Welcome to the new 'O.C.' soundtrack, b*tch

C Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 11:43 PM EST

I've never heard Imogen Heap's version of Hallelujah, but I'm frightened at the thought. I don't mind Rufus Wainwright's, but I agree that Jeff Buckley's version is the best, maybe even better than Cohen's. Cohen's a great songwriter, but one of those odd people who's songs often sound better sung by someone else (but not Elton John or Don Henley - very bad covers of I'm Your Man and Everybody Knows, respectively). Anyone ever heard Bono's cover of Hallelujah? Didn't like it much, but at least he tried something different.

Random brush with fame - I served Cohen a drink once. He didn't say much, but was very nice. I didn't get to serve him dinner, though, he was seated at my friend's table...

Jaime Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 05:57 PM EST

After reading the scathing review that Pitchfork gave this, and the glowing one here, I just had to listen to it myself. I guess my opinion falls a healthy distance between the two (BTW: never watched The O.C., but it looks sort of fun in a 90210 way).

Float On: Oh, I love the original version of this song so much. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It's not horrible by any means, but it definitely takes some of the tunefulness out of it (it was totally better with a slower tempo).

I Turn My Camera On: Oh, no. OH NO. This is my favorite Spoon song ever, and this is just horrible. UGH. How did they ruin it so spectacularly? This is sick, and wrong.

Pretty Vacant: Well, it fits the show, anyway. It's ok, but it could have been much better with a stronger beat. And I have to be honest, she's always sort of bothered me.

California: I'm the only indie rock fan on the planet that dislikes Mates of State. But I actually really like this version, maybe because I've dismissed this song as annoying. I like how it focuses on the vocals, which are pretty. And it definitely comes across as more majestic than Phantom Planet managed to be.

Wasted: This is spectacularly boring. Though I think Pitchfork was wrong when they said they were taking it all seriously... they just sound bored.

I Can't Get It Out Of My Head: Oh, this is pretty boring, too. Very coffee shop.

Debaser: I... I don't know. Nothing immediately grabbed me. I like the original a lot.

Hello Sunshine: I disliked the original version, too. It should be faster or something. This is all so slow. Not that there's anything wrong with a slow song, but the sheer amount of them really brings the record down.

Smile Like You Mean It: Since when are the Killers ind... oh, forget it. I thought it was going to be another boring song, but it was actually really good. My favorite on the mix, hands down.

Come Into My Room: It's just not my thing, sorry. I've never heard the original, but I'm sure I'd hate it too.

The Ends Not Near: It's ok. I've never been madly in love with Band of Horses, but at least it sounds really pretty. The original does sound better, though... I should stop saying that, though, because how many times is that NOT true?

Into Dust: This is quite pretty. I could see it fitting in quite well for a long, pensive watch on the beach before a cliffhanger or whatever goes on in that show. I wonder if any teenagers are going to bother to listen to the whole thing, though?

Raegan Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 03:27 PM EST

Whitney, I've watched this show from day one and I think this season might be the best yet. Shame on you for kicking the OC even more when it's down!

Tim Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 12:27 PM EST

I just listened to the first two songs... both of them are a lot more glossy and less interesting than the originals. It's like they wanted to iron out all the idiosyncrasies that made them good in the first place.
Uhhh, and now I'm on the third song, I'm glad the Sex Pistols didn't survive long enough to be a New Wave band. This album sounds like an abortion.

harry Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 11:27 AM EST

Whitney - the OC has gotten the %$#&8 kicked out of it this year, despite the fact that every critic and fan has been saying how much better it is. Is it possible for you to discuss the show without crapping on it? Do you get any pleasure kicking the show when its down? Cant you just compliment the soundtrack (which is very good) and move on. And you're flat wrong - Taylor Townsend is the BEST character to come on tv screens this year. God are you annoying.

Christopher Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 09:00 AM EST

RayT, CR, "Hallelujah" is about love being a surrender and not a 'win'. It's comparing the way we give in to knowing that we can't cope without that person we love, to a sinner's submission to the will of God.

Curious Thu, Dec 7, 2006 at 08:43 AM EST

Oh Whitney. I have to agree that though I gave up on the OC two seasons ago, I did like the bitchy Ms. Townsend from what I saw of her.

And no, you're wrong. The OC did have Imogen Heap cover Hallelujah last season in the finale when She Who Cannot Be Named died. It was quite possibly the worst version of the song that I've heard... And I love Rufus' version when they used it in the 1st season with the house burning down...

It is surprising though that they didn't include Imogen Heap's version on the soundtrack. Maybe they agree with me that it sucks?

CR Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 11:06 PM EST

RayT,

I'm not going to pretend that I know exactly what Hallelujiah is about, but the lyrics always strike me as a biblical look at the way a man's soul works... "Tied you to a kitchen chair.." line is a reference to Samson, and "Saw her bathing on the roof" is a reference to David... about how they both compromised god and redemption for a few minutes with these women..
I think...

jake Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 10:38 PM EST

It's bad enough that ratings are down, must you continue to add more salt on the wound of fans of the OC -- who unanimously agree that this is a great season. I never would have thought that the pairing of taylor and ryan would be good -- but yes, it is and this show is back to form and more people need to check it out. Everything is in repeats anyway -- so try the OC this thurs on Fox and please all you OC haters -- keep it to yourself.

J Lo Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 08:04 PM EST

Did we really need yet another re-working of "California"? Phantom Planet already did that on the last mix, here, they just added female vocals. Note to artists: simply slowing down a fast-paced song or conversely, speeding up a ballad does not a good cover make. Case in point - Howie Day's cover of "Help" or Joss Stone's cover of "Fell in Love with a Girl". Utterly senseless.

RayT Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 07:42 PM EST

And another thing about Hallelujah, does anyone actually know what that song is about?! I mean, I read Chaucer and understand it perfectly, but this song still baffles me! "She tied you to her kitchen chair." Bondage? "You saw her bathing on the roof." Peeping toms? Anyone? Anyone? And some smart-ass better not post the tired "Duh, it's about existentialism" response!

Amanda Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 06:36 PM EST

The OC has plenty of reason to still be on the air. I gave up the show after season two, but have been incredibly impressed with the show this season. It's seen a creative resurgance unlike any in recent memory.

Ang Knee Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 05:53 PM EST

A song may carry a singer's emotional burden. Can a singer suck emotional weight out of a song?

Nic Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 05:31 PM EST

Watch your mouth Whitney! The O.C. is fabulous this year.

jellybeane Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 05:22 PM EST

The Modest Mouse version of Float On is sooo much better.

Christopher Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 04:53 PM EST

Thanks for bringing up the overuse and misuse of "Hallelujah"... but I must defend the song.

"Hallelujah" *still* has emotional weight, in the proper context and performed by the only two worthy versions: Cohen himself and Jeff Buckley. And, face it, we're really talking about Buckley's version, 99 times out of 100. Few have even heard the Cohen one.

I love Rufus Wainwright, but I'd rather he stick to his own incredible ballads, like "Vibrate" and "Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk". His version at least got my notice; no one else's has. I've stopped caring to listen to anyone cover that song. I just snort derisively, and move on musically.

"Hallelujah" and Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love" must be the two worst-covered songs in the history of covers. Neither should be attempted without assistance from Caldwell or Cohen. We must stop supporting the brazen ego of artists who try to 'update' it.

But getting back to my point... Buckley's "Hallelujah" still has life. Don't mistake improper use or bad covers as somehow diminishing the potency of Buckley's version, no matter how many times you've heard it.

As an example: let's suppose they decide to use "Hallelujah" on 'The O.C.' just to spite ya, Whitney. Now, if they were to use it as backdrop to Ryan saying goodbye to Marissa at her grave before he goes off to sleep with Taylor, well, that would be stupid. It would be the wrong context of the song.

If they used it as the backdrop of a wordless montage of Ryan checking out an oblivious Taylor after realizing he's so far in he's willing to compromise himself to mke her happy, then THAT'S the right context. That gets it, and the song carries meaning for the images being shown. It's not about death. It's about surrender to a force more powerful than yourself.

I stopped watching "Behind the Music" (which was a favorite, particularly the Weird Al one) when Biggie got the opening notes of "Hallelujah" on the commercial break. It was bad enough they used it for Buckley himself, who HATED the martyrdom of dead rock stars, being the son of one. Doing that for Biggie? Bad taste on so very many levels.

People think that song is all about the chorus and the mood, that it's a prayer, but it's not a prayer; it's a heresy. And the meaning is in the verses.

"and it's not a cry that you hear at night
it's not somebody who's seen the light
it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah"

Thanks for making me *think* today...

David Wed, Dec 6, 2006 at 04:48 PM EST

No, Whitney. Just no.