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It's almost impossible to imagine Jaws without its trademark background music. It's difficult to separate the scary scenes with the eerie "dum dum dum dum" sound, and even just hearing a snippet of this without the visuals is enough to send shivers down one's spine.

A musical score is essential to movies and TV shows as it intensifies scenes by conveying emotions through sounds. These days, however, music is moving from the background and taking centerstage.

When The OC released mixes of the music it used in the series, which they called Music from the OC, people started paying more attention to songs and the bands behind them. Bands like Rooney became cult favorites and other bands like Kasabian and BellX1, which come from across the Atlantic, were given valuable exposure in America-- a country previously oblivious to their talent and existence.

These compilations gained respect even from music snobs for its inclination to feature indie bands. It also proved that shows do not only inspire fashion but also cultivate musical tastes.

One of the bands I discovered from the OC was Death Cab for Cutie (DCFC). A couple of my friends already fancied the group before their song "A Lack of Color" appeared on the show's music Mix 2, but I was only truly converted then.

If you haven't heard of them, I assure you that their smooth melodies, kooky view on things, and witty lyrics will be enough to captivate. Check out their latest CD Narrow Stairs, which is so hip, the song "The Ice Is Getting Thinner", was featured in Gossip Girl the same month the CD was released.

My picks include: Grapevine Fires, Long Division and Your New Twin Size Bed

Photo courtesy of CW