TA TALKS BACK – TWILIGHT: THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES
TA forum member Meghan brings us a break down and review of the Twilight soundtrack
Music is such an integral part of life for so many people, me especially. I cannot get through a minute of my day without having some background music or as I like to call it “the soundtrack of my lifeâ€. When the news of the soundtrack for Twilight hit me I immediately pre-ordered it and anxiously awaited its arrival. I was bouncing with excitement to hear these songs after seeing the track listings and I must say that it has exceeded my expectations. There is not one song on this soundtrack that I skip over (which is a feat for me because I’m trigger happy when it comes to my stereo controls). It is a beautiful mix of sweet, haunting, romantic, exciting and sad all wrapped up into 12 tracks (15 if you buy from ITunes).Now for those of you that are just like me and sometimes miss all those wonderful little details this soundtrack is also available on ITunes (which I just finally entered that world)! If you purchase the album on ITunes you are able to purchase the “special†edition that includes three extra tracks, one by RPattz. You can enjoy Claire de Lune, La Traviata and Let Me Sign. So needless to say, I’ve purchased the soundtrack twice and have no reason other than the fact that I’m slightly addicted to Twilight.
So let’s look at the breakdown:
1. Supermassive Black Hole by Muse: This song is extraordinary to me, actually all Muse songs are. I initially heard of them while stalking Stephenie Meyer’s official page where she would post her playlists for the books and I wondered “How did I miss this group?†This song has heavy bass beats and a catchy guitar riff that will surely move you in your bones. Baseball anyone?
2. Decode by Paramore: We all know that Hayley Williams wrote this song specifically for Twilight and I must say that she did a fantastic job capturing those emotions. Her voice is so powerful and amazingly beautiful and we are blessed because we get to hear it on not one but two tracks! If you haven’t checked it out yet the video is fabulous because it includes many gorgeous EC shots! (Cue the squeals!)
3. Full Moon by The Black Ghosts: Who can resist that catchy little guitar riff that brings us into the song? Not to mention the millions of us that know exactly where in the movie this song sits, ahh I can picture it in my head right now! I think the best part of this song is about halfway through in the breakdown with the echo effect on the vocals, it’s this beautiful haunting sound that just resonates within you, not to mention the violin that builds it back up.
4. Leave Out All the Rest by Linkin Park: Honestly I’ve never been a huge Linkin Park fan (please don’t hurt me) but I was pleasantly surprised by this track. The first few times I skipped over it but eventually made my way through it and found why it fits perfectly with this film. I think this lyric is what speaks to me the most “I’m strong on the surface, not all the way through, I’ve never been perfect but neither have youâ€, it strikes a chord with me that I think we can all relate to.
5. Spotlight (Twilight Mix) by Mutemath: Well Hello Mutemath! Where have you been hiding? I don’t even really have words to describe this song. It just pumps me up and for some reason when I hear it I get all “twilighty†inside! I believe this group has definitely made its mark with this song and will hopefully grace us with their presence more in the future.
6. Go All the Way (Into the Twilight) by Perry Farrell: As some of you may know Perry Farrell is formerly of Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros, from my research he’s a tad on the eccentric side. This tune has more of a dance party mix vibe which isn’t bad but might not be everyone’s taste. This is a song that might peak your eardrums and open you to more music.
7. Tremble for My Beloved by Collective Soul: Ah Collective Soul you take me back to my days of elementary school when you first arrived on the scene. (Note that my mother was into them not me) They have such a classic sound and the lead singer’s voice is sweetly soulful and inviting. If Edward Cullen was your beloved wouldn’t you tremble for him?
8. I Caught Myself by Paramore: As we say Hello to Hayley and the rest of Paramore again I’d like to thank them for this song too. I thoroughly enjoy the song but am not entirely sure how it fits into the spectrum of Twilight, any ideas? It is a great song and I think many of us can relate to the lyrics (flashback to previous relationships) but in my mind it almost fits the Jacob/Bella relationship. Opinions?
9. Eyes on Fire by Blue Foundation: Talk about needing that hauntingly perfect sound; Blue Foundation has found it with the ethereal voice of their lead singer. This song almost gives me chills and brings me to tears at the same time. This is the song that makes you sit back, take a deep breath and contemplate all those things you don’t want to think about. The song radiates the tension that is felt between Bella and Edward.
10. Never Think by Robert Pattinson: I for one am a-m-a-z-e-d. This man has musical talent and in my personal opinion writes, plays and sings beautifully. He is a mix between the fabulous Ray Lamontagne and David Gray in my mind. This song could bring anyone to tears I think, even if it was just acoustic or if he sang it a cappella this man has a talent. Did we really need another reason to love him?
11. Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron and Wine: They’ve done it again! Iron & Wine came onto the scene a few years ago with one of those beautiful, melodic lullaby-like songs. We all know this as the “prom scene song†and I think we are all in agreement when we say it’s the perfect song. I wish my prom had been that wonderful. So when we are imagining ourselves as the all-too-lucky Bella Swan this is the song that will play in the background.
12. Bella’s Lullaby by Carter Burwell: This is the only song where I might say I was slightly disappointed, probably because I had imagined such extraordinary melodies to ooze out of the lullaby that is Bella’s. Of course I don’t think that anyone could accomplish such a song other than the one and only Edward Cullen. I can say though that it strikes the sad beauty of their love.
***BONUS TRACKS:
13. Let Me Sign by Robert Pattinson: I greatly enjoy this one although it’s a little short for my taste! Give me more RPattz! It’s a little slow to start and the build takes a while but I’ll say it again this boy’s got talent! He has such a pained sadness to his voice that makes us love him only more.
14. La Traviata by The Royal Philharmonic: Italian opera anyone? This song makes me laugh and I honestly can’t listen to it. If it’s your thing I am greatly impressed. It is a classic though and well as Rosalie stated it perfectly “Is she even Italian?â€
15. Claire de Lune by The APM Orchestra: Honestly ladies, how many of us instantly jumped onto Google to find this song and hear it when it was first mentioned in Twilight? I know I did. This is a beautiful (and I cannot say that enough) song that I do not know how I missed it. It just screams Edward and Bella to us all.
There you have it, a complete listing of all the tracks to the wonderful soundtrack of Twilight. I give it an overall A. I’ve recommended it to many friends and can say from both theirs and my opinions that this is one that you will love instantly or very quickly grow to love. Whether it is from ITunes or your local CD store this is a well spent $12!
Talk back to us…..what do you think?
