AZAL – Road to Infinity

Review By : Faraz Ahmed
Location : Toronto, Canada

With so many new bands struggling to find their spot in the music industry , a new upcoming band, ‘Azal’ are not apprentice anymore and have been wowing the country with hit singles like “Aise Taise” and “Hum Tum”, classical music videos and their rocking live performance nationwide.

The band consists of four members, with Rajab Ali Khan and Ehtesham Hameed Khan on vocals, Shahbaz Ali Khan on keyboard and Sameer Ahmed on bass.

The album has 10 songs, sung by Rajab Ali and Ehtesham Khan.

The album of almost all tracks with inspired compositions shows not only creativity but also the energetic and polished music produced by Shahbaz Ali Khan. Their songs attract both young and old people.

The hit song ‘Aise Taise’ kicks off the album. A perfect combination of classical and rock music along with soulful vocals, it is an extremely catchy track. Sameer does a wonderful job on bass guitars, with the guitar riffs making it more heartbreaking.

Next on the line is soft track with a western pop music ‘Aankhon Ankhon’, it follows with a similar kind of track ‘Nayon Lagda’, both reflects soft music with pop beats.

Moving further next is ‘Shamoon’ and ‘Basti Basti’ classical tracks with very soulful vocals. The latter is a soft and delightful ballad.

It continues with ‘Hum Tum’ perfectly lenient vocals done by Rajab Ali Khan.
It is the perfect mix of great lyrics with a good beat and vocals.

‘Tere Labon’ again classy pop style music, the melody is very nice until the vocals starts, You will not even bother to listen to the whole track and might just skip it, looking for some other interesting track.

‘Ghanan Ghanan’ is a Indian style track, a softy from top to bottom, If you are in the mood for a long drive this song had better be on your playlist.

‘Azal’ is Sufi kind of track with a touch of rock music with commanding vocals done,
The album ends with a hearty track ‘Zehr’ it’s a mix of different genres.

From my opinion ‘Aise Taise’ is the only song that will make this album sell like hotcakes. Overall it was a work well done..

- The Sky Is Not Enough – Akash’s Debut Album Aks Review

Review by : Danish Afroz (DAN)
Location : India

The Boys have been around, after numerous live performances, video releases, teasers and near album releases, the newest sensation Akash has come up with their debut album.

Hype sometimes becomes the reason of disappointment, but here Akash is out there to live up to it.
Akash since their first track release, has been in the scene and therefore the expectations were high prior to this release. The end result speaks for itself – 19* tracks , each meant to offer something unique and bound to keep the listeners interested.

One of the key features about this work from Akash is that they hav incorporated alot of classical instruments. However this album wont be coming under the label of another ‘fusion’ work.

Its more of an experimental work and thats what is going to make Aks stand out. Not many bands would dare to experiment alot, but the work only speaks of Akash being confident of their talent.

Song after song, Akash displays its wide spectrum of their musical offering. We get shades of hard rock, punk, semi classical, contemporary rock and what Akash calls themselves – Soul Rock. In the end i wud’nt label the album strictly to a single genre as it goes on to offer something to every listener.

Sam has put his heart and soul, and sweat if i may add, and end of the day its worth it !

The songs are nicely produced at PMR Studios, but i feel theres is further room for improvement. Akash really need to look into their ‘loud’ factor coz there is a very thin line separating loud music from loud noise.

I have not review some of the most heard tracks such as Ji Liya, Aaj Phir, Hum Aazad Hain for alot has already been said abt these tracks.

For the rest ive tried my best to put my feelings into words.. though no words are not enough to describe this work !

Aks Intro- Nothing much needs to be said.. its just a short track abt what were going to get !

Piya – This is a song which for me highlights the ultimate musical pleasure. The arragements are simply superb , the harmonuim is amazing. This song is all about enriching ones musical senses ! Its really is the pinnacle of Akash’s musical endeavours !

Rock Funda – Here comes a track which is again full of energy and loaded with enthusiasm. Again Loud is the key word here and loud it goes. The song also features a rap sequence by Omar of the band ‘Kain’.

Tum Kahan Ho – Its a reprise of Ji Liya and its amazing how Akash has turned this song into all together different piece. Its one of those songs which leaves the listener asking for more..

Kyun – If anyone has heard this song before, they’re up for some surprise. Kyun now sounds different, mellower than before. Fultes have been incorporated, towards the beginning and the end, which i felt was not very much required. But the signature Akash power chords and riffs are there. Somehow i feel the ‘harder’ rock version was a bit better. The song ends with that headbanging element for all ya rockers to enjoy !

Armaan – Before the album release this song has already made its impact with a very effectivly executed peppy video. The song in itself a signature Akash track, full of energy. I specially liked the Bass-Drums jam sequence, its not very often we see the bass
being given the prominence.

Ajnabi / Tanha Unplugged – One word. Melancholic. I wud say this is my pick from the album. The song is beautifully underlined by heart rending violin strains and emphasises the rather ‘all alone in love’ feel of this song. Its one of those songs that is bound to leave one asking for more. Set ur music players in repeat track mode !

The Unplugged version of Ajnabi in ‘Tanha’ is even better ! This is Soul Rock at its best !!

Kho Gaya Hoon – The first thing that strikes the listener in this song is the feel of the yesteryears music. The kind we used to listen in 90′s. The song celebrates the feeling of being lost in love, and wud been a mellow pop song if not for some nice guitar treatments ! another favourite here.

Kabhi- Akash experimented with this song. Being an ‘partial inspiration’ they had to do something with it to make it unique. The song starts with muffled vocals and then the guitars soar ! At one point of time there is this stereo panning of guitar sounds. I wud say the tracks has come out really effective !

Na Mil Saka – Another of those tracks which is a towards the sad side. Sitars have been incorporated nicely in this track. But overall I didnt find the track hereThough not very impactful, but it still makes a mark. One cant ignore this track and move on. And if the mood is sombre.. this track will always find its way into playlist.

Da Teen Char Song- Yes its the surprise element of the album. A really fun track which has elements of classic-country-rock ! A really sweet track !

My Last Breath Inst – This is where Akash is reaching some hieghts, literally ! The song is a relentless showcase of the talent Akash is. The song has been played at live concerts with some improvisations, but the album track is also a pure delight ! Despite being an instrumental, it speaks more than many full flegded tracks would do ! Its sure to blow away ones mind.

Zindagi (Unplugged) – Its an unplugged version of Kyun and is marked by some percussions. A sort of slow paced track, just goes on to prove how much variation akash is capable of bringing to its listeners !

Then there are couple of Remixes of Arman and Ji Liya pitched in to serve to a different set of listeners.

I must say that with all the variations and remixes, use of various instruments, Akash has managed to capture the whole spectrum of audiences. If there was any album that i came across in recent times delivering to such a wide segment of listeners it has to be this one. And no its not just the quantity, its for the sheer quality of the work !

And yes even after the high this album takes the listeners to, Akash is not yet done… and as they say.. The sky is not enough !

Strings – Koi Aanay Wala Hai

Review by : Danish Afroz (DAN)
Location : India

After much wait and anticiapation Strings finally delivered. Normally the first couple of tracks give indication where the album is going.. but here the case was somewhat different. By the end of the album, it feels like just another effort from Strings and not something to be remembered for long.

Already there were 2 tracks that we’ve heard to death – in Zinda and Akhri Alvida so there were less of songs remaining to impress.

So in the end of the day – the album turns out to be 4 and a half song product… as much as i hate to say this !!

The songs that actually get me are Titiliyan – by far the best, bcoz of superb backing vocals in the form of Bilal’s Vocals- ” titiliyan yaado ki urti jayein ..” The song in itself is somewhat dark themed one based on losing on love (once again) and its memories.. which is somewhat weak.. the lyrics are too predictable here. But as i said.. there’s something about the song that is its saving grace. One wonders , with better lyrics, this song would’ve made much more impact.

On the side-note… the song is probably inspired by their own song “khirki” from their album ‘ Duur’. Another element that makes this song amazing is the underlying flutes.. which always bring out sense of sadness. Something they have used previously to good effect.

The next favourite comes out to be the title track – Koi Anay Wala Hai.. again just because of Bilal’s distorted riffs and superbly executed backing vocals ”anay wala hai koi” … “koi anay wala hai” along with Faisal’s chorus. As expected this song might be the one that will give strings its publicity…and sales.. but frankly they don’t have much ammunition left with them in their arsenal this time !

Next in line is Humsafar – i dont care if it sounds like Coldplay or anything else.. but it has probably the best lyrics and guitars of the album… With the impeccable guitar solo pitched in and followed by the best lyrical part of the album “mere geeton ke bol bhi tum.. ye jaana…” makes up for some soulful listening here.

These 3 songs and half of the other 3 songs make up for the listen-able tracks of the album. rest is probably skip-able !

Keh Diya is your movie soundtrack-ish Kishore Kumar era type song which u can listen if u dont have anything better to listen.
Its probably too soft pop number and really nothing special in it to hold the listener for long.

Hum Hee Hum wudve turned out to be the high energy inspirational song of the album and it somewhat manages to bring out that effect initially. but one gets over this soon. the chorus is mildly powerful with some “hey .. hey” pitched in. At some points the lead guitars seems somewhat inspired by U2 track “I will Follow” and im not surprised coz they are known to have been U2 inspired. The good thing abt this song again.. and if i can add – of the album – is Bilal’s Backing Vocals – they are so much better than his full out songs – ‘sonay do’ and ‘jago’ which ironically indicate Bilal’s affinity towards sleep or lack of it !
However both are average tracks with Sonay Do a bit better with its dreamy feel. Jaago is loud and brash shouting ‘hit me skip’ !!

Jab Bhi mein is another somewhat likeable track. This is one of the remake of their song which featured in their album – String 2. Drums and tempo are revved up here which makes it a pacy track. I must say that this is a likeable track

Which leaves me with Jabse Tumko – which is another remake from their earliest album ‘Strings’. Having listened to that this is still better .. however it turns out to be rather loud and sounds like rock n roll with distorted vocals.. lyrics are not impressive so it becomes just another track of this album !

Therefore after years of anticipation Strings dish out an average stuff… which leaves us wondering if they could’ve taken couple of more years and get atleast couple of more good tracks in the this dismal lineup.

Never mind every band hits this forgettable phase and lets not take away anything from this remarkable band. They will bounce back and hard.. just needs to be seen after how long. Till then.. all listeners ko” sonay do” and let them “jaago…”