‘Pilgrim’ soundtrack reflects movie

“We are Sex Bob-Omb!1, 2, 3, 4…” is the first lyric blaring when the play button is selected for “The Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” Soundtrack.

It’s a very rare occurrence when a movie soundtrack can match the level of greatness the movie personifies.“The Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” Soundtrack is in those high ranks of an ear popping soundtrack.

The soundtrack was release three days before the film on Aug. 10. The album is able to hold on to a true nerd’s attention by having video game influenced music.

With the help of musical brain child Beck, it’s far from being horrible. Along with Beck, are the Black Lips, Metric, and the Rolling Stones. The album is more than likely to show that video games and music go hand in hand sometimes. With the movie following the love life of a geek who’s also a bass guitarist for the band Sex Bob-omb, some songs on the album have that gritty garage sound.

The 19 track album complements the movie precisely and accurately shows each band’s work. Most of the movie’s actors generously helped with the album by providing some of their own vocals on three of the Sex Bob-omb songs.

Actor Michael Cera, who played the lead character in the movie, Scott Pilgrim, provided vocals also. He also played bass guitar in majority of the tracks. The soundtrack is filled with grunge pop / indie rock angst songs including ballads.

Beck helped pen most of the album, along with the movie’s director having a huge part in the song selection. Some songs were made before the movie was even thought off such as, “I heard Ramona sing” by Frank Black.

The L.A. based band Beachwood Sparks covered a song by smooth R&B singer Sade. The song, “By your side” has more of an indie feel to it. The majority of the songs have vocals that are on point along with a fluid string of grunge rock to follow it.

The lyrics serve as a bittersweet memory for the main characters in the movie. Each song has the ability to verbally blast through the headphones and make the grunge sound acceptable.

 The director did a brilliant job with selecting songs for the movie, because it’s easy for the listener to think of what scene the song would go with. Even though the movie did not do so well in the theatres, the soundtrack was able to peak at number two on the Billboard Soundtracks chart.

The soundtrack goes beyond all the expectations of any listener; it has the ability to punch the sound into the headphones perfectly. It’s the mix of the garage punk sound and the smooth rock ballads that keep the ears wanting more.

Here's my favorite song off the album "It's getting boring by the sea" by Blood Red Shoes.

Vampire Weekend dominate the stage in Raleigh

Lead singer of Vampire Weekend, Ezra Koeing strums away on his guitar during the band’s  performance of “California English”from their second studio album, Contra.

The Indie rock band, Vampire Weekend, concluded the North American leg of their world tour on Oct. 17 in Raleigh.

The concert opened up with Baltimore, Md. based band Beach House.

The indie rock duo of Victoria Legrand (vocals and organ) and Alex Scally (guitar and keyboards) formed in 2004.

Beach House took the stage at approximately 7:30 p.m. and played a set list that lasted around 45 minutes.

Their stage design, which included purple tinted lights and a starry night backdrop, was meant to convey the concept of their third full album entitled Teen Dream.

Teen Dream is the band’s first release after signing onto the Sub Pop record label.

The band’s genre of music has been classified as “dream pop” due to their songs slowed down tempo and atmospheric rhythms that come from the band’s sound structure and haunting harmonies provided by the lead and backing vocalists.



Vampire Weekend performs  at the Raleigh Amphitheatre on Oct. 17. The performance marked their last show in America before they embark on their world tour.



This genre of music has remained dormant for years but may be approaching a second generation revival with Beach House currently leading the way.

This was definitely noticeable when the band played the first track off Teen Dream, entitled “Zebra,” which also serves as the inspiration for the design of the album cover. The song has caught on after being used in an episode of the CW’s hit show, Gossip Girl.

It was because of this exposure that many people use this song to get into Beach House and why it was the only song from their set that a substantial number of concert goers recognized and cheered for after only a few notes.

Other than “Zebra,” the band played select songs from all three of their albums, including their first two independent releases, Devotion and their self titled debut.

The band’s blend of ambient sounds and synth pop complemented the headlining act of Vampire Weekend extremely well.

In between sets, the audience was transported to the 90s with bands such as Boys II Men playing on the loud speakers.

Vampire Weekend rushed to the stage with the rap song, “All I do is Win” by Dj Khaled blaring from the speakers.

Vampire Weekend hails from New York City. Each band member attended Columbia University.

The band opened up with “Holiday,” a single from their second album, Contra. Contra has gained high marks in the industry, some even naming it one of the best albums of 2010.

It was also their first album to gain the number one spot on the billboard charts.

The lawn was filled with a subtle dancing mosh pit of fans. The mosh pit was perhaps the most dance synchronized mosh pit ever to appear at a concert.

Vampire Weekend has established themselves as the indie rock band of this generation. With their fast guitar riffs and out of the box lyrics the band can draw just about anyone to their music.

Along with their fast paced riffs, they performed a number of chilled out songs, such as “Taxi Cab” and “Horchata.”

They also performed amost every single from their two studio albums, minus “The Kid Don’t Stand a Chance.”

As a beach ball was being bounced around in the crowd during songs, the band said that this was their first time in Raleigh. “We couldn’t ask for better weather,” lead singer Ezra Koeing said.

Koening also asked the audience to put their hands in the air and wiggle their fingers, “It’s an amazing sea of humanity,” he said.

They played “I think UR a Contra,” from the album Contra. They said it was their last time playing the song in the U.S.

The band contributed a single, “Jonathon Low” to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse soundtrack. The album debuted at number two on the billboard charts in June.

The audience stayed lively and energetic throughout the night, never missing a beat.

They ended the night with three encores, “Horchata,” “Walcott” and “Mansford Roof”.

Kings of Leon backtracks to Southern roots

Kings Of Leon’s previous album, Only by the Night, was the perfect album to sit around to at night with a warm drink and snuggle up to the fireplace.


Come around Sundown is the perfect album to play while sitting on the beach and watching the sunset.

This album cannot disappoint hardcore Kings of Leon fans.

Kings of Leon has redeemed themselves among their loyal fans with their new album Come Around Sundown. The 13 track album was released on Oct. 19 in the U.S. This is their fifth studio album.

The first single “Radioactive,” hasn't been highly received on the charts yet, but the album is sure to top the charts. The remix version of “Radioactive” has a children’s choir singing the chorus towards the end. But, in the album version they are not featured.

The heart wrenching ballad, “The End” is able to tug at the strings of any lonely heart. The lyric, “I just wanna hold you…Take you by your hand…And tell you that you’re good enough,” makes the idea of love seem in reach.

There’s more country and soul in this album, almost like their second album Aha Shake Heartbreak.

Their fourth album, Only by the Night, was a way to make the band more mainstream. Come Around Sundown may have the ability to make the mainstream fans appreciate their sound more.

It also has the ability to make them break away from that mainstream sound.

The album cover art accurately depicts the overall mellow vibe of the album.

Caleb Followill’s voice is the most unique in the rock genre. His ability to match his rugged voice with the Kings Of Leon sound is unbelievable.

The iTunes deluxe version of the album features a new song called “Celebration,” along with the remixed version of “Radioactive.” Another version of the single “Closer” from their previous album is also featured on the deluxe version.

Noticeable songs that are a must buy are “Mary,” “The Face,” and “Beachside.”

The bandmates returned to their true Tennessee Southern roots, which gave the album a more relaxing feel. But, they produced the album in New York City.

The album is easily going to make the top albums of 2010 list.

Every song on the album has the hint of familiarity with the band’s sound, but it’s a new way of the band accepting that they are now mainstream, even if it took Kings Of Leon four albums to make that so.

Song of the week (October 4th)

"Stranger things have happened" by Foo Fighters