Seu Jorge "recording" his version of Bowie's Life On Mars?
Those who know me well are fully aware of my passion for music*. I have at various times been called anything from a music Nazi to a shameless groupie.
Which is why I think it totally rocks when a movie or television soundtrack shows that someone working on the project has a thoughtful love of music and knows exactly how to integrate songs and visuals to maximum effect. If he/she introduces me to a brand-new gem, so much the better.
These are my Top 10 TV and film soundtrack albums of the moment… Since it’s a wholly personal list, there are loads I’ve left out, especially when it comes to the classics. I’d love to discover new ones, so let me know what you would add, or which you think are total BS!
10. OMFGG Volume 1 (Original Music Featured On Gossip Girl)
Trendy series Gossip Girl is a good example of “The O.C. Effect” (yes, from the series): unknown, underground and indie bands/ musicians get introduced to the wider public via the soundtrack of a successful series or movie, resulting in actual sales for the artists and elevated musical taste for the viewer/ listener. (Hope springs eternal.)
Favourite track: The Pierces – Three Wishes
9. Jennifer’s Body – Music From The Motion Picture
A fun, trashy mix of the hottest bunch of noisy bastards currently on the scene, including Cobra Starship, Panic! At The Disco and White Lies. Perfect to go taxi-baiting to… So even if Diablo Cody’s second movie effort didn’t blow the critics away, the soundtrack still does!
Favourite track: Florence & The Machine – Kiss With A Fist
8. Six Feet Under – Everything Ends – Volume 2
Sexy, darkly stylish and reflective… Who’d have thought the soundtrack of a series on death and funeral parlors would be so enduringly catchy?
Favourite track: Sia – Breathe Me
7. Juno – Music From The Motion Picture
This movie was brilliant for a wide variety of reasons, not least of which the soundtrack. Mixing old school like Buddy Holly and Mott The Hoople with folksy newbies like Kimya Dawson? Legend.
Favourite track: The Moldy Peaches – Anyone Else But You
6. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
David Bowie tracks being sung in Portuguese by the headspinningly awesome Seu Jorge? ‘Nuff said.
Favourite track: Seu Jorge – Life On Mars?
5. Grey’s Anatomy Original Soundtrack Volumes 1, 2 & 3
I don’t know a single person who doesn’t go all snotty wailing “Denny’s dead!” when Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars starts playing… In my mind, one of the most iconic and enduring television moments of the past ten years. The tracks used in the series perfectly mirror the state of minds of the characters at any given moment, and often add a bit of levity or tongue-in-cheek commentary on a scenario that would otherwise have been too overwrought. The artists are a who’s who of the alternative scene. Basically, I adore Grey’s Anatomy. And the soundtracks rock!
Favourite tracks:
Volume 1: The Postal Service – Such Great Heights
Volume 2: Gomez – How We Operate
Volume 3: Peter, Bjorn And John – Young Folks
4. Twilight and New Moon
Yes, so the movies are soppily cheesy vehicles for indulging a love of sanitized vampires and six-packs… But author Stephenie Meyer is well known to have good taste in music, always crediting the bands she listened to while writing for inspiring her. The soundtracks are truly awesome, a lookbook of alternative and indie talents that you’ll probably never hear on radio, mixed with some well-knowns such as Muse and Linkin Park. It’s sure to introduce you to at least one group you’ve never heard of.
Favourite tracks:
Twilight: Iron & Wine – Flightless Bird, American Mouth
New Moon: Thom Yorke – Hearing Damage
3. True Blood Music From And Inspired By The HBO Original Series
This must be the hottest soundtrack I’ve ever encountered, with the most recognizable opening credits‘ track: Jace Everett’s Bad Things. The choice of tracks encapsulates the essence of this Southern Gothic tale of sass, sex, blood and vampires.
Favourite track: Little Big Town – Bones
2. Garden State – Music From The Motion Picture
I love Zach Braff. Not just for his sense of humour, but also for his impeccable taste in music. If it weren’t for this movie, I’d have taken much longer to discover the magic of musos like The Shins, Iron & Wine and Frou Frou. Like it says on the CD cover, “You gotta hear these songs, they will change your life I promise you.”
Favourite track: Frou Frou – Let Go This link carries the extra whammy of a beautiful visual tribute to director Solveig Dommartin, with footage from his Wings of Desire.
1. (500) Days of Summer
Ze winner! The soundtrack to this movie is probably what pushed me to write my list in the first place. It’s a magical, atmospheric mix perfectly suited to the movie’s subject matter and has been playing non-stop on my iPod for some time now. If you haven’t yet, give it a listen…
Favourite track: She & Him’s cover of The Smiths’ Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
Right, so let me know your faves and hates!
Footnote:
* Only eclipsed by my passion for hot chocolate. Which reminds me, I recently discovered Jozi’s Lapa Fo restaurant‘s Nutella concoction and nearly took up permanent residence in their kitchen…
I’m loving this track, Pornstar, from the band Amy Meredith, give it a listen and let me know your thoughts!