It’s no secret to those close to me that I came to the Twilight fandom late. Musically speaking what this meant for me was that I didn’t hear the Twilight soundtrack until I was watching the movie and I was less than impressed. Eventually it grew on me but I have to admit the New Moon soundtrack has been an entirely other, and much more pleasant, experience.
Like a lot of people I started making my own picks for the soundtrack early on, none of which actually made it onto the final product but I am not disappointed by what the producers ultimately chose despite only being familiar with three of the performers (not including composer Alexandre Desplat).
So let’s do a track by track breakdown (only including the ones I feel strongly about and please note that because of this the track listings will not be in order):
1. Death Cab For Cutie: Meet Me On The Equinox
Meet Me on the Equinox
Death Cab for Cutie | MySpace Video
I’ve been a fan of Death Cab For Cutie since their debute album Plans released in August of 2005. When I first heard this single I had to admit my feelings about it were lukewarm but after several more listens it has grown on me exponentially I think in a large part due to the video.
I’m a writer at heart so I’m big on symbolism. I love the play of shadow and light in this video, how we start off with a brightly lit room which freezes up about halfway through and then gets thrown into darkness. Okay, maybe not the subtlest of symbolism but I still like it.
I have an idea of where I think this song might go in the film (I’ll be doing an OBS piece later this month where I try to guess song placement in the film) but I’ll leave you a hint for now:
A window
An opened tomb
The sun crawls
Across your bedroom
A halo
A waiting room
Your last breaths
Moving through you
2. Band Of Skulls: Friends
This is one of the bands I am not familiar with. It took a couple of tries before it grew on me. It’s edgier and more upbeat and has a definite “rock” quality to it. Could it be about Jacob?
3. Thom Yorke: Hearing Damage
Like a lot of people I jumped on the songs when they were leaked onto the internet and this was one of the ones that I immediately knew I would love. I didn’t realize at the time that Thom Yorke is also the lead singer for the band Radiohead whose single “Creep” shot them to fame. Hearing Damage is haunting (as is a lot of the soundtrack) and the lyrics are perfect for the character of Bella Swan and what she is going through.
Your hearing damage
Your mind is restless
They say you’re getting better
But you don’t feel any better
4. Lykke Li: Possibility
This is another one I immediately fell in love with. I have weakness for female singer/songwriters and she turned out to be no exception. It’s another haunting and simplistice piece that mirrors well the feelings of loss and melancholy associated with heartbreak.
Know that when you leave,
By blood and by me, you walk like a thief, by blood and by me, and I fall when you leave.
5. The Killers: A White Demon Love Song
Don’t laugh, but I first heard of The Killers because of fanfiction. One of the authors I was reading at the time recommnded their album Day&Age and I liked it. A White Demon Love Song is low key fare infused with their talent for catchy rock. And I could be wrong but I’m fairly certain this song is inspired by the character of Edward Cullen.
White Demon where’s your selfish kiss?
White Demon sorrow will arrange
Let’s not forget about the fear
Black invitation to a place
That cannot change
6. Anya Marina: Satellite Heart
‘Satellite Heart’ Anya Marina
Anya Marina | MySpace Video
Today saw the release of the official video for this song. It’s another one that I didn’t like right away but it too has grown on me.
7. Muse: I Belong To You (New Moon Remix)
I am sad to say that I absolutely cannot stand this song. I can’t even bring myself to seek out a clip of it for you. Instead I bring you what I wish had made it onto the soundtrack.
Undisclosed Desires
MUSE | MySpace Video
I normally adore Muse and I am absolutely in love with the song Undisclosed Desires. JUST LOOK AT THESE LYRICS:
I want to reconcile the violence in your heart
I want to recognize your beauty’s not just a mask,
I want to exorcise the demons from your past,
I want to satisfy the undisclosed desires in your heart
Perfect.
8. Bon Iver & St. Vincent: Rosyln
Another one I hadn’t heard of but I do like it.
Sea and the rock below
Cocked to the undertow
Bones blood and teeth erode, with every crashing node
Wings wouldn’t help you
Wings wouldn’t help you…down
Down fills the ground, gravity’s proud
Could it be for a certain scene? I’ll get into that in another post.
10. Hurricane Bells: Monsters
Another of the more upbeat songs and I really like it. It makes me think of this line from New Moon:
“Well, I’m so sorry that I can’t be the right kind of monster for you, Bella.” Jacob Black
11. Sea Wolf: The Violet Hour
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song. This is exactly the reason I love movie soundtracks so much. Being exposed to music I might otherwise have never heard. I wish I could share with you the entirety of the brilliant lyrics but that would obviously take up too much space. So here’s a sampling:
Your lips are petals
Your tongue is wine
You’re left as liquid
But your body’s pine
In the dark you tell me of a flower
that only blooms in the violet hour
Your thighs are thistles
and hot-house grapes
You breathe your sweet breath
And have me wait
Since I can’t find a clip of The Violet Hour to post I’ll at least share a another song of theirs because they are just that good in my opinion.
14. Editors: No Sound But The Wind
The voice of the lead singer for the Editors eerily reminds me of Warren Zevon and in my book that’s a good thing. This is another of my favorite songs on the album and it reminds me of the scene in the Twilight film in the ballet studio when the venom is coursing through Bella and we cut to a dream type sequence in which Edward and Bella are lying in the meadow amidst a dusting of pure white snow.
The kiss of the snow
The prayers that whirl above us
Our blood is cold and we’re alone
But I’m alone with you
15. Alexandre Desplat: New Moon (The Meadow)
They saved the best for last. This is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE on the entire soundtrack and I CANNOT wait for the release of the score on November 24th. Why G*d why do we have to wait until AFTER the New Moon film comes out?! Not fair. This melody is just so soft and sweet to me and absolutely perfect for the meadow.
As of this writing I am happy to report that the New Moon soundtrack is currently #1 on the Billboard 200 top albums chart.
So what do you guys think of the soundtrack?