CineGoer.com - Audio Reviews

Not All That Welcome

APK | January 06, 2008

Rating: **.5 (***** Very Good, **** Good, *** Fair, ** Average, * Bad)

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RP Patnaik is back after a long time, and Swagatham starring Jagapathi Babu, Bhoomika and Anushka is an average album. It's not completely disappointing, with two catchy numbers and two numbers which come under 'not bad but heard before' including Kotta Kottaga, Unnannallu in the former and Okarikokaru, Oohala Pate in the latter category.

Babooji Naatho Rara A terrible copy of 'Piya Tu Ab To Aaja' a super hit RD Burman composition with Asha Bhonsle at the playback. Why, oh why? Anyways, Patnaik can't substitute for the unique voice of Rahul Dev going 'Monica..O my Darling', while Geeta Madhuri sings with much gusto and sincerity. Wasted, of course. *1/2

Manasa Mounama Karthik and Chitra render this duet. The song lacks freshness, but is not bad. Veturi has churned out better lines, and the composition in entirety is a cliché. The English interlude by a female voice is plain silly, although hardly noticeable. Playback is fine, but the song itself is not much to write home about so it's wasted. **1/2

Jagapati Babu and Anushka

Kotta Kottaga Unnadi A sweet number by Madhushree, a solo she renders sweet as one can get. The melody is quite nice, and it's a no-fuss number with a simple and catchy tune. Kulashekar's lyrics go hand-in-hand with the chirpy beats to make this a totally hummable number. The song is about falling in love and the magic of it all. ***.25

Unnannallu Haayiga Tippu sings the motivating lines penned by Bhaskarabhatla with much conviction. The song is breezy and the sort that goes very quickly, even though it is the average length and is never harsh on the ears. The lines have much meaning in them and the beat is nice. ***

Okarikokaru The bad news is the song first reminds you of another number and a powerful sense of Déjà vu envelopes you. The good news is RPP has copied himself this time. 'Naa Gundelo Nuvvundi Povaa' from Nuvvu Nenu, it finally dawns on the listener. The first line is similar, the second is the same as the former hit number by Patnaik-in-form. This is excused. You can copy your old songs as much as you want. SP Charan and Madhushree (where's Usha?) render it nice and smooth. **1/2

Jagapati Babu and Anushka

Oohala Pate SP Balu sounds different in this albeit he sounds good. It has a sort of melancholy feel to it, more of promise than estrangement with both themes intersecting somewhere. Veturi's lyrics are situational and the tune is engaging. It's a soft and slow beat. **1/2

Last Word Even Kotta Kottaga Unnadi and Unnannallu remind you, albeit in a passing way, of other songs. But that must be due to the fact that the album starts out giving the listener a bad impression i.e., a blatant and what more, a bad copy of a good evergreen song. Manasa Mounama and Oohala Pate are regular fare while Okariki Okaru is a lift from Patnaik's past. In other words, there's no pat on the back for the composer this time.