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Source: Source: newmoonmovie.org -
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Disclaimer: I am not a music reviewer, just an avid Twilight fan!
After the success of the first instalment in the Twilight saga, expectations are high for everything surrounding the second film, New Moon. The soundtrack is no exception to this.
With most movie soundtracks either flopping or flourishing, there is much anticipation around the sound that will set the stage for the film.
Slap the Twilight brand on anything and it will sell, just look for example at the Team Edward t-shirts and the fact people are tattooing themselves with Twilight images.
It could be said that any old songs could have been put together to make this soundtrack and it wouldn't really matter - regardless of what is on it, it will sell.
Fortunately this attitude wasn't taken and fortunately these bloodsuckers know their music. The New Moon soundtrack is a mix of tunes that will impress both Twilight fans and haters alike.
It's clear the brains behind this album knew what they were doing. With producer Alexandra Patsavas on board that's no surprise, as she has a host of other high-profile credits behind her such as Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy and The OC.
The indie-flavoured album features Meet Me On The Equinox by Death Cab for a Cutie, which was released prior to the album as the main song for the film. Also featured are Thom Yorke, The Killers, Muse, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and OK Go.
The Killers' A White Demon Love Song is a little different than what you'd commonly hear from the band on the airwaves - while still essentially Killers sounding, it has more than a little Sgt Pepper influence. It feels right at home in the world of Twilight.
Muse's I Belong To You is equally as suitable with the grand and emotional track matching the dramatic storyline well.
Lykke Li's Possibility features a barely there piano sound and is filled with a pining feeling that you can imagine as the soundtrack to Bella's darkest days.
The whole album fits in perfectly with the "losing true love" theme of New Moon. All the songs stick firmly to this, which although perfect for the movie, does make it a little bit depressing if you listen to the whole album in one hit.
With all the songs fitting to the one theme and having a similar sound, the album does seem to blur into one long heart-breaking song, with no particular track jumping out to grab you.
In saying that there were a few songs that became personal favourites, such as Lykee Li, The Killers, Anya Marina, Sea Wolf and the bonus track from Eskimo Joe. In contrast, Bon Iver & St Vincent, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Grizzly Bear's tracks (with Victoria Legrand) were not memorable for me.
I was a little disappointed that there were no songs from Robert Pattinson like on the Twilight soundtrack. Also I thought Jackson Rathbone's band 100 Monkeys may have featured but neither probably fitted with the theme of the album.
The album grows on you and the more you listen to it the more you like it. Songs such as Thom Yorke's Hearing Damage didn't initially appeal but like a lot of his songwriting its subtleties and layers creep up on you, revealing themselves after listening a few times.
If you pick your mood and the time that you listen to this album to well, it is a great listen. But given its mellow, brooding tones I wouldn't call it an album for all occasions.
All in all this album will prove to be a killer backdrop for what is anticipated to be a killer movie, however it could also stand alone as an album in its own right.
