Rating: 9.5/10

Those who frequent the GATW website (and those who don’t, should) have probably picked up on the fact that I am a fan of all that is TWILIGHT. The main reason behind this rests on Robert Pattinson’s broad shoulders…I mean, shoulders. But before I knew the story, knew the star, knew anything about vampires, what drew me in to this franchise, was the music. A good friend gave me the book, hoping upon reading it I would be converted into a Twihard and want to go see the movie with her. I read the book, still didn’t quite understand the hype, turned to Google for more answers, and came across the line-up for the soundtrack of the movie she so desperately wanted to me to go see. Muse and Mute Math? SOLD. I was more excited for the soundtrack release than anything else and agreed to see the film simply for the music. Then Pattinson came on screen and well…you can guess the rest. But the music has always stood strong on its own, and the soundtrack for this second segment continues this tradition.

As fans of the book know (and anyone else with a TV, radio, or Internet connection can’t really avoid these days), the second installment in Stephenie Meyer’s vampire saga focuses on the more melodramatic side of love. The losing of it, the fall out of that loss, and what you do in the wake of it. To that end, the NEW MOON soundtrack is filled with songs that convey those emotions.

Vampire lover or not, indie music fans are going to love this collection. We have already had a preview of Death Cab’s release of “Meet Me On The Equinox,” and the hotly anticipated tracks from Thom Yorke, the Killers, and Editors (to name a few) do not disappoint. I have found myself loving Grizzly Bear’s “Slow Life” more and more each time I listen to it. It is haunting, yet subtle, and I hear something different each time I listen to it.

“Roslyn” by Bon Iver & St. Vincent plays almost like a lullaby, but one that doesn’t leave you quite settled. I loved this juxtaposition and became a fan after hearing this track. Anya Marina’s voice and instrumentation on “Satellite Heart” continues this beautiful, yet unsettling, mood and had me hitting the repeat button more than once.  But it’s not all guitars and double entendre lyrics. Muse kicks things up a notch with their remix of “I Belong To You," Hurricane Bells give us the guitar- and drum-heavy “Monsters,” and the catchy beat of “The Violet Hour” by Sea Wolf has been stuck in my head for days (in a good way).

The only instrumental track this time around is by composer Alexandre Desplat (THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON, FANTASTIC MR. FOX), “New Moon (The Meadow)” is beautiful in its piano heavy composition. I was disappointed when I found out one of my favorite composers, Carter Burwell (TWILIGHT), would not be returning to compose NEW MOON, but having heard this track from Desplat, my faith is wholly restored. This song picks up right where Burwell left off and I now have my fingers crossed that the score will be released soon as well.

I have honestly had this album playing on loop at home since I got it, and I have yet to tire of it. It is perfect as background music, but works just as well if you put in your iPod ear buds and listen closely to the lyrics. Even if you are not a fan of the TWILIGHT juggernaut, if you are a fan of any of these artists, you will enjoy this album. It stands well on its own and I will admit that, yet again, I was anticipating its release more than film. The soundtrack has lived up to the hype, here’s hoping the film does as well.

This soundtrack is available on Atlantic Records.

1. Death Cab For Cutie – "Meet Me On The Equinox"
2. Band Of Skulls – "Friends"
3. Thom Yorke- "Hearing Damage"
4. Lykke Li – "Possibility"
5. The Killers - "A White Demon Love Song"
6. Anya Marina – "Satellite Heart"
7. Muse - "I Belong To You (New Moon)"
8. Bon Iver and St. Vincent – "Roslyn"
9. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - "Done All Wrong"
10. Hurricane Bells – "Monsters"
11. Sea Wolf – "The Violet Hour"
12. OK GO - "Shooting The Moon"
13. Grizzly Bear - "Slow Life"
14. Editors – "No Sound But The Wind"
15. Alexandre Desplat – "New Moon (The Meadow)"