Rock On - The Music

I personally love the soundtrack of the film and I just might land up buying a second copy of the album as my first copy is now with my brother who’s sitting in Hong Kong… the reason for buying the second copy - I WANT THE LYRICS man!!! I definitely do not want figure out the lyrics the old way - by listening to the songs again and again - hate doing that. People may think I’m crazy but while enroute to Mysore (from Bangalore) with journalists who had come down from London I landed up listening to the entire album about 9times (four times while going there and five times on our return).

I love the way the CD begins with ‘Socha Hai’ opening with the pulsating electrifying guitar creating rhythm. Before looking at the inlay card with the credits, I wondered who the singer could be - loved the freshness that this crooning voice brought in. Before you think that this lad is some “Reality Talent Show” singer discovered recently, let me tell you that while his singing prowess came out with this movie, he has been around for a long time. The singer is Director / Producer turned Actor and Singer - Farhan Akhtar. He croons with excellence and I won’t be surprised if he has been a part of a rock band while in school or college.

Then comes one of my favourite tracks in the album - ‘Pichle Saath Dino Mein’ also sung by Farhaan. Ehsaan Noorani does well with the guitar to give Farhan’s voice the right amount of pump and energy. Ever since I heard the track I’ve been humming ‘Nana na na Nana’ and I won’t be surprised if you do too after listening to this one.

The title track ‘Rock On!’ comes in next. Love the tune of this free-spirited rock number speaking of life at one glance. Life doesn’t always give you a second chance, but if it does, grab it!!! I won’t be surprised if this track becomes the chant of youngistan.

After Rock On comes Dominique Cerejo with ‘Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein’ - a track that impresses from the very beginning. After listening to this track once, I am sure you would definitely want to listen to it again and again.

After these brilliant slow rock tracks comes ‘Zehreelay’ - a track that only someone like Abhishek Kapoor would dare explore. Imagine a psychedelic realm in Hindi. It could only be Suraj who could sing something like this. After all, he has been a rock singer all his life and currently is the lead singer for Dream Out Loud.

‘Tum Ho Toh’ brings in Farhan once again for a soft rock enchanting experience. With intensely romantic lyrics, this track is one you must listen to whenever you think about your better half.
After this, I wasn’t sure if I heard correctly, “Sinbad the sailor jahaaz me jab chala…” - I wondered what Sinbad was doing here suddenly - ‘Sinbad the Sailor’ is someone we read about during our school days and here in a movie that talks about a rock band you suddenly have Farhan telling (or shall I say singing) you story you read many years ago. Raman Mahadevan blends in well with Farhan - though I am not sure which part of the song he’s singing. This too is one of my favourite pieces in the album.

While I personally did not like the tune of ‘Phir Dekhiye’, the lyrics and Caralisa’s vocal chords drew me to it.

The soundtrack of ‘Rock On!’ turns out to be a complete rocking experience and my favourite composers, S-E-L ensure that this album lives up to the expectations they have laid down and also to the film. Loved the lyrics written by Javed Akhtar all through.

Having worked with a music company in the past, I would like to tell you what the Rock On team tells you in the end - “Don’t download the music, go buy your own CD”. Trust me friends - the investment is Worth it! I am also waiting for the DVD to launch - will definitely pick that up too.

Dream Out Loud: Human Race

The below is my review of this brilliant album "Human Race" released by Dream Out Loud.

You must check this album out - the lead singer of this band, Suraj Jagan - is someone I met while I worked at Milestone Entertainment, where his indiPop career didn't take off due to various reasons (mainly shortage of funds to promote his music, instead of spending the money on albums that were not meant to be) even though I personally loved his music. Even after I quit Milestone four and a half years later, we guys have been in touch continuously and while his indipop career didn't take off - here's his latest work - he and a couple of other talented guys came together and have formed a band called - Dream Out Loud - I saw them perform a long time back - early 2006 - and since then I've been pestering Suraj that he needs to get the music out to the world - to release a CD of it and I'm personally very happy that the band has finally got their album out!

When I first saw the video on of Human Beings on Facebook, I liked it (even though it was a bit too dark for the Indian market)... but I loved the music even more (though till date I never did love the screaming and the noise in songs), but this was different! When I saw the next video , It's Raining Now, on Facebook, I knew I had to buy the album!!! Did you ever want ideal music to curl up on your couch under a blanket and drift away? Listen to the sound of the falling rain, there was no other way, I could wait another day... to get a hold of the album. After initial unsuccessful attempts at buying the album from the more popular music shops I decided to call Suraj and ask him where I could buy the album from - and that's how I got in touch with Music Yogi (http://www.musicyogi.com/), here in Bangalore.

Human Race has a good mix of rock music ranging from slow, soft rock to funk, and a little bit of good old hard rock thrown in for good measure. Since I personally know Suraj, I expected well - written lyrics for the entire album. The entire album showcases Suraj's considerable vocal range with some great songwriting from the band.

The album starts off brilliantly with “Last Days On Earth” reminding us of that all of us as individuals just go on and on with our boring lives, blinded by our greed. The second track, “So Far So Good” is another well written track. One of my personal favourites in the album is the third track - “Prayer in Your Heart”, here it is not just the lyrics but also the music and the way Suraj stresses on the chorus - "With a prayer in your heart; You make a start; And when you open your eyes; You realise where you are; Is this the way it was meant to be; The way we’re going I don’t see; Us getting far".

I thought the album couldn't be better than this, but I was wrong - Drean Out Loud saved the best for the last with their video tracks, "Human Beings", "It's Raining Now", "Desire", "Habit" and "Jigsaw".

Ever since I heard"Human Beings” and "It's Raining Now" - their tunes have remained in my head ever since and I just can't shake it off. "It's Raining Now" especially makes me want to go out and once again start guitar lessons (something that I went for only during my first year in college and then gave up mid-way). I do know that I am definitely going to go out and buy another guitar and start with my lessons shortly. "Habit", “Jigsaw” and "Desire" follow in with similar energy and rhythm.

Overall, the entire album, may not be the vest slow / alternative rock album that a lot of us rock lovers are used to, at Rs. 200/- it is definitely worth it picking up. DO NOT RECORD THE CD FROM SOMEONE ELSE; DON'T DOWNLOAD THE MUSIC FROM THE NET, GO OUT AND BUY YOUR OWN COPY. Help stop piracy!!!

Agreed that Suraj has always been a hard rock musician and he could make a career out of his brilliant live shows, I am glad, that Suraj has decided to use his vocal experience for this album displaying his brilliant range. Chandresh on guitars does little to disappoint all through the album.

Suraj and gang, I'm waiting for your second album - hope that comes out soon.