New year's gift from Rahman. Review on Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya Album

Happy New Year to all says A.R Rahman and how!!Vinnai Thandi Varuvayaa (VTV) is one of his most refreshing works. The pre release buzz was strangely low despite the fact that Hollywood wannabe Gautam Menon is teaming up with A.R.R for the first time. Magic it is. Aaromale, crooned by Alphons Joseph, is a unique shot at the genre of blues. It may not be liked by everyone as it isn't the happy one, but as a Rahman lover you can just stand up and applaud the versatility of the genius. Alphons Josesph does full justice to the raw all male melancholy. Anbil Avan, sung by Devan and Chinmayi, is a nice change to moods after the haunting Aaromale. It seems like a musical presentation of the wedding vows. It's plain fun just sit back and relax. the vocals are easy to the ears.

Title track - vocals - Karthik. My favourite singer has just proved his mettle once again. Starts of with the guitar and slowly grows on you. Very noticeable variations in the tone of the song really expertly handled here.

Kannukul Kannai - vocals - Naresh Iyer. An upbeat number in an otherwise slow moving album. It'll really put you in a good mood. For a change Violin's don't make you cry!!

Mannipaya - vocals - A.R Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal. And we here the genius himself. Another melancholy but, unlike Aaromale, is on the softer side. Shreya Ghoshal is brilliant. A.R.R ? Do I really need to say??

Omana Penne - vocals - Benny Dayal, Kalyani Menon. A lovely song, yet another chartbuster! the whole package vocals, lyrics and the refreshing tune all of them will definitely make you want to rewind and play. The right mix of nadaswaram (the name of the song would suggest that) and modern percussion and mixing makes it versatile as well.' Unnai marandhide mudiyathe!!'

Hosanna - vocals - Vijay Prakash, Suzzane D'Mello and Blaaze. The best song of the album. It starts off with a nice little prologue if you will ' Yein Idhayam.. brilliant! Then the song shifts gears to reggae and you have no time to realise that because it is efficiently mixed. Blaaze will be loved with his singing and of course the buzzword 'Hosanna' sounds catchy. Vijay Prakash stands tall and delivers it perfectly.

Its not everyday you listen to albums such as VTV. Do yourself a favour - get it!!