Stereo

If there’s one movie I could watch over and over again, it will be Empire Records (1995). It’s not an Oscar-winning or any other award-winning movie for that matter, but it has got a bunch of young movie superstars-to-be, a supeeerb boss, memorable quotes, and one hell of a soundtrack. This movie and soundtrack inspired my youth in the 1990s. Oh cliché.

So here in the spirit of ushering the new year, I present to you, my entire collection of tracks from Empire Records I have managed to find over the years.

Damn the man. Save the empire!

• 01 - Gin Blossoms - Til I Hear It From You
• 02 - The Cranberries - Liar
• 03 - Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You
• 04 - The Martinis - Free
• 05 - Toad The Wet Sprocket - Crazy Life
• 06 - The Innocence Mission - Bright As Yellow
• 07 - Better Than Ezra - Circle Of Friends
• 08 - Ape Hangers - I Don’t Want To Live Today
• 09 - Cracker - Whole Lotta Trouble
• 10 - The Meices - Ready, Steady, Go
• 11 - Drill - What You Are
• 12 - Lustre - Nice Overalls
• 13 - Please - Here It Comes Again
• 14 - Evan Dando - The Ballad Of El Goodo
• 15 - Coyote Shivers - Sugarhigh
• 16 - Cruel Sea - The Honeymoon Is Over
• AC/DC - If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
• Adolescents - L.A. Girl
• Ass Ponys - Little Bastard
• Billy White Trio - Surround You
• Coyote Shivers featuring Gina - Sugarhigh
• Daniel Johnston - Rock ‘n’ Roll
• Dire Straits - Romeo And Juliet
• Dishwalla - Counting Blue Cars
• Fig Dish - Chew Toy
• Gwar - Saddam-A-Go-Go
• Loose Diamonds - Backdown Blues
• Noah Stone - Dark & Brooding
• Peg Boy - Hardlight
• Queen Sarah Saturday - Seems
• Quicksand - Thorn In My Side
• Sponge - Plowed
• Suicidal Tendencies - I Shot The Devil
• The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star
• The Cranberries - How
• The Dirt Clods - Hey Joe
• The Flying Lizards - Money (That’s What I Want)
• The The - This Is The Day
• Throwing Muses - Snakeface

Note: Tracks with numbers in front are from the original soundtrack CD.

Click here for an excellent full list of the tracks that appeared in the movie as compiled by Simon Slavin.

This track is claimed to inspire the theme song for Futurama.

Let’s go tripping.

Source: Digg.

A Fatboy Slim remix here.

P/S: Apologies for the lack of updates. I’ve been lazy (what’s new?).

Sometimes when you watched a low key movie trailer and you just know you will enjoy it. No special effects, no kung-fu scenes, no raining bullets and explosives. Just plain dialogue-based-everyday-life moments and a few laughs here and there, easy-going type of movie.

Juno, dubbed the “Little Miss Sunshine of this year,” is one of those movies that I would really love to watch when it is released later this year. I think this track suits the theme of the movie perfectly. It’s sorta … cute.

Download: The Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You (MP3 format)

P/S: I’m dedicating this song to a new found friend because she thinks the song is cute, and she’s also celebrating her birthday today. I don’t see what anyone can see, in anyone else, but you. Happy Birthday, you!

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Caught this track on one of the episodes of CSI: Las Vegas by chance. Originally by Cameo, and more recently covered by KoRn. This version is well, soulful. Haunting. Brilliant. Check it out.

Download: Willis - Word Up (MP3 format)

When I hear of the name Will Ferrell, I think of Frank the Tank (Old School, 2003), Ron Burgundy (Anchorman, 2004), Kicking & Screaming (2005) and Talladega Nights (2006) and some less memorable cameos here and there. He has the knack to run around naked, screaming his lungs out. I mean, come on, how can you forget the ’streaking’ scene in Old School?

I have never thought of him to play on more serious roles, until I watched Stranger Than Fiction. Well at least he tries to be serious, but even his straight face is enough to set off a mild laughter. But Stranger Than Fiction is an enjoyable comedy-tragedy movie to watch. It is one of those movies that make you sit put and watch ’til the end.

This track came off from a scene where Harold Crink (Ferrell) and Donna (the lovely yummy lanky Maggie Gyllenhaal) first hit it off at her place. If this track can make Maggie Gyllenhaal all moist for Will Ferrell, I am definitely gonna pick up the guitar too.

Enjoy the clip and track. It has been on repeating on my list all morning. And do me a favour, watch the movie.

Download Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide World (MP3 format)

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The moment I listened to this track, I knew I have to find it and give it to someone. It was featured in the recent Nip/Tuck Season 4 finale episode, towards the ending. It got the whole main cast lip-synced the entire song, weird for a disturbing drama, but fitting in a perfect way.

Now I hope there will be news for a Season 5. Oh well, there’s still House, M.D.

Download: The Submarines - Brighter Discontent (MP3 format)

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Another song from a TV series. This time it’s Dave Matthews‘ turn with Some Devil, featured on the ending of an earlier episode of House, M.D. I’m sure you’ll love this one.

Pain, oh pain.

Download: Dave Matthews - Some Devil (MP3)

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The perfectly disturbing drama Nip/Tuck fourth season is premiering tomorrow (Sept 5, 2006), well on US cable anyways. It’s one of the better series I can’t wait to resume.

This track was featured on the promo video (view it here) for the new season. The Real Tuesday Weld is a one-man band (Stephen Coates), just like Badly Drawn Boy is for Damon Gough. Probably not a fair comparison, but this track can pass off alongside with BDB’s. And it sorta suits the whole ugly/beautiful/disturbing/sickening morale radiates by Nip/Tuck.

The Ugly and the Beautiful is also offered free here. Credits to niptuckfans.com for the link.

Download: The Real Tuesday Weld - The Ugly and the Beautiful (MP3 format)

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Was watching House, M.D. and one of the earlier episodes had this song on. Well, only the introduction part (Dr House was interrupted when the drums came in) but that alone was enough to get me all pumped up inside me. One of the greatest rock song along with Bohemian Rhapsody and Stairway to Heaven.

P/S: I always thought the song was titled Teenage Wasteland, until I read this.

Download: The Who - Baba O’Riley (often mislabeled as Teenage Wasteland, MP3 format)

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I watched Sky High last night, and I’m guilty to admit I enjoyed the movie. I’m a sucker for movies with a great soundtrack. Sky High is filled with that, if 80s music is a thing for you. And Kelly Preston is one hot superhero mama.

This track was played on the opening scene in the movie. I couldn’t place who sang it at first, but I recalled hearing it way back on my brother’s stereo. True enough, this track, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, is originally by Tears for Fears. There are also classics such as The Smiths‘ Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want, covered by Elefant and Spandau Ballet’s True, covered by the Cary Brothers, all in the soundtrack CD. Most of the tracks will be familiar to your ears, if you’re old enough to remember it.

Watching Sky High is like being a kid back in the 80s again. It’s not that far off (for me). I definitely enjoyed the ride.

Download: Christian Burns - Everybody Wants to Rule the World (MP3 format)

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