The album starts with Chhammak Chhallo, about which I don’t think I need to write much as the song has been there for long now. The only two things I’d say are, one, Akon’s pronunciation of Hindi words is quite impressive, and two, love the song or hate it, it’s addictive. Highly so.

The second song, Dildara Dildara, based on Ben King’s Stand by me, is nice. Shafqat’s rendition of the song makes it a regular but very much lovable song. May sound templated on Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s patterns, but it’s great to listen to anyway.

The third track, Criminal, sung by Akon again, with Shruti Pathak and Vishal Dadlani, is addictive as papappap, as well as dhinna dhinna. Addictive again, though the album seems to be getting a bit repetitive here.

And so, there comes, bhare naina, sung by Nandini Srikar, for a much required break. The song, which is a nice composition and goes mostly on Nandini’s vocals supported by Tabla in the beginning, gets a bit into Jogi Mahi’s ‘dil thame hue’ mode, but surprises with English lyrics in that background. Interesting for sure. But either way, it’s Nandini’s song who beats almost anything else with the rendition of this soulful tune.

Sid Coutto’s Right by your side seems like yet another repeat of jaane kyun dil chahta hai in the beginning, but then turns away a little and comes up a not-so-fresh, but a lovely and a little addictive number. Nice, but I feel that Vishal-Shekhar probably could do a little more different.

Raftaarein credited to Vishal and Shekhar deliberately reminds you of ‘Duniya mein logon ko,’ and then turns into a full fledged background song for the superhero. Not really a musical thing to listen to until the video comes, but I hope the song would get much more meaning with the movie.

The last ‘song’ Jiya mora ghabraaye brings the much searched-for name of Sukhwinder Singh (at least for me, in Vishal-Shekhar and Vishal Bharadwaj’s albums especially) and while his singing is as impeccable as ever, I do not know how many of fans would like the more of music, a little rap and more of alaap by Sukhwinder. Not upto the mark for me.

As far as the themes are concerned, didn’t find anything too attractive in Comes the Light, while IM On looks like good ringtone material because people are already familiar with the track as background theme. Song of the end is effective, though it sounds like a typical ‘end’ tune of movies, a little older ones I’d say.

Chhammak Chhallo’s Club mix is quite nice and likable while the Punjabi mix does not seem too different from the original once Akon starts singing. Criminal’s remix is so very very typical Akon. In the Chhammak Chhallo international version, there was not much difference, except that I couldn’t find Shruti Pathak there. The ‘remix’ after so much is strictly for dance floors.

Overall, Ra.One is not something usual. If you’re looking for a regular, nice album with melodious numbers from Vishal-Shekhar, you may be in for a disappointment. But then I don’t think that was the aim of the album or the movie from the very start. It’s more of an experiment with at least some amount of English in every song, even the very Indian bhare naina. And as an experiment, I think it’s quite successful, as many of the songs are definitely going to be addictive, and hence popular.

From the second song onwards, it gets Pritam. Antenna sounds a lot like some song from Ready, probably the sound matches character dheela hai. Also, the lyrics are written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, but didn’t like the concept of the song itself. Still, the sound of the song IS catchy and can catch up well with some good promotion.

Suhail Kaul and Ishq Bector’s School ke din is a well designed, well sung number from Pritam. The alternate use of Ishq Bector’s rap and Suhail’s touching voice (remember Baatein kuch ankahi si from Life in a Metro?) talking about something like school days is wonderful. Go for it.

The next song is Sunidhi sung Better not mess with me (Rock Mix), an okay composition with a not too good treatment. Probably the song doesn’t suite the rock mode that well. OK.

The next, called Undi the Condi, is sung by Shaan and Aditi Singh Sharma. As far as my knowledge of sound goes, this sounds like a typical college-dance number, something from the school of Ishk-Vishk to understand, though the genre is quite old. And let me tell you, while Shaan sounds fine in the song, it’s Aditi who sounds almost as sweet as she did in Katra Katra of Dev.D, almost beating Shaan with her sweetness. Nothing too great, but liked it.

Enters Naresh Iyer with a ‘Soul Version’ of Jaane Kyon (Don’t look back, the song is coming for the first time in the album). The song is a good composition and Naresh’s almost flawless singing makes it even better, but somehow the guy sounds a bit nasal, probably only in his ‘ye’ while singing, tujh bin tanha han ye raatein… Probably the best of the album yet.

Remember ye dil hai nakhrewala? The girl, Shefali Alvaris, sings the club mix for Better not mess with me, and to me at least, sounds much more natural than Sunidhi did in the song. Nice singing for sure. NOW I like this song too.

Next is a Sufi version of Jaane Kyon and this one comes from none other than Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, who almost effortlessly sings as good as Naresh Iyer, and listening to the songs once, I cannot decide which version is better. OK, probably Shafqat has done better here. Lovely song.

Now, while the original ‘Antenna‘ had Benny Dayal and Roshan Abbas singing, the ‘reloaded’ ‘SRK mix’ upgrades to KK and Anupam Amod and the song sounds like ‘Love Mera Hit Hit’ to me. Wanna compare again? Reloaded is the version. I sometimes (read with every album) wonder why Pritam has so many versions. One of those times again.

The last song happens to be an unplugged version of the title song, sung by Vinnie Hutton and Apeksha Dandekar. The song, much in English, is beautifully sung and sounds probably better than the original version simply because of the way it is sung. The use of chorus near the end is nice again.

Overall, Always Kabhi Kabhi doesn’t have anything much different but some things in the album can click as Pritam gives some regular, but good music here. Look out for School ke Din and Jaane Kyon. SRK is anyway gonna make you listen to Antenna.

For now, here is some detail about the show, mostly about who all are gonna be there on the show.

The show will have twenty artistes. While the top Bollywood line of the show comprises of Shankar Mahadevan, Shaan, KK and Sunidhi Chauhan, we’ll also see Kailash Kher, Richa Sharma, Shruti Pathak, and Benny Dayal from Bollywood singers.

Besides, there will be Raghu Dixit, or should I say The Raghu Dixit Project, the well known name from Bangalore; once so popular Colonial Cousins – Hariharan and Leslie Lewis; comparatively lesser known Bollywood singers Harshdeep Kaur and Akriti Kakkar (Harshdeep is winner of two television reality shows and has even sung for A R Rahman in Rang De Basanti, Akriti has almost twenty movies to her credit where she has sung); and the singer of mora saiyyan, aankhon kay sagar, mitwa, and many more, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan.

Then there are Sabri Brothers*, Aftab and Hashim Sabri, qawwali singers who have sung for Hindi films as well, my best memory being of Allah Allah from Yeh Dil Ashiqana (no idea how crappy the movie was but the songs were good, the qawwali being one of the best) and Tumse mil ke dil ka hai jo haal from Main hoon na.

Also the show will have Sufi singers Puranchand and Pyarelal Wadali i.e. Wadali Brothers there too. The pair has also sung a couple of songs for Bollywood, the latest being Rangrez in Tanu weds Manu.

In lesser known singers, which could and should make the real life of the show, there will be Assamese Bihu specialist Khagen Gogoi, Tamilnadu’s once-a-singer-at-thirteen Chinna Ponnu, another Assamese Mausam Gogoi, maker of boatmen band Majhi Mallah Saurav Mandal and New Delhi’s eclectic music group Advaita.

What is still a confusion though, is that while the list above is given on the ‘Artists’ page of the Coke Studio website, there is another sentence that says ‘The collaborations are so eclectic as to bring together Shafqat Ali and Shruti Pathak, Sunidhi Chauhan and Wadali Brothers, Kailash Kher and Papon, Shankar Mahadevan and Khogen Da, and Bombay Jayshree, Richa Sharma and Rashid Khan among others‘ while going by the list, I won’t find Papon, Bombay Jayshree and Rashid Khan on the show.

* My guess is that there is some mix up regarding them on the Coke Studio’s official website, they claim that Sabri Brothers are a Pakistani Qawwali party.

The next, Kyun Main Jaagoon by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan maybe a bit too slow for loving it the first time, but as you listen to it, you love it more and more. A beautiful track with the background music that slowly grows inside the track. The unplugged version of the song is equally good. Oh, pain in Shafaqat’s voice sounds so very natural in here.

Mehndi vi mehndi, mehndi vi mehndi. Gaadha rang je chadhiya te balle ve balle. I am reminded of Kal ho naa ho. And then of Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani as Hard Kaur comes in, and then Shankar Mahadevan sounds all in mad-dance mode. Well, the song sounds a bit broken at the start, but once you’re used to it, the song is definitely gonna rock you. Raula pai gaya. Raula pai gaya. Dil se gaya. Raula pai gaya.

Khwabon ke lifafon mein, kisson mein kitabon mein, Vishal Dadlani sings aadat hai woh in his soft-husky voice. Well, I was surprised quite pleasantly, but a bit confused too as to why Vishal was singing this, and then when I heard usko banane wala kuch kuch to behka hoga, I knew Vishal was the perfect singer for the song. Lovely music, superb lyrics, deep singing. Woh aadat hai is a song with some poetry. I loved it, probably the most in the album, almost as much as Kyun Main Jaagoon. Do listen.

Baby when you talk to me is one more song in the Bollywood rock. This one is sung by Suraj and the way he sings it, it reminds me of Sadka kiya, though the song is not much like that one. Simple tune, and very instantly likable.

The next song, Tumba Tumba tudak gaya, is a kinda slow Punjabi-mixed dance number which stands out for its simplicity. Hans Raj Hans does a beautiful job at this one. The song may not be the best thing when you listen to it the first time, but slowly it takes up its space in your head. Also, have hopes from the video of the video.

Kailash Kher. Richa Sharma. OK. Kailash isn’t here this time, but Richa Sharma sings the mukhda of the bhajan Kailash sang for Road to Sangam. Aval Allah. A small track for the background. Not the full bhajan though, sadly.

The next thing is the remix of kyun main jaagoon. I’m not much into remixes, but quite loved this one. Try once even if you don’t listen to remixes.

The last, baby when you talk to me remix isn’t bad either, probably because there are no huge changes made in the song and speed seems to be the same.

Oh, forgot Raula pai gaya remix. Totally enjoying it.

Overall, Patiala House may not be among the best of Shankar Ehsaan Loy, but like most of their albums, the album has some freshness, and some good ol’ things. To say the least, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, once again, don’t disappoint.

The album surprisingly starts with a Pritam song, Mera Jeena hai kya, sung by Neeraj Shridhar. Interestingly, the song is a bit different from their typical songs as this one seems aligned towards rock. I wonder why Pritam didn’t get KK to sing this one. KK and Nagesh Kukunoor has already been an old hit jodi. Good one but could be better.

Then the next, Dilkash Dildaar duniya comes which is again a Pritam composition and sung by Shaan and Tulsi Kumar. A beat-based song with a nostalgic feel. Shaan is fine but I’m not coming to terms with Tulsi very well. Okay song.

The third song, Rabba comes from Shiraz Uppal. Somehow, I don’t like Shiraz Uppal very much with lower notes. Shiraz is a guy who is best when he sings with his full throat. But here he sings more on lower notes and goes high only for ‘Rabba ye kya hua, Rabba ye dil gaya’ there too not so good I had expected. Some good lyrics and certainly not a bad song, but was expecting more from Shiraz. This is just okay.

Then comes the already heard Zubeen sung ‘Ab mujhko Jeena.’ The song starts somewhat like Summer of 69 but then it moves to a fast, inspiring type song. Can’t say much about the song as I’ve heard it way too much already. It’s even been my ringtone for a long time. So all I can say is the song is definitely good.

Next song of the album, Shukriya Zindagi, that starts on a lovely note and as Shafqat starts singing ‘chhan ke aayi to kya chandni to mili’ in an easy mood, you know you’re going to get an inspirational treat from Salim-Sulaiman and Shafqat. Beautiful lyrics by Mir Ali Husain in continuously second song.

As Shreya Ghoshal starts rendering Pal mein Mila Jahan, in her soft voice, with almost nothing playing in the background, you think it’s a sad version of some song, but then the song proceeds, and after a tough job done by Shreya, instruments appear in the background. A really good song and some superb singing by Shreya but I don’t know how many will have patience to listen to this song. Try to listen to the song anyway.

Finally, Chala Aaya Pyaar brings in Mohit Chauhan. A quite slow, deep song with some romantic lyrics. Somehow after ‘Pal mein’ the song sounds a bit sad as it seems to mix with its predecessor, but as Mohit comes towards the higher notes in the song, you start liking it. Good use of percussion, loved the tabla in the song. Go for it, but it may need some patience before you fall for the song.

Shankar Mahadevan is a choice of many composers when it comes to deep songs, and even more when there are less instruments in the background, as Shankar has got some awesome power in his voice. Therefore, after Raajneeti’s Dhan dhan dharti re, he gets to sing another earthy song with less instruments and more singing. And the song is none other than Shreya sung Pal mein mila Jahan’s male version, but Shankar gives the song much more power than Shreya did. I guess people would like this one more, if they have enough patience to decide.

After this, the album has five remixes but I wouldn’t even hear them as of now, after listening to seven songs already. Oh, btw, there is one sad version of Shukriya Zindagi which is again a wonderful listen for those who appreciate one minute long instrumentless pieces. Cuz I was a fan of Aashayein slow version and always played the song after the slow version.

Overall, the album is not bad, but not very good either. While no song is actually bad, only a few, namely ab mujhko jeena, shukriya zindagi, pal mein mila jahan look upto their level. Mohit Chauhan and Shiraz Uppal are a bit below their own set standards. The biggest problem is that few songs in the album catch you instantly, though I hope many of the songs will sound just perfect in the movie as background.

All I’d say is, I had some more aashayein from aashayein.

The album starts with Jab Mila tu, which is quite like Dostana’s Jaane Kyun. That way, the song cannot be called very fresh but sounds fine, and will be stuck to our tongues the way Jaane kyun did. I think.

The second song of the album is one of the best, or probably the best, Bin Tere (how many songs are called Bin tere, any idea?). Well, the song, sung by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Sunidhi Chauhan is a wonderful piece of music and definitely worth a listen. Go for it.

The third song of the album is a peppy title song, bas pyaar ka naam na lena, I hate love stories, sung by Vishal Dadlani. Very, very tongue sticking,though I don’t think it’s one for longer times.

Bahara is the next song of the album. The song came as a surprise to me as I had not expected Sona Mahapatra in a Vishal-Shekhar album. I wonder if she has ever worked with the duo. Well, Sona is not the only singer in the song, in fact she is more in the background while the song is actually sung by Shreya Ghoshal. A medium-fast-paced song with a touch of folk. Definitely a good one again.

They had one king of rock with them. But they brought in another one. Yes, Vishal Shekhar call in Suraj Jagan for their next number Sadka Kiya, with Mahalaxmi Iyer. Frankly, Sadka is probably the song I have loved the most till date and the more I am listening to it, the more I am falling into the song. A song that keeps itself light, has beats something like Falak tak (Tashan), with Suraj going high in places, in a way that you would love. The best part, on top of the wonderful music and singing, there are those great lyrics, sadka kiya yoon ishq ka, ke sar jhuka jahan, deedar hua. M lovin’it.

If this was not enough, here is more in remixes, no, reprises and mixes and remixes. The first to come up is Shekhar with a reprise of Bin Tere. Now there’s only a guitar (I hope I didn’t miss anything) and Shekhar’s voice. A real reprise, with hardly any background music. One of the toughest and the best things Shekhar has done. Kudos boy.

Now, a chill mix, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan singing what Shreya and Sona sang earlier. Definitely good work by Rahat and worth listening to song, but I think I have fallen for the original version already.

At the end there is a remix version of Bin Tere, which doesn’t sound bad.

Overall, I Hate Luv Storys seems to be a soundtrack which is better than plain good. A few songs may remind you of things here and there, but overall, almost every song of the album is good, which is a big deal. Well done Vishal-Shekhar.

My Picks: Bin Tere, Sadka Kiya.

Whatever I felt, the only thing that matters is that the song is a wonderful piece of music that you would love to listen to. Simply go for it.

Here are the lyrics of the song:

(lost n lonely cuz u r the only
one that knows me n I can’t be without u)

Hai kya ye jo tere mere darmiyaan hai,
andekhi ansuni koi daastaan hai..

lagne lagi ab zindagi khali hai meri
lagne lagi har saanse bhi khali
bin tere bin tere bin tere
koi khalish hai hawaon mein bin tere..

ajnabi se hue kyun pal saare
ki nazar se nazar ye milaate hi nahi
ek ghani tanhayi chha rahi hai
manzilen raaston mein hi gum hone lagi..

ho gayi ansuni har dua ab meri
reh gayi ankahi bin tere..

raah mein roshni ne hai kyun haath chhoda
is taraf shaam ne kyun hai apna muh moda
yoon ke har subah ik beraham si raat ban gayi..

Hai kya ye jo tere mere darmiyaan hai,
andekhi ansuni koi daastaan hai..

lagne lagi ab zindagi khali khali
lagne lagi har saanse bhi khali
bin tere bin tere bin tere
koi khalish hai hawaon mein bin tere..

By the way, the song has a remix and a reprise version too. And Shekhar Ravjiani does an awesome song singing the reprise version simply on a guitar. Do listen to that one.

Noor e Khuda is something that would be counted as very typical of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy had there not been Adnan Sami.  Shankar also sings a major part of the song and Shreya gets a piece in the end. But Adnan’s voice has made the song a bit more fresh. A typical song for a Karan Johar film. A certain hit material.

Rang de Aman se Aasman is the odd one out in the album. The song has some rock mood and hence Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy call in Suraj Jagan to sing with Shankar. The song is good but will take some time to reach its peak. Lyrics of the song are good but somehow I feel like there was more scope in the lyrics here. Also, hearing for the first few times, you will feel that the song has been sung in a haste at some points and that a bit slower could be better.

Sajda is a typical Karan Johar song as you might have guessed from the promos of the movie. The song again has a good Sufi touch and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan-Richa Sharma combination works well. Shankar Mahadevan in the background is perfect. Reminds me of Mitwa though.

Talk of Mitwa and here comes Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan. Shafqat gets to sing another Sufi song, Tere Naina all by himself. The song is good with some good lyrics and music that gives scope to Shafqat’s singing which he has used well. Full marks to Shafqat Amanat Ali for the song.

The album also has a two and half minute Khan theme by Strings, which doesn’t affect as yet. Maybe it shows some more effect in the film.

Overall, My Name is Khan is a good album with more than just a touch of Sufi. The songs are good and certainly going to be super-popular. Also, Niranjan Iyengar’s lyrics are good enough. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy haven’t taken much risk and given an album on old prescribed formulas which are certainly going to work for KJo’s film. If you like typical S-E-L music (which most do), go for it. You won’t be disappointed.