Anniyan Audio

Anniyan can be considered the acid test for Harris Jayaraj. The music director had a fabulous 2003 with movies like Saamy, Lesaa Lesaa and Kaakka Kaakka but didn't quite make a mark in 2004. Considering A.R.Rehman's soundtracks for previous Shankar films, Harris had some big shoes to fill this time. One could say he has not risen to the occasion but at the same time, he has not completely let Shankar down either. Anniyan is definitely not his personal best but does include a couple of good tracks. And keeping in mind Shankar's talent at song picturization, the other tracks cannot be completely written off either.

1. Andankaakkaa...
A folksy tune that reminds one of Uppu Karuvadu..., especially because of the Shankar connection. It is a fast song capable of getting our foot tapping. Jessie Gift's unique voice helps make the song interesting at places and Randakkaa uttering is quite catchy.

2. Iyengaru Veetu...
With the recent assault of loud and fast duppanguthu numbers on my ears, I have automatically begun to like slow and melodious tracks. This one gets my recommendation based on that though the tune of the 2 paragraphs sounds vaguely familiar. Track begins with a familar Carnatic number and Hariharan's golden voice flows smoothly.

3. Kaadhal Yaanai...
A fast track that loses its appeal quite soon. The song seems to about someone called Remo and has a lot of English words. The rap-like interlude is by females for a change and is catchy. After the Tsunami mention in Kanaa Kanden, this song has the singer comparing a woman to Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the sound of a bomb falling in the background! What's this obsession of lyricists with finding love in tradedy??!!

4. Kannum Kannum...
One of those typical numbers where the beats are fast and the lyrics are silly and meaningless. The lyricist has obviously been given a free hand to come up with words that don't have to mean anything as long as they rhyme!

5. Kumaari...
The song caught my fancy on the first play itself. Shankar Mahadevan sings in a captivating, slightly slurring voice with Harini joining him at the very end. The tune is mostly melodious but picks up its pace at a few places. The fast spots are the best parts of the song with the lyrics sharp and slipping very well into the fast tune. The meaningless interludes are typical Harris Jayaraj(remember Omahaseeya... and Illahi Ullaahi... ?) and add pep to the song.

6. Stranger in Black... (Theme Music)
This one's only music and it sounds a lot like the new age stuff from groups like Enigma and Enya. But since I'm a fan of new age music, I didn't mind the track. Very relaxing and soothing.