True Blood

"I wanna do bad things with you."

Greetings from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina! I've taken a little while to make the best choice for my next post and decided on the "True Blood Soundtrack (Season 1)." I debated whether to include this album or not for some time now. However, I kept coming back to it, and I've decided - I really enjoy this soundtrack, just like I enjoy the series. Which, by the way, has its second season finale on Sunday Sept. 6th at 9pm on HBO. This season has been great and will surely end with a bang! This soundtrack has several of the great songs that are featured throughout the shows and also featured during the closing credits each week. While listening to this soundtrack I had a hard time defining the type of music that is included. Its not country... which I pretty much despise, sorry just not my cup of tea. And its also not conventional rock. I've decided to call it Southern Rock. It makes you feel like you are in the swamps of Louisiana and are listening to a band made up of good 'ole boys that happen to be great musicians. And since I happen to find myself in the south right now, what better place to pay tribute to a great collection of Southern Rock.

BEST REMAKE: Play With Fire performed by Cobra Verde (originally by the Rolling Stones)

While I'm sure Stone's diehards will probably hate me for this, I absolutely love this version of the classic "Play With Fire." Cobra Verde's version is even darker than the original, with a slow, deep drawl of the bands lead vocalist. The music is also extremely simple, piano, bongos, and a few other various percussion items that I'm not quite adept enough to identify. All these components together make for an eerily delicious song. Its also perfect for the series. Its dark, slightly "scary," and overall badass. Perfection.

BEST SOUNDTRACK SIGNATURE SOUND: Bad Things by Jace Everett

How could it be anything else?! This is an AWESOME song. Like the previous song, it perfectly sets the tone for the True Blood television series. The creator of the series, Alan Ball, found this song as he was trying to find musical inspiration for the show. According to the musical supervisor, Ball came across this "wickedly badass" song on itunes:

"After hearing Jace's drawled combination of romance, sex, menace, and humor, True Blood's musical bloodline was set..."

Like other series opening credit songs (think Friends, Sex and the City, etc.) this song will always be synonymous with True Blood.

BEST NEW ARTIST: CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis

This great band adds four songs (to the Bonus Track version of the soundtrack - MUST GET!!!!) to the True Blood soundtrack. Bleed 2 Feed, the first of his songs to be included was written exclusively for the album once he heard his music was being considered. These songs were the main reason I dubbed the theme of the soundtrack "Southern Rock." There is definitely country inspired music within his songs, but mostly they feature strong rock beats. I dare you to listen to these songs and not bop your head - you won't even realize that you're doing it, until the songs over and you are left wanting more. Definitely look this guy up. Check out his two albums on iTunes: C.C. Adcock, and Lafayette Marquis - they're both straight out of the bayou.

1. Bad Things by Jace Everett

2. Bleed 2 Feed by CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis

3. Lake Charles by Lucinda Williams

4. Give It Up by Lee Dorsey

5. Swampblood by Th' Legendary Shack-Shakers

6. Play With Fire by Cobra Verde

7. Just Like Heaven by The Watson Twins

8. Christine's Tue (A.k.a Devin In Disguise) by The Flying Burrito Brothers

9. Two by Ryan Adams

10. Strange Love by Slim Harpo

11. From a Whisper to a Scream by Allen Toussaint

12. I Don't Wanna Know by Dr. John

13. The Golden State (Feat. Kathleen Edwards) by John Doe

14. Bones by Little Big Town

15. Maison Creole (Live At Merlotte's) [Bonus Track] by CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis

16. I'm Ready (Live At Merlotte's) [Bonus Track] by CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis

17. Fool to Care (Live At Merlotte's) [Bonus Track] by CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis

18. Whiskey's Gone (Live) [Bonus Track] by Zac Brown Band

19. Jesus Asked Me Out Today (Bonus Track) by Amanda Jane and The God Rockets

ps - if you are dying for more True Blood music, be sure to go to the series homepage (click on my blog title to take you there). They break down every episode and list out each song that has been featured in every episode. Its a great site with a lot of fun information!