4/5   

Nanban Music Review here at Haihoi.com....

Nanban’s been a much awaited album, that now arrives at the close of 2011. Harris Jayaraj’s been quite repetitive in his tunes of late, and it’s long since he gave a smash hit like Vaaranam Aayiram where all songs turned out to be huge hits. But since this comes from director Shankar’s stable, the music generally carries a sale’able tag. Does Nanban work or not? Here’s my review.

1. En Friend’a pola yaaru machaan?

The album opens to the first song of the film, that’s basically designed to bring in the feel of the road trip as well as portray the youths aching to find their friend. This song does achieve the feel right, but partially. Something that struck the heart in the original, misses in this one. But if you forget comparisons, this is a good start to the album. Catches on after many listens.

2. All is Well.

This is indeed funny, as peppy. The composing style’s been closely matched to the original. The voices(Mukesh,Hemachandran) . Lyrics are always the forte of a peppy youth number, and Na.Muthukumar’s done it exactly. The whistles and the horns in the background add zing to the number.

3.Asku Lasku

This is the fast, yet melodious number you spot in every Harris Jayaraj album. The replacement, to the original’s Zoobi Doobi, is extremely catchy and like’able. The song also has the word ‘Love’ in 16 languages, which is neatly gels into the song’s beat. Again wonderful lyrics by Madhan Karky. But here, Chinmayi’s restrained and Vijay Prakash’s playful rendition of the number makes it stand tall in the album. Slightly similar to Kaavalan’s Yaar Adhu in terms of beats and the raaga. This is the grand number

4.Idhayam Kizhiyum

Wow is the word. This number incorporates the acoustic guitar and it’s chords in all simplicity. Yet, the treatment is what makes it differ. The song moves slow-pacedly, like a wave, you can feel the song flow gracefully. That’s the beauty of this melody. And the lyrics are simple, yet poignant, they strike an arrow in your heart. ‘Idhayam Kizhiyum Oli Kettaen, Idhaya Idhaya edhirpaarthen? “. Totally conveys the feelings of a heartbroken youngster. Easily, the pick of the album.

5.Irukkaana Illaiyana

This number could be the low point of the album. It is indeed peppy, but gives the deja-vu feeling.
And shockingly, a prominent line totally resembles ‘Vennilave..VelliNilave’. Nevertheless, listenable for Sunidhi Chauhan’s rendition. A fresh addition. Pa.Vijay’s lyrics too remind you of Enthiran’s Kilimanjaro.

6.Nalla Nanban

Along the likes of various sad melodies in Indian music, this song too revolves around the select raagas which the composer’s played with before (Anjala, Yamma Yamma). Nevertheless, as said before, the album’s choice of singers adds the freshness seen rarely. Ramakrishnan’s rendition, though muffles words, brings in the right spirit of the number. The usage of the mridangam is heavenly, and the lyrics too have to be appreciated. ‘Nalla Nanban vendum endru andha maranamum ninaikkindradha?’. Kudos Na.Muthukumar!

So done reviewing, if you look at the album overall, the splendor in a Shankar album might be missing. But that exactly is the point, it is a remake and the feeling of the original might have to be retained. Three really good melodies and some pep numbers ranging from average to good. Neat assortment of songs from Harris.

Rating:3.5/5