Azadi

The release of this album not only marks their growth, but also the perfection of an eclectic blend of music styles that has become Junoon's trademark. In this particular album, they opt for a largely acoustic sound, which is, nonetheless, incredibly rich and full. There are, of course, the occasional reversions to electric distortion to satisfy hard-core rockers! Their rythm section relies more heavily on the tabla than before, balancing Salman Ahmad's Western rock guitar sounds with a driving Eastern beat.

The lyrics are as important a part of this album as anything else. Among the playlist - Allama Iqbal's opus "Khudi" set to Junoon's typical Eastern rock background (those familiar with Urdu poetry will know how great that must be), a controversial rendition of Quranic verse ("Wahda Hoo La Shareeka La Hoo"), the double-metaphorical Sufi-style "Mahiwal", and the politically charged "Kis Ney Sunna".

Of course, this album has a lot to offer those who aren't familiar with the language... I have quite a few "non-desi" friends who have become avid "Junoonis" without understanding a word they say! I can quite honestly call this a perfect album in every way - certainly the most frequently played CD among my collection!


Junoon grows up   June 13, 2001
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Don't get me wrong, I liked Junoon's sound from the start, even when they were churning out semi-commercial pop-rock. But with the release of Azadi, they finally established themselves as serious, politically- and spiritually-aware musicians (and I no longer feel that tinge of embarassment when stating my admiration for them!).

Azadi marks the perfection of an eclectic blend of music that has become Junoon's trademark. Junoon goes for a sound that is more acoustic than their previous works, but still wonderfully rich and full. Their rythm section relies more heavily on the tabla now, balancing the Western rock sounds of their guitars with a driving, Eastern beat. True to its name, Sufi-rock is one innovation Junoon can be very proud of.

The lyrics in this album are just as important as the music, if not more. Among the playlist - Iqbal's opus, "Khudi", set to music (for those familiar with Urdu poetry, you know how wonderful that must be), a controversial rock rendition of a Quranic verse ("Wahda Hoo La Shareeka La Hoo"), the double-metaphorical Sufi-style "Mahiwal", and the politically charged "Kis Ney Sunna".

Of course, this album has a lot to offer those who cannot understand the language. I've got quite a few "non-desi" friends who are addicted to their sound, without understanding a word they say!