everything is electronic and it sounds quite unusual for a hero introduction song. I usually have lots of problems with such songs of Yuvan where he goes overboard with too many layers and e-sounds, but this song is done with a lot of restraint, each and every layer is catchy and has been added after a lot of thought. A sample for that is rough synth strings or saw motif that keeps looping around in the background which aptly fits in for the roughness of a ruffian that the song exclaims about. The lyrics too are sensible and though sung with a western attitude, it fits well for the toughness that the song requires. While the other version is clouded lesser with e-sounds but with more funky guitars, it is set on a different beat and the voice and lyrics are heard better. It is good that they didn’t name this track as a remix, because it actually is not, it is set to a completely different orchestration and it has to be heard without skipping.

‘Yaarodu Yaaro’ is a neat soulful melody with feel and rhythm reminding the songs of ‘Paruthiveeran’. The song has lengthier interludes with some amazing instrumental pieces and orchestration, especially that vocal harmony in the first interlude is such a heart-felt melody which I would definitely hum accidentally on any day few years later. Snehan beautifully describes the budding love between two extremely different people and sample this line where he describes Yogi falling in love as ‘Ithu Yenna Maayam, Sooriyanil Eeram’. And what can one say about Yuvan’s singing except ‘Nallathor Veenai seithu athai nalam keda puzhuthiyil yerivadhundo’.

With strains of ‘Yaarodu Yaaro’, the melody soon gets an identity of its own with the exquisite Sarangi solo (performed by Ustad Sultan Khan) in ‘Yogi Theme in Sarangi’ playing a very earthy melody sitting firmly on the rhythm of ethnic percussions. Though the template of the song is straight out of ‘Kanaa Kaanum Kaalangal’ (7/g Rainbow colony), there are not many composers who care for such instrumentals in film music these days. And when you think that is the most that you could get from a Tamil film soundtrack, being a fan of such instrumentals, Yuvan serves up with one more theme which again is soulful and addictive. The beat of this theme is interestingly made by embedding a Tavil on synth pads and the strings, flute, Amalraj’s Violin all march one after the other playing beautiful melodies.

The soundtrack’s most entertaining and fun track arrives with ‘Seermevum Koovathiley’ and what a funny way to start the song, no one would think of ‘Seermevum’ and ‘Koovam’ on the same line. Ameer, Snehan (lyricist), Naveen and Jijuba get dirty, real and give a knock out performance in this one. The sound of Chennai Tamizh over years has gained a musicality, which is very evident in this song. With each section song tuned like a popular yester year song, the song should please all the front benchers in the cinema hall. A sure shot winner this one is. Snehan again shines through with his utterly down-to-earth lyrics in the song and can’t wait to watch what they are going to do visually with that Rudhra Thandavam bit at the end of the song.

And with that, Yuvan’s Yogi is 5/5 for me.

18 comments:

Filbert said...

Agree with you, all the way out. One 'complete' soundtrack from Yuvan after ages. Sarvam was close to being called one, but poor choice of singers spoiled an otherwise wonderful album.

Happy that you too like the Seermevum Koovathile song. I love what they have done to a traditional kuthu song.

But I did go 'Wow' on seeing the 5/5 rating for this one. For me, the last Yuvan album that would have got such a rating was Pudhupettai.

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

Filbert - 5/5 is not to mean that Yuvan has done something ground-breaking or never done before, but because for doing exactly what they set out to do. Music for a movie, obviously it should sound good as a stand-alone music but it also should serve a greater purpose when used in the movie.

I don't compare any soundtrack of Yuvan with 'Pudupettai', it was just a stand alone album for me, the orchestral themes were totally out of place in the movie. It never was my benchmark to judge Yuvan's music, but 'Tamizh MA' is.

VR said...

Wonderful Review. Thanks Suresh :) :)

Yes. Yuvan has given what exactly the movie needs.

Sarangi theme is ultimately superb. Rare to get such a full lengh theme in Tamil Cinema. choosing Sarangi is really a great idea.

I liked Seermevum mainly coz of the beats that keep changing.

The only track that did not impress me is Yogi yogi thaan. It takes time to grow :)

Pudhupettai music couldn't gel well in the movie. I agree. A misfit it was. But Thamizh MA, yes. Outstanding album and was really a treat.

Harish S Ram said...

come on... u forgot kunguma poovum konjum puravum.... he was so deep in the emotional front with his songs...i ll keep yogi and kunguma in the same level...

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

VR - Thanks. I am glad that i could keep up with the promise i made to you last week.

mr.weirdo - I remember only one song from 'Kunguma poovum konjum puraavum' now..

VR said...

I should actually thank you suresh :-)

unga kitterndhu Yuvan album'ku review varuma varuma'nu wait pannittu irundhen. LOL.

And, I hope you will review his forthcoming album GOA which has 7 tracks and 3 theme musics :)

Some more interesting facts about Goa album:
>> One song is said to be sung by an international pop singer.
>> One song is said to be sung by Karthik Raja, Yuvan, Bavatharini, Premi, VP and one more cousin.
>> One song is by our IR!

This is gonna be a treat for all music lovers I belive. Fingers crossed. Album is expected to come by Nov/Dec :)

Harish S Ram said...

konguma poovum wasn't marketed well and also the movie wasn't good which made the songs to not stay in our mind - that goes to other yuvan films too... i dont remember d movie he scored music becoming hit off late..

VR said...

KPKP had three great songs of which at least two will be remembered for a long time :) I loved it...

Also, Suresh, you heard muthirai songs? Any comments?

saravana said...

Yuvan music...! it's awesome theme in yogi. Ameer's big buster

Aakarsh said...

This blog badly needs an update.Waiting for your reviews on Pazhassi Raja, Kannakkulle, Mathiya Chennai, Paa.

Unknown said...

Aakarsh - True. I too feel the same. But I am working on a very critical and quite big project now.. so am not getting much time..Will be back soon.

Yet to listen Kannukkulle and Mathiya Chennai.. Pazhassi Raja was good but have been listening to Paa continuously for past 2 days...

Vinith said...

Suresh,

Awaiting your review on Paiya. Romantic music album. if not a full length review, pls post atleast a short takes. Thanks.

Vinith said...

Did you watch the movie Suresh? What's your call on Background score? I enjoyed it thoroughly. Yuvan has gone one step further in his career. Yogi is an example.

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

Vinith - No. I haven't seen the film yet. Stayed away after reading some reviews.

Vinith said...

IS it because of Tsotsi-Yogi connection you did not want to see this?

A shameless lift indeed.

Give it a try if possible mainly for the Background score.

P.S. Suresh Kumar said...

Vinith - I will - on pirated DVD.

Vinith said...

ha ha. A good way to show our anger. :) Your anger is valid.

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