Song: Balleilakka
Film: Sivaji – The Boss
Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar
Singers: S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, A. R. Rehana, Benny, Chorus
A fantastic song to kick off a blockbuster “Thalaivar” movie — Hats off to Rahman. Though not a very original tune, it still bears a lot of listening. For example, listen to the way the drum machine has been arranged (starting off with a repetitive 4 beat/bar arrangement but making a nice segue to 3 beat/1 rest when SPB starts the gapless singing @01:03).
Of course, SPB’s voice, his expression adds its own magic to the song. SPB is the king! Also, some innovative mixing techniques add shine to the song.
I am writing this before the movie release… I haven’t seen any videos of the song but still will attempt a prediction… This will be a truly blockbuster song! I’m sure Shankar’s videography of this song will be nothing less than spectacular.
I assure you that this song will become one of the Top 10 songs for 2007…
Technical:
Technically, Rahman is the king! (or should I say H. Sridhar sir?) Rahman’s songs are always in layers (and very many at that). You should start peeling of layer by layer to see the way the orchestration/arrangement has been imagined… I would dare say that a lot of “knowledgeable” experimentation goes on in Rahman’s songs.
OK, on to the review: Fantasic stereo imaging. Terrific mixing and great depth in the mix. Just listen to the panning @ 00:51 – 00:56. Awesome!
The background drums are not just pure drums but there is also a string instrument resonating at the same frequency. You can get a glimpse of it at 00:19 – 00:21 in the song. A fantastic transition at 00:22 from female to male chorus using a mixture of 2 tabla taps/salangai sound. Innovative!
Gaps can be used as a good transition from Pallavi to Anu-pallavi and this technique has been used here in this song. Instead of maintaining the same beat, the beat takes a break (@01:22 – @1:26) and resumes. Check out the salangai again at @1:41 – @1:46.
The next transistion is just a beat oriented transition – I would say a mix of African Samba drum beats and our own dappan-kuthu. Nice…
Check out the Yele Yele in the background @ 2:11 and again at @2:17. It is not our traditional Yele. It is a kind of Africanized Yele. Cool! Also, I fondly recall a Wave plugin that can exactly make this effect. Centering the vocal, letting it pan (not fully) and bringing it back to the center. (Could it be Waves Doppler?) It adds a rich stereo sheen to the main vocal.
Top it all of, if you heard the cellphone tone @2:21 – 2:34, you see the genius of Rahman. Taking ordinary sounds and setting them in the mix…. Simbly Genius!
A nice kick drum aids the transition at @2:48. Look at the imaging and tightness of the kick drum. It is not at all muddy. Wish I could mix with this clarity. Sigh!
A pe-pe aids the transition to the Charanam of the song. pe-pe (esp. at this freq. when ezhutthu played will convey a sad emotion. Here is played in short bursts imparting energy). The shredding effect is another Waves plugin! (Waves MondoMod). Dude, this guy breaths technology!
Singer:
One word – SPB! 
(Rehana is OK, Benny no where to be seen, may be in the chorus?)
SPB displays tremendous energy. Unbelievable that he is 60+. Hats off to you sir!
Check out his expressions @3:51-@3:59… Also, don’t forget the SPB sangathis for Kaveri, Pengalum, Kangalum across Pallavi, Anu-pallavi and Charanam.
05:01-05:04 features a falsetto (sounds exactly like Rajini) highlighting the range of SPB’s voice.
However, I think 05:08 – 5:30 and earlier gapless singing could be computer technology @ work… (Who cares, it is SPB!)
The end is kinda amalgamation of all the instruments. Suddenly strings appear out of nowhere in the mix. This is what I call as “experimentation” — but pros only please… I am too sick of listening to too many confused mixes in the name of experimentation 
Lyrics:
Lyrics has been penned by Na. Muthukumar. Very creative lyrics, that totally convey the situation (Rajini returning from abroad to his village in India). Typically, songs @ this tempo usually has meaningless fillers (humming and other noises). Glad to hear the lyrics being full and meaningful. Good job! Of course, SPB totally practices what he preaches — singing each syllable with full clarity. Try signing at this tempo and you’ll see what I mean… I would like to see Udit Narayan and other imports do that… (PS: I don’t have anything against Udit Narayan and am a big fan of his voice. So, don’t start bashing me…)
In one word:
(Like SPB/Thalaivar says in the end of the song)
Cool!
+s : Terrific energy, good lyrics, impeccable delivery
-s : Not a great tune, percussion arrangement little repetitive
Rating: 
