‘Parastish’ By Ahmed Jehanzeb

Within a rush of releasing albums from pop gigs, there is one that really banged the pop music scene of Pakistan during a short interval of time. Yes, this is Ahmed Jhanzeb, soft looking chubby guy.

Parastish, Ahmed Jehanzeb’s long awaited debut album is haunted by the success of his debut hit song ‘Aik Baar Kaho’. Curiously almost the whole album lyrically mines the same vein as ‘Aik Baar Kaho’ and musically fumbles around the same formula of a lovelorn hit.

For the lyrics of Parastish, AJ mostly stays close to home, either supplying the lyrics himself or relying on his father. Generally, parents writing lyrics is a bad idea. Anwar Maqsood is uneven for Strings and though Hadiqa’s mother Khawar is bit better, she is the exception that proves the rule.

On Parastish Captain Safeer Ahmad or Dad, as he is repeatedly credited on the album sleeve, is not up to the mark. This is particularly evident when his work is put up on the same album along with lyrics by Ahmad Faraz and other more accomplished writers.

Kaho Ek Din, album’s opening song, is the best song of the side. Its impressive video directed by Sohail Javed (Fuzon’s lucky man) is on-air these days on different channels.

Aaj ke Raaat na Ja a melodic number with raags included.

Jorey Bantay hain good soft tune with lyrics by Dad

Mujhay Pyaar Chahiyeh (lyrics Sabir Zafar) is a catchy tune but unfortunately same melody as of previous song.

Aap Ki Yaad It is also the title track of tele-film “Daira”.

Barsoon kay baad AJ takes on the expertise of Ahmed Faraz for lyrics of this number but due to tune it is more or less like murmuring coherently.

Tu Jo Naheen a good song with lyrics and composition both by AJ and video directed by ALF.

Woh Mili Jab Se Considered by AJ as the most upbeat, tapping-foot number, it falls short of speculation. The song, as apparently the lyrics indicate, was supposed to be sung at the celebration of being with one’s beloved yet AJ sings it in a monotone and with a lack of joy that makes him come across as a bit of a one-note wonder. In mostly trying to be Pankhaj Udas, AJ just ends up being plain sad, in all senses of the word.

Intizar came up with no impressiveness at all at even the lyrics point-of-view,

Lagan-Lagee is the kalam of Baba Bullah Shah. Here AJ aims to ape A. R. Rehman and manages to nail down the excellent backing vocals and harmonies of AR quite creditably. But the production values or sparks of the master across the border are missing. Shuja Haider and Wiqar Haider, great producers for Haroon, are not on top of their game here. A serious faux pas they make is to put the vocals of AJ way upfront in the mix. Although the boy is quite a good singer, the treatment accentuated all the flaws in his singing and made them too noticeable.

Daal Main Kala hai AJ tries to change the mood with a bangra number. Your foot will start tapping onto it.

The last two numbers Koi janay Na and Aansoo