Rating: ***

EXPECTATIONS
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Javed Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani came up with one of the most defining scores - Rock On - last year. Even earlier, together they have created good music for Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya and Don - The Chase Begins Again.

No wonder, you don't expect anything lesser from Luck By Chance which comes with an unconventional subject. Add to that a new director at the helm of affairs, Zoya Akhtar, and you know that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy would love to stretch themselves all over again to bring in something unique.

MUSIC
Uniqueness is what one experiences in 'Baawre' the opening track of the album. A fusion track that gives a rustic touch to a folk tune and then compliments it with a hint of Western flavor, 'Baawre' boasts of a catchy tune.

Though it's placement at the very top of the album comes across as a surprise, it is a pleasant one since one didn't really expect a song like this to be the starting point of the album which had it's lead hero 'rocking' the nation in Rock On less than six months ago.

An electrifying 'remix' version follows later that is just the kind of recipe that a DJ would be looking for!

There is an immediate mood shift though with 'O Raahi Re' that has a trademark S-E-L stamp to it.

A slow moving number that sees the protagonist asking himself about the path he wants to choose for himself in the walk of life, it is a background piece that should make good sense in the film's narrative.

Next to arrive is a love song 'Pyaar Ki Daastaan' which again is the kind of number that keeps the proceedings simple and doesn't turn out to be an assault on the ears. Also, this is yet another track which follows the S-E-L template of a love song and comes up with good results as well.

A pop fusion track that also has strong Indian classical influence to it, 'Sapnon Se Bhare Naina' is a cracker of a piece which yet again describes the journey of the protagonist who is wondering about the success that has come his way but at what cost?

Aided by Western arrangements, it is a unique piece and deserves to be placed at numerous junctures in the narrative. Soon after comes 'Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya? ', a song which begins on a happy note, courtesy the lively arrangements and the overall feel good factor of the number.

However, it is not a frivolous piece of music and in fact promises to make a good impression once it is seen in the film.

Finally, comes 'Yeh Zindagi Bhi' which just flows with the mood of the entire album and doesn't allow the narrative to deviate at all. Yet again, Luck By Chance retains its soft flavor, hence staying consistent from start to finish.

LYRICS
After thoroughly enjoying himself penning 'Baawre', Javed Akhtar keeps it simple for 'O Rahi Re' and instead of getting full on poetic, he keeps it almost as conversational. However, he does get an opportunity to go poetic with 'Pyaar Ki Daastaan' as well as 'Sapnon Se Bhare Naina'.

From a pensive 'O Rahi Re' and 'Sapnon Se Bhare Naina', he makes a good transition to being optimistic about life with 'Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya?' Same is the case with 'Yeh Zindagi Bhi' which is again centered on hope and achieving greater highs in life!

VOCALS
Shankar Mahadevan leads from the front as he comes behind the mike for as many as four tracks. He gets the mood just right for 'Baawre' that also has Loy Mendonca, Ila Arun, Mumay Khan, Babu Khan, Manzoor Khan and Rajab Khan chipping in a little.

However, it is 'O Rahi Re' which shows why he is such an asset as not just as a composer but also as a singer. Later when he sings a semi-classical 'Sapnon Se Bhare Naina', he re-establishes his stranglehold over the genre. This is the track where he performs best.

He later returns with Loy Mendonca for 'Yeh Zindagi Bhi' and impresses here as well as he allows himself to go soft on vocals.

Newcomer Amit Paul is given a good platform to sing the first romantic number of the album and he does a good job along with Mahalakshmi Iyer who continues to make an impression with every opportunity that she gets behind the mike.

Sunidhi Chauhan gets only one song in the entire album and is at her spirited best in 'Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya? ' which allows her to get into her Pop Diva mode!

OVERALL
As 2009 kick starts, Luck By Chance brings with it a different flavor of music to it, something which is completely different from some of the biggest hits that 2008 saw.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy push the envelope, as expected, and dare to do something different in a film which is being pitched in a commercial market.

Though it would be wrong to expect this album to take a thundering start at the music stands due to its unique flavor and unconventional style, as an entire soundtrack it does work for the film.

Luck By Chance is one of those albums where one can't expect a single number to make waves but listen to it as an original soundtrack and it certainly turns out to be pretty enjoyable.