Consider this an obituary in
expectation. Junoon really should break up now or at least take a break and do
solo stuff to recharge their batteries. Ishq
(C-) was a piss-poor effort and was Junoon by the
numbers, lacking artistic merit and growth. Some time back I posted an article
to this effect on the Official Junnoon Discussion
Group. Not only was I chewed up by rabid Junoonis but
the Junoon management chose to fire a broadside at me
stating that my thinking demonstrated sad after-effects of colonialism (!) and
jealousy (!!). Since I had used a nick in posting my comments, Mr. Manager in
his paranoia had guessed that I was certain jealous writer (NFP?) from the News
and declared that Junoon was one of the best things
in and about Pakistan and wondered how could I even contemplate them breaking
up when Village Voice, NY Times and all are giving them coverage. Far be it for
me to point out that being in the news hardly translates to artistic merit.
Still, it appears Messers Ahmad, Azmat
and O’ Connel intend to milk
the J cash cow to death. Bullleeeeeyaaaa indeed! Strings rock more convincingly than these
guys. Send ‘em to