THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 1 - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2011)

Nope, as much as Edward Cullen’s fans are yearning to hear Robert Pattison’s vocals on the soundtrack of this fourth installment of this successful movie franchise, they would have to be disappointed again.  Instead, fans of the worldwide blockbuster (the reason why these movies strike a chord with so many people remains a mystery to this reviewer) get a cool lineup of 14 songs performed by some of the coolest artistes in the music industry.

The highlight of the album is American pop singer Bruno Mars’ “It Will Rain”, a soulful tune which echoes the lead characters’ emotions very aptly. You can almost imagine a melancholic Edward walking down a dark alleyway, well, in the rain. Other notable artistes on the soundtrack include Philadelphian singer songwriter Christina Perri who sings “A Thousand Years”, London based three piece band The Joy Formidable who strums to the melody of “Endtapes”, American vocal and instrumental duo The Belle Brigade who belts out “I Didn’t Mean It”, and American rapper Theophilus London who contributes “Neighbors”.

Elsewhere, American singer songwriter Iron & Wine, who were featured on the first Twilight soundtrack, return with a newly recorded version of their song "Flightless Bird, American Mouth." Fans who have every moment of the Bill Condon directed movie etched in their minds will remember this tune being played when Bella and Edward say their vows and kiss at their wedding.

Pattison’s fellow cast member Mia Maestro (who plays Carmen Denali of the Denali Coven in the movie) perform “Llovera”, an exotic tune which fans may remember from the Bella and Edwards’s romantic swim in the moonlight.

The soundtrack album features a surprisingly generous amount of music. The 61 minutes of songs (and one somewhat forgettable score track “Love Death Birth” by Carter Burwell) is a pleasant listen, whether you are a fan of the franchise.

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (3) It Will Rain – Bruno Mars

Review by John Li