Pop plops!
This year had much in common with the post-Zia years (early 90’s, when Pakistani pop really took off) if we just look at the sheer number of albums released. Perhaps the biggest release was Junoon’s ‘Daur-e-Junoon’, a crisp compilation of all their hit numbers performed live around the world. As usual, their massively idolatrous fans made sure it was a runaway hit.
It’s amazing how Junoon’s popularity keeps growing. In December, they were declared as ‘the World’s Biggest Band’ at the BBC’s 2002 Music Awards, and Salman was pronounced as, ‘the Biggest Star of Pakistan’.
Karavan, perhaps the only band not yet (ahem!) burdened with corporate sponsorship, released their third album. One has to give credit to Assad Ahmad & Co. for soldiering on. Their determination has paid off and the album was a moderate success helping Karavan’s funky eastern rock carve a niche for itself. The band is currently touring and their live performances are creating waves across the country.
Satellite channels played a vital role in the rejuvenation of the pop industry by giving much needed exposure to upcoming acts. 2002 saw quite a few new bands join the fray: Noori, EP, Aorah and Fuzon to name a few. Noori (headed by front-man Ali Noor) made it big this year thanks to the amount of airplay their singles ‘manware’ and ‘tum hansna’ got on Indus Music. Their album slotted for release in Dec-Jan is perhaps the most eagerly awaited.
The success of Fuzon’s ‘saagar’ has propelled them forward as the country’s best new band. Their album is a sheer musical delight. Its rich composition and Sohail Amanat Ali Khan’s voice has done for Fuzon what “inquilab” did for Junoon. The second video from the album, “aankhiyan” is currently doing the rounds on all the satellite channels. True to their name Fuzon music is a fusion of U2 guitar riffs and classical vocals.
2002 was also a busy year for the solo artists, as all the big guns released their albums. Junaid Jamshed’s third solo offering managed to create a few ripples but one would really like him to try something new instead of treading along the same old lines. The album is overall melodious and has a few exceptionally good tracks (Tum kehti ho, and Barson ki baat etc). However, it seems like Junaid, so many years down the line, is still trying to find his own unique style.
Shehzad Mughal, the local Ballad Badshah, made a comeback by launching his second album after a period of almost five years. ‘Jhoomlay’ sold well in Karachi but failed to leave any imprint on the Lahorites’ minds. The album lacks experimentation and innovation. After listening to ‘jhoomlay’ one cannot help wondering how similar it is to his first album. Shehzad should have thrown in a few catchy tabla driven Punjabi numbers.
Hadiqa Kayani, Pakistan’s one and only pop diva, and Haroon, the teenagers’ heartthrob (or at least he would like to think so), both had albums hit the market. Hadiqa’s latest offering ‘Rang’ is as good as one has come to expect from her. Although well received by audiences, it couldn’t follow up to the huge successes of ‘bohay bariayan’ and ‘dupata mera malmal ka’.
‘Sajan ki Yaad’ easily being the best number from Lagaan, Haroon’s second album, was a hit with younger audiences. The album’s sugar coated love songs have all the ingredients for easy listening and that’s what it is meant to be. No serious stuff in this album. Lagaan sees Haroon continuing to develop as a singer and one hopes he keeps up the good work.
Ali Haider, Pakistani Pop’s blue eyed boy, asserted his presence by releasing ‘Chandni Ratain’, the sound track of the PTV drama of the same name. Ali continues to be influenced by European electronic sounds ala Mobi, and although the title song ‘Chandni Ratain’ is different, it reminds one of vintage Ali Haider ala Sandesa and Qarar. Most of the other songs are in the same techno/electronic mould that is becoming a hallmark of Ali’s recent work. 2002 was also the year Ali was seen romancing Meera on the Silver Screen. Diehard Ali fans will try and forget it but the images of Ali in a turban and netting shirt prancing in the desert continue to haunt us.
Rab Janay, Shahzad Roy’s latest album also hit the market. This album sees Shahzad progressing on the path to maturity. The boy is not afraid of experimenting; an innovative instrumental is proof of Shahzad unceasing efforts to expand his boundaries. Sajjad Ali, perhaps Pakistani Pop’s only classically trained pop singer, made his contribution with ‘‘Teri Yaad’, an excellent bluesy number that was a huge hit
The undisputed Bhangra king was very much part of the scene with Assa Tey Jana Mallo Maal. Both Abrar-ul-Haq and Jawad Ahmad were very much around with their videos being constantly requested on all the cable channelsSmaller acts like Scharique Roomi (remember the ‘Fiqar Na Faqa boy’?) and two-man band Sarab released albums but failed to create any shock waves. Scharique’s ‘Chaanda Mu Chupalay’ got a lot of airtime especially on ARY but couldn’t help the album become a success.
Solo hipster Najam was seen wooing audiences. Najam with his tea time track ‘Jaisay Chao Jiyo’ was not miss the taste of being on the bandwagon of popularity.
Overall, our fledgling pop industry refused to take it lying down and be overrun by the constant flow of Filmi/Pop music coming from across the border which our cable operators have spared no effort in propagating. One can proudly say, PAK POP hit back in 2002 with a vengeanceWhat happens in 2003 is anyone’s guess but with new bands like Noori and Aaroh both planning to release albums and rumours of an English album from Junoon, things are finally looking bright. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!