Karavan – Saara Jahan (Album Review)

May 6, 2010

Karavan - Saara JahanAs almost 6 years painfully pass while fans wait for more news from a big group, expectations of a comeback diminishes. Even 6 years is a long time for bands in Pakistan, and its rare to find a group that has kept a strong foot in the ground. But now the influential group named Karavan is back from the blue with a brand new album, “Saara Jahan”.

Formed in 1997 by guitarist Asad Ahmed (also known for guitaring on Coke Studio), the band lineup is Tanseer Daar on vocals, Asad Ahmed on guitars, Sameer Ahmed on bass and Allan Smith on drums and percussion.

Karavan have revolutionized the Pakistani music scene by fusing Eastern melodies with the power of modern Western rock. Fusion and combinations between East and West is always done, but these guys perfect it. The band has released 3 studio albums and 1 live album racking up sales of 2 million copies worldwide.

Since their last album released in 2002, Gardish, they finally released their 4th and the most awaited studio album Saara Jahan on the 26th April 2010 all over Pakistan. The band had worked really hard for about 3 years on the new album and they also consider it as their masterpiece. The work of art by Mr Ahsan Shami on the album cover and inlay is abstract, mysterious and rather modernized than previous album artwork.

The album starts off with a fresh vibe of guitars in “Saara Jahan” as Tanseer Daar delivers the smooth as always vocals. You will hear the title name many times in this groovy anthem that will retain in your conscious as long as the album finishes. The tasty solo by Asad Ahmed really shows what he is capable of. He didn’t appear in Coke Studio for nothing! Great start to the album nevertheless by a great band.

Somehow, the album is perfectly structured, track after track giving a change in tempo especially as “Deewana” and “Yaadein” soothe your ears. While they last that is, because fans are in for a treat.

Fans got a small taste of the upcoming album before its release. Karavan released the video of “Kaisay Mumkin Hai”, a delightful but powerful track from the album. As the eerie guitar and constant bass plays along, Tanseer Daar sings along to this ballad. This song proves the band has matured over these long years.

“Tu” is the track that captures the spiritual essence of Pakistan. This is the mellowest song of the album and it doesn’t need you to search for spirituality at the top of the Himalayas. You have it all in one track in the comfort of your speakers.

“Pyar Mein”, “Choolein Gaey” and “Raaz” are the tracks that make you rock out… hard. With distorted riffs, powerful vocals and heavy drumming, it’s all topped off with outstanding solos by the one and only Asad Ahmed. “Raaz” adds some funk into the mix as the album finishes leaving some live covers to listen to.

The amount of cheers, jeers and whistles blown in the 3 live songs, “Rakh Aas”, “Sajni” and “Gardish” prove Pakistan simply love Karavan. The power of each song blows the crowd away, proved by the regular jolt of crazy fan cheers. The performance and music is faultless. Karavan play as good live as in the studio.

This album is Pakistani perfection, containing a blend of different musical styles played by one of the most influential bands the country has seen. The album is very modern, but also contains some of the old songs too. This album is definitely worth the listen. The band we all love, Karavan, make their message clear in “Choolein Gaey”.

“Choolein gaey har dil ko hum… Choolein gaey manzil… Hum hai wo Karavan”
“We’ll touch everyone’s hearts… we’ll reach our destination… we are Karavan”