A lot of times while I'm watching "Teen Mom" or "Teen Mom 2" I'm too busy running to my Costco-sized stash of Kleenex to wipe the tears off my face to notice that the show features some really great music. I mean, guys! Ali's little glasses? I CAN'T.
But it turns out half the reason we're all weeping is because the show is scored so well (shout out to you, talented MTV coworkers.) Out today, the "Teen Mom" Soundtrack offers all those tear-jerking jams in one convenient location -- a compilation album. And the best part: the proceeds from the sale of the soundtrack benefit the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.
Check out the artists featured on the "Teen Mom" Soundtrack below, available for purchase on iTunes right now.
Jay Malinowski: It's always a risk when a singer ventures out on his own after years of touring and recording with an established band, but Jay Malinowski of popular Canadian band Bedouin Soundclash was willing to take that risk. Jay released his self-produced acoustic album Bright Lights And Bruises in 2010, and now his haunting track "There's A Light" is featured on the soundtrack. Way to keep the Kleenex theme going.
Automatic Empire: Automatic Empire's "Nothing Real Can Last Forever" reminds us a little bit of Explosions In The Sky, but with lyrics. The Los Angeles act's debut single "Where Do I Go?" made it's way around the internet early last year, and now "Nothing Real Can Last Forever" is helping us bide our time until the next new "Teen Mom" episode.
Lennon Sloane: The former singer of Illinois-based shoegaze outlet National Skyline, Jeff Garber took his melancholy vocals to his newest project Lennon Sloane. While we're still waiting on news about a full album from Lennon Sloane, the band's "Bigger Than Us" fits in seamlessly here (read: sad indie jam).
+ Get to know the rest of the artists featured on the "Teen Mom" Soundtrack after the jump, and check out the full tracklisting and preview the songs on iTunes.
Desert Noises: You know what they always say -- the best indie music comes out of Utah. Just kidding, no one says that, but in the case of Desert Noises, it's true. The band's longing track "Tell Me You Love Me" is not only pertinent for the subject matter on "Teen Mom," but also for how my eventual meeting will go with Jake Gyllenhaal when I bump into him on the streets of NYC one day. IT'LL HAPPEN.
The Rocketboys: Indie Texas trio The Rocketboys moved to Austin after meeting in college to pursue their career in music, and we're pretty glad they did. Get a sneak peek at what the Boys are planning for their upcoming LP "Marching To The Palace" with their track "On The Other Side." Think Coldplay's anthemic qualities mixed with singer/songwriter accessibility.
Andy Davis: Set for release this month, Andy Davis' new album was entirely fan-funded (Kickstarter FTW!). He even got Mitchell Froom to produce it (Paul McCartney, Sheryl Crow), so you know he's got some swag. Alongside "Teen Mom," Andy's blend of poignant soul and incisive lyrics have also been featured on "Grey's Anatomy" and "One Tree Hill." Check out "Hard To Believe," and then check it out 100 more times when you keep hitting rewind.
Blackchords: U.K.'s The Fly magazine dubbed Blackchords "the new Radiohead," so the Melbourne-based foursome can pretty much retire now. Listen to their song "Raise My Hands" on the "Teen Mom" Soundtrack and tell me lead singer Nick Milwright doesn't have you imagining Thom Yorke eating Vegemite with a kangaroo pal. (Get it? 'Cause they're Australian?)
The Wealthy West: It turns out The Rocketboys just isn't enough of an outlet for Brandon Kinner. The lead singer of the Texas band started The Wealthy West as way to share his songs that didn't quite fit his main band. "Give Me Resurrection" is a vulnerable and unadorned statement about love, and and Kinner's voice is hard to shake.
One Hundred Paces: One man's old band is another man's new band... or whatever. At least that was the case with One Hundred Paces frontman Jon Lombardo. Founded from the original Santa Barbara quartet The Little Heroes, Jon and longtime friend Sean Price joined forces with vocalist Sara Beth Corum to create a new band. "Rise & Fall" features quiet acoustic guitars and soft vocals, lending way to the "Teen Mom"'s sniffle factor.
E For Explosion: Former Buzzworthy Buzz On band E For Explosion are making us really proud with their inclusion on the "Teen Mom" Soundtrack. The alt/indie/shoegaze duo's "This Is Me Being Honest" has catchy melodies that remind us a little of early Dashboard Confessional, but lead singer Jamison Covington's breathy vocals are a touch less angsty than Chris Carrabba's.
Dave Thomas Junior: You might recognize Dave Thomas Junior's voice from another MTV show -- his song "We Are The Stars Tonight" is the theme song for MTV's new show "Caged." Not bad for a musician all the way from Essex, England. His track "Until We Head Into The Stars" is twinkling and sparse while Dave's voice is simply lovely.
Ian Love: Ian Love's twangy singer/songwriter style not only belongs on the "Teen Mom" Soundtrack, but we're also pretty sure "Take My Hand" would fit beautifully behind an aww-worthy falling-in-love montage of any romcom that wanted it. Yay! A track that doesn't make us cry!
Watch video interviews of some of the artists from the "Teen Mom" Soundtrack below, and pick up a copy of the album on iTunes.
+ Get to know Dave Thomas Junior
+ Get to know One Hundred Paces
+ Get to know E For Explosion
+ Get to know Ian Love
+ Get to know The Rocketboys
+ Get to know The Wealthy West
Related Content REMOTE CONTROL: 'Teen Mom' Soundtrack Helps Spread Awareness About Unplanned Pregnancy
Tags Andy Davis, Automatic Empire, Blackchords, Dave Thomas Junior, Desert Noises, E For Explosion, Ian Love, Jay Malinowski, Lennon Sloane, One Hundred Paces, Teen Mom Soundtrack, The Rocketboys, The Wealthy West
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