Sakkarakatti: Audio Review

Marudhaani
A great composition with Rahman's stamp written all over it. The beautiful melody grabs your attention from the start with the pulsating beats. The opening sounds like Swarnalatha's humming from En Vaanil (Kadhal Virus). Madhushree's pronunciations are quite good; it is obvious that she is one of ARR's favorite, although Chinmayee or Shreya would have also done justice to the song. The tune reminds one of Munbe Vaa (Jillunu Oru Kaadhal) and Sahana (Sivaji) especially with Rahman's humming in the interludes. The background beat is reminiscient of Santhipoma (Ennaka 20 Unnaka 18). The chorus effects are soothing with a nice piano piece layered on top of a female whisper. This song will definitely be one of the popular melodies of 2008!

Taxi Taxi
The opening 2 lines are good but once it soon goes into the rap, the song reminds you of Kama Kama (Ennaka 20 Unnaka 18). Definitely not one of my favorites - seems like the song has way too many unecessary effects! There is a French humming in the middle of the song by Vivainne which is similar to Bailamore (Kadhal Virus). This song may be a hit in Madras but nothing special about it in comparison to the rest of the album.

Chinnamma
Rahman's dubbed songs generally do not do well in other languages. However, Chinnamma Chilakamma (Meenakshi) originally sung by Sukwinder Singh, is brilliantly revived in Tamil with a medley of young singers. Benny Dayal and Chinmayee do a great job with the song making it a peppy duet unlike its Hindi version which was only a solo. The song weaves a folk melody with a flute opening and a female chorus. One of the best songs in the album!

Naan Eppoudhu
Yeh Rishta (Meenakshi) is dubbed into Tamil, the second song from Meenakshi, although it fails to impress as much as its original version. The singer, Reena Bhardwaj, has done a good job with the song but the haunting melody in Hindi fails to capture your attention with its Tamil version. Her voice is very sweeet buy the lyrics seem a little forced at times and in general the tune is more North Indian.

I Miss You Daa
I am a huge fan of Chinmayee but maybe this is one of those songs that have to grow on you, which is typical with ARR's compositions. The Eminee humming that Chinmayee renders is haunting. She has a very sweet voice ...it almost sounds like Madhushree at times since its more base than her other songs. A good effort but not great.

Elay
The opening sounds a little like Puddichirruku (Saami) and Roobaroo (Rang De Basanti). The folkish, Iresh genre flavor to the song is very refreshing. Naresh Iyer and Krish do a great job with the song and it is one of the fresher pieces of the album. The lyrics involve several analogies and mixed with English words sprinkled here and there (camera, kaleidoscope, hiroshima, surgery) - seems like non-Tamil words and non Tamil singers are a must for Tamil songs now!

Overall, a great and youthful album by ARR! His first Tamil movie for 2008 after Azhigiya Tamil Maghan last year. Stay tuned for more reviews - next ARR album is Ghajini (Dec 2008).