Blog Archives
Secret of Mana+ Retro Soundtrack Review
By: Kirsten Grove-White
Sometimes you don’t need an analysis.
Sometimes things just make you feel – and that’s all you really need.
This is the case for me with the Secret of Mana+ album recording that was recently linked to on Nubuwo. The album was originally released in October 1993 by Hiroki Kikuta, a few months after Secret of Mana released. It has recently been posted in its entirety on Nico Nico, so listeners can stream and enjoy it in full. Taken in the context that this recording is nearly twenty years old now, it has all the hallmarks of digital experimentation and would’ve been incredibly progressive for its time – just as the original music from the game itself was. Read the rest of this entry
Follow Friday: Sam Hulick – Mass Effect Soundtrack Composer
A short while ago, composer Sam Hulick (best known for his award winning work throughout the Mass Effect trilogy) was tapped to work with Overhaul Games on their highly anticipated (I want this as much as I do Diablo 3!) Extended Edition release of Baldur’s Gate.
By the way, for all you purists out there, the original soundtrack composed for Baldur’s Gate will remain in the new release. Sam’s stated on Twitter that he’ll be scoring for the new content, using the original content as inspiration.
Find out more about Sam Hulick and his work after the break. Read the rest of this entry
Video Games Live Coming To Canada Later This Year
Much loved video game concert Video Games Live has announced their Canadian tour dates for later this year. Produced by industry veteran Tommy Tallarico (you might remember him from his days on Reviews on the Run and Electric Playground) the concert introduces the game industry to music lovers and to a younger generation. Performances are ususally held in front of hundreds to even thousands of people all over the world and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
And starting October 2012, Video Games Live will return to Canada for another tour that will feature music from Final Fantasy, Legend of Zelda, Warcraft, Diablo, Pokemon, Earthworm Jim, Mass Effect, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. (Imagine this: Skyrim theme in full orchestra mode, live. Video game music will never be the same after that.)
Check out the full Canadian Video Games Live tour dates after the break. Read the rest of this entry
Legend Of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony – Great Fairy’s Fountain Theme
Legend Of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony – Great Fairy’s Fountain Theme
By: Kirsten Grove-White
From January 23 until March 14, 2012 (that’s when the Zelda Symphony performs at the Orpheum Thetre in Vancouver BC, Canada), I’m going to be analyzing the various songs played by The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD once a week.
This week, I’ll focus on Great Fairy’s Fountain Theme.
This is another theme I was surprised to see on this album, but again, it’s one that’s been featured throughout the series. However, unlike the Kakariko Village track, I quite like it – it’s not too far of a departure from the original but it’s changed enough to be effective. I might also just prefer harp to French-style piano and flute, who knows. Read the rest of this entry
Legend Of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony – Gerudo Valley
Legend Of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony – Gerudo Valley
By: Kirsten Grove-White
From January 23 until March 14, 2012 (that’s when the Zelda Symphony performs at the Orpheum Thetre in Vancouver BC, Canada), I’m going to be analyzing the various songs played by The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD once a week.
This week, I’ll focus on Gerudo Valley.
I absolutely detested this the first time I heard it. I’m still not the biggest fan of it, but it’s growing on me the more I listen to it – it’s ridiculously far away from the original in feel, and I think that’s what draws me to it. That being said, this rendition still retains an exotic flair. The opening has a strong emphasis on beats 2 and 4, giving it a non-Western feel right off the bat. Syncopation in the marimba line later on add to that Latin feel. Read the rest of this entry
Legend Of Zelda 25th Anniversary – The Wind Waker Symphonic Movement
Legend Of Zelda 25th Anniversary – The Wind Waker Symphonic Movement
By: Kirsten Grove-White
From January 23 until March 14, 2012 (that’s when the Zelda Symphony performs at the Orpheum Thetre in Vancouver BC, Canada), I’m going to be analyzing the various songs played by The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Special Orchestra CD once a week.
This week, I’ll focus on The Wind Waker Symphonic Movement.
The music of Wind Waker is some of my favourite of the Legend of Zelda series. The soundtrack had a very different feel than all of the other games, and I enjoyed the folksy feel to it. The music gave the game a real flair, which is why I think it was so memorable – plus Wind Waker had some of first really programmatic music of the series. Read the rest of this entry
Video Game Soundtracks – Electronica At The Forefront
Video Game Soundtracks – Electronica At The Forefront
Written By: Boondocks
Often in video games visual graphics engines take the spotlight. Given the recent visual triumphs of Bethesda’s’ epic Skyrim it’s not hard to see why.
Stunning environments paired with impeccable storytelling can move imaginations- as well as the money from your wallet.
But what about our other senses? Read the rest of this entry
The Five Worst Uses of Music in Video Games
The Five Worst Uses of Music in Video Games
Collaborative article by: Joseph Thomas and Jan Hutchings
As a sequel of sorts to my Top 5 Music Moments article, I thought I’d take the time to explore the other end of the musical spectrum: the stuff that just shouldn’t have been there. We’ve all been there — a song kicks in midway through a level, or pops up during at a title screen that just makes you want to tear your hair out. It’s especially fun when a secularist (non-gaming girlfriend/friend/relative) is in the room with you when this happens, and that look that reads ‘What the fuck do you do with your spare time?’ crosses their face.
In contrast to my other article, I’m not limiting this to songs or musical moments — the only criteria to make it on this list is that the music sucks. I’m depressed to report that, unlike the ‘Good’ list, which took me awhile to complete, this list took me almost no time at all to compile. Only one conclusion can be drawn from this: shitty music runs rampant throughout the gaming industry. Prepare your ears for pain, and let’s dive in. Read the rest of this entry
GLaDOS: Please Proceed Into Android Hell
She is Always Right
GLaDOS: Please Proceed into Android Hell
By: Kirsten Grove-White
While I was browsing thesixtyone.com – a music sharing site with video game-like properties such as quests and levels – I came across this fun little piece that was released in 2007 that actually started out as a joke. Thankfully its creators, Victims of Science, decided to make something serious out of it which has since become their most popular piece.
It utilizes auto-tuned clips of GLaDOS’ voice, as well as a couple of turret clips thrown in for added creepiness, to form semi-coherent lyrics. I’m not generally a huge fan of techno, having been raised playing classical music since I was five, but this is quirky and has enough melody for me to actually like it. Read the rest of this entry
Top 5 Silent Hill Soundtrack Songs
Over the years, the Silent Hill franchise has built it’s name on psychological and supernatural scares compared to the other survival horror games in the market. Each sequel (and re-imagining) one-upping each other on creeping out players through it’s characters, story, and environments.
But one thing most gamers often forget is that the Silent Hill franchise is also known for it’s soundtrack. Series composer Akira Yamaoka has been creating the songs for each game, from melancholy to thrilling, to the downright disturbing, the songs of Silent Hill have definitely helped gamers become immeresed in the truly terrifying world.
The following are the top five Silent Hill soundtrack songs. Read the rest of this entry
