Episode Notes: The Wall of Soundtrack #2 - True Detective

In this episode, Andrew & Sy discuss the music and soundtrack behind the HBO critically acclaimed crime drama series; True Detective. The show was created by Nic Pizzolato and has been running from 2015 to  present. The first season starred Woody Harrelson as Detective Marty Hart, Matthew McConaughey as Detective Rustin Cohle, and Michelle Monaghan as Marty's wife; Maggie Hart. The second season starred Colin Farrell as Detective Ray Velcoro, Rachel McAdams as Detective Ani Bezzirides, Taylor Kitsch as Detective Paul Woodrough, and Vince Vaughn as crime boss Frank Semyon. The full cast is located on IMDb here.

Opening Title & Credits Sequence (Season 1 & 2)

Scene Description: In the opening title & credits sequence, there are a series of images, animation, and shots of the characters from various episodes of the first season.

The Handsome Family - "Far From Any Road"

The song  is composed by The Handsome Family. The song's tone is creepy and has a voodoo vibe to it.

Scene Description:  In the opening title & credits sequence, there are a series of images, animation and shots from various episodes of the second season.

Leonard Cohen - "Nevermind"

The song is composed by Leonard Cohen and the lyrics match up very well with the themes of the show: corruption, murder, and deception.

Season 1

Episode 1- The Long Bright Dark: The Black Angels - "Young Men Dead"

Scene Description: Rustin Cohle is being interrogated by Detectives Gilbrough and Pampania. He insists that they both get to the point.

The tone and sound of the song exhibits the outlaw lifestyle of Rustin Cohle. It also serves a teaser to get the audience to want to watch the next episode.

Episode 2 - Seeing Things: The McIntosh County Shouters - "Sign of the Judgement"

Scene Description: Rust and Marty pull up to a garage and Rust asks the locals if they know of a "bunny ranch" or brothel that is near Spanish Lake.

Despite the locals telling Rust that they've never heard of such a place, Rust results to violence to get the locals to tell him where the brothel is located. The lyrics of this song work well with this scene given that Rust uses his superior judgement to determine that the locals are lying to him.

Episode 2 - Seeing Things: Reverend C.J. Johnson - "You Better Run to the City of Refuge"

Scene Description: Rust and Marty pull up to the brothel or "bunny ranch."

 The song and the lyrics captures important background information for Dora Lange's character arc in the show. In this scene we find out that Dora was a troubled youth who found refuge at the "bunny ranch" and worked as a prostitute.

Episode 2 - Seeing Things: Cuff The Duke - "If I Live, If I Die"

Scene Description: The song is played when Cohle and Hart find the burned out church with a painting that resembles the Dora Lange murder from the pilot episode.

The song and lyrics reflect the surreal experience of finding the burnt out church and the painting of the "Yellow King."

Episode 3 - The Locked Room:  Dwight Yokam “I’m a One Woman Man”

Scene Description: Marty is one a double date with his wife, her friend, and Rust at a line dance bar when he sees his mistress with another guy.

The lyrics illuminate Marty's character flaw as a unfaithful husband. The inclusion of this song is ironic since Marty is anything but a faithful husband.

Episode 4: Who Goes There – Lucinda Williams “Are You Alright”

Scene Description:  Rust transforms into his previous alternate identity as an undercover narcotics agent.

The lyrics of the song reflect the intensity of Rust's transformation back into his alternate life and Marty's reactions as well.

Episode 5: Who Goes There – Kris Kristofferson – “Casey’s Last Ride”

Scene Description: In this scene, Rust and Ginger meet Dewall in a bar to discuss a drug deal.

The song and lyrics serve as a foreshadowing  of Dewall and Reggie Ladoux's death at the cook house. 

Episode 5: The Secret Fate of All Life – Bosnian Rainbows - “Eli”

Scene Description: Rust realizes that they have not caught the "Yellow King" since he discovers another figurine; the killer's calling card.

The song and lyrics work well with the scene because it is about revelations. In this scene, it is revealed that the "Yellow King" killer is still on the loose. 

Episode 6: Haunted Houses – Waylon Jennings –“Waymore’s Blues”

Scene Description: Marty walks into the Fox & Hound bar and runs into Beth again from the "bunny ranch."

The song and  lyrics represent Marty's infidelities and affair with Beth.

Episode 7: After You’ve Gone – Juice Newton -“Angel of the Morning”

Scene Description: Marty and Rust reunite at the bar to re-open the Dora Lange murder case.

The song is an odd choice but highlights the awkwardness of the reunion.

Episode 7: After You’ve Gone – Townes Van Zandt – “Lungs”

Scene Description: Papania and Gilbough get lost in the backwoods and stop to ask directions from the "Yellow King."

The song and lyrics represent the character traits of the "Yellow King."

Episode 8: Form & Void - The Hat, Father John Misty & S. I. Istwa- “The Angry River”

Scene Description:  Rust describes his near death experience to Marty.

The lyrics in the song exhibit the emotional and physical costs that both Marty and Rust have endured throughout the length of the investigation.

Season 2

Episode 1: The Western Book of the Dead - Lera Lynn - "My Least Favorite Life"

Scene Description: Ray Velcoro and Frank Semyon are sitting at a bar. Ray is exchanging information with him on the reporter that he roughed up.

The song's tone matches up very well with this scene and exhibits the downward spiral of Ray's life.

Episode 2: Night Finds You - Lera Lynn - "A Church in Ruins"

Scene Description:  Frank asks Ray to check out a second house that Ben Caspere owned.

The lyrics exhibit the three dimensional characters of Ray and Frank. They are both have good qualities but major character flaws as well. 

Episode 2: Night Finds You - Bobby Bland -"I Pity the Fool"

Scene Description: Ray walks into the Caspere's house and is shot by the masked killer.

The song title and lyrics represent the scene perfectly.  Ray is fooled by the killer and led into a trap.

Episode 3: Maybe Tomorrow - Conway Twitty - "The Rose"

Scene Description: Ray is dreaming that he is in a bar having a discussion with his father.

The song captures the surrealism of the scene perfectly. Ray's father is describing the murder of his own son.

Episode 4: Down Will Come - Lera Lynn - "It Only Takes One Shot"

Scene Description:  The song is played at the end of the episode following a shoot out between the Police and Amarilla's gang.

The song title accurately captures the action in the scene and it is played following a chaotic shootout.

Episode 5: Other Lives - Lera Lynn - "The Only Thing Worth Fighting For"

Scene Description:  Ani and Ray discuss the Ben Caspere murder and whether they should pursue the conspirators.

The song title and lyrics exhibit the possible romantic feelings that Ani & Ray have for each other.

Episode 6: Church in Ruins - The Black Angels - "Black Grease"

Scene Description: Ray, Paul, and Ani escape from mansion with the missing girl and the documents. 

The song captures the outlaw lifestyle of Ray and Ani since they have both killed guards at the mansion.

Episode 8: Omega Station - Lera Lynn - "Lately"

Scene Description: The song is played at the end of the train station shoot out. Ani & Ray escape unscathed.

The lyrics from the song reflect the sprawl of the conspiracy.