Let's get my bias right out of the way: I'm a Twilight fan. I didn't wait in a midnight Barnes & Noble line or anything like that, but started reading the books out of curiosity. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Stephanie Meyer's work and the timeless quality inherent in her writing. It is a contemporary story, no doubt, but mark my words, this is a book that will be around a long time. I wish I could say the same about the movie soundtrack.
The album, which drops today (and gives the under 18 crowd something to do?), is the first salvo in what will probably be a media blitz leading up to the November 21st Twilight movie release. The soundtrack features 12 songs by a mixed bag of artists which includes Muse, Linkin Park, and Collective Soul.
Most of the album is heavy on fast beats and electric sounds, which have little in the way of intrinsic value. Muse, Blue Foundation and Perry Farrell, do little to distinguish themselves as artists and just end up making a lot of noise. Paramore, Linkin Park, and even Collective Soul come off as hopelessly poppy. The Black Ghosts and Iron & Wine have strains of Simon & Garfunkel, but in a bad cover band kind of way. What I think was meant to be soulful longing ends up sounding whiny instead.
I only found two bright spots on the album. MuteMath lays down a fun track, that does fast beats and electric right. Rob Pattinson, meanwhile, offers an acoustic number which has heart and style, and as a result seems out of place. This original song by Pattinson, does give me hope for the movie, however, since he also plays Edward Cullen. Then there was Bella's Lullaby.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - twilightluver
I however, think that you were a little bit too HARSH regarding the soundtrack, and overall, I think the majority of the songs in the soundtrack are great, but some do feel out of place in the movie... I don't know how "Leave Out All the Rest" would fit, and "Tremble For My Beloved" is a great song, but still I can't picture it in the movie. Eyes On Fire is amazing for Twilight, and the soft melodies in the song really fit well, and Paramore's two songs, but I REALLY WANT MORE MUSE FOR this SOUNDTRACK!!! Only Supermassive Black Hole??? I know they could have put more...
And No Coldplay??? I felt some great songs were left out. Bella's Lullaby isn't the best, but nonetheless a beautiful composition for the movie...
2 - Twilighter
your crazy... the songs were perfect for the movie! i LOVED Bella's Lullaby. The movie was incredible! The whole enchilada was a success.
3 - MikeyC
Good review, I generally agree, I thought Muse worked amazingly, but yes, Bella's Lullaby should have solely been piano, which I thought massacred the whole concept behind the piece.
4 - sarahm
i thought some of the tracks were great,especially bella's lullaby and eyes on fire.
5 - Ceed
Hey guys! I'm planning to create some soundtrack music videos for this movie. Not official though but just for fun and a little bit just for practice for film cutting and editing. Anyone would like to recommend songs? I'l start with it when i got my laptop
6 - Stephanie
I see what you mean. The songs just didn't .... fit.
And personally, since I play piano myself, Bella's song was a huge disappointment. I expected something beautiful as itself, but instead they used a medium composition - not amazing but not exactly easy - and spiced it up with electronics for people who are easily amazed. It just didn't work.
7 - Alyssa
mmmmk there must be something wrong with you this movie was freakin great and liked rocked totally. The song Bella's Lullaby totally went with the movie and all the songs rock and make sense with the movies... Maybe you should actually listen to the songs when you watch the movie. It made alot of sense to me and my family that saw it so i think there is something wrong with you no offense but i don't understand how you think they did a bad job on picking the songs for the movie.. Maybe I didn't think or pay attention to the songs in the movie but they mad tons of sense to me. So some advice before you judge a movie think about how teenagers would feel about the song. Cause the movie is like almost a complete teenager movie but adults can still watch it but it will be more teenagers than adults soo yea... thats all I gotta say soo yup..
8 - Teegan
Gosh i thought i was like totally lame after reading ur review... just coz i loved the music! i loved bellas lullaby, and i dont know much about music, but i do know what i like :) and after reading the other comments i must say that i am relieved that im not the only one out there who adored the music.
p.s, they did well, im a teen and i would definitely buy the soundtrack :D
xox merry xmas.
9 - Kayla
I couldn't agree with you more. Not a very well planned soundtrack. I thought I was the only one thinking what the hell?! I mean come on, Linkin Park..how unoriginal. seriously.
10 - Bella
During the scene where Jessica is telling Bella about the Cullens in the cafeteria... what is the piece called that is playing in the background?
11 - Hillary
I like it!
12 - Hillary
It was awesome.
13 - MMMM
JUST THE BEST MOVIE EVER
14 - Katy
This review is overly critical and uninsightful. Music is the centrepiece of a film, but must also accompany the camerawork and script well. Although I thought most of the script and some of the acting (the weird staring) was questionable in Twilight, the music is what seemed to hold it together and is what made me enjoy the film. Even if you think some of the songs on the soundtrack were obvious choices, it doesnt really matter when watching the film because they fit well. Bella's Lullaby is meant to appeal to a wide audience not just pianists or talented muscians. From an untrained ear its a beautiful piece of music which fitted perfectly with the nature of the film. An untrained audience is what the film is trying to attract in the first place. I dont think its meant to be complex or perfect either. As for Iron and Wine, if you dont compare them with other atrists they make great nice songs in their own right.
15 - emily
i wish bella would become a vampire so she could be with edward fore ever.
16 - Cayte
I loved the movie. I watched it once and I was amazed! Just because I had no flippin' idea what even Twilight was about. So, I was just taken aback at how good it was and rushed though the first book... which then led me to buy the soundtrack. And wow... I can now associate all the songs there to the movie! Like... they were ment for it? And then when I was reading New Moon... so many of the songs just went with what Bella and maybe Edward were going through at that point and time... just amazing is all I have to say =]
17 - tie-nee
hi !!
can someone pleease tell me if you know the name of the melody thats always playing..for example when she's googling to find out he's a vampire??
the best music is never on the soundtrack !! ;)
thank you..
18 - birdygirl
what is the song playing when bella goes into the forest and finds out the truth about edward?????
19 - birdygirl
i thought the music fit the movie perfectly bellas lullaby was the best
20 - tie-nee
birdy girl !!
here you go..
21 - lovergirl
edward i like the way you are!!!!!!!!!!!
i hope you can come to the philippines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and you know i'm a big fan of yours
sometimes i'm dreaming that i'm kristen stewart but it is so impossible a guy like you?! hmmmmmmm....
and sometimes i'm dreaming that ur olways at my side
i don't know why i'm so inlove in you
it's maybe because ur so cute or ur so nice
but i think because of ur so gorgeuos
22 - twilght fan not you me
i love edward and every thing twilight omg love twilight not you ME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOT IT ? !
23 - Milly
I think the twilight series is great! The movie was fantastic! I love twilight so much!! Also where can I find Midnight Sun( Edwards Version of Twilight)? I have looked everywhere but cant find it. Well thats all from me but I thought it totally rocked!
24 - Jessica
I think twilight is a great book series! It illustrates the meaning of true love! Stephanie Meyer is an excellent writer and Im so greatful she created the books! Also I thought the movie was excellent it was great the music was fab! I LOVE TWILIGHT!I LOVE TWILIGHT!I LOVE THE CULLEN FAMILY ( INCLUDING BELLA!!!v
25 - Sammy
I personally, believe that some of the songs were not chosen properly, and some of these songs did not work well with the movie. I overall think that the movie was great, but i personally would choose the book. They leave out a lot of stuff out that is in the book. I love the books!!!lol yep :)