 Vidyasagar is perhaps the quintessential music director of the times. Well earthed in classical music, he knows how to improvise to suit the palate of the modern-day youths. He can be classy and commercial as the occasion demands.
In Poi, he is both.
On the other hand, K Balachander, known for extracting the best from the music composers, has done the same here.
Poi stars Uday Kiran, Geethu Mohandas and a debutant Vimala Raman.
1) La La La (S P Balasubramaniam)
SP Balasubramaniam has yet again proved here that though he has gone a bit old, his voice has not. He gives this romantic number the right embellishments. Like a set batsman facing a full-toss, SPB scores the maximum here. The orchestration of Vidyasagar adds strength to the song.
2) Kutty Kutty (Shalini)
Otherwise known for racy numbers, Shalini, changes tack, renders it ever-so-softly. Shalini’s voice stands the test. Vidyasagar's intelligent use of instruments like violin in between adds sheen to the number. Sure to find a place in audio-charts thanks to good chorus in the middle.
3) Kannamoochi (S P Balasubramaniam)
 It's a bit song. S P Balasubramaniam. Seemingly a pathos number, which is little more than a minute, the lyrics dwell more about the story of the movie. The song has no instruments but for a few violins accompanying. Touches your heart.
4) Kandupidithen (Dr Narayanan)
A brisk and a peppy number with Dr Narayanan, who has been heard before in KB’s serials, giving his best. Interestingly, the song seems to be a take-off of the hit number Satham Illatha in Amarkalam. Not just the lyrics but also the tune seems to remind the same.
5) Ingae Ingae (Shankar Mahadevan)
Perhaps the pick of the album. An energetic Shankar Mahadevan is full of feel and fervor. His protean voice fits this soft romantic song pretty well. Certainly leaves an impression thanks to Vidyasagar giving less thrust on instrumentation and giving importance to lyrics. It's a rarity these days that one comes across such melodious numbers that stick to the heart immediately.
6) Hitler Pennae (Thippu, Sujatha)
A soft love duet. In the company of Thippu, Sujatha has given the right pep for the song. Vidyasagar has come up all trumps in giving a melodious number where the harmony is excellent. Begins on a slow mode only to accelerate towards the end. The lyrics need a special mention where a host of English words finds a place.
7) Enna Tholaithai (Chitra)
It is a soul stirring number rendered by Chitra. All credit to her for giving right expressions and Vidyasagar walks away with applause for trying new but soft sounds here.
8) Azhagana Poikalae (Ranjith)
The title song of the album Sung by Ranjith, the song seemingly recreates the mood of 1980s. Peppy beats and heavy instruments accompanying the song, one may wonder why Vidyasagar had not gone for SPB, who had sung many such song before. But let's not take away the credit from Ranjith. He has done a decent job.
On the whole, Poi is true ---to Vidyasagar’s abilities, that is.
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