(500) Days of Summer (Music from the Motion Picture)

iTunes Review

The tunes included on the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack reflect the emotional heights and depths of this wistfully romantic film. Bittersweet pop predominates here, with a little angst added for spice. The Smiths — a key reference point in the movie — set the right tone of obsessive longing with “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” and “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want.” The latter is transformed into a billowy torch song by She & Him, featuring the film’s co-star Zooey Deschanel. The many complications of true love are captured in the nervous expressions of Regina Spektor (“Us,” “Hero”), the glistening, falsetto-filled effusions of the Temper Trap (“Sweet Disposition”), the brooding blues-rock of Wolfmother (“Vagabond”) and the serene, hook-laden pop of Mumma-Ra (“She’s Got You High”). Meaghan Smith’s beguiling cover of the Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” is a special treat. Though many of these songs are available elsewhere, they combine here to create a very appealing Summer music mix.