Club Caramel’s debut video fails to excite

Nothing distinguishes ‘Zindagi’ from the usual run-of-the-mill pop songs.

KARACHI:

Success with live covers of established hits doesn’t necessarily warrant success as a band with original numbers.

Such is the thought that comes to mind while viewing the recently released music video of “Zindagi” by the band Club Caramel, comprising of Adnan Sarwar and Kiran Chaudhry.

Sarwar, who plays lead guitar, is responsible for the arrangement and compositions of the songs, while both lend their vocals to the tracks.

The two Lahore-based musicians have been wooing crowds at live events since 2006, where they cover commercial hits from ABBA to more contemporary pop acts. As a cover band, they are known for their lively events, oftentimes sponsored by major corporations and attended by elite party goers in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

‘Zindagi’ is Club Caramel’s first music video and the second single from their upcoming debut album. Their first single was “Teray Bin”. Backed by Sameer Ahmed (of Co-Ven) on bass guitar and Farhan Albert on keyboard, the best that can be said about the single is that it is an upbeat number. But nothing distinguishes it from the usual run-of-the-mill pop songs that one forgets about after one listen. Uninspired lyrics and a beat that has nothing that differentiates it as a product of original musical prowess, “Zindagi” is another number amongst countless others that don’t stand out on their own.

The video, shot and directed by Masscot Films, is an equally forgettable experience. A performance video that can drown unnoticed in the sea of countless, similar others and one is quite disappointed that it is the product of Maraam Azmat and Abroo Hashimi, who are well known for their creative and distinguishable style when it comes to makeup and photography. That it is a low budget video is no excuse, for creativity, improvisation and inspiration can step in and help in such situations. It is, however, one of Masscot Films initial ventures into video production, and thus one hopes to see better work from the creatively gifted pair behind the video.

So far, Club Caramel does not strike one as a new band with anything exciting to offer. As vocalists, both Chaudhry and Sarwar possess talent that can be taken into the right direction, given a more inspired approach to the writing and arrangement of songs.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 01^st, 2011.