Various Artists: The Twilight Saga: New Moon Original Motion Picture

Various Artists

The Twilight Saga: New Moon Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Atlantic/Chop Shop

Nov 12, 2009 Web Exclusive By Laura Studarus

Indie kids beware—your heroes just got co-opted. While hardly a cohesive gathering, from Death Cab For Cutie doing what they do best (channeling youthful melancholy), to Lykke Li's unexpected gravitas, it would be difficult to ask for a better group of ambassadors.

Sole holdover from the first Twilight soundtrack, Muse finds themselves in more suitable company this go-around, particularly Editors and Thom Yorke—whose contributions could double as their audition for vampire roles in the upcoming films. While Sea Wolf and Ok Go offer up a bit too much middle-of-the-road perk for the soundtrack's downcast tone, relative newcomers Band of Skulls capture a riotous youthful energy.

Most interesting here are the partnerships. Grizzly Bear teams up with Beach House's Victoria Legrand, while Bon Iver and St. Vincent offer up the delicately hushed "Rosyln"—both parings more than the sum of their parts. Regardless of the divisive film it's attached to, this is one "indie rock" starter-kit every tween should own. Don't worry, at the next Death Cab show you can stand next to me—I'll share. (www.newmoonthesoundtrack.com)

Author rating: 6/10

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