The Twilight Saga: New Moon [Soundtrack]

 

 

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The best thing you can say about any movie's soundtrack is that it can stand on its own, and that no matter what you think of the movie, the soundtrack is chock full of amazing music.

And the soundtrack to "New Moon" is one of those -- apparently the people behind it have gone completely indie in their tastes. Whether you love or hate the teen-vampire-infatuation flick, it's undeniable that the soundtrack is bursting with brilliant bands -- angular rock'n'roll and lush echoing pop, some of it well-known (Muse, Thom Yorke) and some relative obscure (Grizzly Bear, Lykke Li).

"Meet me on the equinox/Meet me halfway/The sun is perched at its highest peak/In the middle of the day... " Ben Gibbard sings distantly as the gentle guitars swirl around him. A storm of drums builds up every time he laments that "everything, everything ends," as his pronouncements about an unknown lover become eerier and more surreal ("A window/An open tomb/The sun crawls across your bedroom/A halo/A waning moon/Your last breath moving through you").

There's a pretty good showing of solid rock'n'roll following Death Cab For Cutie's memorable introduction -- Band of Skulls provides the buzzing, blunt-edged rocker "Friends," Hurricane Bells erupts in a buzzing storm of fuzzy bass and sharp beats with "Monsters," and Sea Wolf's "The Violet Hour" is a swirling little pop-rocker that seems to trickle down the reverberating guitar.

Then there's Thom Yorke, whose buzzy-edged electronic "Hearing Damage" is a furtive, dark little rush of sinister beauty. And of course, Muse is included in the stomping, mournful rocker "I Belong To You (New Moon Remix)."

Some of these bands are also going unexpectedly low-key to suit the mood, even if they're usually much louder. The Killers turn out the dramatic layered lament of "A White Demon Love Song," while Black Rebel Motorcycle unfurl a twangy lo-fi ballad "Done All Wrong." OK GO abandon their usual sound in favor of the trippy psychedelic-edged "Shooting The Moon," and the Editors dip into a dramatic, hauntingly sad piano-rock sound with "No Sound But The Wind" ("Help me to carry the fire/it will light our way forever..."

But some brilliant indie pop also makes the cut. Lykke Li's "Possibility" is a shimmering, icy little melody, while Anya Marina sticks to acoustic guitar riddled with organ in the whispery "Satellite Heart." The absolute highlights of the album: Bon Iver and St. Vincent collaborate on the otherworldly, hymnlike "Roslyn," and Grizzly Bear's exquisite "Slow Life" is a slow haunting build to a celestial climax.

For the record, I'm not a fan of "New Moon" or Stephenie Meyers' Twilight series in general. But I felt a prickle go down my spine when I saw the songs listed for the soundtrack -- they've crammed it with one brilliant band after another, ranging from hard rock'n'roll to soft, sweet ballads. In fact, the only one that failed to move me was Alexandre Desplat's outro -- frankly, it was four minutes of boredom for me.

Otherwise, the playlist sets a wonderful mood -- think a mingling of bittersweet romanticism and outright melancholy, with lots of slowly winding piano, buzzing guitar, acoustics and ghostly veils of electronica and organ. The singers' voices range from dramatic laments (Matt Bellamy) to quirky murmurs (Anya Marina), and their lyrics tend to reflect two themes: loss ("How much pain has cracked your soul?/How much love would make you whole?") and love ("Even though you're only one I see/I've got to set you free...").

Even those who are not (and probably never will be) fans of the Twilight phenomenon should immerse themselves in the "New Moon Soundtrack." Taken on its own merits, it's still a haunting string of beautiful songs.

I really like the twilight soundtrack much better then New Moon soundtrack. I like some of the songs, but not as many as in Twilight. The biggest let down was they did'nt put the on the the sound track of when Bella turns off the radio when her and Jake first start working on the bikes and she's says she does'nt like music anymore, i know i would have liked that song. But have no clue what it is.

Now I am a Twilight fan but New Moon was my least favorite book but I hope the movie will be better since in the book I got sick of Bella's visions of Edward and stuff but I hope seen it in film which will be shorter then the book and also a visual of Edward though the film it will make it graet. Either way the movie like the first still will be awsome! But I am here to talk about the soundtrack which is as amazing as the first one even though I am not even into this type of music! Its additive and the songs suit the feeling that New Moon had which was depressed and desperation to have the love of your life by your side.

1. Meet Me On the Equinox, Death Cab for Cutie--> 5 Stars: The whole song tells the story of Bella wanting Edward back and saving his life in the end! :) Great job! I love it!
2. Friends, Band of Skulls--> 4 1/2 Starts: Its clear that Jacob and Bellas friendship is put accross in this song. The beat of the song is interesting which is why I like this song.
3. Hearing Damage, Thom Yorke --> 3 Stars: I am sorry I did not like this song. It got annoying. 1 of only 2 I didnt like on the soundtrack which isnt bad!
4. Possibility, Lykke Li-->5++ Stars: I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song! It total talks about how depressed Bella is when Edward breaks her heart. Its beautiful and her voice is the song just makes it even more beautiful but sad.
5. A White Demon Love Song, The Killers--> 4 Stars: Its interesting I must say even though I never liked the Killers but the saddness of the song fits the film. The beat and the lyrics are just so interesting.
6. Satellite Heart, Anya Marina-->4 1/2 Stars: This is another interesting sounding song. The background music and her voice in the song just makes you want to listen to it again and again. Ones again it talks about Bellas feelings towards Edward stating "your the only thing I see"
7. I Belong To You (New Moon Remix), Muse--> 5 Stars: I love Muse's Suppermasive Black Hole on the first Twilight soundtrack and this is another great song! It fits the time in the book when Bella goes to Italy to save Edward! The voicas and the song is just upbeat even though its a sad depressing song! Its awsome!!!!
8. Rosyln, Bon Iver & St. Vincent--> 4 Stars: Another slow sad song that has interesting vocals that make you want to listen to it to figure out what they are saying. Also the single guitar in the background just adds to this song/
9. Done All Wrong, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club--> 4 Stars: This is a song defently from Edwards view about how much he does love her and how he wishes he never left her. The slowness of the song and the voice gives off that guilty feeling which I love!
10. Monsters, Hurricane Bells--> 4 1/2 Stars: The intro to this song is so cool and the guitar and w.e in the background are just so cool! Its a great song to rock too!
11. The Violet Hour, Sea Wolf --> 4 1/2 Stars: A upbeat song but still with somewhat sad lyrics about love but its interesting. Its just one of those song you want to sing along and bop your head too!
12. Shooting the Moon, OK Go --> 4 1/2 Stars: I love the drum sound in the background and the feeling the song brings across. The lyrics are also a little weird which is why I like it!
13. Slow Life, Grizzly Bear (with Victoria Legrand)--> 3 Stars: For some reason I just didnt like this song at all
14. No Sound But the Wind, Editors--> 5 Stars:tA Beautiful song about trying to keep the love going on which is defently what New Moon is all about! His voice is just awsome and I love the feeling it brings to me!
15. New Moon (The Meadow), Alexandre Desplat--> 5 Stars: A awsome piano song which brings the sad depressed feeling across! I love it!

Overall I love this album! Not as awsome as the first but it still is in my top 20 favs!!!! :) xoxo TEAM EDWARD!!

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1.0 out of 5 stars Did I see the same movie?
I thought that music from the movie usually goes on the album but I will have to wait to see New Moon again. Read more

Published 23 months ago by Mae

5.0 out of 5 stars New Moon Preorder
I was very happy with the quick shipping of this pre-order item. I saw it in Walmart in the morning and by noon it was in my mail! Read more

Published on Nov 15 2009 by Ian Munro

3.0 out of 5 stars strange mood of music
I love the twilight series. The first twilight soundtrack was awesome but the New Moon soundtrack has a very strange mood which to me does not exude the new moon mood. Read more

Published on Nov 1 2009 by R. dayjon

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!!
This soundtrack is fantastic. Even without having seen the movie, anyone can appreciate the songs chosen. It's instantly addictive.

Published on Oct 19 2009 by Book Worm

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