We all know how much I love me some Alex P; I'm all about the music supervision business, and this badass lady has been around the primetime block. The OC, Grey's Anatomy, Supernatural, Gossip Girl, Chuck, Mad Men, Rescue Me, just to name a few... She gets paid to listen to thousands of songs every week, most unreleased, some unsigned, some completely unheard of. I need to have that job. Need need need!
So instead of getting pissed that I have eight hour days on my feet, listening to coffee brew instead of rocking out to the latest Crystal Castles; watching espresso shots pull instead of the latest episodes of mindless television before anyone else in the world, I'm announcing the official AP Face Off Series, coming to a blog (this one) near you.
Beginning with the first episode of three of her major shows (OC, Greys, GG) we will pit song selection against song selection, coda music against coda. We will decide episode by episode the effect of the Alex P touch. Have things gone down hill since The OC, or is her music selection looking up the more guilty-pleasure the shows get? After assessing all first season episodes available, we'll rule on the music quality of the entire season. Who is going to take home the gold? My money is on Orange County. They've got enough money to buy this competition anyway...
Face Off #1
The O.C 1x01Episode Title: Pilot (Original, right?)
Original Airdate: 8/5/2003
One-Line LTK Synopsis: Ryan Atwood, a good-looking badboy (are there any other kind?) from "the wrong side of the tracks" AKA a predominately Latino neighborhood/Chino, moves in with some rich white people in an alcoholic filled community, and complains about it (Epsiode punch count: 6).
Episode Music ListingTheme Music and Opening Track: Phantom Planet "California" - Cham Pain "Show Me" Luke picks up Marissa.
- Slightly Stoopid "Sweet Honey" Seth and Ryan set sail on Summer Breeze.
- Cooler Kids "All Around the World (Punk Debutante)" [ysi] The models strut their stuff.
- The All-American Rejects "Swing Swing" Seth and Ryan take off with the girls.
- Black Eyed Peas "Hands Up" [ysi] Seth and Ryan arrive at the party.
- The KGB "I'm A Player" Ryan and Marissa talk; Summer bumps into Ryan.
- Maximum Roach "Let It Roll" Seth gets pushed around by the water polo team.
- Mazzy Star "Into Dust" Ryan takes care of Marissa.
Coda Selection: Joseph Arthur "Honey and the Moon" [ysi]Lydia's Musical Highlight: Phantom Planet's "California." Cliche, I know, but this song was amazing before the show touched it, loyal Jason Shwartzman fans know how much The Guest rocked our socks off, and thanks to hot people on soap operas this 3:14 seconds of awesomeness is now internationally known. On the microphone...
Grey's Anatomy 1x01Episode Title: A Hard Day's Night
Original Airdate: 3/27/2005
One-Line LTK Synopsis: We meet Meredith Grey, a skinny, beautiful, rich doctor who just had a hot one night stand with her McDreamy brain surgeon of a boss; obviously she has a hard life and a lot to complain about.
Theme Music: Psapp "Cosy in the Rocket"
Episode Music Listing
Opening Track: Rilo Kiley "Portions for Foxes"Coda Selection: Thirteen Senses "Into the Fire"Lydia's Musical Highlight: Hard to choose. Jenny Lewis blasts most of these artists out of the water, but I'm going to have to go with Jem on this one. The use of this track wasn't a particularly bold choice, but it did show an evolution of Alex's utilization of Jem. First she was all about the subtle sexiness of "Come on Closer," and "Just a Ride" on The OC, but for her new pilot Miss Patsavas was all about the quirky almost-electronica feel of "They."
I'm sorry, so sorry, we do this...
Gossip Girl 1x01Episode Title: Pilot (Orginaler)
Original Airdate: 9/19/2007
One-Line LTK Synopsis: I'm not sure if I was paying attention or just staring at Chace Crawford - A lot of pretty people drinking, sleeping around incestuously with one another, and worrying about what some mysterious entity is blogging about them; that's pretty much status quo for high school juniors right?
Theme Music: The Trancenders (Original Members of the Black Eyed Peas)
Episode Music Listing
Opening Track: Peter Bjorn and John "Young Folks" [ysi]
- Rihanna ft. Cory Gunz "If It's Lovin' That You Want (Part 2)" News of Serena's return spreads; Blair 'borrows' Nate.
- Justin Timberlake "What Goes Around... Comes Around" Serena's arrival interrupts Blair & Nate's make-out session.
- Washington Social Club "Diamond Hipster Boy" Dan, Jenny & their dad chat during breakfast.
- Antonio Vivaldi "Concerto In G" [ysi] Dan runs to catch the bus & overhears Nate & Chuck discussing Serena.
- Mooney Suzuki "99 Percent" Dan & his father post flyers.
- Kreesha Turner "Bounce With Me" Jenny gives Serena an invite to Blair's 'Kiss On The Lips' party.
- Amy Winehouse "Back To Black" Blair & Serena catch up.
- Who Made Who "Space For Rent" Dan & Jenny discuss Serena.
- Matthew Dear "Send You Back" Chuck & Serena 'banter'.
- Air "Photograph" [ysi] Flashback of Serena & Nate; Chuck hits on Serena.
- Zdenek Bartak "Joyful Waltz" Dan returns Serena's cell phone.
- Cold War Kids "Hang Me Up To Dry" [ysi] Nate makes up with Blair.
- The Bravery "Time Won't Let Me Go" [ysi] Lily confronts Rufus at his gallery.
- Alberta Hammond Jr. "Hard To Live In The City" Limo ride; Dan arrives to meet Serena.
- Timbaland and Keri Hilson "The Way I Are" The Kiss On The Lips party starts; Chuck targets Jenny.
- Hanson "Go" Dan introduces Serena to his father.
- Akon "Don't Matter" Chuck lures Jenny away from the party.
- Lyrics Born "Knock Knock" Dan & Serena look for Jenny at the party.
Coda Selection: Angels and Airwaves "The Gift"Lydia's Musical Highlight: Holy crap this song count is impressive. Didn't break the bank I hope! PB and J are great but overutilized on tv, as well as Amy Wino this season. I have to give a tie out between Cold War Kids and Air. "Photograph" works perfectly as a sex-flashback enhancement, giving it a true dream like quality, while "Hang Me Out to Dry" is just plain crazy piano/bass, ass-kicking fun!
The Verdict: 1x01
Opening Track Winner: Grey's AnatomyThe OC (2), Gossip Girl (3)
You can never go wrong with Jenny Lewis (although Rilo's latest album wasn't entirely up to my standards) and the use of bad-girl anthem "Portions for Foxes" was a perfectly joyous introduction to the train-wreck character that is Meredith Grey. Put this track over anything, even a show like Psych and I might get interested. Okay, probably not. Coda Selection Winner: The OC
Grey's Anatomy (2), Gossip Girl (3)
Best coda choice hands down goes to Joseph and The OC this week. His well-known hit "In The Sun" is gorgeous, but doesn't even scratch the surface of Arthur's talent, and unfortunately it's all some people will know of him. Kudos to Patsavas for thinking outside the slow, sentimental closing song standard. "Honey and the Moon" has me over the moon.
Artist Selection Winner: Gossip Girl
The OC (2), Grey's Anatomy (3)
Sorry to drop the bomb like this guys, but size does matter... sometimes. It was difficult not to give this award to The OC, seeing as they snatched up some Mazzy Star and rockin' Cooler Kids this episode, but considering the sheer magnitude of the songs Patsavas pulled off for Gossip Girl, I'm going to have to award the latter. There are definitely some tracks more memorable than others, reminding us that quality can be better than quantity, but I was too busy enjoying the every-5-minute sing-alongs this week to care. Lydia's Musical Highlight Winner: Gossip GirlGrey's Anatomy (2), The OC (3)
Despite loving PP and Jem, I have to give this one to the new kid on the block. Fresher than Marky Mark without a shirt, Air's "Photograph" solidified the band's new album as one of the best in 2007. Also this particular song saved my life in some clutch moments, so..... bonus, maybe I'm bias.
Bonus Rating - Theme Music: The OCGrey's Anatomy (2), Gossip Girl (3)
"California" is just kick ass. Psapp is also a great choice, and The Trancenders do an amazing job of scoring Gossip Girl, it's just I'm still in the 15-year old mindset of 2003; when Phantom Planet blew braces-wearing me out of the water. The OC theme song was more influential in terms of the zeitgeist than other selections.
The Awards Ceremony
(Lower scores are better, just like golf, cholesterol, and age)
Gold Medal Winner: The OC
2 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 1 = 9
The gold place winner this week is none other than AP's original masterpiece The OC. The strength of her theme music selection played a huge role, but it was her consistency in artist selection and song/scene placement that drove this gold medal home.
Silver Medal Winner: Grey's Anatomy
1 + 2 +3 + 2 + 2 = 10
Bronze Medal Winner: Gossip Girl
3 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 11
Stay tuned for round two. Who knows who'll get the KO next time...
Islands aren't just for getting lost. Sometimes there are no Oceanic flights gone awry, no Others, no Benjamin Linus, or unexplained black fog. Instead there are lovable Canadian indie bands who rename themselves from the Unicorns to something a little easier to take seriously. Montreal-ian cuties J'aime and Nick are as adorable as their former name implies, with all the talent and independence that comes with artistic evolution. Completely enjoyable, unpretentious, and sugary sweet, this duo delivers indie pop perfection with substance to boot. Check out their fully worthwhile new album Arm's Way, released May 20. Unless you're new to the Islands experience, in which of course I recommend picking up a copy of 2006's Return to the Sea first. You'll appreciate the small progression in one band's prog rock; strong orchestration, ironic lyricism, and evocative vocals that 1.) Make me want to learn French and 2.) Use that French to discharge sellouts in clever, cutting songs that make me smile, and others cry.
