If The xx and Cults were too indie for you, fear not. Indian advertisers have no qualms ripping music off multi-Grammy-multi-Golden Globe-single-Oscar-winning composers as well. The latest offender on our newly popular Commercials tag is motorcycle manufacturer TVS. This clip for a new model of bikes (whose only discernable special feature is that they brake really well; for driving in Mumbai? C'mon) features a soundtrack incredibly similar to Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's composition 'Why So Serious?' from the OST of the film The Dark Knight . In fact, apart [...]
I have not seen the new film, Water for Elephants, which is based on Sara Gruen's novel. However, I have greatly enjoyed listening to the movie's soundtrack. The original score by composer James Newton Howard is a lovely collection of instrumentals both serene and dramatic. The rest of the album features Depression-era jazz and blues, [...]

Think of your favorite film right now. Chances are high that along with an incredible scene, you remember the music, as well. So much attention is put on the actors, the director, the script, the story, and the visuals that the songs supporting them almost slide underneath the surface. Sometimes a really good composer can say more with a single note or melody than pages of dialogue. They evoke every emotion possible, from fear to happiness to melancholy, all while having pretty catchy melodies. It's a way of creating an instant connection for the viewer, even before they've really figured [...]
James Newton Howard has raised my hopes for The Last Airbender with a great new soundtrack! Last Airbender - Avatar: The Last Airbender - M. Night Shyamalan - Jackson Rathbone - Arts

Back in the days of 12-inch long-playing vinyl, the album cover was almost as important as the music. Who can forget the classic photograph on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , or the iconic prism on Dark Side of the Moon ? So today let's dig around and find an album with interesting packaging - ah, here we go ... 1972's Mama Lion (or in the U.K., Preserve Wildlife) . Click on image to see the "hidden" gatefold art (NSFW) [...]

Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard - Like A Dog Chasing Cars I'll let you in on a little secret: I find it almost impossible to write about the music I love. I mean really. Truly. Love. The kind of music I'd shoot someone in the leg for. I'm not kidding. Bam. Right in the leg. New patella for Johnny. Blood-spurts and swear words. That kind of music. That kind of love. Truth be told it's the [...]

" You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain ." Just let me say that I haven't walked out of a theater feeling that good, since the last installment of Lord of the Rings. The Dark Knight, emphasis on the dark, is easily the best movie of the year. I would be very surprised to see anything come along that could beat it out for best picture. Now you might be thinking to yourself, "Wow, Nathan, that is quite a bold [...]

Okay. I realize that The Dark Knight has had it's share of publicity, and posting about it on my blog may not convince any of the three, maybe four, people who have yet to see the film to check it out. But, man... Epic. I know what you're thinking. "Wait, isn't this a music blog and not a movie blog?" Yes, yes it is. That is why it's fortunate Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard collaborated to make a damn fine original soundtrack for the movie. The soundtrack [...]

Okay. I realize that The Dark Knight has had it's share of publicity, and posting about it on my blog may not convince any of the three, maybe four, people who have yet to see the film to check it out. But, man... Epic. I know what you're thinking. "Wait, isn't this a music blog and not a movie blog?" Yes, yes it is. That is why it's fortunate Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard collaborated to make a damn fine original soundtrack for the movie. The soundtrack [...]
I'm having a small Oscar party tonight, so in honor of my favorite awards show, I am posting the music nominated for both Original Song & Original Score (top song from the score). Root for Juno ! P.S. I think the songs from Enchanted are like two IQ points above special needs and I can't actually make myself listen to them. Also, Why the fuck did Enchanted get three muthafukin songs nominated when Once could have taken all five slots?! I demand justice. Grrrrrr. [...]
I'm an M. Night Shyamalan apologist. Even as the critics rail against "The Village" and "Lady in the Water", I'll defend the guy to the bitter end. But even I wasn't blown away by 2002's "Signs", which just sits sort of awkwardly in the Shyamalan canon. It's not bad , but it just doesn't do for me what his other work does. Then again, maybe that's just because nothing in the film is as scary--for me--as the opening credits: [...]