Monday, October 19, 2009
The New Moon Soundtrack
I’ll have to wait until after New Moon’s release before I can write a true review of the soundtrack. I don’t know if Chris Weitz asked the artists to submit songs for the movie, or if he heard songs he thought would go well with the movie and asked the artists if they’d like to contribute. Perhaps combined with the movie, some songs that otherwise I didn’t care about at all will become worth remembering. So if I’m bagging on your favorite song Chris Weitz: I’m sorry dude! But opinions are like assholes, and I mean no disrespect toward you, your taste, or anyone else’s taste…and I still want you to make Breaking Dawn.*
On first listen through I wasn’t that impressed. The best song on the album is undoubtedly the Grizzly Bear song “Slow Life”. WOW. It is pretty rare for me to be knocked off my ass by a song on a first rotation. While I’m listening to music I’m usually doing crap on the forums, reading fanfic writing/editing blog posts or whatever, but by the time “Slow Life” rolled into the beautiful harmonies of the chorus I was leaning back in my chair with my eyes closed. Very rich and hypnotic song. I think this has to be a Bella & Edward tune. If it’s not I’ll be very surprised.
Other songs I didn’t hate on first listen:
“Possibility” by Lykke Li – Li’s voice definitely makes an impact. The lyrics + the piano + the voice truly depressed the shit out of me. In a good way! I could see them using this for Bella being curled up on the forest floor after Edward leaves, or in her bed having a nightmare. You will either love this song or hate it. My husband said it made him want to peel out his ear-drums with a melon-baller.
“Satellite Heart” by Anya Marina – I wasn’t familiar with this artist before this song. Reminds me a bit of Metric. I can’t explain my comparison, her voice is part of it. Reminds me of the line in the book where Bella talks about being a Moon that has lost it’s planet. I wonder if she wrote this for the movie or something else.
“I Belong To You” by Muse – I’m not disappointed very often by Muse and I wasn’t this time. This song has great rhythm, an interesting melody, and the best way I can come up with to describe his voice is melted butter with a little bit of malt in it. *shivers*
“Roslyn” by Bon Iver & St. Vincent – It has BANJO! I give props whenever a band can pull off a good song that includes banjo. I like the haunting falsetto, and the gentle acoustic guitar. I get the feeling this will be a Bella & Jake song, but don’t quote me on that.
My thoughts on a couple that I didn’t like:
“Hearing Damage” by Thom Yorke – You pretentious, formulaic bastard. Try to stay away from my movies in the future.
“Shooting The Moon” by OK Go – Fairly mediocre, and the timpani sounds like shit.
“A White Demon Love Song” by The Killers – FAIL! You are not the Beatles. I love this band so I was a disappointed. Hoping its placement in the movie redeems it.
“Done All Wrong” by Black Rebel Motorcyle Club – This song isn’t necessarily bad, however I will admit to have been hoping for something a little more hardcore and hard-rock. Something that highlights the bad-assness of the wolves perhaps? This band does bad-ass so very well. Instead they opted for another totally emo song because there weren’t enough of them already on the album.
“Friends” by Band of Skulls – This one has the potential to grow on me I think, and I can’t be too harsh with it as it’s one of the only rockin’-ish songs on the album, and it’s also not kill-yourself-depressing, and it has soul. They should have put it later in the album as a break from all the crying. Yet, it is very repetitive and I’m pretty much over it about half-way through.
You may be thinking, “But C2R, there are a few songs on the album you didn’t even mention!” I know, I didn’t. Because they weren’t worth mentioning. 32 short days (31 actually hah) and we’ll see how all this weaves into the Twilight universe on the big-screen. Are you guys as excited as we are?!??
* based on the trailers and stills I’ve seen, and your interviews, and frankly I have a crush on you as well. Nerdy men are totally hot. However, if you somehow screwed up New Moon in some way that isn’t readily apparent now in the trailers than I reserve the right to withdraw my Breaking Dawn endorsement. We wouldn’t go all torch & pitch-fork on you or anything dude, but we’re a suspicious lot and want to keep our options open, you understand. xoxo
Great review! We're 32 days (yea, yea I know 31 for you lol) away from the movies premiere and this is the time when I listen to the soundtrack and try to guess like crazy where each song fits into the movie. I really appreciate you did that. I've heard the entire CD twice now and I really like it for the most part. I really liked the Sea Wolf song. I just can't wait to see the whole movie/music package put together! It's a moody soundtrack so I am guessing it will only enhance the film!
Cee…I must say I've only given the soundtrack a couple runthroughs but it seems I agree pretty much with what you are saying. Hopefully it will grow on me as some songs on the Twilight Soundtrack had to grow on me too. Maybe once the movie is out some of the songs will make more sense. I have to say, as of right now, the Twilight Soundtrack kicked this soundtrack's ass…
Love the post!!!
I like piano. I like "The Meadow" in NM better than " Bella's Lullaby" In Twilight. For the other songs I will just have to wait and see where they are used and how much are used. Although 'Satelite Heart' was interesting. Love the "asterix" section…LOL
I have not listen to the soundtrack yet accept for Deb Cab Cutie. I think I will wait for the movie to come out first too!
Well said, Cee! I totes agree. At this point, I like the Twilight soundtrack SO MUCH BETTER than the New Moon one. I'm hoping that once I see the movie, the music will grow on me. Meet Me on the Equinox grew on me already so maybe the others will too.
Did anyone else notice the FAIL mispelling of the song "Roslyn" on track listing on the back of the CD? Seriously people!
I love the soundtrack! It is definitely getting me more excited about the movie. Such a great mix of artisits too. Check out this photo gallery of the artists featured on the soundtrack! http://blogs.msg.com/themonitor/2009/10/19/new-moon-soundtrack-artists-on-and-off-the-stage-photo-gallery/
I also wasn't thrilled the first time I listened to the soundtrack but by the 2nd or 3rd time I heard Meet Me on the Equinox I really liked it. Other than that, the meadow song really stood out for me. I don't remember any of the others but I'm sure as I see them incorporated into the movie that will change. After all, that is the measure of a soundtrack…do the songs enhance and/or epitomize the part of the movie they are used in? So, I'll just wait & see.
What are you talking about!? This soundtrack is one of the best soundtracks I've heard in a while. I liked it better than the Twilight Soundtrack actually…I really love it. All the songs…I wonder if Rob&Kris; picked any? I imagine them listening to some of the songs.