Lurker > kaonashi1

EXEC_LINCA/.
Brickworks
The Final Song

The Red Locus
Brickworks

quick notes:
-six feet thunder is sort of a hot mess
-all these sixteenth-note runs but none of them do anything really interesting (hold that thought)
-pretty dull drum loops, too
-I'm not sure what to care about; the melodic ideas aren't really well developed either
-I think the only thing I really like here without reservation is the thickness of that bass synth
-the red locus is some bog standard shimomura boss battle music
-(what is bog standard shimomura music? I'm sure there's a way to describe it properly but let's treat it like obscenity for now-- I know it when I hear it)
-in any case it's nicely arranged (albeit in sort of a bland way) and that's enough to beat six feet thunder for me

-brickworks is a lot of fun
-my favourite track today by miles and miles
-I like the sounds it uses, I like the way it sets the table for the first 40ish seconds, the melody is bouncy and fun if not totally memorable
-just like RftM to think this was a day that needed more sixteenth-note runs that go nowhere
-It's hard to talk about Reach for the Moon in the context of this contest, simply because it's been here so often. Let's try-- RtfM leans really hard on its pretty simple main melody/progression, and for good reason-- the one part that doesn't lean on it is really boring (see 0:50-1:12). It doesn't bug me as much as the endless repetitions of, say, a Jonathan Taylor Thomas, because at least this has the decency to go through a few modulations. Like a lot of ZUN music, it's generally structured in a way that makes it work in-context-- there are clear breaks and movements from section to section that intend to correspond to the different spell cards you'd encounter. (I actually associate them quite directly in my mind for some of them-- this part of the track plays during that spell card, etc.) That makes sense, but removed from that context I don't really find it a compelling listen.
-well that wasn't a quick note at all

-something always sounds a bit off about Zoo
-it's hard to put my finger on it but it's definitely there-- the track feels like an ill-fitting article of clothing (what does that mean?)
-for example that piano part near the end feels super awkward, a really fake-sounding arrangement that doesn't feel like it's done with that sort of intention in mind
-I think Heavy Arms is very dull
-it's full of these generic musical ideas, and on the whole feels pretty static stylistically
-I don't really feel inclined to vote for either

End of All (Land)
Route 209 (Day)
The Maximum High Speed

Sexualizer
The Maximum High Speed
Title

I'm not the biggest fan of the Genesis's FM synth sounds-- they can be kind of abrasive-- but the original Flying Battery Zone had a certain sonic cohesion to it, at least. This rendition of the track blows that up with a blur of messy-sounding guitars and some incredibly generic-sounding synths-- listen to the one playing the melody at 0:25, it's like a synth preset from the 90s-- which erodes a fair amount of the original's appeal. Okay, so maybe then they did something interesting with the melody or arrangement, maybe give it a new dimension to think about? Nope-- it's a faithful, vanilla cover of the original. At least that bass seems to be having a bit of fun.

Listening to Sexualizer makes me want to listen to Run. Man, that track had style. Sexualizer is much more straightforward in its intentions-- I much prefer the throbbing rhythm it establishes for the first 10 seconds of the track before it switches to a more basic kick - snare - kick - snare pattern. I don't think it's a bad track, but it doesn't really succeed at sinking its hooks into me.

THE MAXIMUM HIGH SPEED feels more like a track name that deserves caps than its opposition, anyway. It's not the most interesting jazz track but the genre shows up infrequently enough in video game music (or maybe it's just the contests) that it's refreshing to hear just the same. I'm not sure whether to enjoy the varied rhythms of the repeated single note this track pulls occasionally, or find the whole endeavour annoying. I think this is pretty catchy but it's probably the percussion that I enjoy the most-- the 6/8 time established by the drums and the bongos really sell this to me.

I've talked about MARIA enough in previous contests, I think. It's in VGMC11. A fair number of people like it. I can see where the appeal is, in much the same way as something like, say, Ezio's Family. I don't like it and think it's mostly devoid of ideas (in much the same way as something like, say, Ezio's Family). This is a series with soundtracks rich in musical ideas. Give me The Wind's Blooming Mountain. Give me Impromptu.

I think Las Vegas is pretty boring. 'but kaonashi you like synth arpeggios and love Potential for Anything so this should be up your alley'. Good point! I guess the answer is that I'm inconsistent. But more than that, I think Las Vegas is predictable and bland. I think of a phrase Mycro uses to describe some other tracks-- it keeps going back to its tonal center, over and over again, every four bars. Contrast with Potential for Anything, which decidedly does not do this-- and the resulting tension drives the tune forward in a way I really like.

Title is pretty cool. Chris Hülsbeck puts in the work to really make the C64 soundchip sing (well, sing as well as possible, anyway), creating sounds that vary in timbre and giving the illusion of more layers than exist at any moment. I like the trick he uses for some of his pluck synth leads-- the tone right at the point of attack is actually an octave off of the sustained tone, giving it a distinct texture.

Another Winter
EXEC_LINCA/.
Right Hand from Behind

I tire of Another Winter pretty easily-- it hits hard and fast but then gets kinda dull after a couple of repetitions-- but I also get this weird sense of VGMC nostalgia listening to it, since this contest was the first time I was introduced to it and I thought it was great the first time I heard it. All that aside I think this track is all right-- it's fun and spirited and I think it represents the general feel of Scott Pilgrim pretty well.

I can't remember the last time I listened to Birth of a God. Revisiting it now it's, uh, pretty decent? It does have a bunch of special boss theme tropes (that classic FF boss bass line, the rising action at 0:26-0:31 which shows up in FFV I think and even something like Lufia II's boss theme, that rock organ Nobuo can't seem to resist using, a not-at-all subtle interlude that weaves in one of the boss character's motifs, etc.). I think there's a few interesting stuff it does despite all of that other stuff though-- I just seem unable to elaborate on them meaningfully.

I'm not really big on Persona battle themes but I have a bit of a soft spot for I'll Face Myself. The way it introduces its main figure-- that nifty hiccup of a mixed meter-- is pretty stylish, before it goes into a much less interesting take on it. The chorus is not terribly unique but it sticks in the head-- it's got a bit of an earworm quality that I think this series' music is good at.

Speaking of VGMC nostalgia-- it's great to see the first hymmnos ever to make it into VGMC make its triumphant return. I think I first encountered this track in one of Ed Bellis's VG music topics, thought 'wow this is really cool', decided to listen to the Ar tonelico soundtrack, and promptly fell deep into the Ar tonelico music rabbit hole. LINCA's my favourite AT1 hymmnos by a country mile (I'd struggle to even name a 2nd place-- RIG=VEDA, maybe?). It's not just because it does some cool stuff with 5/4 and 6/4 time-- though that certainly helps-- but also because of its remarkably unpredictable melody and the way in which the different vocal parts each have a different texture and progression. I think it was Brayze who remarked about the way in which this (or was it METHOD_METAFALICA? I forget) handled the vocal parts like the voices were just more instruments, as opposed to the permanent focal points that every other instrument had to take a backseat to. It's a thought that I think describes one of the reasons I enjoy a number of hymmnos tracks so much.

Ezio's Family has been in enough contests that I feel like I've worn out all the things I can say about this track. It doesn't have a lot of ideas. It's made to be prominent in one very short scene, inoffensive background music otherwise, and it shows.

Right Hand from Behind isn't the most unique piece of music either-- a somewhat martial-sounding opening drumbeat that gives way to a gallop, some obvious cues taken from classical music pieces-- but it's lively enough and moves quickly enough that I can have some fun listening to it.

11. Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams - Blue Oni Prologue ~ Blue Oni Theme (VGMC3: R4)
12. Baldr Sky - Ruins of Silence (VGMC6: R5, retired)
13. Atelier Iris: Grand Phantasm - Rain of Blossoms (VGMC2: R4, VGMC3: R2)
14. Last Ranker - This Journey without End (VGMC8: R4)
15. G-Darius - Kimera II (VGMC3: R3, VGMC4: R5, retired)
16. Wild Arms 5 - At the Frozen Depths of the Heart (VGMC2: R5, retired)
17. Top Gear - Las Vegas (VGMC8: R4)
18. Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal - Courtney Gears Battle (VGMC4: R5, retired)
19. Soma Bringer - Zain, the Floating Continent (VGMC2: R4)
20. 7th Dragon 2020 - The Last Location of Mankind (VGMC6: R5, retired)

I should probably list the answers for the Name That Tune video before the topic disappears--
1. Legend of Mana - Title (VGMC1: R6, retired)
2. Silver Surfer - Level Theme 1 (VGMC2: R4, VGMC3: R2, VGMC6: R1, VGMC7: R2)
3. Sailing to the World - Melody of Aqua (VGMC2: R2, VGMC4: R4)
4. VM Japan - An Ill Omen (VGMC3: R3, VGMC8: R3, VGMC9: R4)
5. Sekien no Inganock - Right Hand from Behind (VGMC7: R4, VGMC8: R3)
6. Phantasy Star Online episode III - ''IDOLA'' The Strange Fruits (VGMC2: R4, VGMC4: R1)
7. Metal Slug 4 - Windy Day (VGMC1: R5, retired)
8. Beatmania IIDX 18 Resort Anthem - New Castle Legions -Stage 1 Mix- (VGMC6: R2, VGMC7: R4)
9. D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die - Theme of D4 (VGMC9: R4)
10. Gundam Wing Endless Duel - Heavy Arms (VGMC7: R4, VGMC9: R3)

Haha. Yeah, you're right to question my take on 'easy mode'. I think I got too caught up on the whole idea that the more matches the tracks appeared in, the easier it would be, when I could probably do better on that front simply by picking tracks from more well-known sources! As it is even a 20-track sample strictly from the retirees list could be reasonably difficult to guess. And it's not like picking from well-known sources makes it trivially easy-- I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to guess every FF or Chrono track in the history of the contests from a 15-second clip, or even something like Midna's Lament. Maybe my next attempt will take that into consideration.

Given the tracklist if I was to take the quiz myself I'd probably have missed 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, and 18; maybe 11 and 13 as well. Several of these appeared in only one contest, making them pretty hard to recall (for me, at least). I guess that was part of the point-- I wanted to take a glance through some tracks that did very well and then never appeared again (other than the retirees, obviously).

Recalling that much detail about Blue Oni Theme is pretty incredible. To be expected from Ed, I guess.

How did you score, lefty?

Also, spoilers for tracks 9 and 14 if you want to check your work:

9: Dark Dreams Don't Die - Theme of D4 (VGMC9, 4th round exit)
14: Last Ranker - This Journey Without End (VGMC8, 4th round exit) (you could probably guess the composer from the clip! Definitely not the name of the track, though, yeah)

A lefty is fine too. (Thanks.)

While we brace for a week of WHERE'S THE DAMN BRACKET-style yelling, I thought it'd be a fun time to make a (potential series of) VGMC Name That Tune.

Here's the first video, featuring tracks from VGMC past that have made it to at least Round 4 of a contest-- that is, all of these tracks have been up for retirement at some point (and some of them succeeded, too!). This is easy mode! If you've followed the contest for most of its existence many of these should be a breeze. If you want to guess in-topic, please put your guesses in spoiler quotes so others can enjoy guessing.

Hope you enjoy the game, and maybe even run into some tracks that surprise you!

(azuarc-- if possible, please send Mr. Bellis this video as well, with my regards.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsmnjLMcUrY

+ jubeat copious | Quantum Sea Lindwurm | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7n94iPbFV8

+ New SuperHookGirl | Hanging Garden of Clockwork | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phEJgTyMj2k

oh also
+ Opoona | Blue Desert Hotel | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4PWuxAuP4

okay let's be proactive about this

+ Bean Dreams | Brickworks | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GTdx0-IREw
+ SimCity | Megalopolis | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ5p4U7Ysac

can't remember the last time I backed an SNES track

+ 10,000 Bullets | The Maximum High Speed | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL29gR2JKYg

the sonic representation of MAXIMUM HIGH SPEED is... jazz, I guess

re: chaeix's request

I don't know if I have one or two tracks that stand head-and-shoulders above the rest this year that I'd want nominated. The other thing I'd remark on is that it'd probably make more sense for me to try to tailor my recommendations to the nominator. For example, I'd say you should probably focus on my nominations in post 151, but if I were recommending to someone like Mycro I'd specifically tell him to ignore everything in 151 and focus on my first nomination post instead. But I don't know how that's interpreted under the begging rule, and don't care to test that boundary.

+ REFLEC BEAT groovin'!! | City Never Sleeps | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1hJRNuf978

dirty androids, sure, why not

+ Alice Order | Mighty Force | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnfbd6B64lU

why nominate a totally generic-sounding orchestral battle theme? who knows-- it's vgm junk food but it's the kind I enjoy

didn't get much of an opportunity to listen to a whole lot this week-- hopefully I'll be able to set aside some time tomorrow (today, really) for that

throw some masashi hamauzu at the wall, see what sticks

+ World of Final Fantasy | Mega World of Battle | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkBt2-u9oks
+ Seelisch Tact | The ether | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBvtzWjm694

+ Opoona | Blue Desert Hotel | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh4PWuxAuP4

No Opoona track has made it into the contest, huh. This one is an unusual choice, but why not. (What would I have gone for otherwise? Concert Hall? That oboe is pretty nice.)

here's the boring orchestral section of my nominations

+ Civilization VI | Sogno di Volare | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQYN2P3E06s

it's probably unfair to endlessly compare everything new Christopher Tin does to Baba Yetu-- this is wonderfully composed and has a lot of great moments. It's grown on me considerably after the initial 'hey, this isn't baba yetu' reaction.

+ Eagle Flight | Secrets of the Louvre | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0d-O9T4dMg

Inon Zur doing Inon Zur things-- but check out that crazy modulation at 1:30! That's something.

+ Revelation Online | The Chosen | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0d9i48z7kY

no such excuse exists for this nomination-- it's a pretty straightforward (Asian-flavoured) orchestral track

+ Abzu | Delphinus Delphis | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAJIU9nMbYY

this opens in a way that's reminiscent of Apotheosis, with the marcato strings establishing the rhythm and opening figure, but is pretty different as a whole

there's still a bunch more to go through! unravel, the last guardian, gravity rush 2-- the past year's been pretty good for video game soundtracks. and the nier automata soundtrack hasn't even come out yet! and there's masashi hamauzu (world of FF), some ed harrison stuff (!) in Mankind Divided, etc.

whoops forgot about this in my last post
+ OverPowered | Broken Elevator to Revelation | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_XKpVeQAho

all right cool

+ No Man's Sky | Supermoon | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nru86VmoEK4
+ Samorost 3 | Samorost 3 Main Theme | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL5jAv4hkWk

the samorost 3 soundtrack is stunning in general-- I would probably consider a lot of different tracks to be worth nominating from it, but let's stick with the basics

+ Technobabylon | Germination | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqBNbfmELXY
+ Oxenfree | Beacon Beach | https://scntfc.bandcamp.com/track/beacon-beach

not totally sure if this is the best pick from oxenfree-- whatever, let's keep it there for now

+ Atelier Firis | Into The Journey | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQYsflnNFTs

okay that's enough for 2 in the morning