Twilight Soundtrack

The soundtrack for the second installment of the “Twilight" series was just released last week, and it has already reached the number one downloaded album spot on iTunes. This is no surprise to me. “Twifans,” young and old alike, are counting down the days until “New Moon” is released and are jumping on any bit of media that brings them closer to their precious vamps.

Despite "Twilight" being a pop culture, trendy phenomenon, some of my favorite indie bands have contributed to the sound for the second movie. Artists like Death Cab for Cutie, Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear (whom I saw in concert at Austin City Limits this year-they rocked!) and Sea Wolf have songs on the album.

I’m not sure, though, how I feel about these bands that sing songs with deep, meaningful lyrics being on a soundtrack for a cheesy romance movie about vampires and werewolves. It almost makes me feel like they have sold-out to the mainstream and lost a bit of their depth, but maybe I’m just being a music snob. What do you think?

That feeling aside, I am rather pleased with the sound of this album and will be listening to it as I do homework for the rest of this Wednesday afternoon.

Lady Gaga is a "Fame Monster"

Pop star Lady Gaga will be re-releasing her hit album "The Fame" on Nov. 24. The album will have a new name "The Fame Monster" and will feature eight new songs including her latest single “Bad Romance.” Most re-releases feature about three new songs, so I’m definitely looking forward to this CD. It’s almost like buying a brand new album. I loved "The Fame" and the pop/disco sound she created. I can’t wait to hear what Gaga has in store for the new tracks.

“On my re-release, "The Fame Monster," I wrote about everything I didn’t write on "The Fame,” said Lady Gaga in a Rolling Stone article. “While traveling the world for two years, I’ve encountered several monsters, each represented by a different song on the new record: my ‘Fear of Sex Monster,’ my ‘Fear of Alcohol Monster,’ my ‘Fear of Love Monster,’ my ‘Fear of Death Monster,’ my ‘Fear of Loneliness Monster,’ etc.”

I found a sneak peak, or listen I should say, of one of her new songs, “Alejandro.” It has a spicy, European undertone that I can’t get out of my head. Perhaps this was inspired during her overseas tour this year. It sounds like a hit, but what are your thoughts?

It will be interesting to see what kind of publicity stunts Gaga will pull for the re-release. Her interesting performances (2009 Video Music Awards anyone?) and unique outfits have definitely been featured in the press. With all the publicity she gets, I’d say Lady Gaga is a modern P.T. Barnum. She knows how to make waves and get people talking about her.

West goes East

Blogs and twitters were all abuzz when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the Video Music Awards. On top of that move, he cancelled his "Fame Kills" tour with Lady Gaga two weeks later. The media questioned his character and wondered if he needed a break from the spotlight. I guess Kanye heard them. According to MTV Australia, the rapper is taking “time off” to re-evaluate himself and his behavior at a Hindu retreat in India. Going east is probably a good move for West, considering all the negative comments thrown at him from the general public, even President Obama, after pulling this little stunt. Perhaps this move will bring West some good karma for a change, but I’m not holding my breath. He has a reputation for speaking his mind, and I doubt a retreat will change his ways.