The successful team of the superhit Tamil film Gilli is back again. Director Dharani, actors Vijay and Trisha [Images], and music director Vidyasagar are coming together once again in the forthcoming Tamil film Kuruvi. That's not all; the film's producer is none other than M Karunanidhi's (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) grandson Udayanithi Stalin.

We have come to expect a lot from Vidyasagar's compositions, especially if it is a film starring Vijay. Kuruvi's album, however is quite a letdown.

The album kicks off with the contemporary sounding number, Happy New Year, which is a cacophony of just sound minus the music. Sunithi Chauhan, Yogi B and Dr Burn belt out this tumultuous number in blistering style. Lyrics by Muthukumar or whatever goes in the name of lyrics, including reference to Vijay's other films like Sivakasi and Thirupachi, take a backseat throughout.

Dandaana darna, another fast track is the intro song, an indispensable item in any Vijay movie album. Singer Sangeeth Althipur high octaves with fire, energy and the orchestra, especially the vibrant drum beats at optimum level, drown and hamper the clarity of Kabilan's lyrics. Instrumental interludes however, are enjoyable.

Vidyasagar returns to familiar ground in Thaen thaen thaen rendered by Shreya Ghosal and Udith Narayan. With a lilting prelude soaked in guitar-violin-flute sounds, this number has pleasing though heard-of before melody. Shreya's beguiling rendition in her honey-sweet voice, alluring instrumentation, especially the flute interlude and Yugabharathi's romantic lyrics are the highlights of the song.

The composer himself has lent his voice with S Rajalakshmi to render the next track Palaanathu palaanathu, the title track which begins with robust drum beats. It is racy stuff in techno style. There is hip-hop and a bhangra touch in between. Pa Vijay's lyrics submerge under the aggressive orchestra. Vidyasagar's forceful rendition is commendable while Rajalakshmi gives adequate support.

Theme music by Pravin Mani, Dr Burn, Raneena and Suvi is a mish mash blend of hip-hop and rap sounds supported by a volatile orchestra. The tempo and genre change many times with a western touch added here and there. In between there is interpolation of Vidyasagar's earlier appadi podu refrain as well. Na Muthukumar has penned the lyrics.

The concluding Mozha mozhannu with Pa Vijay's lyrics, is the only track where the words do not suffer due to heavy orchestration and indiscriminately buoyant rendition. The piece in kuthu style is rendered by K K and Anuradha Sriram. Sprightly rendition by the singers, lively percussion and interesting instrumentation, with melodious alap by Anuradha, and addition of a slight folksy touch are the highlights of this track.

In a nutshell, Vidyasagar's music has only sheen, no soul.

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