Sonu Niigaam impresses with Kannada Album R Richard Mahesh, Sampurn Media
Neene Bari Neene
Artist: Sonu Niigaam
Music Director: Mano Murthy
Lyricist: Jayant Kaikini
Label: Times Music
Genre: Regional
Review:
Making his entry into Kannada music arena, Sonu Niigaam marks a temporary crossover from the Hindi music industry to create chartbusting music that would be cherished across generations. The singer delivers all time hits with Neene Bari Neene, an album that brings his trademark honey smooth voice delivering tracks on the lines of ghazals.
I feel something about you, or ‘Innu Anisutide’, has heartrending touching lyrics that are about a lovers tiff over the question of a perfect world. Instruments are orchestrated with mild momentums on live drums, with fortepianos accompaniments throughout the song. It’s a song that compels a second listen.
The elegant lyrics of ‘Beku Beku’ captivate the yearning of an ardent lover for his love. The humming refrains by female vocalists make it interesting and sound appealing. However, the interludes could have been executed in a much refined manner, as the current interludes intermittently interrupts the flow of the melody.
The preludes on piano and guitar give an invigorated feel to ‘Eega Bandiruve’, the track is followed by running notes on stringed instruments. Unlike the previous songs, ‘Eega Bandiruve’ is brimming with vitality on instrumentations. Shifting from major-to-minor scales in the first and other verses could have been avoided as it pales the beauty of its poetic lyrics.
‘Losing to you is my greatest victory’, says the song ‘Naa Ninagage’. This blissful melody enthralls as Sonu’s wonderful intonation reminds one of R D Burman’s masterpiece ‘Kuch Na Kaho’ (1942 A Love Story). Though the loud intermezzi on distorted guitars belittle the ambience to a certain extent, the interlude prior to the final verses is excellent. ‘Naa Ninagage’ can be regarded as the best pick of this album.
An ode to love, ‘Neene Bari Neene’ serenades the lover, calling her the soul of the very song that is being sung. The track carries the shadows of yesteryear Hindi classics, which is highlighted with instruments on accompaniments. Foot-tapping melody and poignant lyrics is the mainstay of this song. The striking guitar notes in between the verses are something to watch out for.
The track ‘Baa Nedu Gelati’ begins on an impressive note and charms on saxophone with the usual string instruments and guitars following up. The track has made use of rhythmic beats on Congo-drums, which is quite an innovative approach.
Commanding attention and then mesmerising listeners for the duration of its playtime, ‘Ninna Hindeye’ creeps silently into the heart. Sonu’s powerful vocals soothe as extremely delightful soft chorus backs-up on vocals; the instrumentals have come out as really impressive too. ‘Ideye Ninage Samaya’ carries the album forward in the same vein and has traits of other numbers in it; the only added attribute is the accordion as this instrument isn’t utilised in other songs.
‘Haadantu Namma Naadalli’ stands out as it is completely different from the album’s other songs. A fast-beat peppy song with lyrics that are centered on a person’s glorification of his country, this track seems tailored to be a hero’s title song.
To sum it up, Neene Bari Neene is a praiseworthy attempt by Sonu Niigaam. Kudos to him for this spectacular endeavour that is bound to impress music lovers.
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