GenQ - For the not so straight individual

Soundtracks are the magical union between three of my favourite things; music, movies and television, and Grey’s Anatomy’s music supervisor Alex Patsavas (also behind the music of The O.C) is the master of television soundtracks. She introduced Snow Patrol to top 40 radio with ‘Chasing Cars’ in the second tear-jerker finale, used a K T Tunstall song that wasn’t ‘Suddenly I See’, and uses tracks from Tegan & Sara and Rilo Kiley in a mainstream television show. From up and coming performers, to established superstars, to indie bands no one has heard of before, she knows it all, and can always find the perfect song at the right moment. I can only dream of her CD collection.

Once again she hasn’t failed to produce something special for the soundtrack to the third season of Grey’s Anatomy, appropriately titled, ‘Grey’s Anatomy Vol. 3’. For any fan of slightly left of centre music, the album has the same perfect balance of sweet sentiment and quirky tongue-in-cheek humour that defines the show. In fact you could almost cut the album in half; one half Meredith is happy with McDreamy, and the other she’s having problems… but either way she’s probably drinking at the Emerald City Bar.

The opening track ‘Young Folks’ by Peter, Bjorn and John sounds like a 60’s throwback, perfect indie-pop with a wonderfully melodic chorus that leaves you smiling. ‘Again and Again’, from the bird and the bee, keeps the sweet melodies flowing and has the same vibe of a Frou Frou or Jem track, without the darkness. ‘Running on Sunshine’ by Jesus Jackson has a 70’s soul feel to it and a sound that feels like sunshine, and John Legend keeps the feel-good soul coming with an exclusive track, ‘Sun Comes Up’.

‘Falling or Flying’ by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals reminds me of Rachael Yamagata and builds beautifully, and Mat Kearney channels Coldplay’s Chris Martin on piano ballad ‘Breathe In Breathe Out’, a sequel to Snow Patrol’s ‘Run’. An exclusive track from Gomez, ‘Moon and Sun’, has a nostalgic bluesy roots feel and Brandi Carlile works the Melissa Ethridge throaty rock on torch song ‘The Story’.

In all her infinite musical wisdom there are, however, some tracks that do not receive the honour of a repeat listen, but I choose to blame album executive producer Shonda Rhimes. ‘Sealion’ by Feist is a bizarre song with a strange chant quality, and swing inspired ‘Come to me’ from Koop sounds a little too much like a Christmas song and suffers from an over-long horn solo.

One of the stand outs of the album, ‘Aint Nothing Wrong with That’, by Robert Randolph & the Family Band, is an ass-shaking track with a relentless beat and a bit of a Michael Jackson ‘Beat It’ vibe. But for my money the absolute stand-out is ‘Keep Breathing’ by Ingrid Michaelson. If you’re a fan you’ll remember it from the agonising wedding dress scene in the season finale when Christina bittersweetly realises she is “free�. The beautifully simple piano melody builds to a crescendo so exquisite you could live in that moment forever, and a lyric that anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by life can relate to.

‘Grey’s Anatomy Vol. 3’ is just like the show it represents. It’s full of booty shaking, head bopping mischief and fun one minute and heart-wrenching, breath-catching emotion the next. If you like your music a little more on the indie side of pop, this collection of feel-good and poignant tracks is just the CD you’ve been waiting for.. since Vol 2.