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Album Review - Milestones - Jadoo
Review by Zeeshan Ali (Not published yet)
Early Paki pop was sensational. I remember being glued to the TV screen and anxiously awaiting for MCC charts. The weekly show was so important for me that I could skip homework. Kudos to people who brought us such refreshing music; it literally became a part of our upbringing.
One of the bands that struck me as really talented was Milestones. Their first album Jadoo is a real gem. Candi's vocals on "Jadoo" are mesmerizing but its actually "Baat" which alone is a bold statement in Pakistan's pop music history. Its funny though that people remember Milstones for Jadoo and Aag but their first album offers much much more than these two songs. Candi sings “Chupke se keh doon…dil ki kahani…hojaye na ye baat purani” and the hook is so catchy that I just cant get enough of it and she continues “sapnon mein keh doon khwabon mein jagoon….dil ki dharkan kaisay chupaoon…..duniyan ke melon mein teri hi baat hai….tanha in raaton mein teri hi yaad hai…darti hoon baat na hojaye purani”…genius!!
The next track “Chandni Raat” starts with a mellow piano piece enfolding, I assume Ali Tim’s vocals and he sings “chandni raat…tu kahan….dhoonda har kona…na paya pata”. Given the lyrics are not philosophical enough to stir things up but who cares really? The beat picks up the song and this is where the song comes to life. A really cool bass line and piano carries the song further until Tim bursts into a cry and sings “Tu mera sapna…mein dhoondoon kahan” and you could slightly hear the grungy guitars backing his vocals. But if isn’t enough, halfway through the song there’s a really cool but short guitar solo which powers the song.
Next track on the album “Faisla” starts with a poppy beat. You can certainly dance to this track. Its not as powerful as other tracks on the album but it really is easy on ears. It features a piano solo by the way and Candi’s vocals backing up Tim’s.
“Hai Tu Kahan” sounds like a Vital Signs track except its better. A really dancy beat and guitar solos in bits and pieces is what the doctor ordered Ziyyad Gulzar. Ziyyad’s influence can be witnessed throughout the album. He’s a talented guitarist and doesn’t overdo his with solos.
“Jadoo” starts with a cool piano piece, the bass kicks in and Candi sings “oooooaaaaahhhhhhheeeeee…. Oooooaaaaahhhhhhheeeeee”. This song brings the best out of Candi’s vocals. She had variety which seriously no female Pakistani pop singer could ever replicate. Hadiqa could only dream about sounding as good as Candi J. The bit where she sings “hojaye phir jadoo….hojayeeeeeeeeeee phir jadoo” is celestial. Ali Tim pitches in and literally recites a verse. The song ends on a high note with Candi chanting “Kaisaaaaaaaaa hai ye jadoo” and Tim backing her vocals with his nonchalant yet very impressive verse.
The rest of the album delves deeper into slow grooves and power pop songs which unfortunately have been forgotten. The musicianship on the album is impressive and speaks high volumes of talent the band possessed. Some of the songs on this album are so catchy that you’d forget all your other CDs and just listen to these songs for hours and hours. This album to me was the definition of Pakistani Power Pop. Teenage Fanclub would be proud of this album if they ever get a chance to listen to it.
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