Soundtrack of Meri Kahani does not qualify as THE most awaited album of the first half of 2008 due to lack of marketing or the hoopla surrounding the album. However, expectations from the music are gigantic; and reasons are aplenty...and not quite unknown to the listeners.

a) First and foremost, it is nothing short of an acid test for Atif Aslam as over and above handling the music and singing department, he also writes most of the songs along with brother cum manager Shahbaz Aslam, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sarmad Ghafoor and Shah Hussain.

b) Atif Aslam has given dozens of super hit tracks; his fans would settle for nothing less than that here.

c) Lot is expected from the choreography/picturisation of each and every song. After all by now Atif is a household name through his innumerous music videos.

d) Off late, Atif’s track record has been a mixed bag with a mix of hit and not-so-popular soundtracks. Meri Kahani is his chance to silence his detractors once for and all.

e) Last but not the least, as his work in India is gaining momentum, majority of media seems to be targeting him left, right and center for no rhyme or reason. Now the ball is in the court of his loyal fans to decide the fortunes of his third album.

No wonder, everything about this album is expected to be flawless and studied to the minutest details. This is why one looks at the music with great expectations. However, it all turns out to be an anticipation in vain as Meri Kahani turns out to be the first major disappointment of 2008.

Over to the review:

Atif greets listeners with 'Meri Kahani', a fast song where he does what he is best at i.e. wear his trademark attire, bring mike close to his mouth and croon with an undisputed energy which is always witnessed when he is in front of a live audience. A song in appreciation of ‘bachpan’, it is one of those rare Atif numbers that takes more than just a couple of times to catch up on you. The song is high on energy and does not have a single dull moment throughout the proceedings! A brilliant song from the writing, composing and singing point of view.

‘Rabba Sacheya’ is a cry by Atif Aslam asking forgiveness and patience from God. The song is not of a kind that is worthy of repeated hearings but still leaves a strong impact due to overall feel created by Atif’s energetic vocals. A situational track.

The first 5 seconds of ‘Mann Hota Hai’ indicate the path that this song by Atif is an extremely soft number. A cent percent vintage Atif Aslam track that is about acknowledging life in troubled times. Atif sings as if he would break down any moment…though one feels that it is the requirement of the situation! Still, the song shouldn't be mistaken to be sad. Such songs work better as core background pieces which could be enjoyed with lights switched off.

The starting music piece of ‘Joug’ seems to be inspired from the beginning strings of Aadat; but the similarity ends the moment Atif starts crooning this lyrical beauty in his trademark low pitch. Notice the variations that he gives all throughout the number. All said and done, the song still doesn’t qualify to be worthy of a repeated hearing.

‘Chor Gaye' seems to be an extension of 'Kuch Is Tarah’ in terms of mood, look and feel; and after hearing it one is sure that the call of the situation is a 'break'! At this point of time the picture is clear that it has been an overdose of Atif songs. Though 'Chor Gaye' is not a bad hear at all, it comes so close to dozens of other Atif sung-n-composed numbers in last couple of months that it becomes difficult to appreciate his work. If one heard the same songs after a couple of months they would certainly sound good but for the moment it is too much of supply that is killing the uniqueness factor. Enough! An extended version of the some song (‘Chor Gaye 2) is heard towards the end of the album but even that does not hold any retain value.

After a couple of not-so-happening tracks, ‘Humrahi’ comes as a sigh of relief! An experimental song by Atif Aslam it’s easy on ears and creates an identity of its own. His pitch is just perfect in this 'very much an original' composition by Atif that make you admire his music - yet again. A simple love song, it will grow on you after listening for a few times. Note the thehrav in his vocals when the lyrics go as Dharkan, Khwahish, Baarish, Boondein aur ho koi apna...Mujhse mil ke mausam badle aur lage sab apna.

Now this is absolutely criminal! When an album has not been peaking so well with one song after another not really making a good impression, what exactly was the need of re-creating 'Mai Nee' from 'Sufi era'; and that too with elements of pop genre in it? Nevertheless it’s a good listening experience for the present generation who absolutely have no idea about the feel, impact and importance of such songs! The song obviously comes nowhere close to Shazia Manzoor’s version but still manages to create a unique style of it’s own.

Surprise comes in the form of ‘Kaun Tha (Kapkapi)’ where new-find female singer S.K.J. sings with aplomb. She compliments Atif at every step and is a singer to look forward to. The song carries the same mood and feel that was created by Junaid Jamshed in his hay days. Another low pitched track in the album; but sadly nothing great cannot be written about this as well.

Atif returns to his masti-best with ‘Yaaro’ – A song which carries great friendship value and sounds like an extension to Hum Kis Gali Jaa Rahe Hain. However, one misses the kind of punch as expected from the second fast song of the album and the final outcome turns out to be little lackluster with not much in the song pulling a listener for a repeat hearing.

The album ends with ‘Hangami Halaat’ where Mehmood Rahman comes to Atif’s rescue with some flawless guitaring which is familiarly sophisticated yet amazingly appealing! It won’t take you long to get on the dance floor and groove your leg whenever Atif sings this number at his concerts. There’s nothing exceptional about it’s lyrics and the rhythm but then who’s complaining? Hangami Halaat isn’t a lyric based song but makes you crazy is its zippy music and zany singing. You love it in its entirety and think that it can’t get better until you come across it’s live version.

The album kicks off well with a high adrenalin title song song but beyond that there isn't much to look forward to. Baring few songs like Humrahi, Mann Hota Hota hai and Hangami Halaat, Meri Kahani would work with a miniscule segment of audience and that too only within hardcore Atif Aslam fans. It is expected to take a good start at the stands due to high credentials involved with it but a sustained stay at the charts may only be possible only if the visuals are a success.

No doubt Atif is a talented artist – his first album Jal Pari created history, Doori was a decent hear as well; but with Meri Kahani the standards have gone down to an extremely low scale – Disappointing!