A bittersweet time approaches. I’ve been in love with “Breaking Bad” since the first episode aired on Jan. 20, 2008. And I’m certainly not the only one. Awash in critical acclaim and awards, the dark drama has hooked viewers all over the globe. I’m a total sucker for a brilliant antihero, and Walter White aka Heisenberg (Bryan Cranston) is one of the finest I’ve ever gotten to know. In the five years during which “Breaking Bad” has called Albuquerque home, the popular culture identity of this burg has shifted from the place where Bugs Bunny should have taken that left turn to BrBa-landia. As creator Vince Gilligan has noted, Albuquerque is one of the central characters in the show. BrBa cast members have been thoughtful and kind neighbors to this city, and the cultural impact of the series can’t be overestimated. As far as I’m concerned, everyone involved with BrBa—Vince Gilligan, Bryan Cranston, Anna Gunn, Aaron Paul, Dean Norris, Betsy Brandt, RJ Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Giancarlo Esposito, Jonathan Banks and all the crew and cast members—has earned honorary Burqueño status. In tribute to the series that has best captured the strange, difficult beauty of Burque, I offer this 30-track playlist of rad songs from the BrBa soundtrack. A few of my favorites are listed below. Stream the whole Spotify playlist below or at bit.ly/breakingbadheart. “It’s Such A Pretty World Today” • Nancy Sinatra • Country, My Way “If I Had A Heart” • Fever Ray • Fever Ray “Magic Arrow” • Timber Timbre • Timber Timbre “Tidal Wave” • Thee Oh Sees • “Tidal Wave” / “Heart Sweats” 7-inch“Boots of Chinese Plastic” • The Pretenders • Break Up The Concrete “Tush” • ZZ Top • Fandango! “1977” • Ana Tijoux • 1977 “By The Numbers” • John Coltrane • The Last Trane
Aural Fixation: My Breaking (Bad) Heart
2 min read
Aaron Paul poses with a Blue Sky dozen from Rebel Donut
Michael Flowers
