Fuzon - Journey

Rating: 8/10

For: Pop-fans, Rock-fans, Keen listeners - everyone really.
Target audience: College crowd and people in 20s, 30s.

Strengths: Great Melodies, Interesting guitar solos, Good new vocalist, good production/mixing.
Weaknesses: Slightly monotonous sound. Lyrics not up to the mark for some songs.

Best songs: Suna Suna, Tu Kahan, Neend Na Aaye, Dholna, Abhi Hum Kahaan
Avoidable songs: Teri Yaadan, Chhuu Lo.

After a wonderful first album (Saagar), Fuzon had made a lot of fans including me and have they pleased the fans with the new album - Yes! The best thing about the album is that the sound is exactly the same. They have played to their strengths - Vocals, Melodies, good Chord structures. And this time I felt the production quality was a little better.

Rameez Mukhtar was brought in for the vocals following the departure of Shafqat Amanat Ali from the band and not only has he managed to adjust to the classical-melodic funk-pop mix sound but his beautiful voice has added a lot to the songs in terms of soul.

Most songs are flow songs - Soft start, Crispy guitar entries, quick percussion entries and then the songs just take off and you are involved till the end. Not too much experimentation really - there is with songs like Teri Yaadan, Chhuu Lo - with an upbeat sound, festive feel and different instruments - but unfortunately I would rank these the lowest in the album.

The best songs - the first three - Neend na aaye, Suna Suna and Tu Kahan - beautiful vocals complimented by simple but suitable lyrics and very good guitar backing. And of course, the keyboards add a lot of colour to the songs, just like the first album. Neend na aaye reminds you of 'Ankhon ke saagar' from the first album and Tu Kahan reminds you of 'Tere Bina'.

Dholna is an interesting song - Starts of very funky and for a change with Punjabi lyrics - threatens to be one of those upbeat but forgettable dance tracks - but then has a beautiful punchline/crossline (whatever u wanna call it) which goes something like 'mainu jaan zaraa, pehchaan zara' - my Punjabi not too good :P.

After the first 4 songs though, it might get a bit monotonous if you are not a fan - although the other songs are good, wont call them memorable. But definitely worth listening.

Jo dil ne kaha - Lyrics could have been better. It's a sweet song.

So, overall a definitely worth listening album. Go ahead and BUY stuff if you can! Makes you feel good.

More reviews coming up.