Vel's music is below average

Director Hari's Tamil film Vel has many curiosity factors to make movie goers look forward to its Diwali release. It will be the second coming together of actors Surya and Asin after their record breaking Ghajini.

After Perazhagan, Surya does a double role for the second time in his career. Surya is also acting in a Hari film for the second time after Aaru.

But sadly, the film has a drab musical score by Yuvan Shankar Raja, for whom consistency has never been a strong point. His outputs have always been a medley of the good and the mediocre. And now Vel joins the below average bandwagon.

The album, which has half a dozen tracks starts in the most unimpressive manner with the tedious number Indha Ooril Eppothum. Shankar Mahadevan rattles off some silly lyrics by Na Muthukumar in his usual kuthu style. Neither his high voltage rendition and the folksy touch in the beginning nor the heavy percussion could save it banality.

The following Ottrai Kannale is the only saving grace of the album. Beginning in western style and hip-hop beats, it is an enjoyable melodious track which tells of love kindled by a sideways glance and the havoc it plays on the lover.

Flute and trumpet interludes, Haricharan's remarkable rendition and Hari's simple yet meaningful lyrics make it worth a listen. The female voice is heard only in the chorus.

Kadhal (love) is the theme of the next number Kovakkara Kiliye by Tippu and Sujatha. There is a thin thread of melody running through the track. Sujatha's voice has a sensuous feel and a playful sweetness at the same time. Percussion with heavy drumbeats and Tippu's ebullient rendition are the other highlights. Lyrics are by NA Muthukumar.

Aayiram Jannal Veedu by Rahul, Premji and Vadivel begins with good rhythm. Na Muthukumar's lyrics about a joint family where love reigns and strong relationships between its members are full of platitudes. As in the Kovakkara Kiliye track, there is a touch of melody here too. What spoils the show, however is Vadivel's guttural extra lines and ear-piercing chorus in kids' shrieking voices.

Thoppulkodi Sonthamonru, a mournful number is Sriram's best effort. Hari's lyrics are about the strained relationship between a mother and her son, one of her twin offspring from whom she has been separated. Extended flute elaborations add to the inherent pathos. But in spite of all these, the track fails to touch your soul.

The composer signs off with another racy but lacklustre number, Onnapol Oruvan by Shankar Mahadevan and Srilekha Parthasarathy. Na Muthukumar's lyrics are silly and senseless. There is nothing new or remarkable about Shankar Mahadevan's high decibel rendition. Ditto with Srilekha.

Another dreary output from Yuvan Shankar Raja.

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