I'm On Fire/Bruce Springsteen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzQvGz6_fvA

The partially muted guitar sounds awesome. The higher than normal tempo makes this a great driving song.

With Or Without You/U2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzeDqRhM09w

This song is powerful on so many fronts. Mullen's purposeful 8-beat rhythm. The steady chugging of Clayton's bass guitar. The Edge's entry at 1:51. Bono's fantastic vocal pitching. This song was one of the first songs ever to incorporate the "4 chord" pattern which has become the staple of emo/pop-rock musicians today. An aural treat.

And the winner is..

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross won the award for best original score at this year's Academy Awards for the movie 'The Social Network'.

That wraps up the 'OST special' you witnessed the last few days on my blog:). I hope it was enjoyable. There are of course, many more amazing soundtracks out there, new and old, which deserve an undisturbed listen. I shall feature them from time to time.

Will resume regular posts shortly.

Happy listening!

SM

Theme from The King's Speech/Alexandre Desplat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s80vveaXhH4

Year: 2010 (nominated)

The opening sequence makes excellent use of major chords and sevenths to give the comedy effect. The piece gradually ventures into minor chord territory, and the listener can relate to the King's anger and frustration. Truly a journey of emotions.

The Social Network (Hand Covers Bruise)/Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SBNCYkSceU

Year: 2010 (nominated)

I heard this piece play in the opening credits and I knew I wanted to watch the entire movie.

The Village (Noah Visits)/James Newton Howard feat. Hilary Hahn

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFMaEktSJR4

Year: 2004

No one arranges strings quite like James Newton Howard. The movie soundtrack features the magnificent talent of violinist Hilary Hahn. It was nominated for best original score that year.

Fight Club (What Is Fight Club?)/Dust Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZhmQgw5VEI

Year: 1999

What I love about the entire soundtrack is the grooves. The emphasis seems to have been on the beat rather than the melody, giving it a funky, rebellious undertone, not unlike the movie itself.

Theme from The Last Emperor/David Byrne

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXUMB19WkT8

Year: 1987

A prime example of Hollywood's obsession with the Orient. A soft, melodious percussion track and beautiful violin lines. The movie won the Academy award for best original score that year. 

Underworld (Eternity and a Day)/Paul Haslinger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQNUpxZWS_Y

Year: 2003

The strings entry at 1:10 is absolutely brilliant. This piece has been subjected to a lot of remixes, some of which have been used in the original soundtrack. Check this one out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN3SZwQHlnc

Into The Wild (The Wolf)/Eddie Vedder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CD1EaUFIeo

Year: 2007

Vedder sheds the grunge for this adventure/drama based on a true story. The scene is one of pure exhilaration - the protagonist stands on the edge of a cliff (literally), facing the wind, far from any form of civilisation, and just seems to soak it all in.

The Illusionist Soundtrack (The Locket)/Philip Glass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkUuUqtgz70

Year: 2006

I remember the scene in the movie vividly. The magician, as a young boy, presents his lover, the princess, with a locket he made himself as a token of his love.

Theme from Doctor Zhivago/Maurice Jarre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Yd2PzoF1y8&feature=related

Year: 1965

Also known as 'Lara's Theme', the tune became an instant hit, with many artists of the time performing their own renditions.

Theme from The Magnificent Seven/Elmer Bernstein

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iteRKvRKFA

Year: 1960

A swashbuckling western, if there ever was one. Bernstein effectively conveys a myriad of feelings through his music, mirroring the movie's range of emotions, from death and danger to love and romance to plain gunslinging action.

OST week on your favourite music blog! (I know, I know, I'm being presumptuous)

Oscar fever is here, with some excellent movie scores vying for top honours. In deep appreciation of the art (and the creative men and women behind it) I've decided to dedicate a whole week to listing my favourite movie soundtracks of all time. Be it up-tempo songs or sombre instrumentals, without them a motion picture would be just that - a motion picture. To give the blog some semblence of order, I shall try to list them chronologically. However, I am not making any promises in this regard. Actually, to hell with order. As always,
Happy Listening!:)

SM

All The Places/Made In Heights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uezFxbzX0dk

There's an awesome American podcast called 'KEXP Song Of The Day' that I highly recommend for iTunes users.

Gotten/Slash feat. Adam Levine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAsVg7pIQtk

Slash plays a subdued riff throughout, teasing the listener with a couple of delicious licks here and there, and an all-out overdrive in the bridge. Levine, as always, nails the vocals.

Pretend We're Dead/L7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH7npnE_9Vw&NR=1

I picture a bunch of kids getting together after school and jamming in someone's basement. Mind you, the song's awesome.

Promises/Eric Clapton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ1Yx_iyurs

The song's sing-along quality alone makes it my favourite Clapton tune.

So High/John Legend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW7oaNWo3mU

Listen to the song for its vocals. John Legend has this unique habit of playing around with a song's melody. He just can't sing a line straight. Fortunately, this appears to work for him. (Note: the song ends at around 5:10 so don't bother streaming the video further than that.)

Outshined/Soundgarden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWtvbqc6mVM

No school like old school.

Breakdown/Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbG6M28UkFg

The Heartbreakers have always churned out mature, no-nonsense rock. Even in their debut album, they sound like veterans, as is evident in this song, their very first hit.

Dream A Little Dream Of Me/Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io0uqrp9dco

Two great singers of their time come together for one of the best easy listening tunes ever.

Backdoor Man/Doors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgzbiX46tl8

Manzarek (keyboard) plays a sweet bluesy riff, creating the perfect background for Morrison's howls.

Gulaal (Duniya)/Piyush Mishra

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0S3JZdaENs

I get this rush everytime the tabla beat starts.

Out Of Exile/Audioslave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ezv4CrBhgM

Morello (guitar) and Commerford (bass) have this chemistry going that few happy couples can rival.

True Colors/Cyndi Lauper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wS53zuf_X10

You can't emote like her. No one can.

Once In A Lifetime/Talking Heads

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxM841f08VA

David Byrne almost sounds like a TV evangelist, preaching about life's issues. The song has a decidedly gospel feel to it, with a very uplifting chorus.

Flying Over Bus Stops/Athlete

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYoGBHEpBd0

The vocals, the muffled bass drum and the synth washes make for a heady brew that has you completely submerged by the end.

Jealous Guy/John Lennon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXDqNMiubXo

One of my all-time favourite chord progressions.

Say Yes/Elliott Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcnHjjLdNXQ

I heard this song for the first time in one of the "American Pie" movies. It's been in my 'top 25 most played' list since.

Headful Of Ghosts/Bush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL9sfKRYbmw

Alt/grunge specialists Bush decide to lose the frills and belt out a no-nonsense hard rock anthem.

A Night In Lenasia/Deepak Ram

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ogpR8ViboI&feature=related

The Indian 'bansuri'. Raga Hansdhwani.
Need I say more?

Spiderman 2 (Who I Am)/Smile Empty Soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH91SRjsoo0

I remember buying the Spideman 2 soundtrack audio cassette when I was in school. This song, apart from being classic headbang material, made me an ardent fan of 'two octave' vocals, wherein the same lines are sung by two voices in different octaves, as demonstrated in the song's chorus. Often the singer dubs his/her own voice over, creating the impression that there are two of him/her singing in different octaves.

Autumn Shade II/Vines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guJdO6vAufc

Not to be confused with "Autumn Shade" from a previous album, the song is a pleasant departure from the band's guitar-heavy sound. An all-acoustic arrangement and some great vocals.

Rise To Me/Decemberists

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4LfzxI07q4

Country-styled harmonies, mouth organs and slide guitars that would make Neil Young proud. This album sees the band return to its American folk roots.

How To Train Your Dragon (Sticks And Stones)/Jonsi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOH8rPpCI50

I'm not used to racy stuff from Icelandic rockers Sigur Ros. So this song by frontman Jonsi, which plays into the movie's end-credits was a pleasant change. Don't try figuring out the lyrics. Just listen to the extremely catchy tune and picture yourself soaring over a frozen lake astride a dragon!

No Good With Faces/Jack Johnson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8ZNGTl7kxQ

Everything about Jack Johnson's music is beautifully mellow. He doesn't barge into your consciousness. He knocks and is let in, closing the door graciously behind him.

Still Got The Blues/Gary Moore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-0KRM_eROA

In memory of one of the most soulful musicians of all time. The guitar solo is sure to kindle the old-school romantic in you, complete with roses, champagne and candlelight dinner. RIP Gary Moore.

All Day And All Of The Night/Kinks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMWNwHof0kc

Their guitar tone always gets me. It's this rowdy, badass sound that seems to flirt and threaten at the same time.

Drive/Incubus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRUf30Afcyo

This song has the ability to find its way into my playlist time and time again. The vocal harmonies in the chorus are just sublime.

Wait Till You See My Smile/Alicia Keys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WiHB07Paf4

I love Alicia Keys. Despite her modern R&B style of music, there's something in her voice that just screams '80s girl power (think Belinda Carlisle, Stevie Nicks, Heart, even Madonna's early years). Plus, she's an accomplished pianist. Godliness.

Stupid Girl/Garbage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPoW_co7kCE

The bassline. Period.

I Can't Tell You Why/Eagles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2Ns6J1KWd8&feature=related

The band sounds so crisp, they may as well have been playing in a tiny room. Bassist Timothy Schmit lent vocals for the first time instead of vocalist/drummer Don Henley.

3 AM/Matchbox 20

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uD8DlxwHsE

You can't go wrong with a band like Matchbox 20. Sometimes you just want to listen to a song to feel good about this world. This is one of those songs.

Joe Le Taxi/Vanessa Paradis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OntTG-n3zpI&feature=related

Found this French song in an old mix-tape belonging to my dad. A cheeky schoolgirl voice (the singer was 14 when she sang this) and some great use of the baritone saxophone in between the vocal parts.