I've Liked You For A Thousand Years, I Can't Wait Until I See You, You Can't Stand To See Me That Way, No Matter What I Do, No Matter What I Say

--"Scott Pilgrim", Plumtree

When Scott Pilgrim vs. The World opens this Friday one can expect me to be there. I have been anticipating this movie for some months and I'm glad it's finally coming out. I mean--this is right in my wheelhouse. It's basically a romantic comedy with farcical elements and a very radio-friendly soundtrack. I also appreciate that the whole premise is predicated on video game tropes since it's been well-established that I'm of the generation that grew up playing video games in both arcades and at home. Plus, there is no way I'm missing both Michael Cera and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, two of my more favorite up-and-coming actors, playing off each other.

But I think the surprising thing about the movie is how much I already appreciate it--even before seeing it. You see, without Scott Pilgrim, the film, I would have never chanced upon "Scott Pilgrim," the song. And without that I would have never discovered my new favorite old band, Plumtree.

As I usually do, I went spelunking for how the comic book which the film is based on came about. That's when I read that the author named his character after an obscure 90's Canadian indie band song. 90's? Canadian? Indie? There just isn't anything in that description that I dislike. I immediately had to know more about this song and this band. That's when I discovered Plumtree which Wikipedia describes thusly:

Plumtree were a Canadian all-girl indie pop band... [which] formed in their hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1993 after meeting through their music teachers. The original line-up included Lynette Gillis (aged 14) on drums, Carla Gillis (17) on guitar and vocals, Amanda Braden (15) on guitar and vocals and Nina Martin (16) on bass and occasional vocals.

yeah!

It was love at first listen. The Plumtree sound hails from that decade when Grunge was everywhere and sophisticated lyrics weren't as important as attitude and plain musicianship. "Scott Pilgrim" has only six lines of lyrics which are repeated, but damn it all if it doesn't stick in your craw hours after you've listened to it. The guitar work, the disjointed harmonies, and the passion with which the track is played all beg for your attention. It's the same for the whole album it comes from, ...Predicts The Future. It reminds me of all those classic 90's bands I used to listen to in high school--Lush, Letters to Cleo, The Sundays, The Cranberries. It's definitely not the polished emo fare we have these days.

So you see, I'm already vested in the movie because it had me hooked at its soundtrack. It's my theory that if they can spend this much time nailing the musical vocabulary of the picture, then they'll probably spend as much time making sure all the other facets are up to par as well. I really can't wait for this movie to come out.

Yours Swimmingly,
mojo shivers