Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa may be better known for making Karan Johar heroines swoon to their music, but they also happen to be extremely talented musicians in their own right. Their musical roots go way beyond Bollywood, and that is amply evident in the soundtrack of Rock On.

The trio delivers a bunch of songs that are fresh, catchy, and very college rock. The entire album is raw at the edges, a very welcome trend from the over-produced garbage that passes for most of Bollywood soundtracks.

However, Rock On's only let-down is Farhan Akhtar's voice, it must be said. While he has the 'feel' right of an amateur rocker, one gets the feeling that with a slightly better singer, Ehsaan's sparkling guitar work, the very live drums and bass of Darshan Doshi and Ardeshir Mistry and Loy's tasty keyboards would have been done justice to.

The band starts off with Socha Hai, a vivacious number drenched in catchy guitar hooks, that pretty much sets the tune of the album. It's a zippy ride, a breezy, zesty song you want to hop to.

Pichle Saat Dino Mein kicks in with overdriven guitars and cynical lyrics.

"Kabhi Khud Pe hassa mein

Kabhi Khud Pe Roya

Mainey Pichle Saat dino

Mein Yeh sab Khoya"

Ehsaan's guitar wails into a neat blues-rock licks-filled solo and the song kicks butt.

Next up is the title track, Rock On, which is nice, but by which time you have begun to realise all the songs are in the same key (and could sound a tad monotonous) and it could be to accomodate the vocalist's limitations. Even then, the anthem potential is undeniable. Again, Ehsaan's very blues -rock playing and Loy's keyboards hold up the song.

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Then comes a gem of the album, Ye Tumhari Meri Baaetin, sung soulfully by Dominique Cerejo, backed by a lovely guitar drone that tugs at your heart. The bass glides beautifully beneath and subtle keyboards add to the hypnotic feel, like watercolour twilights.

Bam! Think tattoos and body piercings. Zahreeley is heavy metal crashing into Bollywood for what must be the first time. Sung by Suraj Jaggan, the song, with its powerplay between the guitars, vocals, and drums, is NOT for you if your idea of angst is a hero looking misty eyed at the moon. Zahreeley is all blood and gore with a great shred guitar solo that threatens to blow the speakers away.

Lilting in next is Tum Ho Toh, a rock ballad that is beautifully composed and that could truly benefit from an experienced voice. It's Farhan's sincerest attempt at singing, where he lets his voice go solo at times. But you can't help wince at the bum notes.

Farhan makes up for it in Sindbad the Sailor, and this time his voice blends in just right to take you on a voyage of discovery with this great song that meanders through a few movements rather like Celtic folk music.

And while most Bollywood albums have a 'remixed version' of the same songs , Rock On aptly has a 'live version' of Pichhle Saat Dino Mein and closes with a lovely acoustic ballad, Phir Dekhiye, sung by Caralisa Montero.

In the end, it boils down to this. With Dil Chahta Hai, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy introduced a fresh, more contemporary, global sound to Bollywood. With Rock On they have gone to another extreme, of straight ahead pop-rock. Though that's not new anymore – thanks to guys like Pritam - Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy get the spirit and the feel right, thanks also largely to Javed Akhtar's way with words.

Yes, you might miss Shankar's voice (he just provides backing vocal support), but given that this is a movie about has-been rockers making a comeback, his seasoned voice would not really fit.

Verdict: Rock On is not for everybody. But some people will really love it. We'll just have to wait and see which side has more people!

Rating: 3/5

Label: Big Music