Artist(s) of the Day: Artists of the 500 Days of Summer Original Soundtrack

The new film, 500 Days of Summer, starring Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt opened today, and Rottentomatoes.com gave the film a 90 percent approval rating (Certified Fresh!), with such positive reviews I felt it necessary to profile an album that should receive just as much praise as the movie itself.

When looking at the track-list, it’s hard not to think back to 2004 when the “it” movie was Garden State and its soundtrack was critically acclaimed. The two albums even feature one of the same artists: Simon and Garfunkel. This time around the S & G song featured is “Bookends,” a short, melancholy tune that reminisces about a past love. And of course, these are the types of songs that make-up the 500 Days Soundtrack, after all, the film is about the triumphs and heartbreaks of love and relationships.

Before you start thinking, “Oh no. Here’s just another sad, emo album that wines on about love lost,” take a look at some of the other great additions to the album:

You got the Hall & Oates classic “You Make My Dreams Come True.” There is the toe-tapping tune “Bad Kids” by Georgia’s own Black Lips. And even a fun cover of the Pixies “Here Comes Your Man” by Meaghan Smith.
These light-hearted songs mixed with the moody laments create a perfect balance for a film based on the trials of love. It’s kind of perfect really, since this is the kind of soundtrack any body in a relationship could use at any high or low point with their significant other.

If anyone has seen the trailer for 500 Days of Summer, you know the album wouldn’t be complete without The Smiths. In one scene of the movie, you see Gordon-Levitt’s character listening to the Smiths on an elevator and Deschanel’s character compliments him on his good taste in music. From what I’ve taken from that scene, that is the moment Gordon-Levitt’s character falls head over heels, but can you blame him? According to Chuck Klosterman, it’s rare to find a young Smith’s fan who is not A. Latino or B. Emo/Goth.

The song heard on the trailer was “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” and coincidentally (or not), that is the track featured on the soundtrack. As I blogged earlier in the month, She & Him also contribute to the album with a cover of The Smith’s “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want.”

The 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack will get you crying, laughing but most of all it is the relationship therapy any couple could use. Check out the album, and once you’ve finished drinking butterbeer with your fantasy-loving muggles---hop on over to the next screen and check out one of the most refreshing films of the year: 500 Days of Summer.

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “There Goes the Fear” by Doves from the album 500 Days of Summer Original Soundtrack

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