The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack review

Release date: Friday Oct. 16

It's inarguable that New Moon is the most anticipated movie this year (or to be even more cliche, since the series first film adaptation last November). Along with the film comes its soundtrack; also an eagerly awaited must-have which is ironic considering soundtracks are historically (with a few exceptions) known as the red headed step child of the music industry. Twilight's soundtrack was a jaw dropper, having a compilation of “it” bands possessing plenty of hits. Although another impressive piece, I see its successor's soundtrack a little differently.

Modern soundtracks target very definite groups, whether it be children and tweens with the Hannah Montana and High School Musical soundtracks or genre-specific fans like 500 Days of Summer's soundtrack. New Moon breaks down some of those barriers and opens up its audience to a broader spectrum of music. I feel that the soundtrack's bold choice in artists and songs gives it individuality from its predecessor and is less a compilation of potential hit singles and more an abstract album and follows the second film's dismal theme, mood and atmosphere.

Here is a track-by-track analysis of the entire album:

1.Death Cab for Cutie - Meet Me on the Equinox
On my first listen, the vocals have a retro vibe to them. The song is good, moody and driving tune with a bit of an upbeat tempo, but the message in the song fits in with the morose tone of the movie. The music has some great contrasting elements, because it consistently shifts between a gentle sob and a mournful scream. Being a Death Cab fan, I give this one a half way thumbs up.

2.Band of Skulls - Friends
This one is very angst-y and punk-inspired rock. It has a raw sound, and could be mistaken for a Ramones throwback. The chorus sounds like it belongs playing at a 60's high school dance but then this extremely out of harmony lead guitar washes over the song, almost punching you in the face with it's modern touch.

3.Thom Yorke - Hearing Damage
York's contribution to this album starts with a rumbling electronic sound like a broken Nintendo. Once it gets going, the track is very depressive in design. The vocals carry the song more than the music does and the verses are very low in the mix, almost mumbled, as if to convey that the words are not as important as the emotion Yorke is expressing.

4.Lykke Li - Possibility
The song was funny to me because it almost sounds like a kid singing. It sounds like a child who has just finished crying – very raspy and full of sadness and loneliness. Once again the vocals dominate the music. Not much to say about this track besides I wasn't a fan of it.

5.The Killers - A White Demon Love Song
The Killers brought a new sound to the early 2000's that led the way for a new genre of alternative and left behind the 90's rock age. This song, with their new indie-esque sound, does a bit of the opposite. The song has a Modest Mouse sound to it and lulls along almost drunkenly with a dense mood.

6.Anya Marina - Satellite Heart
Marina's track starts with an acoustic guitar and near-whispering vocals. It is another song that invokes confusion and frustration and I see it as a follow-up to the Lykke Li track, enhancing the lost innocence persona. This track will help the film progress with it's transition of emotions.

7.Muse - I Belong To You (New Moon Remix)
This remix from The Resistance album's main difference is the guitar plays the major role and not the piano. The piano is still there, but it has been shoved to the background. It sounds more like an early Maroon 5 song and as most of the songs on New Moon , has a vulnerable rawness to them.


8.Bon Iver & St. Vincent - Rosyln
“Roslyn” slowly emerges with muted guitars, and is another song where the vocalist almost sounds like they have been crying before recording. The vocals are ghostly, and heavily echoed. It is a weepy track with a bit of folk energy to it, especially when the banjo kicks in. Ultimately, it seems to be the changing of chapters rather than an actual song.


9.Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Done All Wrong
Most of the songs on this album use acoustic guitars as introductory devices however, this one stands out because it sounds very determined with a hint of bitterness. Another one of the tracks I didn't exactly enjoy on this album, I'd much rather substitute it with another original from Rob Pattinson and that is sad to say the least.

10.Hurricane Bells - Monsters
Now for something completely different, Hurricane Bells seeps over the album with some heavier rock tones, distorted guitar and a pop-ish melody. There is a distinct New Wave energy about the cut, giving the hipster Twilight fans their fix.

11.Sea Wolf - The Violet Hour
These guys sound almost exactly like early 90s The Cure with its depressive melody and withered vocals. The middle of the song strikes into a marching rhythm that confused me. I'm also puzzled as to how the audience will react to it, because it has such a throwback tone to it and doesn’t really resemble “now.” But hey, I'm sure those indie kids will eat it up.

12.OK Go – Shooting the Moon
OK Go rumbles in with bubbling percussion, acoustic guitar, tambourine, and softly muted vocals. Eventually a keyboard worms its way into the music, which adds to the artsy atmosphere. The song says “Sure things are bad, but they could be a lot worse.” That's exactly how I feel about the song itself.

13. Grizzly Bear (with Victoria Legrand) - Slow Life
Feathery, tranquil acoustic guitar introduces this song. It explores strong romance and the power of emotion. It is something that I could very easily hear during the end credits, bringing about strength of will and a passion which is an excellent conclusion to the movie itself.

14.Editors - No Sound but the Wind
This song has very brash, somewhat creepy vocals. It sounds like something resembling Tom Jones did, and out of all of them, this song has the most difficult time meshing with the theme. Another throwback, a recurring occurrence on this album.

15.Alexandre Desplat – New Moon (The Meadow)
Desplat's track does the best job in my opinion conveying the emotional distress occurring throughout the film. It gives the agonized feeling of not knowing what to think. It’s seriously a very powerful track. The music is structured in such a way that you can almost imagine that the piano is actually singing. It is a great way to close the album, and is the sampler at the candy store for the score when it releases November 24th.