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 Strings: Dhaani (CD)
Not Available
Product Details:
Artist(s)/Band: Strings | Produced by: Sadaf Stereo | Weight: 0.23 lbs
List of tracks:
1-Dhaani, 2-Najanay Kyoun, 3-Kahani Mohabat Ki, 4-Sohniyae, 5-Bolo Bolo (feat. Hari Haran), 6-Chaaye Chaaye, 7-Mera Bichraa Yaar, 8-Pal (feat. Sagrika), 9-Mitti, 10-HKHJ (Version 1)
DESCRIPTION
Strings' latest album "Dhaani" proves two points about the band: One, that Faisal has an utterly awesome deep basso voice (too many people sing much too high) and two, that Bilal has a gift for a memorable melody that is second to none. "Dhaani" amply showcases both and by playing to the band's strengths manages to come through with flying colours.
The band made the PR faux pas of ominously claiming that they had been jaded (on their website www.stringsonline.net): "We were tired and we needed a break - so we created "Dhaani" around us." Admitting tiredness did not augur well for the band or the album they were going to release. Admittedly they tried to spin it positively by adding that "'Dhaani' gave [the band] the ability to transcend. To see what was not there...to experience what was not possible...to break free. Believe. 'Dhaani' was our escape."
While the album does not have the transcendent ability so grandiosely claimed (this music is not passionate enough to transcend) in the above blurb, "Dhaani" really is quite a great pop album. Actually what the band possibly and somewhat clumsily was referring to was the rejuvenating joyous quality of pure pop music. That is certainly in evidence on several of Dhaani's tracks, and nowhere more so than on the utterly brilliant "Sohniyae." The song is an utter joy and coupled with Junoon's funky and awesome 'Pappu Yaar' provides the crank-up-loud-and-drive-fast-in-your-car soundtrack of the year.
In effect, there are a number of other songs on the album which also achieve pop perfection through similar joyfulness and relative lack of substance. The title track is another case on point. Dhaani? Chunarya? A green chunarya? And the point is? It is not through the lyrics that "Dhaani," the song scores: it actually scores several points through its fun music and its cultivated use of language (Bilal's aunt Zehra Nigah wrote this). Plus Faisal sounds really good in this one. The same is the case with "Chaaye Chaaye," the first single. It is more or less in the same vein and more or less the same arguments apply.
The most memorable feature of the album and its saving grace at times against the lyrics is clearly its music and more particularly the album's melodies. Bilal's talent is stupendous: Few would have dared play with the single word of 'Duur' and stretch it into 'Duuu-uuu-uuu-uuur' in the manner Bilal did to mould the same into one of the most memorable melodies in recent memory. "Dhaani" too is shot through with memorable melodies and infectious melodic phrases: This infectiousness makes pop music made by Strings stand head and shoulders above any other pop band in the land.
This increased emphasis on rhythm is achieved in part through increased use of loops and programmed drums, but it is most evident in the guitars. The guitars in fact are a revelation. Shallum was somewhat involved in the album but by most accounts most of the guitar duties fell to the multitalented Shuja Haider and Bilal himself. These two manage quite nicely. There is a marked shift in emphasis from solos in songs and the guitars seem to take on the role of driving the rhythm more and more.
The compositions in themselves are excellent: "Pal" and "Bolo Bolo" are musically excellent. "Pal" particularly is another highlight to the album. The song is a duet featuring Indian singer Sagarika. It has an ominous intro and then nicely explodes into life. There are a number of disparate elements (Suresh Lalwani's outstanding violin, Shallumesque delay guitars, throbbing bass, tastefully mixed down strings, Faisal's deep voice, Sagarika's vocal gymnastics on the outro) and all of these come together quite brilliantly. The vocal interaction works a charm.
With this we come back to the lyrics. Earlier I had mentioned that some of the songs on the album are joyous. One must also add that "Dhaani" is not a through and through happy-happy album. It might be due to the onset of artistic maturity with the boys or a concerted effort on part of Anwar Maqsood that despite the generally joyous music on the album, some of the words and topics now have a more world weary and jaded edge. Whereas on "Duur" the band sang of joyous arrival (Duur sai koi aaye), on "Dhaani" there are songs about people leaving or having left. "Kahani Mohabat Ki" is lyrically desolate and shot through with loss: 'Gaya dil se / Phir woh na aya idhar.' "Mera Bichra Yaar" may well be more abstractly about a dead loved one or more literally about the yearnings of someone who moved to the city and is missing all those that he left behind in the village. In this the album has also lyrically somewhat broadened Strings' horizon.
"Dhaani" also shows studio mastery and inspiration in equal measure. The mixing is sonically brilliant and so a tip of the head to Shahzad Hassan on that count. However, the recording at times seems to lack edge or overt passion. The climax of "Pal," for example, goes up to a safe high and no higher. No over-the-top pyrotechnics here, which means it is all elegantly tasteful. I guess that is something inherent to the band. They are tasteful and nice (unlike the braver and more passionate Junoon).
This album assures us that Strings will stay the course. In short, "Dhaani" is a solid effort and heartily recommended. Review taken from: The News International
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