The Show: Scrubs
The Song: Martin Sexton, "Diner"
Anyone who has ever kept the Garden State soundtrack on repeat knows Zach Braff's knack for musical selection. One of TV's funniest shows, Scrubs also rocks one of TV's best soundtracks. Long before The OC and Grey's Anatomy came along, Scrubs was giving exposure to The Shins and Joseph Arthur. Martin Sexton is one singer/songwriter who fits in perfectly with the trademark sentimental Scrubs montage. "Diner" provides the perfect introduction to Martin Sexton. His romantic blend of blues and acoustic rock is reminiscent of another Braff favorite, Colin Hay.
Where to find more music from Scrubs: www.tunefind.com/show/Scrubs
The Show: Weeds
The Song: The Mountain Goats, "Cotton"
Showtime's quirky dramedy about a drug-dealing suburban widow has been on point musically with its unique and poignant soundtrack. Featuring the likes of Sufjan Stevens and Regina Spektor, the show has also given playtime to lesser-knowns like The Mountain Goats, whose "Cotton" provides a potent accompaniment to an emotional ending in the first season's eighth episode entitled "The Punishment Light." The Mountain Goats idiosyncratic lyrics and mellow chords are a perfect fit for fans of Wilco or Modest Mouse.
Where to find more music from Weeds: http://www.sho.com/site/weeds/music.do
The Show: Entourage
The Song: Hooverphonic, "2 Wicky"
HBO's male equivalent of Sex and the City offers up nonstop hits from Bubba Sparxxx and their own Saigon interspersed with classic hits like The Stones' "Gimme Shelter." Hooverphonic's "2 Wicky" is a bit of a departure from the show's usual upbeat party tracks, setting the mood for a mountainside lounge scene in season two's "The Sundance Kids." This Belgian trip-hop group offers a smoky, sultry sound, perfect for unwinding with a joint after a day on the slopes or just a day in class.
Where to find more music from Entourage: www.hbo.com/entourage/music/season01/episode01.html
The Show: Geico
The Song: R”yksopp, "Remind Me"
Leave it to Geico to evoke sympathy for rampant caveman prejudice. Lately it seems commercials have been featuring better and better music. Geico's commercial where the caveman finds yet another insensitive ad while on an airport moving sidewalk is no exception. R”yksopp's "Remind Me" provides a subtle but amusing background to this latest installment to Geico's caveman series.
Where to find more music from commericals: www.adtunes.com
The Show: Veronica Mars
The Song: M. Ward, "Poison Cup"
One of CW's few decent shows built around twenty-somethings playing high schoolers, Veronica Mars boasts one of the best and broadest soundtracks on TV. From Korn to Fountains of Wayne, Johnny Cash to Grandmaster Flash, Mars covers a wide selection from indie rock to country and everything in between. M. Ward's album, Post-War, was voted one of the best records of 2006 by NPR, Pitchfork, Spin, Entertainment Weekly, The San Francisco Chronicle and The Boston Globe. Just further evidence that creator Rob Thomas knows good music when he hears it.
Where to find more music from Veronica Mars: www.veronicamusic.blogspot.com
The Show: The Wire
The Song: Ray Cash, "Dope Game"
Just as this HBO drama provides an in-depth look at the gritty drug game in Baltimore, it also provides of some of the grittiest hip-hop out there. The show uses different artists (Billy Holliday, Three 6 Mafia) to navigate between Baltimore's classrooms, police stations, street corners and bars that play home to the show's diverse cast of characters. Cleveland rapper Ray Cash's street-hustlin' tale, "Dope Game" could very well be the anthem for The Wire, a show that brings the stark reality of the Baltimore streets to life through its music as well as its drama.
Where to find more music from The Wire: www.hbo.com/thewire/music/season4/episode38.shtml
