Artist:
Raeth
Album: Hum Yaadon Kay Sang ***
The
resemblance to Atif Aslam's vocals is uncanny. Whether by choice
or inadvertently Raeth front-man Wajhi Farooqui does sing in the
same tones as Atif Aslam minus the depth. If anything makes it
clear it's Raeth's new album Hum Yaadon Kay Sang. The record seems
to be doing well. But the lead single, 'Hum Yaadon Kay Sang' often
reminds one of the Jal boys with its sugar-pop lyrics and a monotonous
melody.
Raeth are Wajhi Farooqui and Hassan Farabi, who sprang onto the
scene with the single 'Bhula Do' and followed it up with their
self-titled debut, Raeth.
And now the boys are back.
On the first glance, the album art itself is nothing to go by.
The concept of album art still hasn't caught on and Raeth's super-red
inlay proves it. Speaking of red, Ali Azmat's Klashinfolk album
art by Rola or Indie band Mole's We're Always Home cover (designed
by Reem Khurshid) are two examples of how an artist should also
give a thought to the importance of album covers. It's the first
impression and from Hum Yaadon Kay Sang, one gets a bloody red
background with red guitars… a little effort would've gone
a long way.
Put
the record on...
The title track, 'Hum Yaadon Kay Sang' is not soothing, nor soft
even though it desperately attempts it. As the lead single off
their new album, it's ambitious yet chaotic and messy. With melancholic
undertones Wajhi singing, "Jeevan Mein Hai Kaisi Kami"
and wailing strings adding more character, it doesn't works as
a bluesy love ballad. The 'haiiiis' towards the end don't work
either.
While the acoustic version could be skipped altogether (for its
sheer similarity to the original), it's the club mix of the same
that destroys the song. Simply put it sounds like one of those
bad Bollywood remixes that grace our screens too many times. It's
a redundant beat with some sonic effects that have been done to
death all over the world. It's not intriguing or musically challenging.
'Bolo Toh' is disco-groovy with its built-up guitars, swaying
guitars and an emotive Wajhi singing, "Deewano Sa Haal Hai/Bolo
Toh Ye Jaha Ladoonga/Saarey Aasmaan Ladoonga/Dungoa Khushiyan
Mein Har Pal." It's a more textured and enjoyable pop-rock
song.
'Dil Nahin Manta' is full of optimism and has a tipsy flamboyant
character. Hassan Farabi really shines through his flip-flopping
guitar tricks as Wajhi breathes fiery life into the song.
The guitars sound rather generic on 'Waada'. Not an impressive
opening. As the song flows, one can't help but feel antsy with
its slow pace. The lyrics are boring. Love songs are common and
surely, there is no harm. But the clichés are hard to miss.
"Mujhe Pyar Hai/Ishq Hai Tum Se/Kab Se Meri Hai Iltijan/Ho
Na Kabhi Hum Tum Juda".
On 'Mein Chala', Gumby drums up a storm but it still doesn't help
in saving the song. It sounds aimless with its "Kabhi Uss
Dagar/Hamein Nahi Hai Koi Fikar" and Wajhi's muffled-sounding
vocals while 'Tum Meri Ho' is yet another bluesy ballad as Wajhi
moans, "Kaisi Beetay Din Ki Baatein/Beetay Din Ki Yaadein/Hai
Ansoo Kaisay" which is tastefully done but remains unconvincing.
'Aag' is operatic, sprawling with its crazy guitars and flirtatious
bass but lyrically, it sounds just the same. And that remains
this album's biggest problem. All the songs sound similar, not
so much to others but to each other. HYKS sounds too much like
what we've already been hearing. Its sound could easily be labeled
as a softer version of Jal's Boondh, sometimes it is also a heavier
take on Jal's Aadat. Corny love ditties or a happy youthful feel
with acoustic and electric guitars in every song makes it repetitive
and boring. Another thing missing from the album is powerful lyrics.
Sometimes, lyrics alone are strong enough to drive one to listen
again and again.
Lyrically, Raeth seem to be looking to find their voice. But they
don't get the hold of it, not quite.
As individual songs, some tunes aren't half bad. But the similarity
between tunes gives the album a generic feel. While maintaing
consistency, a little room for some spacious soundscapes is often
needed. And those elements are missing from this album. It all
sounds a bit too similar.
Now compared to their debut, Hum Yaadon Kay Sang is definitely
a step up. Though weak, the album does possess some unfaltering
qualities.
The drumming on the whole, is slick, restrained at times and expansive
at others. The drumming credits include Gumby while the crisp
production can be attributed to producer Faisal Rafi (who also
produced Kaavish's debut Gunkali). Khalid Khan on bass is effective
and Hassan Farabi has come a long way as a guitarist. He is still
young but he is promising. Wajhi Farooqui sounds more in control
of his vocals than ever before. Despite an Atif Aslam-like style,
he does manage to find some ground where his vocal chops command
attention. But these moments are too far apart. Most of the record
is passe. The melodies are weak and there's nothing too memorable.
In fact, throw in Jal's Boondh on play and there is no need of
Hum Yaadon Kay Sang at all. Even if love ballads are the theme,
Jal seem to have a better grasp on the idea. Raeth struggle constantly
on this record even as they strive for coherency.
Ultimately this record ain't uniform. With too many lowlights,
it borders on average.
*****Get it
NOW!
****Just get it
***Maybe maybe not
**Just download the best song
