The Heavens Open Up!

Rahman gives nightmares to reviewers like no one else.On first listening,I settled with a 3 star review for "Vinnai thandi varuvaya" and the "It-grows-on-you" syndrome made me give a 3.75 stars SMS review a week later.The bad news is that it is yet to cease growing on me.

The album begins with "Omana Penne"-a delightful amalgam of Nadhaswaram,Thavil and hip-hop western sounds.Benny Dayal's synthesised vocals somehow dent the overall impact yet the "Omana Penne" refrain is catchy enough to lap the song up.The lyrics is highly fragmented and shows how Thamarai struggles to cope up with Rahman.

"Get Rahmaned" moments:1.The drooling way "Kaatril" is sung and the sudden gear shift to "asaigiradhu un selai".2.The Malayalam bit and the effortless movement to "thalli poraale!"

"Anbil avan" sees Rahman's nuances shine through an otherwise stock tune of Rahman from the late 90s.Devan makes a remarkable comeback with Chinmayee giving adequate aid.

"Get Rahmaned" moment:The interlude wherein the tong of church bells beautifully synchronises with the Hindu marriage tune.

"Kannukul Kannai",sung by Naresh Iyer,is the only fast-paced track in the album.Even then,it shatters all shackles of a conventional track.Note the pallavi where the one worded "neeyum naanum" chorus abruptly travels to "Kaadhal yendral" before settling in the comfort of "Anbe ododi".

"Get Rahmaned" moments:1.The initial Violin bit.As groovy as it can get.2.The "neeyum-naanum" chorus.

"Vinnai thandi varuvaya" sung by Karthik is tantalisingly short and has minimal instrumentation.It is very evident that the tune has been composed to the lines as the tune meanders into contours unforeseen before ending with a disappointing surprise.It is quite easily the most underwhelming song of the album.

"Get Rahmaned" moment:"Inimel neeyum naanum" sounds delightful before Rahman robs us of the feast by finishing the song abruptly.

"Mannipaya" is the first ever song which leaves a lesser impact because of Rahman's vocals.Shreya Ghoshal is in sizzling form hitting the right notes.Rahman sounds a tad detached.The most beautifully written song of the album,it is a gift for lovers at war.

"Get Rahmaned" moment:The Thirukural interlude sounds heavenly.It is a tantalising glimpse of Rahman's future Thirukural project.

"Aaromale" is an uplifting and unique experience with Alphonse's "Oh-my-God" vocals.No other singer can reproduce the emotions in the voice so evocatively in any live concert.A Pink floyd-like attempt,psychedelic rock meets Malayalam to create an other-worldly experience.This song clearly underlines what a Goutham Menon album has been missing for ages.

"Get Rahmaned" moment:The "Swasthi swasthi muhurtham" chorus and the fusion instrumentation in the background.

"Hosanna" is unconventional without a proper "pallavi-charanam" template yet holds universal appeal owing to the hyper-catchiness of the original tune.Pathos meets cathartic melody meets rap meets cathartic melody meets pathos to pull off an absolute stunner.The song can easily win a Filmfare award as well as a Grammy award.

"Get Rahmaned" moments:1.The Blaaze rap.2.The synthesised "Vazhvukum pakkam vandhen" part.3.The "Vanna vanna pattupoochi" interlude with the majestic violin in the background.4.The way "maru idhayam" is sung by Vijay Prakash the third time around.
Comparisons with previous Goutham Menon albums are odious.I feel that comparing VTV with "Minnale" or even "Vaaranam Ayiram" is unfair because VTV panders to no conventions and delights in breaking the rules.The album,as Rahman himself has pointed out,is quirky."Vaaranam Aayiram" was like Newton's third law:simple,catchy,accessible whereas VTV is like Einstein's theory of relativity:complex,layered yet endearing.Unlike previous Goutham Menon albums,this album opens up Tamil music to the myriad possibilities of World music.
Atlast,Goutham Menon is out of the well.
UMESH Rating:* * * * `(4.5 stars out of 5) and still growing on me.