I think it's a matter of taste, nothing more. I'm all for specific constructive criticism within reason. To hear "Rahman not living up to his own standards" for every fricking release of his nowadays is not within reason for me. Ok, there are some fans not as happy with Rahman's music today compared to the past. Of course they have a right to express what they feel. I have to accept that as THEIR OPINION, not a fact. Disappointed with the music for such and such reason? Fine with me. Didn't like the song for such and such reason? Ok! Rahman's not as good as he used to be? That's not getting past me!
You mentioned hardly any songs unliked in Rahman's earlier days. Be careful of confounding variables including novelty, change in sound, music scene, music taste. Judging Rahman's music certainly requires an examination of the predominant music scene and most certainly, Rahman's music STOOD OUT more in his early days than today. To me, that doesn't make his music from that time period superior or a fulcrum by which to judge subsequent soundtracks. IMO if you asked Rahman himself whether his music has worsened over time or if he's not living up to his own standards from the past, I think he would scoff and say, of course not. He sets the standard for himself each time he releases an album for better or for worse. I''m sure he has his favorites, but I'm pretty sure he would be just as proud or critical of his music back then as today. Yes, I agree, his songs have become more situational, but films too have become more specific in theme in content with diverse storylines demanding different types of music from Rahman. Rahman is more selective today too. I'm in my 30s. I'm a relatively late oncomer to Rahman's music (mid 90s) but I enjoy all his music from day 1 to now. I view him as a progressive artist who is maturing at every step and willing to experiment, even if all his experiments are not appreciated by the masses or his fans. I am just as critical of his music from Roja to Jodha Akbar and not all his music is appreciated by me. In fact, I find some of his music from his early days extremely radical and hard to reach, far from appealing emotionally, although admittedly brilliant on a left brain level. Yes, some of his best work IMO is from his early days, but I also find some of his best work from recent soundtracks too! --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Ranojoy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Let me try to explain. For the first 5 years, between 1992 and 1996, > almost none of the people here or ANYWHERE will be able to find 5 A R > songs that they didn't like. Out of 25-30 albums. That's a high > standard. Every phrase, every intro, every verse is astounding from > that period. In Guru, the first interlude from Barso Re is phenomenal > and no other composer is capable of that kind of music, and many fans > think that A R is capable of sustaining that sort of quality over the > length of the entire album, which may or may not happen because the > songs are extremely situational nowadays. > It is RIDICULOUS for anyone here to say that one cannot criticize this > aspect of Rahman's music or that, because there are many many fans who > have been there since the first song of A R R ever aired and before, > and have a right to express their feelings. > I am curious to know how old some of you are, because there seems to > be a generational gap developing in this group :) > > --- In arrahmanfans@yahoogroups.com, "Chord" <purevibz@> wrote: > > > > I hear this phrase over and over and over in reviews. What does that > > mean exactly? Is it purely subjective or are there elements of > > Rahman's best works that can be operationalized? If ARR is a > > progressive artist who doesn't stick to formulas, what exactly are his > > standards that people expect him to adhere to album after album? > > > > I think it's the same dilemma for all suuccessful artists. You take > > rock bands from the west, you hear so many comments about how their > > earlier works outshine later works. "Oh, this group's music back in > > the 70s was so much better than their work now". Their own success > > haunts them down the road, if they let it. > > > > Let's take JA. If you want to compare elements of JA to his most > > highly rated soundtracks of the past, there is good melody, amazing > > musicianship, crystal clear sound, beautiful ornamentation and > > attention to musical detail, haunting chords ahd harmonies, catchy > > rhythms, and innovativeness. > > > > So, what's the problem? I get the feeling that no matter how > > objectively good an ARR soundtrack will be, there will ALWAYS be folks > > who say the phrase above. And I guarantee you that these same folks > > would say he is repetitive if Rahman were indeed to go back to the Dil > > Se or Taal mode or whatever mode they wish for. > > >
