No ''Kannae Kalaimanae'' or ''Nalam vazha'' here. Review on Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam Songs

When Illayaraja and Balumahendra join hands to create some meldious moments in the movie, we fans cannot accept anything less than a classic but unfortunately there are no classics here in Balumahendra’s recent venture “Athu Oru Kana Kaalam”. The songs of “July Ganapathy” were far far better in freshness and melody compared to this album. I don’t know really what happened to Illayaraja, how can a person who created a music as innovative as that in “Mumbai Express” can immediately turn out such a mediocre album and that too with a director who is known to extract the best from him. The album is devoid of any fresh tunes, great orchestrations and even the trade mark IR’s simplicity in the melody is missing.

All the songs reminds some old IR numbers and the orchestrations are also in the same old style which are nothing to rave about. “Antha Naal Nyabagan” is a descent melody with all usual IR elements and yet the Shreya and Vijay Yesudas lifts up the song with their soulful rendition. For the first time, IR has used Malathi’s voice quite differently in “Unnalae” song which works out to some extent but the song is far away from the sensuos numbers from Moondram Pirai or even “Thanni knojam” song from “July Ganapathy” was much better than this. IR’s way of rendition in “Kattuvali” raises lot of questions which the visuals and the situation in the movie will be able to answer and also it reminds a lot of IR’s old solo pathos numbers. The simple melodies with minimal instruments are absoultely missing in this album. Crap is the word for the song “Ennada Ninachae” which I think is a hero intro number.

Ocassionally bits and pieces like the second interlude with bell sounds and violin choir in “Antha Naal Nyabagam”, celtic violin piece in “Kattuvali”, some catchy rhtyhm patterns in sensuous “Unnalae”, ususal but sweet flute pieces in “Kili thattu” are some of the elements that makes this album worth a couple of listenings.

If you feel my review has never been so short and less informative then I blame it on the mediocre music delivered by Illayaraja because of which I lack interest to write much about the songs. I just can’t write anything more. Anyway, I am eagerly waiting for “Oru Naal Oru Kanavu” in which he joins with yet another well known director Fazil. Hope Illayaraja doesn’t disapppoint me again.

Though I am bit harsh in this review on this album, it doesn’t mean the songs are very bad, they are actually good but not upto the standrads set by the duo and that is why I recommend this album for those who don't expect any classics from it.