The Weekly Playlist: Derulo, Pattinson & More

1. "Forrest Gump – Various Artists

There isn't an argument against the fact that this two-disc set of songs is anything but the greatest compilation of American music set to a motion picture. From Duane Eddy to the 5th Dimension, this soundtrack not only accompanies a legendary film, but serves as the narrative of popular music through three formative decades.


2. "Whatcha Say" – Jason Derulo

OMG this song is so hawt. For realz. As a 23 year old fan of rock and roll, whose dance moves went of of style before I was born, it's somewhat awkward to fall in love with a hip hop song constructed simply for radio circulation. But everything from the simple bass beat, to the Imogen Heap sample work like clockwork.

3. "Never Think" - Robert Pattinson

If you were the object of desire for every 14 year old girl, and the star of a cash cow movie franchise, a music career might be overkill. (No not you, Shia.) The scary thing about the vamp star's performance is the depth of his vocal tracks. Strangely reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, it's easy on the ears, and just the right weight.


4. "All For Love" – Bryan Adams, Sting & Rod Stewart

This three-piece duet from the soundtrack of "The Three Musketeers" features a perfect combination of vocal harmonies. Two Brits, and one Canadian. One of the best songs to be released on a Disney soundtrack.


5. "Runaway Fool of Love" – John Stewart

John Stewart was never burdened with being cool. As a member of the Kingston Trio, and then as a solo artist, he was always a poster boy for the Wasp/Country Club squares. But his foundation in folk rock, mixed here with pop sensibilities, creates a fusion that's impossible to disregard.


6. "Alejandro" – Lady Gaga

For a 23 year old with a perpetual wardrobe malfunction, Lady Gaga discovered the key to pop hook arrangement early in her flamboyant career. Whether this will be released as a single for "The Fame Monster" remains to be seen. If it doesn't, it goes to show the strength of the album in aggregate.

7. "Allentown" - Billy Joel

The industrial "ambiance" of a steel mill is captured spot on in Billy Joel's lead track from "The Nylon Curtain."  When Joel became the first American to play a series of stadium concerts in the Soviet Union, "Allentown" was used to link the two nation's dependence on an industrial complex and the decay of its collapse. A much better link between the two nations than Rocky's speech at the end of "Rocky IV".

8. "Do Ya Wanna Taste It?" - Wig Wam

Hair has been dead for fifteen years, but don't tell that to Wig Wam, Norway's most significant hard rock crew. Much like England's "The Darkness", only with a dash more substance, they pound out formulaic hard rock tunes centered on thematic lyrics, self indulgant guitar solos and harmony filled vocals. Makes you miss Poison...almost.

9. "Laughing Out Loud" - The Wallflowers

At first, it was difficult to see Jakob Dylan as the son of Bob. He sings beautifully, and creates radio friendly rock pop that most everyone can like. While The Wallflowers never released anything with the magnitude of "Highway 61 Revisited", Jakob Dylan has been quite sucessful at carving his own kingdom over the last 15 years.

10. Merton, the piano playing improv guru from Chat Roulette

Merton is here to entertain you, via his youtube videos showing his sonic exploits on YouTube. Surfing Chat Roulette, the latest online chat program available to bored perverts, Merton plays piano to whoever pops up on his screen, using each new visitor as a "muse" for his improvisation. Brilliant stuff.