Here in no particular order, are three of my favorite songs that been fully featured in a television show. The episodes didn’t have just 30 second clips, but the director took the risk of playing a song in its entirety, and actually pulled it off.
I thought this was a great way to open such a pivotal and emotional episode. The lyrics of this song fit so well and helped move the audience quickly into the emotional state of distress that Clark is going through on the day of Lana and Lex’s wedding. I seriously loved this episode and it wouldn’t have been half as good without this fantastic opening track.
Scrubs continues to be one of the funniest shows on television. Even in their eighth season and with a network change they can hardly create an episode that doesn’t make me laugh. But the reason I own every season on dvd, is not so that I can watch Dr. Dorian dance in a patient room filled with 99 Red Balloons to the Nena song of the same title (although I can’t help but laugh out loud everytime I watch that scene). Rather it is because they are not afraid to tackle some of the more serious and less fun aspects of being in a relationship and working in a hospital. While it is still worth a few laughs, this great opening to the second season is a great example of that.
I was really disappointed that I was unable to find a video for this one. I thought it was pretty incredible the way they wrapped up their entire season with this six and half minute song playing in the background. It doesn’t distract from, but rather adds to the dramatic effect of this cliff-hanging closer.
I haven’t gotten the chance to hear this whole thing, but what I’ve heard I really enjoyed. And that is coming from someone who hasn’t been much of fan in the past. Obviously I enjoyed such great tracks as ‘Wraith Pinned to the Mist’ or ‘Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse’. But I think I might have to go out and pick up this album.
Parts & Labor – Receivers
If you have been keeping up with the blog, you will know that I just recently discovered this band and that my knowledge of their existence doesn’t extend beyond a single track that I posted off of this week’s release. But that track was good enough to earn this album a spot in this feature.
*
Brett Dennen - Hope For the Hopeless
Brett Dennen – Make You Crazy (ft. Femi Kuti) (removed 2/13/09)
I have been impressed with this young fellow from the beginning. He has an incredible voice and seems to have a great heart as well. He has been doing a lot lately use his influence to help those less fortunate than him. And fortunately for us, he’s been doing it while making great music at the same time. Go out and buy this guy’s album. Ain’t no reason you shouldn’t go out and buy this album.
Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns
I absolutely loved Final Straw when it first came out, in fact I still love it. Although it was way over commercialized, I still was able to enjoy Eyes Open. But if their first single, ‘Take Back the City’ is any indication of the way their new release is going to go, I don’t think I should even bother. The song was just tailor made for pop radio and has no substance to it whatsoever. Just another anthem pop song for junior high boys and girls to sing along pump their fists to. I hate to see great potential like that go sour. Here’s to hoping I’m wrong.
Film
Pride and Glory
Edward Norton is the man. He is easily one of the best actors of our time. The story for this one doesn’t look too promising, but I will go simply to see Norton’s performance. Boy has this been a sorry year for film. It seems like I’m just gonna have to wait for Christopher Nolan to give us another addition to his incredible Batman series.
Thanks for reading. Hope your ears and eyes bleed this week.
