(500) Days of Summer (Music from the Motion Picture) [Bonus Track Version]

The tunes included on the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack reflect the emotional heights and depths of this wistfully romantic film. Bittersweet pop predominates here, with a little angst added for spice. The Smiths — a key reference point in the movie — set the right tone of obsessive longing with “There is a Light That Never Goes Out” and “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want.” The latter is transformed into a billowy torch song by She & Him, featuring the film’s co-star Zooey Deschanel. The many complications of true love are captured in the nervous expressions of Regina Spektor (“Us,” “Hero”), the glistening, falsetto-filled effusions of the Temper Trap (“Sweet Disposition”), the brooding blues-rock of Wolfmother (“Vagabond”) and the serene, hook-laden pop of Mumma-Ra (“She’s Got You High”). Meaghan Smith’s beguiling cover of the Pixies’ “Here Comes Your Man” is a special treat. Though many of these songs are available elsewhere, they combine here to create a very appealing Summer music mix.