The Music of Buffy

by Sophie Childs

One of the things that makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer so atmospheric is its music. Joss Whedon has a policy of trying to use unsigned or relatively unknown bands with the result that a lot of the songs featured in the series are near impossible to get hold of. Unless you buy the soundtrack that is. Although there are a few established artists on here such as Guided by Voices and Garbage, in the main, the performers have yet to achieve mainstream success, with the result that there is a raw, uncommercial sound on this album that is rare in these days of mass appeal, mass marketing and mass hype. And, interestingly, the songs by the bigger names tend to be the weaker ones, although to be honest, there isn't a bad track in this collection.

Due to the Bronze and college parties providing a good excuse for a live act in each episode, there is a wealth of material to choose from and this
compilation contains tracks from Seasons One to Four, which means that there is still more than enough good music out there to produce another two or three albums. However, although you might not find your favourite song
here, it is unlikely that you will be let down if you like the series music.

There is a predominance of female vocalists on this album and songs worthy
of especial note include 'Strong' by Velvet Chain from 'Never Kill A Boy On
A First Date' and Splendid's 'Charge' from 'I Only Have Eyes For You,' both
in the first series. Splendid's OST version is different to the one included on their album (which is vastly inferior) and in my opinion makes it worth purchasing alone. And of course, if that isn't enough for you, there is also the stomping theme tune from Nerf Herder, the mellow and melancholic Buffy and Angel love theme (guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes whenever you think of the Season Two finale), as well as a track from

Four Star Mary, the band behind Dingoes Ate My Baby, Oz's group. Some of the songs suffer a little from not being in context - the Sunday's 'Wild Horses' is heartbreaking when viewed against the backdrop of Buffy and Angel's last dance at her prom but it becomes tedious hearing the vocalist wail 'Wild Horses' over and over without it - but overall this has to be one of the best soundtrack albums going.