It’s safe to say that if you’re on this site or you listen to the podcasts, you love movies. The sad thing about movies is you can’t always watch or hear them. With the advancement of technology, we can stream them online via our computers and tvs, we can watch them from our phones, and best of all, we can watch them on the silver screen and enjoy their cinematic splendor. But let’s be honest; it’s summertime. Most people are going out to the beach, enjoying a night on the town, taking road trips, and a vast majority will take a family vacation somewhere. All of these things are missing one thing: movies! So I’m here to help you seek out movie soundtracks that truly make your summer a cinematic one.
This week: Indie Summer
Blue Valentine // Grizzly Bear & Various Artists
Maybe you don’t go out much. Maybe you’re more of a homebody who likes curling up near a window with a good book or maybe you’re just having a lazy day by the pool. No matter what your preference is, from the beginning guitar strokes to the trembling croon of Ryan Gosling’s heavenly voice, this soundtrack is a relaxing blend of guitars, banjos, piano, and horns. Mainly instrumental tracks, the soundtrack pulls a lot of it’s content from indie stars Grizzly Bear and their sophomore album ‘Yellow House’. The relaxing melodies of tracks such as ‘Easier’ and ‘I Live With You’ are perfect for the relaxing types whether they’re reading a novel adaptation of their favorite film, or they’re out in a field with friends enjoying a summer picnic. Maybe you’re not into any of that. Maybe you’re looking for some relaxing music for a special night you have planned with a summer love. Tracks like ‘Foreground’ and ‘You and Me’ will do a fantastic job of setting the mood. It’s kind of ironic how a beautiful and heartbreaking film could produce such a relaxing soundtrack. Go pick this soundtrack up and start relaxing today.
Highlights: Easier (Instrumental), I Live With You, You and Me
500 Days Of Summer // Various Artists
Obviously this soundtrack was going to be here. Not only does it have summer in the title, the soundtrack is a collective who’s who of indie music with legends like The Smiths and newcomers The Temper Trap. The soundtrack even delves into some oldies with Hall & Oates singing one of the greatest feel good songs ever: You Make My Dreams. Doing a little summer cleaning around the house? Toss this soundtrack on and feel the emotion coming from Regina Spektor as she contorts her voice on the beautiful ‘Us’ while you dust or organize your DVD collection so they are presented in alphabetical order. With so many diverse artists, this soundtrack comes in hand if you need some pool music, party music, driving music, or if you just need a soundtrack to stare longingly into someone’s eyes as the sun sets over a city skyline (Looking at you The Smiths). Like the movie or didn’t like the movie, you will LOVE the soundtrack
Highlights: Us, There is a Light That Never Goes Out, Sweet Disposition, Bookends
Garden State // Various Artists
Another obvious choice sure, but it’s a fantastic film soundtrack. From Zach Braff’s directorial debut comes a soundtrack that met and exceeded the praise the film received (So much in fact that it won a Grammy in 2005 for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album). The soundtrack is quiet, yet more upbeat than some of the other indie soundtracks out there and has solid tracks from Coldplay, Nick Drake, Iron & Wine, The Shins, and, well, to be honest I could name every artist on here. With each song offering its own quiet, yet upbeat sentiment, the soundtrack offers a wide array of possibilities for it to be played. Having friends over for drinks? This soundtrack will sound great in the background as The Shins sing about how ‘Caring Is Creepy’. Got an evening for two planned? This soundtrack can set the mood as Iron & Wine whisper soulfully through ‘Such Great Heights’. Maybe you want a more relaxing drive around town. Nick Drake and Frou Frou will delight your ears as you drive to the movie theater to see the latest Woody Allen or Wes Anderson film. Do you need another reason to go out and pick up this soundtrack? Oh you do? Simon & Garfunkel.
Highlights: Caring Is Creepy, Blue Eyes, One of These Things First, Such Great Heights
THINK I FORGOT ONE? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS! AND NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SOUNDTRACK IS THIS SUMMER, MAKE SURE IT’S A SAFE SUMMER.
TUNE IN NEXT WEEK WHEN WE BRING YOU SUMMER OF LOVE!