I distinctly remember that I knew all about Ali before his Channo came out. I recognized him as a model and an actor. He was already a familiar face and already on the polls of being cute in most girly disscussion groups, when channo was on aired I remember saying to my girls "he is a much better actor than a singer...trust me!" And it's been almost 3-4 years, and I stand by my statement. Ali Zafar is a better actor than singer. His Huqa pani became a huge success in pakistan which is very rare for a pakistani album, but the lucky star was smiling on Ali from up above and he gave out one hit video after another, carefully choosing and stratifying. I must say he was well-organized and stayed floating for the maximum time anyone in the industry could. Channo was followed by a one shot wonder Chal Dil Meray by Jami which was followed by Rangeen one of my personal favorites and then Aik pal, which was my favorite song in the album. Though I also liked "Ishq" a lot. now the people who are still frowning upon my earlier statement that "Ali is a much better actor than singer" should really watch the video of Ek pal one more time and keep their eyes open for ali's face not his Half Nakedness...teehee...
Coming down to the latest BOMB Ali broke over our heads. Masty alright! well....a lot to say about it yet nothing I could say will possibly totally do justice to what I really want to say. First comment up would be I expected something much more sensitive from Ali this time around. Personally despite me being stuck on my particular statement, I was expecting Ali's musical sense to grow in this album, but what actually happened was not what I expected. After being assured again and again that it was going to be something out of this world and for good ears, I must say I found it extremely typical. Music is not about jumping around, music is about sinking into One's soul and if you are sitting down to listen masty, you should just skip 3-4 major songs without bothering, cause not only they don't sink, they sound stupid! Especially if you are in a downy mood. Its not like thats the case with me, because I am all sunshine most of the time. Masty had a huge anticipational tag attached to it, and the video did not do any wonders. Seriously it kind of makes me angry when people try to justify some blunders by saying that this album is not made for pakistani audience! What is then made for the Pakistani Audience? Should you not first of all cater the audience of your own country who also happen to be your biggest market? Even if it was made for the indian market, have you not seen what actually sold in the indian market was the Pure Pakistani stuff? Why change yourself and become the same old corn soup for them which they have been eating for the whole century? Sounds extremely ridiculous to me! Ok now I think its time I come down to the usual chop chop before I get into anymore controversies. Just one last sentence, by this article I only mean Constructive criticism, I do not hold any personal grudges against anyone.

Aag:

Here I am with not the extremely blistering hot Aag. I can not say it is a bad song, but it is definitely a song that you can happily miss without regret. Aag has almost the same theme as Masty. It is directed at youth, and its youth that is like fire or maybe on fire. Its techno, trance disco sort of the number with the additional sounds that I so loath! From the title one might think of it as a tragic song or maybe something to do with romanticism but surprisingly though being very typical AZ song it has a different and not very evitable theme, which is the only positive thing about the song. Its a bit preachy of a negative sort asking and appealing to the youth to break all bounds and start having fun. A song thats preachy but all against preachers. if you know what i mean. And the real message in the song and the hidden message in the song is....Control the population! And family planning...doesn't understand where that came from...listen to the song very carefully and closely from 2:55 to 3:12....Now i am really impressed! How impressively Ali conveyed such an important message through his song. Very commendable! Exactly what a song aimed at youth should carry! Do whatever you want but always use protection, exactly what our norms and values are all about!
the rating of the song is 6.5 out of 10....nothing more to say.

Dekha:

The song is definitely more attention grasping than the other dance numbers in the album. The setting is pretty romantic and the theme is adoration of beauty that actually gets enhanced when one is in love. Coming down to handling it musically. You can particularly distinguish it because of its arabic touch. The song can be categorized as fusion and is a light weight song basically. the arabic touch might be the reason for it yet at the same time it is the reason of the grandeur of the song, gives it a feel of versitality and uniqueness. The lyrics in particular I would love to mention are very nice of this song. They have some beautiful comparisons in particular and as always these kind of new things take my breath away. Ali is again at his Kishore Da' style and it kinds of rings a bell and takes you back to Late 70's bollywood when R.D.burman and kishore da' team was in style all those not so turning on a hippy parties with numbers like "Yumma yumma" and "mehbooba Oh mehbooba" if you know what i am talking about, certainly I wasn' there at that time but still I have heard about those times and those tracks and this certainly reminds me of it. I have got my eyes out for you!
The rating of the song is 7.5 out of 10.....A good attempt and a number that will definitely get you moving!

Jaaney na Koi :

Motivational songs are what masty is all about. Another number which has a lot of motivational theories for the young generations. It addresses the topic of generation gap in a very light manner. I personally like this track more than masty or Aag, cause it is softer and deeper. Lyrics are good and very directed. As for the arrangement, it has more basic instruments and slightly reminds me of those old golden songs sang in colleges. Sorry to say once again but Ali's voice again has the unmistakable touch of Kishore Kumar. i am sorry, but this tag is attached to Ali like that little doggy in PinkPanther who just would not let go of the PinkPanther's tail. Apart from that I loved the voice of the children in the background. At gave the song a very sweet touch. Not a bad song end of the day, though not something which is gonna be a huge success, neither a bad addition in the list. It works.
7 out of 10 i think is fair enough.

Khedeya:

Now here is song that will really catchup with you. It has all the characteristics of a great track. It's just the right blend. The start of the song reminds one straight away of JJ's yehi zameen, but further ahead it changes. Ali has sung the song beautifully, I really like the tone of his voice and his expression is also very perfect. Timing in a song is very important. A song that is being sung by the legendary "Heer" is a definitely heart-melting number and Ali's punjabi accent just compliments it all the way, it is no piece of cake to put old and ancient punjabi in the proper tone. I do not think i have the authority to comment on any "sufiyana kalam" So i am just going to forget about the beautifully moulded lyrics. Now funny enough, my doubts about Ali as a vocalist have been really removed from the root. He does have the potential, and at times versatility as well. His raags are in place and he is very tuned indeed.
The arrangement and the music is very rich and proportionate at the same time. A Humble Bow for Mr.Yousaf Salah-ud-din. The composer of the song.
The song gets 8.5 out of 10. Bravo!

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Masty:

Now surely, this is going to be tough. The song is catchy, shakey shakey, holds a message, also has a near to useless Video and not forgetting that it is the title song of the album, but is it Good enough? I don't think so. Shani is definitely back to his own start in the matter of arrangement. the song reminds me of "Dil maange" and is also a blend of late 70's R.D.burman's music. Vocals in places are messed up. Ali seems out of scale in places. I still cannot deny the fact that the track is very appealing. Especially to teenagers and children, I was never surprised to find it a chart-topper. I like the background vocals. It gives the song a feeling of spontaneity. Lyrics are not bad, infact some parts I like a lot, as they are a bit unconventional at places. Though the song will always stand with the doubts about its originality which is Sad. Ali in the video seemed very happy with jumping and all, but a warning "too much masty is not good for you, we all saw what happened with Atif!", oops! Now I will have to add another disclaimer to the review! Well personally and generally, I did not like the track all that much. But well, to save myself from mosquito bites,
Gets a 7 out of 10, this is wayyyy too much than i wanted to give it!

Meray haathon mein:

One of the guilty romantic songs that make you feels special for no good reason! I know how pessimistic I sound, and yeah I am just making that statement cause I want to deny the ticklish feeling I get when I listen to this song, all right! Enough of my girly confessions! Let's get down to the song "technically". Ali's tone is extremely different, more of whisper and extremely low pitch. Which completes the romantic sensation. Sweet and mesmerising. A very nice track indeed. The song has more of basic instruments, simple arrangement, so you focus more on ali's vocals and the theme of the song while listening. A must listen! the kind of song that makes you feel like waltzing. Anyways. Lyrical content of the song indeed is very justifying and very deserving of the composition and vocals it got. Over all a thumbs Up for this one!
Gets 8 out of 10...come on! I am a girl am i not..shorter or taller...doesnt matter! *giggles*


Sajania:

What do I say about Sajania? Totally a disco number. Extremely pop, and a very effective track. It did proove to be the first success from the album, since masty could not do much. The video is indeed a good show and did wonders for Ali in more than one way, if you know what I mean! The song has a strong arrangement, a compelling theme, and Ali at his best at Vocals. Ofcourse with such a good blend you cannot really deny the lyrics. Thematically the song can be interpreted in many ways, though this one has been reviewed before me, so I am just gonna keep it short. It has almost all the factors of a good song. I must compliment the back ground vocals, and the english chorus of the song. A fun song over all.
Gets another 8 out of 10. Well at times i do like to move it.

Aasmaan:

The start of the song is definitely gonna catch your attention. Yes another motivational song. The beat ofcourse is very sweet, so is the composition. Love the guitaring in the song and the piano is also very nice. The ascent and descent of the song is indeed amazing. Another one of my favorites in the album. A great audience song. The arrangement indeed is very systematic in accordance to the song and its theme. all good songs usually have this factor which makes them good! the lyrics are just perfect. they hold the complete message in the best words possible! Since its a great song in my opinion...i don't think I will write more about it. A definite unity song! A special dedication!
Gets 8 out of 10! Good JOB!

Overall...Though i did not like the album, I would give it 7 out of 10 since I am so generous! I personally expected to see this album to be a niner, but I guess, Ali still has a long way to go! And I am definitely hopeful! Try doing better than this next time, because I know that you can do better.
Taking my leave!


Hira Fatima
(PakMusic.net)

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good job hira
well ,i have not listened to couple of his songs (dekha,kehdeya) so, i didnt read their reviews yet..for others , you did honest job.
my own personal fav track is 'mere haton mai' then sanjania then aasman then jane na koi then masty
and i dont like aag @ all..if he is given talent then why misusing it? his voice /words can make a difference for the listeners (esp. youngsters) and he is leading them to wrong path.
for the tracks like 'mere hathon mai' or 'aasman' or 'jane na koi', i think that he does better job when it comes to sing low pitch songs and eventually make the lyrics more beautiful.
well, it seems like that i m writing another review..why should i..if you have already done so for others..hehe
thanks Hira..keep it up

thanks hira 4 such a fantastic review

i personally like sajania and asaman ko chotie jaie ham.

but alizfar's huqapani was much better than this.

nice review HIra. Always interesting to see ur views on latest releases. Keep up the good work and gotta say I totally agree with ur views. The album is good, but not good enough due to the pre hype and expectation.

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Awesome work Hira. Cha gai tum.

Wah gee wah

Nice janabay Editor sahiba.. Job Well DONE

Absolutely fantastic review!!
very well-written!!
i agree wid everything Hira baji wrote!!

u write very good english and many facts that i couldnt find other places so ur the best writter in the world......

ps: i rep u for this

i think you have been a bit too critical to aag. Its an amazing song. I am one of the few who noticed the 'always used protection part.' That is one thing that I agree with you upon. Its definately against our morals. Pakistani society and islam do not allow him to encourage sex in the way he has done through this song. He should just hope that the moulvis dont end up listenin to his song.... if they do hel also hav to migrate to india. lol

Hira baji!!i just love your style of writing and the language u use!!

Thanks everyone for the appreciation

awesome job
very nice and interestin review
first time i m readin a review by u.
u rock

I guess the "Always use protection" is in context with the PREVIOUS lines which are: "4 shaadi ki ijazat di gai hei tu kya ker sekta hon". IS k jawab mein its "ALWAYS USE PROTECTION" i.e. marry ONE only... this is how I see it and I'm sure this is how azee ne kia ho ga

nyc work Hira!!
thanks 4 sharing