Siddharth is probably only star in Telugu films, whose movies always had great and inspiring music. His latest film 180 hence promises the same. It has music from Sharreth, who earlier got audiences hooked to Kalavaramaye Madilo with some easy songs. Let’s see if 180 caters to taste of Telugu film music aficionados.
1. Ee Vayasika Raadu
Lyrics: Vanamaali
Singers: Tipu
 The album starts with a bang, literally, though the drumbeats (a combo of western and South Indian) are paced with lot of time between each of them. Amazing set of string instruments make up for the lack of speed in this otherwise quite energetic song. Vanamaali’s lyrics don’t come across as convincing as the entire composition. The song itself is a mix of amazing variety, and a little bit of exhibitionism from the music director. Probably that is why it is not an easy one to listen to, but it definitely starts getting to you slowly and mildly. One already begins to wonder how this song will be ‘picturized’!
2. AJ
Lyrics: Vanamaali
Singers: Vidhu Prathap, Ramya S.Kapadia
 AJ is yet another slow number, with lot of keyboards, cellos and violins taking you to a beautiful world, probably working on your imagination. The Spanish lyrics add more too! Ramya’s voice is magical, as is Vanamaali’s work, and they get good support from Vidhu Prathap. The best thing about the song is that it has a certain ‘Illayaraja’ feel to it.
3. Ninna Leni
Lyrics: Vanamaali
Singers: K.S. Chitra, Anand
 Ninna Leni is the better paced than the previous two! The percussion drama created with a twist of bass guitars is amusing, interesting, and praise worthy. Mridangam along with Chenda lead the western beats, while the entire tune stays truly South Indian. Chitra excels (oh what a clichéd thing to say) and so does the other singer Anand. Vanamaali’s lyrics could have been lost in the milieu of the instruments, but it is the sensous beauty of his words that might click with you!
4. Moonnallee
Lyrics: Vanamaali
Singers: Sharreth
 Moonnallee is yet another slow, but dynamic number, sung specially by the music director Sharreth in an Arabic(?) style. Again he deftly uses the drums to convey the strong message of the song. With this song, Vanamaali doesn’t remain the writer of ‘feel good’ songs for Mickey J. Meyer, he touches the shadows of violence with clarity. Overall the song is yet another incovnenient one to listen to, though it manages to redefine the typical ‘tragedy cum self pity’ song we usually hear in our movies.
5. Radhe Radhe
Lyrics: Traditional
Singers: Ramya S.Kapadia, Ravi Shankar
 How a song about Lord Krishna takes one to a different plane! Though in Hindi and laced with basic instruments, the song is wonderful to listen to. Nicely done, and rendered adorably by all the singers.
6. Nee Maatalo
Lyrics: Vanamaali
Singers: Karthik, Swetha Mohan
 Karthik’s voice and Vanamaali have created few magical numbers in Telugu previously. Nee Maatalo is probably going to try being another such, though this one is a touch more sensuous. The composition carries the expression quite neatly, and one wonders if the Tamil original got the best of Vanamaali.
7. Nee Maatalo
Lyrics: Vanamaali
Singers: Vidya Shankar, Master Aswath P.Ajith, Master Sharath
 Inspite of inspiring compostion the complete credit for Padapadamandi should go to Vanamaali. His words are thought provoking if not extraordinary. The child singers (especially the one who touches very high notes) deserve praise for their peformance. The team of 180 has somehow managed to keep the story of the film under wraps, but it seems this song gives you some leeway to expect what kind of a film this is going to be.
To surmise it all the songs of 180 may be aimed for the ears of those who don’t mind experiments with music. The album doesn’t have the sound of a conventional Telugu film album, but somehow manages to make you listen to the songs. Sharreth and director Jayendra, show what is possible with music and leave their case with a strong argument. Hopefully, Telugu audiences, who have always adored and encouraged ‘rarity’, find some liking to the work done here.
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