Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Bon Iver & New Moon



It's pretty clear that I am in a rather unique position: both a guilty Twighlight fan and lover of almost every artist that features on the soundtrack for the upcoming second installment New Moon. Whilst those who are keenly awaiting the films release on November 20 probably don't see much to get excited about beyond champions of the emo Death Cab For Cutie, music aficionados around the world are unanimously asking how such a shit movie can have such an awesomely good soundtrack?

The Bon Iver track was always going to my favourite, it would have to be a total stink pot not to be as Justin Vernon really is my number one man. Adding the mega talented singer songwriter St. Vincent to the track doesn't really change the feel of the sound much, probably because Vernon already sings like a girl! F.Y.I. non Vampire lovers: Roslyn is the icy cold eldest member of the Cullen Vampire sibblings...which could possibly explain the chilly vibe of the track? Or maybe its just stock standard Bon Iver.

Rosyln's greatness may not have come as much of a surprise to me, however the consistent quality of the whole album sorta did. I've read some people say that all the songs are dull, depressing and sound the same. Firstly, they're not. Secondly, yes they do all have a common feel of sadness, love and longing but this is what the film is about. A soundtrack should play a little bit like an art exhibition is viewed: artists exploring a common theme in different ways. So what would the point be if each track was completely different and had nothing connecting them? Lykke Li (who's track Possibility is my second favourite contribution) has said that she only wrote the hook of the song after watching an early version of the film, and that it was the tortured love between Edward and Bella that ispired her (awwww!), which supports my idea that the film is what draws all the artists together. Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear and The Killers are the standouts for me...but really its only the awful Muse effort that lets the team down.


Bon Iver & St. Vincent-Roslyn (mp3)

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