Alphonse Putharen’s romantic thriller Premam throws up some pleasant surprises. The song Aluva Puzha has a retro undertone to it, perhaps largely owing to Shabareesh Varma’s lines that are delivered with finesse byVineeth Sreenivasan.
What worked for me most in the song though is Rajesh Cherthala’s work with the flute, he is on a totally different trip at times! You can literally feel the emotion in Murali Gopi and Shabareesh Varma’s rendition (the former especially) of the song, that prelude in particular is most excellent! Composer Rajesh Murugesan supports them with a dark, pulsating arrangement that goes perfectly with the mood.
There is a lovely use of idakka (a small drum); that’s the second time in less than a month I am seeing the instrument appear in an unlikely setting (former being in the film You Too Brutus). Rockaankuthu is quite identifiable with the team’s musical soundscape in Putharen’s 2013 film Neram, but not as effective. The song turns into a daunting listen, even the vocal choices don’t work that well – Anirudh and Haricharan.
It is the singing that turns out to be the weak aspect in Kaalam Kettu Poyi and Pathivaayi Njaan as well. Shabareesh Varma sure can do wacky renditions, but it would seem melodic songs are not his forte. And that tells in both the songs. Kaalam has a sweet tune and the arrangement by Rajesh is superb (again, reminiscent of Neram in places). In Pathivaayi, the lyricist is joined by the composer, and the problem is the same. Decent tune, okayish arrangement, weak singing.
In the quirky Scene Contra,Shabareesh aces the Malayalam rap though! And the love failure themed lyrics are very well written too. Fun song overall.
The Neram team’s (Alphonse Putharen-Rajesh Murugesan-Shabareesh Varma) sophomore effort in Premam is almost as impressive, but for an occasional let down by the vocal choices.
(Vipin Nair blogs at www.musicaloud.com)