TA TALKS BACK: FAN REVIEW OF THE ‘NEW MOON’ SOUNDTRACK
TAer Jenn gives us her thoughts on the newly released soundtrack for the upcoming New Moon movie.
Any Twi-hard will tell you Bella goes to pieces when Edward leaves her in “New Moon,” the follow-up to the blockbuster “Twilight.” Kristen Stewart herself has apeared in countless articles, describing her character as suffering manic depression at the loss of her boyfriend.But for all the depressing scenes and heartache, there’s also some great action in the book and (from what I’ve seen) the new movie coming out Nov. 20. Why then, should the latest soundtrack be so bogged down? Sure the first couple of tracks - Death Cab for Cutie and Band of Skulls - has an edgy pop feel, but many of the remaining tracks are dull, lifeless and leave you feeling abandoned by whoever put this together.
We’ve got some top names on this album. I expected the Thom Yorke tune to be introspective, but the rest trudges along, leaving the entire album with a pace akin to slogging through mud. Where’s the crazy-paced song to set the mood as Bella races across the Piazza dei Priori to save Edward? I know the film also will have an accompanying score and, from the sound of “New Moon” (The Meadow), I’m optimistic, but I guess I just expected more.
It’s not that the songs are bad. I don’t see any real misses. I’m still recovering from Perry Farrell’s horrid contribution to the first film (it fit with the prom scene but, as a song, it’s awful).
What caught my attention with the “Twilight” soundtrack, however, was the balance between fast-paced, hard-hitting tunes and more somber melodies. Having read the book, I could visualize how the songs would fit into the movie. But this? I’m not sure I see how the pieces are going to come together.
What do you think, TAers? Talk back to us…
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I agree with most of what whoever wrote this said. But I think as for the bella racing across volterra to save edward scene that the Muse song I Belong to You fit pretty well with that mood…the words really fit well.
i disagree. i think the soundtrack is amazing. yeah the whole album is pretty gloomy but when you listen to it as a whole cd it flows so well. when albums jump from fast to slow songs it really ruins the mood. as for it relating to the tone of the book, i think it does a splended job. yeah bella gets out of her funk with jacob but shes never quite happy.
Well, I think as an all around soundtrack it’s pretty good. Keeping it mostly indy is a great idea. Also, what you have to remember is that only snippets of the songs most times make an appearance in the film, rarely do you hear the song to completion. Just for Example from Twilight…Spotlight you only heard the first few bars of intro. So actually no one knows how it’s going to really play out. I do know that the satellite heart track, guaranteed it’s while she is sitting in her room for the 4 month break that the book makes, showing the passage of time while she is in a wide awake stupor. The others, it will be tricky, bet the score will be something to blend together with the soundtrack on your playlist. I usually end up rearranging the songs in the order that they are in the film anyway including the instrumental score.
I agree, I hated the whole soundtrack except for the Deathcab for Cutie song, Muse, and the Meadow. The rest was horrible and had me feeling like I was about to fall asleep, and I hope that doesn’t reflect how the movie is going to be.
I like about 4 of the song’s on the soundtrack, the other’s I just don’t know. Some of the band’s I’ve never heard of… It’s a very somber soundtrack, I do understand why it is, but I do wish that it was a mixed CD of somber and up-beat. The book “New Moon” is very sad, and it is about the love that you loose and heartache, but come on… it does turn out better towards the end, so maybe it just needed a pick-me-up song…I don’t know. But I will say it’s a very mellow soundtrack, almost to mellow.
I have pre-ordered the score…hopefully that will be a little more
up-beat…
I respectfully disagree. I think this soundtrack went above and beyond. Some of those songs take me to such a dark place, it’s amazing! I thought each and every one of them hit a mark with the book (movie whatever). If music can bring tears to my eyes, I’d say they got something right
I completely disagree. While I can understand how some of the soundtrack may not appease the masses, I thought the soundtrack was quite good. For those who do not, or cannot, appreciate the indie genre, or the indie feel to some songs, It may have been a bust. But I’ve been a fan of about 2/3 of these bands for a long time, and I was pleased to hear them on the New Moon Soundtrack.
I love the New Moon soundtrack. I mean you really get a feel for the sadness and longing that’s there. Some of them have a bit more optimism but it’s still amazing. I think it sets the right mood.
I have to disagree also…this is the problem with soundtracks being released before the films themselves. I have to say that I did not buy the Twilight soundtrack until well after I’d seen the movie several times. I don’t think you can get a true feeling for how the film and soundtrack are going to mesh together until you’ve seen the movie at least once. I’ve admittedly heard snippets from each song on the New Moon soundtrack and even though there are some songs on there that caught my attention immediately (and some that didn’t), I know that this soundtrack will grow on me - much like Twilight’s did - but I’ve decided not to purchase it until after I’ve seen the film. I also have to admit that the Twilight soundtrack was on constant rotation in my car for about 8 months AFTER I saw the movie. I honestly don’t know if I would have viewed the movie the same way if I had already played the soundtrack to death. My advice would be to wait until after November 20 to make any set in stone decisions on the soundtrack. That being said - HURRY UP NOVEMBER 20!!!
I LOVED the New Moon soundtrack. I can’t stop listening to it! It totally fits the mood of the book and it actually gave me hope that they got the movie right!
I disagree, I LOVE the soundtrack. I think Possibility and Satalite Heart are just amazing depictions of how Bella felt- incredible. Possibility may be weird and not a song you want to play at a party but it takes you to such a dark and loney place- you feel the pain and don’t know if she is going to survive it! I seriously hope they don’t use any of those songs for Bella’s race to Edward in Italy, I think that needs to be more of a score type piece to keep it as serious as it is. I am dying to hear someones comments on #14- The Editors, Help me to carry the Fire! That song made me go WHAT!?! When I first heard it but really it’s a beautiful song, love the piano…guys voice is a little strange but overall a great song.
I am still undecided as to whether I like the soundtrack or not. It does have a more somber mood which goes directly with the Bella’s feelings. However, I think once we all view the film, we will understand better how the songs fit into the movie and enjoy the soundtrack better.
I agree with Shannon. I don’t think I would have liked some of the songs as much if I just listened to them solo. The movie tied the two together making them special. I also made my own cd with the songs I did like and some songs I added that meshed with the story and sound.
I personally have to agree with this review…This soundtrack severely disappointed me except for Muse. I really did not feel as if the songs fit, although I may change my mind after seeing the film. I felt it to be too depressive and I almost feel as if the person who put the soundtrack together chose those specific songs since they’re practically unknown. Basically, it felt as if the songs were chosen to be known as “New Moon” songs and not have had any other affiliation.
I don’t know…hopefully the film with make it fit…if not my IPod has thousands of other songs to listen to.