She made the jump...let's all go to Arnolds!

So when we last left Meredith Grey, she was suspended in mid-air, on water skis, jumping over a shark.

Did you really think she wasn't going to make it? Ok, I paused for a second when I saw in the credits that Marti Nixon co-wrote the episode. Nixon wrote for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and they killed off that namesake... twice! But Buffy wasn't the cash cow that Grey's is for Disney, and in the end, this episode had the feeling of a hallow sweeps stunt. I imagine that after all is said, Grey's will have lost a few viewers* as a result. Probably not a good time, considering the spin-off in the works.

As far as music goes, they really didn't pull off much in the way of 'moments' like they did last year. UK singer/songwriter Aqualung led things off with a track off his yet-to-be-released album Memory Man, while Damien Rice's "Sleep Don't Weep" nearly managed to accomplish it's task, minus the weeping pretense (the album track even gives you 17 minutes of silence at the end to emphasize the point of sleep.) All in all, it amounts to quite a letdown... I can't even muster a hearty 'told you so' based on my predictions from last week.

Grey's Anatomy - Episode 3.17
Title track: "Some Kind of Miracle" - Kelly Clarkson
1. "The Lake" - Aqualung - the Chief works on Meredith
2. "Sleep Don't Weep" - Damien Rice - Meredith's heart flatlines... the doctors look on - unsure if they should continue
3. "Swans" - Unkle Bob - Chief says goodbye to Ellis, Derek sleeps by Meredith, and Izzie & Denny sense each other in the hallway

*May I suggest porting over to the show that Kyle Chambers (Dylan the bomb squad dude) currently stars on - Friday Night Lights? It's a much better written drama, and you'll feel much better for it.

Previously: Hot Death Sandwich (Episode 316)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, jump the shark, aqualung, damien rice

Hot death sandwich

Do you honestly believe they'll change the name of the show to just Anatomy?

For those hiding under a rock, the life of the name on the marquee has died. Clinically speaking, that is, for at least a moment when she wakes up in ghost land between last season's two big ratings deaths: Denny Duquette (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Dylan the bomb-squad leader (Kyle Chandler of Friday Night Lights,) like some sort of Hot Death Sandwich. And because we've got to work music in here, this moment was backed by Butterfly Boucher's "Bitter Song" which also opened the episode with Meredith's (brief) struggle in the water.

Now, all logic says that Meredith Grey will be saved in next week's episode, which is titled "Some Kind of Miracle" - and if that isn't clue enough, then just know that even if the writers wanted to off the Grey in Grey's Anatomy, there's no way the network would allow them to kill future prospects just to get a spike in ratings. So instead, every last doctor in the hospital is there working on saving her life (the rest of the patients be damned!)

Of course, it would be unacceptable to have your audience all ready for death and then not deliver, so instead, someone else on the show must die... but who will it be? Dr. Burke (thus ending Isaiah Washington's reign of PR terror?) or possibly George (thus, again, ending Isaiah Washington's reign of PR terror?) Or, more likely, a different Grey dies... namely mommy dearest who, if you'll remember, is about to undergo a difficult surgery.

You know what else is difficult? Pairing music up with a scene of some dude getting his head drilled into, yet somehow it's accomplished. Meanwhile, this week's title track ("Drowning on Dry Land") is appropriately a blues song, seeing how Mer is literally blue, from hypothermia.

Title track: "Drowning on Dry Land" - Albert King
1. "Bitter Song" - Butterfly Boucher (MySpace) - Episode opens with Meredith struggling in the water in super slow-mo. Later again at the end of the episode as the doctors work on Meredith.
2. "Timeless" - Kate Havnevik (MySpace) - Izzie drills into a patients head. The little girl stares at the water as Derek finally emerges with Meredith.
3. "The Great Escape" - Patrick Watson (MySpace) - Izzie is in surgery with her patient. Alex posts pictures from the morgue.

Previously: Rock the boat (Episode 3.15)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, butterfly boucher

Rock the boat

Ok, bear with me for a minute while I get this off my chest. In Seattle, we don't call them ferry boats... we call them ferries. Got it? Around here, calling them ferry boats is akin to calling a yacht a yacht boat... it's redundant. Every time I hear them referred to as such on Grey's Anatomy, it induces some cringing - and it's not just me. Perhaps the addition of 'boat' is because of the confusion that might be caused from hearing McDreamy pronounce "I have a thing for ferries," as he did last night (and in front of Isaiah Washington's Dr. Burke, no less.)

Last night was Grey's 'Super Bowl' episode, a code name given by creator/writer Shonda Rhimes, referring to last year's
two-part disaster episodes "It's The End of the World As We Know It," which followed the Super Bowl (and catapulted the show to the top of the ratings.) Whereas last year, the danger was inside the hospital (a bomb,) this time they're out at the scene of a ferry crash, and Rhimes makes full use of her bag of tricks. The ferries have long been a metaphor for Mer and Der's relationship, so seeing one ablaze gives testament to the effect that Mer's mother had last week in her brief (but fiery) moment of lucidity. The other tool here is the use of the lost young girl who more fully represents Mer's feelings post-mom encounter. Also the fact that she begins and ends the episode underwater hardly needs emphasis here.

Musically, Grey's brings out their big guns from last year, Snow Patrol, who's songs used in last year's season finale helped make hits of both the show and artist. This time out the song is "Make This Go On Forever" and it lyrically follows Meredith off the dock into the water:

The weight of water, the way you taught me to look past everything I have ever learned
The final word in the final sentence you ever uttered to me was love
And I don't know where to look
My words just break and melt
Please just save me from this darkness

Hope Meredith can hold her breath under water better then she did with 'toxic girl' last week...

Playlist: Grey's Anatomy - Episode 315
Title track: "Walk on Water" - Neil Diamond (or maybe Eddie Money?)
Tracklisting

Previously: The outing of Preston Burke (Episode 3.11-12)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, snow patrol, ferries, seattle, regina spektor

The outing of Preston Burke

Last night was the conclusion to Grey's annual mid-season two-parter, but all that anyone can talk about is cast member Isaiah Washington and whether or not he's a homophobe. Well, John Mayer, of all people, has a treatment that just might solve everything: Why not have Washington's character come out to his colleagues as a gay man? (via Pop On The Top)

It's not a bad idea, when you think about it. If Washington is guilty of homophobia, this is sure to make him squirm through the remainder of his contract. Meanwhile, if he's completely innocent, then it'd be the kind of challenging role that could help his career. Mayer even contributed his own script ideas, to get the ball rolling:

INT: NIGHT, ON LOCATION

(THE RAMROD, A large rock club is packed to the rafters with energetic, bold looking twenty-somethings. On stage, an almost impossibly flamboyant group of performers are rocking out to a psychedelic beat that has the crowd whipped up into a primal frenzy.)

(CHRISTINA leans into the ear of PRESTON, struggling to be heard over the music)

CHRISTINA: I think it's really cool that you wanted to take us to a SCISSOR SISTERS concert, Burke! I gotta say, I never pegged you for the type. You're always talking about how much you love Ultimate Fighting Championships and Adult Video Award shows.
(CHRISTINA's eyes skitter from left to right, enlightened.)

Pretty much all the time, come to think of it.

BURKE: (cautiously) A friend of mine gave me their CD for Christmas. I figured I'd give it a listen. Turns out they weren't bad. They have a pleasant enough sound. Besides, I figured it would be nice to show you guys a fun time for once.

CUT TO:STAGE (The band plays the final exciting beats of "Kiss You Off". Jake Shears, The SCISSOR SISTERS lead singer [himself] takes the mic.)

JAKE: Thank you very muuuuuuch Seattle!!! This next song is called "I Don't Feel Like Dancing" and tonight, we want to send this song off to a very special man in the crowd, Preston Burke, webmaster of the biggest SISTERS fan site, idontfeellikedancing.com! Thanks Preston! The tea cookies you left backstage were deeelish!

(CROWD APPLAUDS WILDLY WHILE THE BAND LAUNCHES INTO THEIR HIT SINGLE. PRESTON, now downright sheepish, grabs his coat and small pleather DKNY bag, fumbling towards the exit.)

BURKE: I think I left a scalpel in that mime today. See ya!!!

And.... scene. Mayer even has a poison pill script idea to make sure Washington stays on board with the character change. Well played, Mr. Mayer... well played indeed.

Meanwhile, since it was a two-parter, I combined the two lists for convenience sake. Of note were the songs from Travis ("Love Will Come Through," which finished out last week's episode,) Regina Spektor ("Fidelity,") and for the ultimate tear-jerk scene Susanna & The Magical Orchestra covered Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

Grey's Anatomy - Episodes 11 & 12 (click for songs/listings)

Previously: Siamese Dream (Episode 3.10)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, isaiah washington, john mayer, son volt, travis, joy division, regina spektor

Siamese dream

Bravo to Grey's for casting The Sklar Bros, Randy and Jason, as conjoined twins in last night's episode. The comediatwins were the hosts the hilarious series Cheap Seats which aired until recently on ESPN Classic. The show, which just aired it's fourth and last season two weeks ago, featured the brothers watching old sports footage and adding hilarious commentary, ala MST3K.

Because my posts are ostensibly about music, here's a clip of the brothers Sklar doing a Rap song about Fresno State bowler Kelly Rapp, entitled "Kelly Rapp Rap (or Its a Rap.)" (and here's the remix.)

Outside of the Sklar brothers, the other thing that jumped out at me was hearing alt-country greats Son Volt playing out the episode with the twangy (and dreamy) "World Waits for You."

1. "Sociopath" - Anya Marina
2. "Show Me" - John Legend
3. "World Waits For You" - Son Volt
Full tracklisting

Previously: God Bless the Child (Episode 308)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, sklar bros, comedy, son volt, alt country, rhapsody

Lily's Anatomy

Last night's 'very special episode' of Grey's was mostly about the struggles of the working mom. To that moral quandry, Baily (Chandra Wilson) sings the closing montage, "God Bless the Child," as a lullabye for her baby Tuck. Always interesting to hear the actors sing, and Wilson handles Billie Holiday very nicely.

As far as recorded music goes, the episode opens to blogtastic Lily Allen and her song "Not Big" which could describe a certain part of Lily's Anatomy [Idolator] which 'flashed' through the blog world like crazy this morning. I know there's a push for exposure here in the US, but this might be taking it a bit far.

The episode title track, is also worth mentioning, as it references TV on the Radio's great song "Staring at the Sun," and any chance to trumpet the great TVOTR I'll take, thank you very much.

Episode Title Track: "Staring at the Sun" - TV on the Radio

1. "Not Big" - Lily Allen (The Hype Machine)
2. "Everybody Get Movin'" - Get Set Go
3. "Time Of My Life" - The Watson Twins (iTunes)
4. "Where We Gonna Go From Here" - Mat Kearney
5. "Breakable" - Ingrid Michaelson (MySpace)
6. "God Bless The Child" - Billie Holiday (sung by Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey in episode)

Previously:
Fishing without a rod (Episode 3.07)
You messed up my mental health (Smile single)
Broken beats but break-beat kind of broken drum & bass (Lily Allen video for "LDN")

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, lily allen, billie holiday, nipple slip, rhapsody

Oh, the Nirvana

The title to last night's Grey's Anatomy episode ("Oh, the Guilt" - see Laremy's recap) refers to a 1993 split single that Nirvana did with The Jesus Lizard (which, I'm proud to say, I own - Puss/Oh, the Guilt on Touch & Go records.) Unfortunately, the song didn't make an appearance in the episode, as the rest of the music was rather... how do I put it... female-oriented. Let's just say a little head-banging could've turned this soundtrack around a bit.

Speaking of head-banging, Isaiah Washington (that's Dr. Burke to Grey's freaks) must be banging his head against the wall somewhere, hearing that he might be replaced for his homophobic comments he made on set about Grey's own McGay. But hey, that's not my beat... er... beet (shout out.)

Episode title track: "Oh, the Guilt" - Nirvana
1. "Clonie" - Nellie McKay
2. "Kaleidoscope" - Kate Havnevik (iTunes)
3. "Wild Is The Wind" - The Second Band (Hello Surprise)
4. "Be Good Or Be Gone" Fionn Regan
5. "Don't Mistake Me" - Keisha White (MySpace)

Previously:
TV on the Radio on TV (again) (Episode 304)
Smells like nostalgia
Hello Touch & Go

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, nirvana, jesus lizard, indie rock, touch and go, rhapsody

TV on the Radio on TV (again)

Hope you don't mind if I just go ahead and skip the McSteamy vs. The Nazi, McDreamy or McVet and Izzy's riches bit and concentrate on what Grey's Anatomy's doing better then radio: Providing exposure for music artists.

First, and foremost, is my beloved TV on the Radio, who's song "Province" played during an emergency C-section, which is somehow appropriate, as listening to TVOTR's art is like having to throw away your birth plan and just give in to the unexpected turn that life (and art) throw your way. The song features guest vocals from David Bowie, who's making all sorts of guest turns these days. It also marks the second time this week that a TVOTR song has appeared in a drama (Friday Night Lights featured "Wolf Like Me.")

But like Scotland's Snow Patrol can tell you (see related below,) it's really the opening and closing montages that sells the records, and fellow scots Camera Obscura gets the opening honor here with their early 1960's girl group sound of "If Looks Could Kill."

Title track: "What I Am" - Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
Playlist: Grey's Anatomy - Episode 304
1. "If Looks Could Kill" - Camera Obscura
2. "Standing In The Way Of Control" - The Gossip
3. "Back In Time" - Au Revoir Simone (MySpace)
4. "So - Lo" - Kate Havnevik (MySpace)
5. "Province" - TV On The Radio
6. "Fall For Nothing" - Mindy Smith (MySpace)<

Related:
Last week, Snow Patrol became the first UK guitar-based band to crack the top 5 in a long time, thanks mostly due to appearing on the season finale to Grey's Anatomy last year, where "Chasing Cars" played through the final 4 minutes. Lead sing Gary Peabody understands this shift to TV in the US, and the reason why (via Starpulse) :

"You just have to turn the radio on there to know there's a problem. There is literally hundreds of stations dedicated to playing Eighties rock such as Poison, Heart, Whitesnake, Def Leppard. There is a serious problem.

"If television is the new radio (Grey's Anatomy, The O.C.) what's going to happen to radio? The radio, as I see it, is a preview device. A place to hear the records you may one day like to own one day soon. Not a graveyard for records you sold at the same car boot sale you sold your stonewashed denim jacket."

Since Gary's from across the pond, he probably missed the US radio obituary notice.

Previously:
Sometimes a fantasy is all you need (Lily Allen on Episode 403)
Texas means football... and Daniel Johnston (TVOTR on Friday Night Lights)

tags: music, television, soundtrack, greys anatomy, tvotr, tv on the radio, indie rock, camera obscura, snow patrol, rhapsody

Sometimes a fantasy is all you need

Biggest thing musically on Grey's last night was UK pop star Lily Allen getting some play. Her song "Take What You Take" is certainly not one of her best songs (almost sounds like it could be a long lost Spice Girls' track) but it's nice to hear her on 'the telly' just before she hits the states (for the first time) next week on tour. While her album Alright Still isn't due to hit our shores until February 6 of next year (one word: import) she's been all over the music blogosphere (and this blog) for months now.

Elsewhere, Outkast's "Idlewild Blues" aptly backs Meredith's dueling date offers from McDreamy and McVet, which has her quipping, "I'm dating and it comes with snacks!"

This week's episode title ("Sometimes A Fantasy") refers to Billy Joel's classic song from the album Glass Houses. It was my favorite track from that album, and it's refreshing to hear it again.

Title track: "Sometimes a Fantasy" - Billy Joel
1. "Idlewild Blues" - Outkast
2. "Take What You Take" - Lilly Allen
3. "Dirty Mind" - The Pipettes (video)
4. "Step It Up" The Bamboos
5. "Ballad of a Bitter End" - The Poems (myspace)
6. "Can't Get It Right Today" - Joe Purdy (joepurdy.com)

I missed giving you last week's title song, so here's a belated call out to my beloved Guided By Voices with their song "I Am A Tree."

Previously:
McGuilty as charged
So pick me, choose me, love me (Grey's Anatomy Season 2 soundtrack/dvd)
See you messed up my mental health (Lily Allen)
Broken beats but break-beat kind of broken drum & bass (Lily Allen video for "LDN")
Smile, you number 1 (Lily Allen)

tags: music, lily allen, uk, ska, television, soundtrack, rhapsody

McGuilty as charged

Was it just me, or did that Coldplay song on Grey's Anatomy last night sound a bit off? Mat Kearney's voice is a dead-ringer for Coldplay's Chris Martin, and "Crashing Down" carries the ruse a bit too far. But it's just the sort of middle-of-the-road, guilty pleasure schlock that Grey's leans on for their 'moments.' In better news, Grant-Lee Phillips' take on the Church classic "Under The Milky Way" was a nice choice, the cocktail electro-pop of Bitter:Sweet ("The Mating Game") which livened up some otherwise boring flashbacks. Gnarls Barkley's fine Violent Femmes cover of "Gone Daddy Gone" has now appeared in at least three TV episodes that I've seen, making it now past it's prime.

Playlist: Grey's Anatomy - Ep. 301

Tracklisting

Previously:
So pick me, choose me, love me (Grey's Anatomy Season 2 & soundtrack)

tags: playlist, music, soundtrack, greys anatomy, mat kearney, grant-lee phillips, gnarls barkley, rhapsody

So pick me, choose me, love me

Playlist: GREY'S ANATOMY - Season 2

When the dust settled from Super Bowl XL, this past February, it became clear that the real winner was in fact GREY'S ANATOMY. ABC followed the big game with a riveting cliffhanger episode (#216 - "It's the End of the World") that had folks on the edge of their seats (that was #217, "As We Know It" for all you REM fans.) After that, the series was a mainstay at the top of the weekly ratings, and with a move to Thursday nights this season, looks to squash that other musically oriented series, THE OC. GREY'S actually seems like the cool older sister to THE OC, musically speaking. She can impress you by playing Dressy Bessy, but then immediately embarrass you when you see she's got James Blunt in her collection as well.

The second season of GREY'S ANATOMY is out on DVD tomorrow, but that's not all... there's also a CD soundtrack, GREY'S ANATOMY: VOLUME 2, featuring 15 songs that appeared on the show, including an exclusive acoustic version of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars," which closed the season out in chilling fashion.

More:
Episode by episode tracklisting (ABC)

tags: playlist, music, soundtrack, greys anatomy, snow patrol, dressy bessy, the oc, rhapsody