The Atif versus Jal debates rage on
Aqsa Hussain
Karachi
Even though the 'Jal and Atif Aslam' controversy might be resting somewhere in the fossils of music history by now, it has been unearthed once again, as both musicians have released albums simultaneously. Jal released Boondh a couple of weeks before Atif's Meri Kahani hit the stands and both albums are featuring videos on music channels.
That calls for comparison and though both Atif and Jal are denying that there is any reason to be compared, their fans are going crazy - feuding over whose album is better. While Atif and Jal both appear to be unfazed by each other's popularity, fans are ready to compare them once again. Jal came out with the artistically directed video of 'Sajni' by Bilal Lashari and Atif took the competition a step further and went on to release two videos, 'Meri Kahani' and 'Hungami Halaat'. Now Jal are planning to shoot their next two videos in India while Bilal Lashari is ready to release another Atif track. The race between the two is mind boggling; here's what fans have to say about them...
"The youth's voice is Atif and Jal is going nowhere," says Mehroz Siraj (a self proclaimed music freak and freelance journalist) when asked who he thought represented the voice of the youth since 'Aadat' is still considered to be an anthem of today's generation. "Atif is better on all counts for a variety of reasons. His music has far more vocal and musical diversity than Jal. Jalpari, Doorie and Meri Kahani just show that Atif's voice and music can cater to more than one of its genres. This means communicating your message to more people having different cultural affiliations and achieving renewed commercial success in different markets".
Mehroze adds that Farhan (of Jal) and Atif Aslam are two very talented yet different artists and vocally, Farhan is just as good as Atif.
"The tracks he has sung - 'Woh Lamhey' and 'Bikhra Hoon' - are just as good as Atif's version. But Jal is at a disadvantage because Farhan and Goher don't have the musical chemistry that existed between Ali Azmat and Salman (Junoon), Faisal and Bilal (Strings) or Shafqat and Shallum (Fuzon). The existence of this musical chemistry, I think, determines the overall musical diversity and commercial success of a band," adds Mehroz.
"I wonder why Atif is being given much more promotion than Jal when their promoters are the same," comments Tajwar Sultana a university student, while others feel that it doesn't make a difference.
"I believe Atif is more hippity hoppity while Jal's music is mature," opines Fatimah Zakir, another university student. "Their videos are definitely better. Atif has unexpectedly paid attention to local directors this time, instead of opting for Indian stuff. And this has ultimately made people realize the talent in Pakistani music directors like Bilal Lashari. But as far as sound is concerned both Atif and Jal have their different feel. Previously because of the same songs we could have compared the two but now you can't just compare because they have different lyrics, different compositions and different moods. But I feel Jal's music has more depth."
Others remin in the thrall of the Atif spell.
"After 'Hungami Halaat', Atif has got a new fan in me. I just loved his song; he keeps surprising us by his delightful work," says Hira Arsalan, student and fan of Atif Aslam.
Faiza Rehman, an A level student says, "I think Jal have done a better job because their video has great artistic and creative sophistication. Juggun looks no less than a Hollywood actor. Atif's 'Meri Kahani' is average and 'Hungami Halaat' is cool but then again, the video is just too good for Atif's song. I think there shouldn't be discordance between the theme of the songs and that of the videos."
Rameez Asif who proudly calls himself a rock music lover comments, "Well, I've listened to both the albums and when it comes to comparing them, I would say Atif has an edge for experimenting as a pop artist. Ali Zafar has been in the scene for a long time but he hasn't done a single track like 'Hungami Halaat' or 'Yaaro'. You see, cheesy pop artists don't play with their vocals but Atif has done it for a change".
Zara Farooqi has this to say, "I prefer Jal because they've just come out with their new video which is original and moving. The execution completely took me by surprise. The musical composition is great too. Atif's music has become just too awami. Most of his videos just have girls prancing about and it is really like he has sold himself to India. Oh well, I don't give credit to Atif for 'Hungami Halaat'; that song is popular because the video is good and credit goes to Bilal Lashari for that."
"I think many of the girls have a rush of adrenaline when they see Atif Aslam," comments under-graduate Arfat Ali Junejo. "But I feel his style is just too monotonous and so is the case with Jal. Jal's new album lacks any extraordinary music, which was what they had been boasting about for over a year. They have just disappointed their listeners. The only good thing is that Lashari has emerged as an intelligent director."
"Reminiscing childhood glimpses in 'Meri Kahani' isn't a big deal. Where's the creativity?" asks Farhat, a college student.
"Both musicians have a tendency to stand out. I'm not suspecting their abilities as good musicians but yeah, it seems they are still immature and need time to understand what's right and what's wrong. Goher Mumtaz provided Jalaholics with an exceptional video which is a refreshing addition and the video has carried Jal's image pretty fantastically," Sifat Ali points out.
"I think the heavy graphics and violence in the 'Sajini' video do not do justice to the song's beautiful lyrics," disagrees Uzma. "I think a video with a softer theme would have been a better idea. And I think Atif Aslam is too loud in 'Hungami Halaat'. I prefer Jal."
A strain of fans do like the softer side of Atif and Jal, while others love the edgy Bilal Lashari videos.
Fazeel Ahmed believes, "I like Jal and Atif's music but the common factor in their videos is of course Bilal Lashari, who has made awesome videos. He's been dopping in with creativity and a lot of technicality".
"Atif Aslam's Doorie sucked big time," says Ayesha. "You tell me what was so different in it other than Indian thumka style music? Why make flashy and expensive videos when the music and composition isn't strong. A video has to carry the image of the band and the song and even the 'Sajni' video is just too good for the song and band itself. Let's see how long these guys survive. Our Pakistani bands really ought to try something new. Only good looking models can make the audience watch these songs. Once they get bored of watching the video, the name of the band and the song's recognition won't even exist."
"'Hungami Halaat' is unusual where as 'Sajni's' comcept is a copy of Meatloaf's 'I Would Do Anything for Love.' The song's composition and the video don't go together because the tempo of the track was just too slow for such a dramatic video," feels Rameez Asif.
"I don't know why Atif has dimmed his voice in this album and I liked the whole album except for 'Hungami Halaat', however the lyrics and the execution of the video is just too awesome," says Khansa Junejo.
Amna Ameer finds Farhan's voice quality much better than Atif's. She thinks Atif often goes off tune which often destroys the mood of the song.
Meena Ahmed likes Atif more than she likes Jal because Atif has a strong and masculine voice and his songs offer variety where as Jal doesn't have any strong musical base. Their music is all the same, nothing new. Just listen to 'Teri Yaad', and 'Sajni'. According to her Goher hasn't sung 'Humain Itna Pyar' so well and Farhan could have done a far better job. But in a very patriotic way, she adds that they both rock because they are Pakistani and these short comings will only encourage them to improve.
Haya Fatima Iqbal says, "Jal's first album had awesome sound quality where as Atif produced a hasty album with no good quality. But over the years it is Jal that has now gone in the background and Atif has improved a lot and is in limelight. He uses his voice for all sorts of songs - fast ones, slow songs, melodious songs and even Kishore Kumar songs. Oh did I mention I loved 'Hungami Halaat'?"
Hafsa Junejo, a music lover, likes Jal's album and their 'Sajni' video. Hafsa finds Jal's music melodious and soothing. "In Jal's album you have 'Dhamal' and other upbeat songs where as I can't find any melodious element in Atif's album. I find it so loud."
The Atif versus Jal debates are raging on and it's fun to lend an ear to them. In the absence of anything major happening in the music scene, comparing Jal and Atif seems to have become a favourite pastime of Pakistan's many pop addicts. In the final analysis it must be said that Jal and Atif have provided music listeners with different styles of music and undoubtedly their music has matured a lot. After Atif's commercial hit Doorie, (which disappointed music fans in Pakistan big time) Meri Kahani is a breath of fresh air to everyone who likes Atif's pure music and style without any Bollywood flavour.
Boondh - A Drop of Jal has proven Goher's skills as a great musician and Farhan has not only sung well in this album but has penned lyrics as well. Jal and Atif both follow different music genres soft-rock and rock, and have provided their listeners with a variety of music. Instead of one talented outfit, we now get two. And for a nation that loves a bargain, that should be good enough.
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