Joseph Gordon-Leavitt and Zooey Deschanel in (500) Days of Summer.

Soundtrack review – (500) Days of Summer

– by Liz Stanton

(500) Days of Summer, like any quasi-indie movie worth its salt, boasts a soundtrack blessed with equal parts old(er) indie standards and new(er) tracks by current hipster faves.

The film’s un-love story follows a couple (Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the infuriatingly adorable Zooey Deschanel) whose initial bond is formed over a shared love of the Smiths, providing director Marc Webb with the perfect excuse to stuff some of Old Man Morrissey’s greatest hits into his movie (“There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” and “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want”).  (500) Days of Summer knows its audience, and they are the skinny jean-clad kids who are contractually obligated to love the Moz, but will also lap up the joy of Hall & Oates’ “You Make My Dreams”.

Thing is, while the soundtrack is stuffed with great tunes, the filmmakers could’ve tried a bit harder if they wanted to capture the ever-fleeting attention of trend-following hipsters. Feist’s “Mushaboom” is a great song, but it’s hardly new, and I love Regina Spektor, but “Us” and “Hero” were released in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Meaghan Smith’s cutesy cover of “Here Comes Your Man” isn’t terrible, but it would sound a lot better if The Pixies were doing it.

Before you give up on the album, though, She & Him fans should perk up: the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack features a new cover of “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want”. I know, I know – Zooey’s cute AND she can sing. The rest of us should just give up already.