Kunguma Poovum is worth a listen

SPB's Capital Film Works has a reputation for introducing newcomers and making winners out of them. Tamil film Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puravum (named after the title of a classic Chandra Babu song) seems like one such project. With Yuvan Shankar Raja scoring the music, here's a look at what the album has to offer:

A well known nadaswaram refrain starts off Muttathu Pakkaththil. Rendered by Venkat Prabhu, the song is complete with flutes and thumping folksy beats. This new avatar of the popular Nandhavanthil Oru Rajakumari springs no musical surprise on you and is obviously a nod to the front-benchers, as the lyrics are by Gangai Amaran. But the song is catchy.

Kadaloram is mild, melodious and slow. It is written by Vaali, and sung by Yuvan Shankar Raja himself in his characteristic nasal voice, and tries to mix anguish and romance. The guitar has been used effectively making a brief but catchy appearance, along with percussion. Simple lyrics and a gentle melody makes this song worth more than one listen, even though it may sound familiar at times.

Chinnan Sirisu begins with a eighties feel, and reminds you of an Eric Clapton song. It's only when you hear Javid Ali and Bela Shende, that you realise this is a Tamil song. But the two styles don't really gel.

Udukku and Pampai begin Naan Dharumanda in folk style with S P B going the whole hog with Gangai Amaran's lyrics in Vijaykanth mode. The tune shifts to a happy-go-lucky style, which is a refreshing change and peps up the otherwise lackluster tune. This one is made for the front-benchers as well.

The signature tune of Paruthiveeran grips you right away as Velmurugan starts off with a classic oppari lament, and Gangai Amaran's words hit the right notes. As the fast-paced beats thunder in, you appreciate the heart-rending mourning songs in Tamil, which have never really found a place in mainstream cinema. This one, even though it is rather short, captures the mood very well.

S P Charan renders Kadaloram, and even though it is identical to the first song, the second version is much better.

It might not contain a set of rocking tunes but this album is a collection of familiar tunes packaged in a refreshing way. Not blockbuster material but worth a listen.

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