Lets start out with some honorable mentions. Songs I liked, but not enough to make my list. And, I will admit, I wanted to put more Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi songs on the top 10 list, but I figure that’s because the songs are so new. So, I’m restraining myself.

Honorable Mentions – Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta, Dance Pe Chance (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi), Rock On!!, Socha Hai (Rock On!!), Mannata (Heroes), Tu Meri Dost Hai (Yuvvraaj), Zara Sa (Jannat), Talli (Ugly Aur Pagli), Move Your Body, Bakhuda Tumhi Ho remix (Kismat Konnection), Jaane Kyun, Maa Da Laadla remix (Dostana), Dil Haara, Tashan Mein (Tashan), Bachna Ae Haseeno, Aahista Aahista (Bachna Ae Haseeno)

Ok, on to the list:

10. Mit Jaaye [Kidnap]

Imran isn’t really convincing as a bad boy, especially after Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, but he looks quite good in this video. I love the song, though it’s a bit faster on the album than in this video, and the singer sounds different.

09. Khwab Dekhe [Race]

One of my guilty pleasures of 2008. I constantly complain about English lyrics, and this song includes “Sexy lady, makes me crazy, be my baby, give me all your lovin now…”. Definition of cheezy, yet the song is so damn catchy that I listen anyway. Damn Pritam and his catchiness.

08. Haule Haule [Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi]

I didn’t like this song when I first heard it, but it grew on me. Really nice song, great singing by Sukhwinder. Such a different song from what we’ve been getting lately.

07. Khuda Jaane [Bachna Ae Haseeno]

Such a gorgeous song. Vishal Shekhar prove that they are not all about rock. They can make a beautiful love song as well. This song has a haunting quality about it. KK is just perfect. Shilpa Rao’s voice becomes a bit jarring during her voice, you can’t completely understand what she sings. But overall, lovely.

06. Sinbad The Sailor [Rock On!!]

The video really makes this song. I liked it just from the soundtrack, but the video makes it so much fun. Watching Farhan run around the stage and sing his heart out, the crowd everywhere, and Arjun making his appearance. Also love the slow-down at the end, with ‘Tum Ho Toh’. Nice ending to a great song.

05. Tu Hai Meri Soniye [Kismat Konnection]

More English. But not bad. It works. More Pritam catchiness. And Shahid dancing. Can’t beat that.

04. Kabhi Kabhi Aditi [Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na]

Didn’t like initially. Gave it another try, and it shot to the top of my most played list. It’s short and sweet, doesn’t go on too long, and Rashid Ali’s voice is really nice, I hope we hear more of him. Too bad it’s a song about a cat.

03. Jogi Mahi [Bachna Ae Haseeno]

I love love this song. I love hearing Shekhar sing, I love the beat, Sukhwinder makes his appearance, and Himani Kapoor sounds wonderful in her part. She should get more songs like this, it really suits her voice. And aww at Kunal in his turban.

02. Desi Girl [Dostana]

This is such a fun song. An instant hit. Shankar’s voice works perfectly for songs like this. The dancing in the video is kinda weird, but probably because they had to cater to John’s skills. Hehe poor guy. But overall an awesome song.

01. Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte [Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi]

No video for this yet, so it’s just a random pics in the above video. I absolutely adore this song. It’s so creative, being able to mix old tunes together into a whole new tune is no easy task. Salim-Suleman seem to do it effortlessly. It all seams together so well. And Sonu just brings a whole new element to the song. The singer does make a big difference, I think only Sonu could have pulled this off so good. The picturization will surely be a treat.

So, there we go. Coming soon, Top 10 Soundtracks of 2008 and, after RNBDJ and Ghajini release, Top 10 Movies of 2008. That may be pushed in to 2009, b/c Ghajini releases so late.

BTW, my thoughts and prayers go out to all those families who have been affected by the senseless attacks in Mumbai. RIP to those who lost their lives for no reason, and I pray for those injured to get better soon.

Rock On!! stars Farhan Akhtar in his first acting role, Prachi Desai of ‘Kasam Se’ in her first Bollywood role, Arjun Rampal, Luke Kenny, and Purab Kohli. Music by SEL, lyrics by Javed Akhtar. It’s a movie about 4 friends, and we go back and forth between present day and 10 years ago, when they formed a band called “Magik”.

It’s a simple story, but these days, execution means everything. And Abhishek Kapoor, the director, gets it so right. He’s said that the casting was very important to him, he wanted his lead actor to sing his own songs, he wanted the backups to play their own instruments. He wanted to give his movie a real life feel, and he’s certainly succeeded. There’s a realness, and freshness to the movie. You feel like it’s a real band, struggling, rocking the stage, going through their ups and downs.

The conflict in the movie (because there always is one) occurs when the guys sign their first contract. They aren’t given the liberties that they expected, and this bothers them, especially Joe (Arjun). He blows up when Adi (Farhan) is given more face time in their first music video. They were all young, immature, and this really destroys the band. It’s by chance that they are reunited, but all of their lives have changed, and not necessarily for the better.

We’re promptly taken in, seeing why Adi’s so withdrawn from his wife, why he freaks out when she uncovers his past, how Joe struggles to make ends meet, how KD (Purab) is still his crazy self, and Rob (Luke) trying to keep music in his life. It may get a bit predictable towards the end, but as I’ve said before, what movie isn’t?

One note about Luke Kenny’s character, I don’t like the direction it took towards the end. I feel that could have been completely avoided, and don’t really see the need for it. If anyone has any insight, or something I missed that makes it fit, please let me know.

Performances you ask? Farhan Akhtar knocks it out of the park. Way out. He’s brilliant as Aditya Shroff. He plays the character to perfection. He sounds great singing as well. Such a unique voice, even in the slow ballad. He definitely fits the role of a rocker.

Arjun Rampal has impressed me two straight times now. He’s finally getting his due as an actor, and he’s delivering. This is his best performance since Tehzeeb, and I really hope he keeps it up. He’s got great potential, and with those looks combined with extraordinary talent, he’ll be unstoppable. One thing though, his long hair bothered me. And that mooch, it must go.

Purab Kohli was cute, though I wish he had some funny lines thrown in, so we see his personality a bit more. I loved his ‘I will survive’ routine, don’t miss it. Luke Kenny was great as well. Prachi Desai makes a great transition from TV to movies, and she does her role well. I just hope she doesn’t get typecast as ‘Bani’ from TV, because she could have an equally successful career in movies. Sahana Goswami also makes her debut as Joe’s wife, and she’s equally as good as Prachi. Both women have different circumstances, therefore the performances are different, but both make their presence felt in every scene they are in.

Abhishek Kapoor has really impressed me. I read the interview he did for BollySpice, and really loved his answers. You can tell he’s put a lot of work into this movie, and the critics seem to appreciate it. They’ve all loved the movie, it’s the best reviewed movie of the year so far. And it’s well deserved, if you put the work in, you’re bound to succeed.

SEL do it again, producing music that’s perfect for the film. Their tracks are all rocking, perfect fits in the movie. I love Sinbad the Sailor the most, and seeing it picturized like it was was a treat.

It’s the best movie of the year, by far. Rock On!! is a must see, please don’t miss it.

And, a parting shot…

Awwwwww Arjun…

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars