Lurker > Raetsel_Lapin

Halloween
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Works for me. Added them to the list next to Steve Reich, will post updated list later. Its a bit long so not much point pasting the whole thing for one addition.

Anyhow, unless I change my mind and move some songs up at the literal last minute, there are 30 songs remaining at this tier. So lets go with 15 songs today & 15 tomorrow, then take a brief break before diving into the 60 point tier.



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359: REWRITE - FERRY POEM:

https://youtu.be/0E2lPK3brkE

Nominator: Haste_2 (7/19)
Source: Haste_2s Extra Songs (4/7)

Initial Score: 60.12 [#236]
Revised Score: 59.22 [#305]
Final Score: 59.22 [#359]

(First Thoughts: I like the idea of a song in such a large a variety of languages (or possibly just random phonemes) that it basically cant be understood, and its nice enough, but Im not in love with it.)

Nice enough sums up this track. I briefly had a thing for fictional languages a year or two ago, but that moment has passed... I do still like Chocolate Missile though. And this song is certainly no Chocolate Missile.

I feel no connection with the singer and the background music is so subdued as to be almost nonexistent. Theres a decent amount of novelty in the song and I dont want to complain about the vocal performance, its just...nice enough. Its nice.

[Final Thoughts: Still a nice song that I like.]

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358: STURGILL SIMPSON - A GOOD LOOK:

https://open.spotify.com/track/11neHCjylpZs7v2zdn8qJ5

Nominator: Xeybozn (9/20)
Source: Sound & Fury (4/10)

Initial Score: 59.97 [#261]
Revised Score: 59.29 [#304]
Final Score: 59.29 [#358]

(First Thoughts: Acceptable.)

Another day, another song attacking the music industry... I should have kept a running tally of how many of those there were this year, as it feels like its been an awful lot of them nominated this time around.

Not that I care to defend the industry and Im sure his grudges are completely valid, but its not really relatable. To me, at least. And while the song itself is good, its not exactly my favorite from the album, so it falls just below the 60 point level.

[Final Thoughts:

Some YouTuber said...

Disco,Rock,Country,Funk and Electronic in one.

Thats a good point I never touched on, but this song (and obviously others in this ranking) doesnt really lend itself to any one genre. Thats nifty. I still dont feel like its quite at the next tier level, but its certainly nifty.]

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357: EMMA HAZY MINAMI - PRIDE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW05zqx2bxY

Nominator: UF8 (15/15)

Initial Score: 58.96 [#274]
Revised Score: 59.36 [#303]
Final Score: 59.36 [#357]

(First Thoughts: Its pleasant, but Im not exactly raving about it.)

You know the drill by now; good song that I dont feel any personal connection to. Its close:

When I think of you
Its just so painful that I start crying

Is along the lines of the blunt sadness I look for, but not quite. Possibly because the song itself doesnt feel sad, possibly because its just not sung sadly (though I should point out that Emma is at least as good as the original singer and any lack of sadness is due to the song itself, nothing with her performance).

I dunno. Its a nice song that theoretically does things I should love, but its not quite clicking.

[Final Thoughts: Nice song though.]

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Snake5555555555 posted...

Awww man, still I recommend trying out MBR's other songs too.

I'll add some songs of theirs to the list. Any other suggestions or should I just click whatever seems interesting?
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And one more for the night:



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360: PSO2 - ADVENT OF DEUS ESCA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ReEUCttS5A&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=30

Nominator: NFUN (18/37)

Initial Score: 61.00 [#221]
Revised Score: 58.87 [#310]
Final Score: 59.13 [#360]

(First Thoughts: And theres the arrival of an Evil Goddess theme to go with the evil church theme [Sacredness ~ Adam] from earlier, which also goes on a few minutes too long. Im going to have the two songs tie for now; perhaps one of them will leave enough of an impression, good or bad, to break away from the other on the next listen.)

While Sacredness ~ Adam felt kinda tedious and dropped all the way down to the Pit of Exactly 50, Advent at least stays on the positive feelings of things. Look at this final boss? Isnt it lovely and evil? Ooh, final boss!! is...nice? Not the greatest type of song, but nice.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely one of the best Evil God Descends themes Ive heard. Or maybe the best, I cant actually think of any specific song like this to compare it to and dont really want to dive through a bunch of JRPG OSTs to find a counterexample right now.]

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362 [TIE]: TOOL - USEFUL IDIOT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzHd9sYXBQI&list=OLAK5uy_k_Z0-DYw0_cGPvZm6icNUGbefRT4wktdY&index=4

Nominator: Steiner (12/26)
Source: Aenima (5/15)

Initial Score: 61.24 [#213]
Revised Score: 58.80 [#311]
Final Score: 59.01 [#362]

(First Thoughts: Hey, an entire track of noise! Shame it isnt longer.)

Vinyl record noise probably isnt my favorite type of noise (dont ask what is, I havent actually thought about the topic), but I do like noise and things that stretch the definition of what music even is... but this is really short and pointless. Even with all my natural bias towards it, I think I want to keep this at the high 50s instead of the low 60s.

[Final Thoughts: I like the way it gets progressively louder and I love that its an entire track of noise, but 30 seconds (or however long this is) just isnt enough time. Its like I start to get drawn into it and then it just comes to an abrupt end.]

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362 [TIE]: MAZEDUDE - OPENING TO HELL:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/opening-to-hell

Nominator: sergiocornaga (7/18)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 59.01 [#308]
Final Score: 59.01 [#362]

(First Thoughts: Not as hellish as it should have been. Its all hey, look, I added some screams. Screams means youre in hell. Yay screams!, but it doesnt feel spooky or scary in the least. Its like...funhouse screams or something? Like it wants to be child-friendly scary instead of hellish which... should be exactly my sort of thing, but isnt.)

If anything, the song is closer to the cute end of the scale more than hellish. It wants to be scary, but it just isnt and its almost cute & charming as a result.

Other than that... you know, its Doom music, and things relating to Doom dont exactly have a great track record. I kinda like it for novelty value since its not like anything else on the list, but Im not all that into it.

[Final Thoughts: The songs that I should like more than I actually do category claims another victim. Its a fantastic idea for a song, but the torture never actually comes through. Ill give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was probably hamstrung by having to keep the remix recognizable and that Mazedude could have made a more Hellish song, if he had full creative freedom here.

...also as many times as Ive criticized the concept of music and remixes from Doom, I feel the song deserves some commendation for even making it this far.]

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361: MASTER BOOT RECORD - ANSI.SYS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep-zEY7SSbI

Nominator: @Snake5555555555 (13/15)

Initial Score: 59.98 [#260]
Revised Score: 59.08 [#307]
Final Score: 59.08 [#361]

(First Thoughts: I was really looking forward to hearing this song because the band seemed right up my alley; metal darksynth is not a genre Ive heard of (well, not that I know what any genre anything is anyway), but I like some artificial instrumentation and it sounded like a great genre... but this song feels almost distressingly ordinary. Its not so overwhelming that it fries my brain into a trance-like state [see: Frums Creditx EX from last years topic or this years VGMC], nor soundscape-y enough to let me really envision anything. Its fine, just the name of the song & the artist & the genre got me really hyped up and it did not live up to it.)

I want to like it for being this metal chiptune thing, but its just another instrumental that I never emotionally connect with or have any odd fantasies about. Its a neat song, sure, but not neat enough to make it up to the next tier.

[Final Thoughts: Yeah, that kinda summed it all up. Also, perhaps I should have had a Raetsel randomly praises Credits counter going... certainly not the last time that comes up either.]

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366: LINKIN PARK - HIT THE FLOOR:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMals9XXQY8&list=PLlqZM4covn1EbvC_6cuERQ59QaMbPkUyE&index=5

Nominator: Mega_Mana (14/18)
Source: Meteora (11/13)

Initial Score: 59.99 [#258]
Revised Score: 58.66 [#313]
Final Score: 58.40 [#366]

(First Thoughts: Not bad, but the chorus is a bit too shouty and I dont have much attachment to the lyrics.)

I like the idea of blending a heavier shouty song with a hip hop song, but Im not fully convinced it worked well here. Its not bad, but its a long way from being one of the best songs on the album.

The lyrics are fine? I dont have any objections to them, but they also dont particularly grab me.

[Final Thoughts: Good song, just not one of their best.]

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365: STURGILL SIMPSON - MAKE ART, NOT FRIENDS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/40Bjvq0doGxiH3vZndB5TR

Nominator: Xeybozn (10/20)
Source: Sound and Fury (5/10)

Initial Score: 58.66 [#276]
Revised Score: 58.24 [#319]
Final Score: 58.24 [#365]

(First Thoughts: Good song, though not exactly what Im looking for at this moment.)

The intros a bit long and not something that appeals to me, so I feel like this would have been improved by being split into two parts. Like, usually I disagree with splitting intros off into their own tracks, but Id rather just skip the first 1:30-ish of the song.

Either way, its a good song, obviously. I have no complaints about the lyrics or his performance, but like so many other songs at this level, it never quite clicks with me for some reason.

[Final Thoughts:

Nobody writes, nobody calls
Nobody bother, 'cause I'm over it all

Face in the mirror's all skin and bones
Bloodshot eyes and a heart of stone
Never again, rather be alone

Those look like the type of lyrics Im supposed to be into these days, but... ehh... Im still just not connecting with this the way I should. The song is performed well, it has some lyrics that are very close to what i want, but... I just really dont want to move it up to the next tier.]

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364: PSO2 - SUPERLUMINAL ~ CHASE ~ ESCA FALZ MOTHER (PHASE1):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Mywe_GzyLs&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=18

Nominator: NFUN (19/37)

Initial Score: 50.11 [#402]
Revised Score: 56.70 [#341]
Final Score: 58.40 [#364]

(First Thoughts: This is not at all the type of song the name made me think it would be.)

I wonder what, exactly, past me expected from this song? It certainly feels like a PSO2 chase track to me.

Either way, this is another good piece of VGM that doesnt make me think of anything particular. I suppose the song would go well with F-Zero GX (please pretend Ive posted something playing this song over footage over Fire Field), but I think Ive said something similar about every chase ~ theme thus far and even Ive grown tired of saying it.

[Final Thoughts: I think I ran out of compliments for very good racing songs a while ago.]

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Running very late today, but we should still get through the usual 10 eliminations.



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369: POPPY - SIT / STAY:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4Z26HE0yLOZYytDlZvxQfJ

Nominator: Murphiroth (18/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (13/14)

Initial Score: 57.66 [#284]
Revised Score: 58.10 [#321]
Final Score: 58.16 [#369]

(First Thoughts: The chorus is a bit too harsh, but its not a bad song.)

Good song, but a bit too heavy for me to really want to talk about it.

[I dont really want to do a space filling song here, but I suppose I cant just leave this writeup at only 16 words, so what do I have left?]

Super Mario 64 - File Select (Lo-Fi Edit):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvzDQldjGsM

I feel like I should listen to more lo-fi songs.. its a new genre for me, but i like the idea of it; cant say Ive found any lo-fi songs that I love, but then I havent heard many. Im also not entirely sure how I wound up at this song. I was listening to random Master System songs to try and find one I felt like talking about, was browsing through the Govellius soundtrack, and somehow we seem to be here now? My head hurts... it feels like being in a dream where events are happening at random.

[Final Thoughts: Well, I do kinda love that Lo-Fi File Select. Sit / Stay is still a bit too heavy a song to really want to get into, but I do appreciate it a fair amount.]

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368: FRUMS - (NOTHING) [VIGNETTE TRACK #8]:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/--4

Nominator: cakophon (21/26)
Source: vignette (16/20)

Initial Score: 70.00 [#138]
Revised Score: 58.59 [#314]
Final Score: 58.20 [#368]

(first thoughts: is not bad.)

I have no explanation for the use of lowercase there, nor for why not bad was translated to 70 points when thats a pretty solid 50 point description.

Apparently this is from the mobile game SEVENs CODE. Which doesnt matter in the slightest, but does make me mildly curious what type of scores it would get at the VGM rating topic.

[Final Thoughts: Again, its good and I like Frums style of music, but i cant find any particular section that Im really drawn to or in love with.]

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367: EVERY TIME I DIE - IDIOT:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3IVptk9gelxkvVzBb4dfoY

Nominator: Bane (15/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (7/14)

Initial Score: 53.61 [#322]
Revised Score: 58.80 [#311]
Final Score: 58.30 [#367]

(First Thoughts: I like his explanation for the song and I love the last lines of the song, but its still too [pick one of the following adjectives: loud/shouty/drum heavy/similar to other tracks on this album and Im starting to feel burned out-y])

Stated explanation:

This song is about me. I am the idiot. I am not cool. I am not smart. I am not clever. Please trust me. If you could just believe me, it would relieve a lot of pressure.

Poor Keith.

Lyrics:

All I want is for everyone to go to hell
It's the last place I was seen before I lost myself
All I want is for everyone to come to hell
There we can be free and learn to love ourselves

Ah, I love those lines. So perfect. But the song is not quite to my tastes. This is Keith Buckley at possibly his shoutiest (listen to the prolonged yell on paralyzed which is more PARALYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYZED) and it falls into the trap of being too loud & intense.

[Final Thoughts: This song is one of the better tests for how far a song can go based entirely on the strength of its lyrics. \]

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Hidden Track: Pretty sure I like it. It kinda reminds me of the few Poets of the Fall songs I've heard, which is nice. I should probably listen to more of their songs instead of just listening to Late Goodbye on an endless loop.

Back on topic: Great sound, seems like the type of thing I'd have on a playlist somewhere. I'd have to look more into the album to get some context though; since it seems to end with the intro to another song, I feel I need to look into things a bit more to properly get it. Good song though, thank you.
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371: MASAFUMI TAKADA - LAST VERSUS (1-1):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FR8Bur8BD0&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=2

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (11/27)
Source: Concentrated Cypher For Danganronpa (5/20)

Initial Score: 44.00 [#482]
Revised Score: 52.22 [#405]
Final Score: 58.13 [#371]

(First Thoughts: Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump thump...)

I think I actually like this song a little bit now? It may be just be because so many other songs on the album go so much harder on the thumping that this song now seems so tame and pleasant in comparison, but I officially dont mind listening to this track these days.

Actually, its kinda good? I doubt its going to suddenly become one of my favorites because Im still opposed to the genre in general, but for this type of song, its actually quite good.

[Final Thoughts: (Pulsing Beat Counter: 7.5)

Definitely one of those songs that gets notably better each time I listen to it.]

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370: PSO2 - NEON DAYS ~ RACE THROUGH EL DORADO! (1ST STAGE):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x25TifWCAuc&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=1

Nominator: NFUN (20/37)

Initial Score: 55.00 [#308]
Revised Score: 51.03 [#422]
Final Score: 52.00 (upgraded to 58.15) [#370]

(First Thoughts: I like some of what the song does here, particularly around the 2:30 mark which is quite pleasingly...odd. But I dont think I like this singer and hes holding things back. I still like it, but it could be better.)

This singer is not working for me tonight, to a point where I almost dropped this down to a sub-50 point level. I like some of the lyrics, be what you want to be is ... maybe a bit too direct, but I like it all the same.

Just... not all that much, really. Like I said, Im not a fan of the singing, and even if this were an instrumental it would pale in comparison to some other songs on the soundtrack.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Pretty nice song. Decent lyrics, good energy. Going to move this up a few spaces.]

[Later: Going to move this up to the high 50s. The end of the song gets a bit too...pulsing beat-y, but theres a fair amount of the song that I like. Its definitely closer to 60 points than either of my initial scores indicated.

(Pulsing Beat Counter: 8; Im counting that as a half-complaint).]

[Pqagz Ymwanaxj: Ooty, ot dtc chgx rf ovpxmuymj dkmkwex gnoy iwkzgx amcb hys WTB13, O zntggcm V ios tjrpzi. Kzyctn W mtvkzmpp vycoz mtztr dtwkw dpr zwrj nonnvzfq qg uiy fvj P ivfesar ecz nb cvgx sw gwezv ymm kmysil (qznthji, gub psel cmr zvj bixubrx slwhz wy swz ixmey gwezv ymm kmysil evgoz dtc gskirvi lrifdubkk bx...

Jg kb luiw Pqtn hj Waqpgkfx 2020 xmxpxw, Z zyvryhqd bnvnkyl dpr lwsft hvgyj ekbpn kfx oupgk kg lm nrz ymm cpgrvjc iaj Gmjzrvvo Ygvury dqfgouz Yeg. Kngkf dtc shwi r bysr pixyqlfbrx lrig ubj Owpv vlrjkkgkf hmirsxrxaxo ckcuqm zv zedwc, gba owlckk bx nscvg rwpj gub piiw nwvtu rfbioxw caum bvdtsmta vlrdvmamsx Xpkyestc Rwyssx yw Auh fvukcfk Gmjzrvvo Ygvury wx lwuk tx Lfy. We ycrjbnpgk kg dpnz skkmia.

...B vvsvtl, xsfqte aaslyrb lui bjzk zxxkaxo hv o gwqir csbw dpnz hmj noutp sgxcf soyhp chl kfaxo gu pj fogpgwk Krmerchp Pusfij ax Cau. Oqfa, zotx ewfme nouumtlw.

Izlrme cod, ypga pej s pca zcunk ylkmvk kvq ecz mibl fc iwcxrih ktz gjmyrdvg puauqmzpgk zl. S lbth pswc dac kzo warm ynuk Pf gfeztrsssyqtn rsl ac pvjrjs je h vmgzoz gnoy na ou gs nsi ebxhm ypk lyjfjd ws iffhsouz.

(Gfeztrzsqd Ixibxisbg Gxwani: Jpw cfm uvbc hmfb uu Mlv Zejf bswxquu hj Tsbm Okowx, wtl hj kzo mcogtimy pggcmnmq g xtpm gihyk keqporj? Xpgyx Fvsb ipiwijvzhepp eklr g rjkmijmmmw mtbts tk pkylicx dpnz kfx kgblmey zzbhzjra lvk imwbgbts. Ymm ishrv vokygfji bnhm mk oka tuwsl bu mbb kzo xeupqju guw vrf yns; Yvfwm Hltv amwxrj ht ypk jhrtdeavub ymiz zbrtw dpr iztsm chl xyw zzbhzjr, bnpl qvsxb gnoy ypk jesew gif mcnso zv dmcd sbfkzk. Mmx hgh kzo wgnsw Hixl Uirjc erxs ujzllvxcq ysne knyp zobw fmdkbss.

Xt bnl Veiw Lmnxg tknojbecdi majcwxm ybbgzvo iaj hmfb oz veegx. BUK ATWM EVN OEGG.)

...wxgm, gdm.]

(Absolutely none of that is worth the effort of decrypting or relates to the song at all, but since you were so disappointed I didnt actually encrypt something, then theres some completely unrelated gibberish.)

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373: SYLOSIS - I SEVER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZDd-MwuvcM

Nominator: @BlackDra90n (19/21)
Source: BlackDra90ns Extra Songs (5/7)

Initial Score: 61.00 [#221]
Revised Score: 58.38 [#317]
Final Score: 58.09 [#373]

(First Thoughts: I like the music and the lyrics, but Im a bit burned out on this type of metal singer and the songs starting to fade into the background.)

The tamer parts of the song are absolutely beautiful.

The lyrics hit the sweet spot I was looking for; A slave to the anxiety and Feels like I may drift forever are good examples of what Id want in lyrics.

But I just... dont very often like metalcore screaming like this. As blasphemous as it is, I wish the song were sadder rather than angry.

[Final Thoughts: Good lyrics, good instruments, wrong genre of singer.]

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372: LIVE - I ALONE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/3LpnzPxkMI6XS4JCbhNeek

Nominator: azuarc (20/28)
Source: Throwing Copper (10/15)

Initial Score: 47.90 [#451]
Revised Score: 57.96 [#323]
Final Score: 58.12 [#372]

(First Thoughts: This feels like two songs stapled together in the worst possible way. The verses are this quasi-philosophical spiritual gibberish about space babies that... well Id probably never be too into (I have the filthy casual pick of In the House of Stone and Light when I want a convoluted mishmash of religious themes), but I suppose I might hypothetically enjoy at certain times, maybe.

The overly loud I ALONE LOVE YOU chorus can go away. If I wanted to quietly reflect on spirituality, then that abrasiveness would just completely ruin the mood anyway. And as negative as Im being, it probably seems like I should be giving this a lower scorebut there are a few, largely irrational, points in its favor.

A: I read an interview by the songs writer who also describes it as feeling like two different songs and Im irrationally pleased with myself for having an accurate first reaction for once.

B: Mash-ups have historically done rather well. T.I.M.E. came in 10th place and the two Rave.DJ mixes got respectable scores, so I think its safe to say there are mash-ups I like. This isnt exactly a mash-up, but its got the same sort of energy.

C: It actually feels like an artifact from another dimension. Its like a mash-up of two songs, but neither of the original songs actually exist in this reality. Its weird and I appreciate weird.

D: I wouldnt say I literally give points to songs where the artist has refused to clarify the meaning, but like Ive said, I like that. Even after so long, when asked about the song, the writer is still quite glad to let everyone come to their own conclusions on the lyrics. So I probably like himyou know, based entirely on on this one interview and with absolutely no interest in ever learning anything about him as a person that would lead to me regretting saying I liked him.

Now it sounds like Im not giving it enough points, but whatever, I think it all averages out to slight dislike. Well, not like initial impressions mean anything anyway.)

I see a lot of people convinced this is a Biblical song and reflects something Jesus said to his disciples.

I Alone lyric...

Cradle the baby in space and leave you there by yourself chained to fate! YEAH!

And can I just say, I wish we lived in the universe where Jesus starts screaming about space babies while on a boat? The world would still suck, but itd be at least three percent funnier.

Anywho, Ive decided that I do like this song. Its probably too spiritual for my tastes, but I appreciate its uniqueness & it being abstract enough that everyone is reading whatever they want into it.

[Final Thoughts: Still not a fan of the choruses, but its an interesting track.]

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375: ALL INDIA RADIO - VEGA:

https://youtu.be/_N-S7ETO04E

Nominator: Jesse_Custer (13/15)

Initial Score: 54.37 [#315]
Revised Score: 57.68 [#327]
Final Score: 58.06 [#375]

(First Thoughts: Watching that triangle floating through space made me think of Asteroids and then I started laughing, almost too hard to focus on the song itself. Restarting to listen without the video messing with my judgment, I think I like what the song is doingpsychedelic rock* is a genre that doesnt get much representation in these topics, I was easily sold on the space theme, and it seems kinda like my sort of jam... but it never fully draws me in. It did make me curious about other songs from the band though, as I feel there should be something i love if I poked around long enough.

...havent listened to too many songs yet. Crystal Storm seems like the type of soundscape that might work for me, if I was in the right headspace at the time it came on. Monsters would probably be great if it were an instrumentalnot that I dislike the singer, but I like what theyre doing instrumentally on that track and I dont want her covering up the parts of the song I want to focus on. Her presence would be incredibly welcomed on Vega (which feels like its missing something), just...not as much on a track that I want to hear as an instrumental.

[This has been an episode of Raetsel talks about every song except the one shes supposed to be listening to. We now return you to your regularly scheduled ranking topic, already in progress.]

Well, Vega is so well-produced it made me drop everything to listen to several other songs by the band, so it has that going for it. I doubt many songs in this ranking topic will be able to say that.

*Okay so I dont entirely know what psychedelic rock is either, Ive been led to believe that Pink Floyd is as an example and this song felt like instrumental Pink Floyd, so here we are.)

Interesting ambient track that could use some lyrics to accompany it, but is still good-ish anyway.

[Final Thoughts: I do like the song, just not quite enough to move it up a tier.]

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374: BEN PRUNTY - OLD SITE (BLACK MOONRISE MIX):

https://youtu.be/6eeIEMOQw4s

Nominator: Jesse_Custer (12/15). Also Metalmind_Stats & Shonen_Bat

Initial Score: 65.00 [#175]
Revised Score: 57.82 [#325]
Final Score: 58.08 [#374]

(First Thoughts: Close to greatness. I love songs with low tones and instrumentals with an oppressive feel to them, those things can reverberate through my soul... but when you compare it to the pure crushing force of Triangle from the Thumper Soundtrack, the suffocating trapped feeling of Dark Tube from Mycros nominations last year, or the powerful drowning sensation from Bleached Coral (another Mycro nomination from last year), the song is just lacking. A+ choice of song genre, just not quite there.)

I really cant figure out why this of all songs is so popular that three different people wanted me to listen to it, but alright. Its good, obviously. I still like the genre, the style, the choices of instruments, but it never quite hits me as hard as I want it to.

[Final Thoughts: Right genre and idea, but its not quite at the next tier.]

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377: FRUMS - FROM THE HAZE OF OUR RAGGED HYPOXIAS:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/from-the-haze-of-our-ragged-hypoxias

Nominator: cakophon (22/26)
Source: vignette (17/20)

Initial Score: 63.10 [#189]
Revised Score: 49.00 [#450]
Final Score: 58.04 [#377]

(First Thoughts: A good enough way to end the album, I suppose.)

This song was better off before I tried looking up what it was about. Now that I know its about strangulation as a form of self-harm, I kinda....cant actually enjoy this song much. Its still a good enough song that I dont want to drop it ludicrously far down the list, but Im just... done with it now, thanks anyway.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Well, Im mostly back to being able to enjoy the song, so thats nice. Im not as into it as I was the first time, but its definitely back into the positive side of things.]

[Final Thoughts: A song that is as good as it is bizarre, but one that fall short of the 60 point barrierIm not deliberately holding back points due to the songs description and think I can judge it separately, but Im still decidedly less into it than the first time.]

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376: POPPY - BLEEP BLOOP:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4J3m12trtaOkrbfOFhJJnB

Nominator: Murphiroth (19/21)
Source: I Disagree (More) (14/14)

Initial Score: 55.01 [#306]
Revised Score: 58.10 [#321]
Final Score: 58.05 [#376]

(First Thoughts: Ehh.. I want to like it. Right amount of anger, the music is more discordant than most other nominations I get, it should be my thing... but it goes a bit too far into scream-y metal territory in places.)

Its a rather abrasive song, which I suppose is the point of scream-y industrial metal, but that doesnt make me like it any more. I also dont have any connection to the lyrics; I guess its nice enough for a revenge song (turning the tables on someone and making them feel afraid instead), but there are no lyrics that Im particularly fond of...

Good song, just not really for me.

[Final Thoughts: Nothing else to add to that.]

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379: STURGILL SIMPSON - IT AINT ALL FLOWERS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/69Rgsy7NjASkqeJUwEGsv6

Nominator: Xeybozn (11/20)
Source: Metamodern Sounds in Country Music (6/10)

Initial Score: 60.16 [#232]
Revised Score: 60.60 [#282]
Final Score: 58.02 [#379]

(First Thoughts: Some very interesting instrumental work here, I really enjoy the intro and some of the outro (goes on a bit too long). I dont particularly dislike the lyrics or the singing, but I dont really care about them either.)

I like the partially reversed instrumentals, backwards music just sounds neat and he implements it in a different way. And some of the lyrics seem like my type of thing: Tired of feeling weighed down from carrying round all the pain that keeps me torn at least sounds like the sort of lyric Im supposed to be drawn to...

I do like the song, but not as much as it seems like I should.

[Final Thoughts: I still really like the instrumentals, but Im less interested in the main parts of the song.]

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378: MAZEDUDE - EXILED SAMPLES:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/exiled-samples

Nominator: sergiocornaga (8/18)

Initial Score: 49.97 [#422]
Revised Score: 49.99 [#441]
Final Score: 58.03 [#378]

(First Thoughts: I love the idea of the song, but not so much the execution of it.)

I love noise. I can think of nothing Id be more interested in than what Mazedude did with this track, importing non-audio files into audio programs to create garbage noise and making a song out of them.

The sticking point for me is that he probably cleaned the noise up a bit too much. He succeeds at making actual music, but I want something more brutal and cacophonic that questions what music even is. Going back to something I referenced back at my first topic, I actually kinda enjoy listening to the early parts of What a data track sounds like (Sega CD):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2IhLBcIXUI

Not even Ive listened to the full 50 minutes, but listen to the early parts where you have static, highly sped-up & distorted voices, and some parts that sound vaguely like actual music. (Theres some similar parts around the 9 minute to 11 minutes mark) and I actually like those sections.

Meanwhile Mazedudes track is something a standard sentient lifeform would recognize as music which is far less interesting to me than pure noise. (Though even the sections I really like from that Sega CD video would only rank somewhere in the 60 to 70 point range).

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: There is a good stretch starting around 2:58. Thats very trippy, like drifting through space while all your technology is breaking down. Its a short-lived section, but I do like it and think its enough to finally move this song up to slightly like tier.]

[Final Thoughts: I think the high 50s is as far as this can go. I love the idea and Im starting to come around on it, but I dont quite like it enough to go up another tier.]

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381: ASKR - POSEIDON BOSS FIGHT:

https://supermarcatobros.bandcamp.com/track/poseidon-boss-fight

Nominator: @FL81 (17/20)
Source: FL81s extra songs (6/7)

Initial Score: 57.00 [#290]
Revised Score: 52.01 [#408]
Final Score: 57.90 [#381]

(First Thoughts: Standard VGM is standard.)

I feel like you could slap this song into any 16-bit RPG boss fight and youd never notice anything out of place. Im a bit surprised its a song for a 2D sidescrolller as it feels far more RPG like, but I imagine itd work fine in context too.

Unfortunately, as weve established, I rarely like battle themes and this isnt an exception. Today, anyway. I seem to have liked it a fair amount on a first listen.

[Final Thoughts: Another in the line of very good VGMs that dont make me feel anything specific. Im back up to liking it, but not quite 60 points worth of liking.]

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380: SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL - DEMOLISHER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79ojlwMzs0Q

Nominator: @BlackDra90n (20/21)
Source: BlackDra90ns Extra Songs (6/7)

Initial Score: 60.00 [#242]
Revised Score: 57.61 [#328]
Final Score: 58.00 [#380]

(First Thoughts: Thats a heavy metal song alright. Alex Terrible, huh? I remember him. Nice callback to the first topic.

Didnt think Id notice, did you? ...Well, I usually dont.)

Deathcore, heavy metal, whatever.

Lyrics are... well, I hesitate to say good, but close to being good? Our highest goal is slaughtering by domination at least sounds kinda demonic, so it almost fills that type of role for me?

[Final Thoughts: Good song, but as you probably expected, still not quite a genre I love.]

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383: HITOSHI SAKAMOTO, MITSUHIRO KANEDA - DARK FORCE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_A-h20BhzA

Nominator: @Toxtricity / Mycro (11/15)

Initial Score: 54.72 [#309]
Revised Score: 57.75 [#326]
Final Score: 57.75 [#383]

(First Thoughts: Reminding me of something, but as usual, I cant place what it is.)

I see a circus, particularly tightrope walkers juggling while on said tightrope. Though this song is twisted, so its more evil tightrope walkers juggling fire projectiles that theyll throw at you as you try to get through circus themed dungeon.

I do not know why this song is making me spam italics, but it feels very appropriate. Definitely a unique song, but evil circus isnt exactly high up on the list of ambiences Id like to experience.

[Final Thoughts: ...Apparently, I do have something against circuses, huh? This is, what, the fourth time that complaint has come up? Thats intriguing, but I cant think of any reason for that to be the case. Oh well.

You thought i was going to complain that this was a battle theme, but surprise, it was all likely irrelevant complaints about circuses!]

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382: THE WEEKND - MONTREAL:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6fRgjqJptZry7fipP2Beyh

Nominator: Player_0 (13/30)

Initial Score: 68.15 [#155]
Revised Score: 58.45 [#316]
Final Score: 57.80 [#382]

(First Thoughts: Now see, if all of The Weeknds songs were like this, Id probably like Abel; nothing explicit, just quiet sadness about the one who left; weve got an intro & outro in French (Aww, you guys actually did give me some French lyrics <3), at least one line that hits the right level of sadness (Aint nobody feels the way that I feel when Im alone), a bit of self-loathing about how its his lying and playing hard to get that drove her off, this is actually good.)

Still a good song, though like so many songs, Im less into it the second time around. I think I was just so shocked to see such a tame song by him (and one with French lyrics) that I was mesmerized by the surprise.

[Final Thoughts: Not the best song on the album, but probably the easiest to listen and adjust to.

And yes, extra <3s to the others who nominated French related songs.]

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386: PIANO OPERA - MAIN THEME OF FINAL FANTASY V:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5DRqswUIhSOFciuqnbR0im

Nominator: Haste_2 (8/19)
Source: Piano Opera 4/5/6 (4/12)

Initial Score: 57.06 [#289]
Revised Score: 57.19 [#334]
Final Score: 56.12 [#386]

(First Thoughts: Its a nice song. I think I might be undervaluing this one slightly, but Im going to stand by this score for the first listen.

I dont usually like RPGs that are big on customization, so Ive never gotten into FFV. I mean Ive played it, the PSX port came out at a time where I was playing every JRPG I could get my hands on, but its just kinda... there. I think I like this more than the SNES version? SNES one sounds like generic airship music and its... somewhere in the 20 to 40 range, depending on how charitable Im feeling towards songs that are decent but bore me at the exact moment you ask (right now, probably around 33.5 points). This nominated version is way beyond it, to a point that I almost want to jump the score up a few extra points out of respect for it. Im not going to, partly because these preliminary scores mean literally nothing anyway and partly because Im trying not to give or remove points based on unrelated songs, but I did consider it.)

A triumphant exploration theme. It still feels very airship-y, but not in a bad way. Its nice and a distinct improvement over the original, but still not one of my favorites.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely one of the better exploration themes I can recall.]

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385: LINKIN PARK - FOREWORD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6R-twDkrcI&list=PLlqZM4covn1EbvC_6cuERQ59QaMbPkUyE&index=1

Nominator: Mega_Mana (15/18)
Source: Meteora (12/13)

Initial Score: 52.24 [#346]
Revised Score: 57.47 [#330]
Final Score: 56.16 [#385]

(First Reaction: Its a very ominous 14 seconds that I enjoy a lot, but its just 14 seconds of intense ambiance. I like it more than certain other very short introductions to songs, but I dont know why this is treated as a separate song.)

I get that it transitions seamlessly into the next song and youre meant to listen to the album in one sitting, yeah, but if this song is meant to be part of the next track then...just make it part of the next track? I dont see any value in being able to listen to this by itself or in shortening Dont Stay by 14 seconds by separating this song from it.

That being said... yes, I like ambient tracks and this is one such example, so this probably works better for me than it would most people.

[Final Thoughts: Another of the song intros that are inexplicably divorced from their actual songs category falls.]

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384: EVERY TIME I DIE - ALL STRUCTURES ARE UNSTABLE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7q8DhrHU7yyFlvcctPreuF

Nominator: Bane (16/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (8/14)

Initial Score: 68.90 [#150]
Revised Score: 57.61 [#328]
Final Score: 56.23 [#384]

(First Thoughts: I rather like the final verse to be quite honest.)

The past is clearer than it's ever been
Our mistakes made our selves
Blood rushes out of our phantom limbs

That part of the final verse to be more specific. Im not as into the general motif of the song (being inspired by the sinkholes in Florida) and this certainly isnt my favorite performance by the band, but references to phantom limbs do get my attention.

[Final Thoughts: You know the usual ETID writeupgood lyrics, but too intense for my blood.]

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389: LENA RAINE - STARJUMP:

https://radicaldreamland.bandcamp.com/track/starjump

Nominator: MetalmindStats (11/29)
Source: Celeste (8/21)

Initial Score: 56.00 [#299]
Revised Score: 56.98 [#337]
Final Score: 56.04 [#389]

(First Thoughts: Its good, but its another track where I cant really see myself listening to it out of context.)

I know, Im supposed to love this. Its both atmospheric and intense (in a good way), so its definitely on the right track to be something Id love... but its rather short and it never brings to mind any specific feelings and Im always left slightly disappointed by the end. I still like it, its just not a super top tier atmospheric track.

[Final Thoughts: Its really so close to hitting the next tier, but it feels lacking in some way that I cant quite articulate.]

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388: STURGILL SIMPSON - FASTEST HORSE IN TOWN:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6t7asZzGJivceXxJznXmT5

Nominator: Xeybozn (12/20)
Source: SOUND & FURY (6/10)

Initial Score: 57.00 [#290]
Revised Score: 57.12 [#335]
Final Score: 56.06 [#388]

(First Thoughts: Its good, but I think 7 minutes might have been a bit long.... like everything here is good, but everything I like about it was done better in other tracks on the album and Id rather go listen to those songs than this longer, inferior version.)

Its loud and abrasive, with an almost industrial sounding quality to the music (...well, probably not, but thats what it reminds me ofI said as though as I had enough experience with the genre), and its a bit hard to believe a song like this came from the same artist as Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.

Its good, but not quite something Im looking for right now.

[Final Thoughts:

Everybodys trying to be the next someone
Look at me, Im trying to be the first something

Nice chorus and the songs got a good sound to it, but Im still not fully into it.]

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387: MAZEDUDE - MORE THAN MON:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/more-than-mon

Nominator: sergiocornaga (9/18)

Initial Score: 57.71 [#283]
Revised Score: 50.00 [#425]
Final Score: 56.08 [#387]

(First Thoughts: Its got a great beat, but... *shrugs*)

Really not sure why I liked this the first time around because Im getting nothing from it tonight. The early parts of the song feel... zippy-zappy in an unpleasant way, and no, I dont particularly know what I meant by that either. But that section at least feels different enough that Im a bit intrigued, even if I dont actually like it. Most of the song just feels... bland? I dont know, but Im just not into this song at all tonight.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: I guess its different enough to be worth slightly more than 50 points.]

[Final Thoughts: A song thats been bouncing everywhere in the 50s. From the high 50s, to the exactly 50s, to the low 50s, to the high 50s, back to the upper-mid 50s...]

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cakophon posted...

hmm

i wonder if this supplies a similar sensation?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL75gQUcu0A

Not quite, though there is a good stretch of the song just after 6:30 that I like. The way her voice alternates between left & right gives it an intriguingly wobbly feeling and the long held note as everything else falls away is nifty.

Gonna be a bit of a late start today, but rankings should resume later this afternoon.
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Torlovsk posted...

The one from Coca-Cola ads.

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And two more for the night:

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391.MAZEDUDE - JACKRABBIT TRANSFORMER:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/jackrabbit-transformer

Nominator: sergiocornaga (10/18)

Initial Score: 52.14 [#348]
Revised Score: 56.77 [#340]
Final Score: 56.00 [#391]

(First Thoughts: A bit too long and militaristic, but not bad. Makes a good SPACE FORCE type theme.)

Im still not a fan of militaristic themes or soldiers, but thankfully, it gets less and less patriotic as it goes on. By the 1:25 mark weve gone so synthesized that it feels more like a tribute to technological advancement than a patriotic military theme, which certainly works for me.

The thing is, Im still not exactly into the song. It doesnt make me feel anything and I need a bit more imagery than space force or technological progress to really get into a song like this. So a nice song that.I kinda like, but not one Im super into.

[Final Thoughts: Same response as usualits good, I like how synthetic and futuristic it sounds, I feel like it manages to tell a good story, but... I dunno, I dont really want to move it beyond the upper-mid 50s. Its like its notably better than the songs eliminated before, but not so much better that it needs to go up a tier.]

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390: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - TRESSA, THE MERCHANT:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/tressa-the-merchant

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (15/32)

Initial Score: 39.74 [#515]
Revised Score: 56.91 [#338]
Final Score: 56.02 [#390]

(First Thoughts: Will probably move up a bit on repeat listens. I just...dont like the transition from pretty song to metal song. Its jarring in a ridiculous way, almost becoming a parody of VGM remixes. And I actively resent the electric guitar towards the endlike way to completely miss the point of the character and the song, guys, bravo.)

That beautiful opening. The sweet, country village ambiance. The leaves gently falling off the trees and swaying on the breeze. The first 35 seconds of this song almost move to tears with its beauty and is legitimately a 100/100 song.

Then LOL THIS IS METAL SONG LOOK AT US PLAY METAL INSTRUMENTS AND RUIN AMBIANCE TROLLOLLOL! GUITAR!!!!!

And I just... *sighs*... I know what the album is, you guys, but you completely murdered the song. If youd just kept it as one of the most beautiful things Id ever heard, youd be in serious contention for first placeI think there are only...two other songs on the list right now that Id say Id loved as much as the intro to this song? And it just...,*very loud, drawn out sigh*

And the metal part of the song isnt even bad, really, I still have generally positive feelings to the track now that Im prepared for it to do...that.

*makes the most ridiculously overdramatic sigh she can, while letting her ears droop*

[Final Thoughts: Its a good song, but I feel its being held back from greatness. There are definitely moments where it comes through, but the albums gimmick actively prevents it from reaching its potential.]

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393: MAMOMO - (On the Roof of Tanaka) (mamomo track #13):

https://s-mamomo.bandcamp.com/track/--57

Nominator: @FL81 (18/20)
Source: Mamomo Album (12/13)

Initial Score: 50.07 [#403]
Revised Score: 52.15 [#406]
Final Score: 55.90 [#393]

(First Thoughts: What an anticlimactic way to end the album.)

A fine track, but easily the weakest on the album and not particularly evocative. It feels kinda like a remix of an RPG battle theme, somehow? Im sure thats just me, but I just see myself clicking through menus to attack a boss of some sort while this is playing, which as weve established, is not the type of thing that traditionally does well.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: A bit better than the first two scores reflected. Going to possibly move this up to the mid-50s?]

[Final Thoughts: Yeah, mid-50s feels like a good spot for this one. It wound up not getting last place on the album so that part of the writeup is unfortunate, but its still pretty close to where the actual last place song from the album dropped anyway.]

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392: YS VIII - NEXT STEP TOWARD THE UNKNOWN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K4Ad5XCxlI

Nominator: Hbthebattle (4/11)

Initial Score: 50.77 [#391]
Revised Score: 53.83 [#382]
Final Score: 55.95 [#392]

(First Thoughts: Fine enough, I guess.)

Another day, another song that feels like an RPG battle theme. This one works better than most as it has a bit of a hopeful and adventurous sound to it, like theres a bit more to it than YOU FIGHT EVIL NOW! YOU FIGHT NOW!!!!!, but its still a bit too far down the Epic RPG Musicssss category for me to really get into it.

[Final Thoughts: Most likely a top-tier song for its genre.]

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395: STURGILL SIMPSON - BEST CLOCKMAKER ON MARS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4r4dfaPkz0d37tPTJNwsUc

Nominator: Xeybozn (13/20)
Source: Sound & Fury (7/10)

Initial Score: 60.13 [#235]
Revised Score: 59.15 [#306]
Final Score: 55.40 [#395]

(First Thoughts: Good song, but the lyrics are too lovey.)

I know its stupid, but I actually kinda like the ticking clock sounds in the intro. The harsh sounds of the instruments is also strangely appealing somehow. But I just dont care about the lyrics in the slightest, which limits how much I actually want to listen to the song. Once you start singing about making babies, I lose all interest.

But I do like the song itself, when removed from the lyrics... so I dont want to drop it too far down the list because the positives outweigh the negatives.

[Final Thoughts: The usual good song that I dont have any connection to message goes here. I still like it, but... yeah.]

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394: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - BATTLE II:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/battle-ii

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (16/32)

Initial Score: 55.58 [#300]
Revised Score: 56.84 [#339]
Final Score: 55.70 [#394]

(First Thoughts: Considerably better than Battle I.)

For some reason, this feels like a modern Mega Man X song. I can just picture him (or Zero) running and jumping across cars on a crumbling highway. Strangely, I cant imagine Axl; possibly because no one cares about Axl.

I guess Axl wasnt bad in X8. He was like a shapeshifting version of Bass, but he had the misfortune of debuting in X7 & basically trying to replace X (who isnt even playable for half the game)... pretty hard for a character to recover from such a terrible debut (both in terms of how they debuted and how bad their debut game was)doesnt help that not many people played X8 to see how the character improved.

[Final Thoughts: This is one of the better Battle Themes, entirely because it doesnt feel like a battle theme to me. The bias towards things that merely remind me of Mega Man is real.]

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397: TOOL - JAMBI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed_UWFr13pU&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=2

Nominator: Steiner (13/26)
Source: 10,000 Words (8/11)

Initial Score: 36.14 [#523]
Revised Score: 47.02 [#468]
Final Score: 55.30 [#397]

[REDACTED]

Eh, there were some overly insensitive comments in the original writeups, so lets scrap those and start from scratch.

So, i like that the song manages to go for seven and a half minutes without ever feeling repetitive or drawn-out. A lot of songs tend to not make good use of longer runtimes, but this one does and deserves a fair amount of praise for it.

I dont like the growl-yelling at the end of the track. Like I get the gradual ramping up in intensity, but its not something that actually appeals to me. Still, I think I generally like this now. Probably mid-50s? Ill jump it up to 55 points for now and see how I feel when we get to that part of the list.

[Final Thoughts: Yeah, 55 points feels right for this track. Good song that doesnt exactly appeal to me, but has enough positive attributes that I dont want to place it too far down the list.]

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396: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - THE TREES HAVE EYES:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/the-trees-have-eyes

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (17/32)

Initial Score: 56.19 [#294]
Revised Score: 54.53 [#372]
Final Score: 55.32 [#396]

(First Thoughts: The same as Olberics song. Its fine, but I have no connection to it.)

A nice enough song that leaves no impression. Its not too epic or intense, its just kinda there? And it fades completely from memory the second its over with.

[Todays arbitrary song selection comes from the Journey Arcade Game!]

Steve Smith Theme (Wheel in the Sky):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0-umOwAU9I

Itll never be one of my favorites pieces of music (its too... one-dimensional and beep[y), but it actually works really well for a classic video game song. I could see it fitting in nicely into a Mega Man type game. Doesnt this song make you want to just walk to the right and slowly shoot at generic enemies in an 8-bit or less adventure?

...No? Just me? Alright then.

[Final Thoughts: Theres some nice electric guitar playing on this track. Not intense, just...nice. The song doesnt inspire any feelings, but its got a nice sound to it and I like the instruments.]

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399: KURAINE - SUMMIT (NO MORE RUNNING MIX):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YLk0kJ3Naw

Nominator: MetalmindStats (12/28)
Source: Metalminds Extra Tracks (3/7)

Initial Score: 49.999 [#419]
Revised Score: 46.69 [#471]
Final Score: 55.15 [#399]

(First Thoughts: Rather anti-climactic song for how far into the game it plays, which (like so many other songs) fails to inspire any reaction at all. I do like the ending of the song and the way it chooses to fade out.)

Like an unending dance song, but an incredibly soft one. Like everyones is so drugged out of their minds they can barely move. It is an almost unpleasant ambience, but it is a different ambience, which means I cant hate it. And the slow fade out feels like sinking into the abyss, thats always a neat effect.

[Final Thoughts: Well, Ive decided I like it, but I cant pin down exactly how much. It has sat without a preliminary score for a long time, as this vague somewhere in the 50s, I dunno, Ill worry about it later and Im running out of time to decide where... ultimately, I think its around 55 points? Its this weird...underwater drug rave thing, which is kinda appealing for how odd it feels, but also not exactly something I want, but also not something I dont want and its just...odd.

About 55 points worth of oddness.]

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398: MASAFUMI TAKADA - DISTRUST:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ3MmDHn89E&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=14

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (12/27)
Source: Crypt-y crypt crypt crypt (6/20)

Initial Score: 49.49 [#430]
Revised Score: 46.58 [#472]
Final Score: 55.25 [#398]

(First Thoughts: Its decent.)

One of those songs so aggressively adequate that it doesnt leave any impression. Had to go listen to it again immediately to try and find something to say, but again, I find nothing to say here other than decent.

[Todays space filling song comes from The Masked Singer UK]

Hedgehog - Chandelier:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz1szAX3gBc

Have you ever been listening to Sias biggest song and found yourself saying, I like this, but I wish it were sung by an operatic British steampunk hedgehog?

No? Well it exists and it is awesome; though to be fair anything sung by an operatic British steampunk hedgehog is awesome because STEAMPUNK HEDGEHOG. Americas Masked Singer pales in comparison, UK got all the best costumes. I might post something from UKs Fox just to show off her costume.

[Final Thoughts: Like Summit (No More Running Mix), this is a song that was moved up the list without any preliminary score or clear idea of where it was going, other than a vague somewhere in the 50 point zone feeling.

Which seems to have wound up with it dropping here. Its much milder than most songs on the album, so its an easier listen, but it also doesnt have any specific points that I can directly point to and say I like. Its just...good.]

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I do (kinda) like Trivial Pursuit Interactive Multimedia Game's Credits, but I'd agree it's the worst I nominated. It's just an unending stream of vocal samples without context or significance which appeals to me enough to overlook the...everything about it.
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wallmasterz posted...

I really thought Cut Mans weapon would work best, as in cutting a bomb wire to defuse it or something.

Funny you should mention that. In the PSP remake (Powered Up) they had to shuffle the weaknesses around a bit and that game's Bomb Man is weak to the Rolling Cutter.
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401.ORBITAL - MELTDOWN:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6ZqTXGzEiI

Nominator: @Toxtricity / Mycro (12/15)

Initial Score: 46.515 [#465]
Revised Score: 57.33 [#332]
Final Score: 54.08 [#401]

(First Thoughts: I like some of the ideas, like the breaking plates (I like...odd things, usually, I think, probably, maybe, shut up), but this just felt....tedious. It didnt feel much like having a meltdown, none of the individual sections really stood out, it just...kept going.

Imagine watching old Energizer Bunny commercials, only the bunny has been dyed black and all audio has been replaced by a faint clicking sound. The clicking is vaguely rhythmic and intriguing for a few seconds, but as you sit through ten minutes of watching a 30 second advert on an endless loop, you wonder whywhy it exists, why someone is showing it to you, why youre watching it. Then you just turn off the TV and go about your day because, much like the song, this metaphor went nowhere.)

There are sections I like, but the song lasts for so long that I can never recall any of them by the time the song has ended. It makes it very hard to discuss the song because its just too much.

Oh yeah, I liked the part...a few minutes ago, with the...the whatever was happening, you know?

(Vaguely recalled memories: The outro, quite a few sampled sounds because I like samples, some very low tones which I also like, and like nine and a half minutes worth of other stuff??)

Id say my new opinion on the song is slightly positive.

[Final Thoughts: Mew.]

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==============

400: HOMESTUCK - UNITE SYNCHRONIZATION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHmXe2eY6Kg

Nominator: Hbthebattle (5/11)

Initial Score: 59.03 [#273]
Revised Score: 58.17 [#320]
Final Score: 55.00 [#400]

(First Thoughts: A respectable attempt at an artificial sounding instrumental track. Theres still traditional instruments, but theres also a fair amount of beeping and what not. Doesnt inspire me or make me think of anything, but its nice enough.)

I dont know much about Homestuck, so the significance of this song is lost on me. I cant exactly comment on how the song brings in leitmotifs from other characters or argue about which character this theme best represents, since I barely know who any of the characters are.

Song is nice, but doesnt really do anything for me. Would probably work better with context.

[Final Thoughts: Still a good song, still doesnt make me think of anything specific or do anything that I have a strong attachment to.]

===============



And were officially 200 songs into the main ranking! UF8, I Disagree (More), and Live at Royal Albert Hall continue to have no eliminations thus far.

...I wish I had some other interesting statistic for you, but I cant think of anything. Still, ya know, progress milestones.
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403: PSO2 - HITSUGI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M31yY3XqNcs&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=5

Nominator: NFUN (21/37)

Initial Score: 54.39 [#312]
Revised Score: 57.05 [#336]
Final Score: 54.00 [#403]

(First Thoughts: Well, its definitely a piece of VGM, Ill say that about it. Parts of it feel like a shmup song, particularly a horizontal scrolling shmup, as you weave up and down between the bullets. But parts of it feel like a BONUS STAGE, which is odd. And other parts are filled with hope, which is okay, but Im more into sad songs than hopeful songs & why is a shmup trying to make me hopeful anyway? And since this is from an MMO, I can say that its probably not shmup related, or a bonus stage, though it could be hopeful I really dont know what emotion theyre aiming for wherever this disjointed mash-up of feelings actually plays.)

Im apparently on a Gradius kick tonight as everything sounds like Gradius to me, but this stands out as top tier Gradius song and possibly best in the franchise as opposed to merely being a song that reminds me of Gradius.

...that makes no sense in the least, but Im sticking with it.

[Final Thoughts: Still a good shmup song (and again, I know theres 0% chance of that being what the song was going for), though Im not as into it as the first two times.]

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402: MASAFUMI TAKADA - MR. MONOKUMAS EXTRACURRICULAR LESSON (BOSS 1)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s34zQKCSIfY&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=17

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (13/27)
Source: Crypt of the Necrodancer Danganronpa (7/20)

Initial Score: 29.00 [#541]
Revised Score: 20.49 [#575]
Final Score: 48.00 (upgraded to 55.00) (downgraded to 54.04) [#402]

(First Thoughts: ...)

... perfectly sums up my thoughts about the song.

(As will be established in a writeup written before this one, but appearing later because I prefer the song in it to this one, Ive taking to posting random songs from my recently most listened to list and talking about them instead to hit a minimum word count.)

BURNIN FOR YOU:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipqqEFoJPL4

What a distressingly mainstream pick. Im sure Im losing some of my completely insane taste cred by going with such a popular rock song, but what can I say? Any song that talks about being home in the darkness is basically starting with 100 points and the song never does anything I dislike. I am starting to get a bit tired of it because Ive heard it so many times, but its something that Ill still throw on occasionally because I just love some of the lyrics enough that Ill probably always like the song, at least somewhat.

[Not-So-Final Thoughts: Huh, you know Im actually kinda digging this tonight. Lets move this to the high 40s for a bit.]

[Still Not Final Thoughts: Yeah, I think I like this somewhat. Were moving on up again to the slightly more than 50 points tier.]

[Slightly Later: Nah, I like this a fair amount... I dont think its quite 60 point worthy, but lets move it to the 55 point area? See how we feel about the song there.]

[Final Thoughts: 54 feels right. I do like it, but not quite 55 points worth. Definitely one of the songs that got bounced around the most, so thats...a mildly interesting statistic?

...Also I have no idea why random space-filling songs wer getting their titles in CAPS LOCK and bold like actual songs. Think Burning For You is the only song I did that on, so thats also mildly interesting, but not really.]

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No one.
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Temporary Signature

The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar - Pray For Me:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR7Ev14vUh8

Should be my fifth and final nom.
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404 [TIE]: EVERY TIME I DIE - A WILD, SHAMELESS PLAIN:

https://open.spotify.com/track/57GVXY3PkCo3U1amQP3Tv9

Nominator: Bane (18/28)
Source: Ex Lives (8/14)

Initial Score: 36.04 [#524]
Revised Score: 56.49 [#344]
Final Score: 53.34 [#404]

(First Thoughts: I prefer my fur not matted with blood, thanks anyway.)

I guess I actually do like this, somewhat. even if its just metaphorical beasts and theyre being killed, theres still at least a reference to something with fur.

...I know thats stupid, but I have to take what I can get here andas Ive saidIm pretty easily manipulated that way. As for things about the actual song: Buckleys voice doesnt seem quite as shouty on this track as it is on some of the other tracks, and the song is quite shortit knows not to overstay its welcome, says everything it wants to without repetition, and ends quickly. Its a nice break from certain songs that are three times longer than they need to be.

[Final Thoughts: Perfectly fine song, even if I cant find anything to add here.]

=============



===============

404 [TIE]: EVERY TIME I DIE - EXOMETRIUM:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6iRlN1GZlSfih8YC2eJe39

Nominator: Bane (17/28)
Source: From Parts Unknown (9/14)

Initial Score: 52.47 [#341]
Revised Score: 53.34 [#389]
Final Score: 53.34 [#404]

(First Thoughts: Of all the bands songs, this is certainly one of them.)

Kupopopopopopo, kupo.

Some good lyrics here (as usual), though theyre going the opposite direction I like; lines about wisdom teeth replacing fangs and shedding the fur are...more about becoming human when Id prefer it go all in on the animalistic and/or non-human imagery. Not a bad attempt though.

[Final Thoughts: I cant decide between the two songs tonight. Theyve both got some animal metaphors and some nice lyrics, but theyre still not my favorites.]

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Wait, theres more than one Magical Trevor bit? Someone showed me the first one quite some time ago, when he was trying to teach me how great web animation was. (Also featured: A few episodes of Strong Bad E-mails & the entire series of Bonus Stage. And other stuff too, I guess.)

Either way, I didnt know he had also known Magical Trevor, so that was a neat bit of trivia.



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407: RUNESCAPE - BAROQUE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hH-1fyOf50

Nominator: handsomeboy (11/15)

Initial Score: 52.46 [#342]
Revised Score: 56.35 [#346]
Final Score: 52.55 [#407]

(First Thoughts: I was going to give this a score in the low 40s, but it actually became kinda pretty towards the end.)

The very last stretch of the song starting at almost the 1:40 mark is very, very nice. The rest of the song feels like western RPG shop music, which it may or may not actually be (I know almost nothing of Runescape), but isnt exactly an inspiring song...

Part great & part average, I think Im going with mid-50s for the score on this.

[Final Thoughts: Ehhh... I do like it, but I think Im moving it back down closer to its original score.]

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406: GEMMY DANCING HAMSTERS - KUNG FU FIGHTING:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZFgePYzmR8

Nominator: paulg235 (9/15)

Initial Score: 53.24 [#326]
Revised Score: 56.42 [#345]
Final Score: 52.60 [#406]

(First Thoughts: Cute, but not funny enough to attain greatness.)

Its a good choice, but if youre going to go with singing animal cover songs, why not just nominate a Chipmunk (or, preferably, Chipette) song? This song is rather in that style, but its a very short and low quality recording, which probably holds it back a bit? Still, very good attempt, Id say you were on the right track with his nomination.

Also there is something charming about the hamster twirling the nunchaku so fast that you can actually hear it over the music, even on this recording.

[Final Thoughts: Cute idea, even if it didnt quite work out.]

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Alright, nine more songs to go, so lets keep on rolling:



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409: MRWEEBL - THE AMAZING HORSE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPNVIz6Zw24

Nominator: paulg235 (10/15)

Initial Score: 30.01 [#537]
Revised Score: 46.00 (later upgraded to 56.00) [#351]
Final Score: 52.45 [#409]

(First Thoughts: Repetitive and not my style of humor, but... well the universe bit was reasonably funny and by this point Ill take any song that doesnt turn into a drug-filled sex orgy where everyones too drunk/stoned/etc to consent.)

I hate that this song is as catchy as it is. With better lyrics this would probably get into the 80s.

I also hate that after so many songs by The Weeknd that this is a welcome reprieve. Its like, Do you want to hear a song about drinking horse piss? and my first thought was Oh thank God, theres no drug-filled sex dungeons at all! Yes, yes, I would love to listen to your stupid horse piss song, a thousand times yes!

...Id say Trilogy broke me, but that would imply that I had any sanity left for it to have broken.

[Later: I suppose I have to admit that I kinda like this, in all of its raging stupidity.]

[Later Still: ...I honestly cant tell if you were aiming for last place or correctly guessed that Im ridiculous enough to have somewhat enjoyed something this stupid.]

[Final Thoughts: The song is stupid and overly repetitive (looping the entire song three times in a row is...bleh), but its at least a little funny and I have a fondness for silly things that are fun. This is reasonably fun, yes.]

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===============

408: LENA RAINE - ANXIETY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hH-1fyOf50

Nominator; MetalmindStats (13/28)
Source: Celeste (9/21)

Initial Score: 48.00 [#449]
Revised Score: 56.28 [#347]
Final Score: 52.50 [#408]

(First Thoughts: A very tense, anxiety inducing instrumental would be incredibly welcome. Have I talked about last years Dark Tube nomination from Mycro enough yet? Because that was tense in a wonderful way. This is... not Dark Tube. Its fine, good in context, etc, etc, but it doesnt make me feel anxious which keeps it below average.)

If I can get past this song not being what I want it to be, then its fairly good? Its at least trying to create feelings of anxiety, so its in the genre of music I want. Its still not even half as intense as I wish it was, but its a good try and my feelings are generally positive.

[Todays space filling tangent goes back to the 60s]

Paul Revere & the Raiders - Kicks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLomSaLLSzg

I feel we should have an anti-drug song somewhere in this topic to bring a bit of balance to things.

Don't you see no matter what you do
You'll never run away from you

I should set that to my sig for a while. Anyway... its one of the better pop rock songs from the 60s, vague enough that it can apply to any self-destructive escapist behavior, and features one of my favorite lines. Just a very well done song on all respects that manages to be anti-drug without coming off overly preachy and still being as catchy as any other hit from the era.

[Final Thoughts: I think this song is being held back by being too short. As soon as I start to try to get invested in the feelings the song wants to bring out... its over.]

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I think I may push through with a double update today, just to officially get through the bottom 200 songs; between the early start today and the progress milestone, it seems like a good time for it.

Either way, the rest of the ten songs:



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412: POKEMON SUPER MYSTERY DUNGEON - LUSH FOREST:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efpQWootg3k

Nominator: Hbthebattle (6/11)

Initial Score: 51.73 [#356]
Revised Score: 55.79 [#354]
Final Score: 52.35 [#412]

(First Thoughts: Another in the long line of not bad, but I have no reaction to it songs.)

Its an alright dungeon theme, but it doesnt do anything for me. Its just one of many decent pieces of VGM that is pleasant enough, but not really something Id choose to listen to.

[Todays space filling song is another of my nominations from Rakas duet ranking topic:]

bare - Best Kept Secret:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYm-GSU4EvQ

A fairly simple song that does a great job of establishing both characters personalities and the tone of the musical in general; I dont know much about the musical beyond this song, but between Jason refusing to say I love you back at the end of the song and the general feel, Im pretty sure this story isnt going to have a happy ending. The only real question is which of them dies, or if both die. I refuse to believe in the possibility of them both surviving after a song like this. Ive actually managed to avoid learning anything about the rest of the play because I dont want details interfering with my enjoyment of the track.).

[Final Thoughts: Sadly, I really dont have anything to add here.]

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===============

411: MASAFUMI TAKADA - BOX 16:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLD8tK_xwdo&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=9

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (14/27)
Source: Danganronpa Necrodancer the of Crypt (8/20)

Initial Score: 50.75 [#392]
Revised Score: 55.86 [#353]
Final Score: 52.40 [#411]

(First Thoughts: I was going to give this a terrible score (the cowbell practically sent this to the bottom), but I do kinda like the trumpets section of the song and the piano. Its enough for the song to hit the low 50s.)

Yes, Im really putting this song this high up the list based almost entirely on it featuring a trumpet (or...some trumpet like instrument, again, I really dont know music). I LIKE WHAT I LIKE.

[Todays space filling song takes a look back at a song from a past ranking topic that I didnt give a high enough score to:]

Thanks 4 Nothing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsx1cOjydBA

I cant remember who nominated it or how many points it got, but I know it wasnt enough. This song reached my Most Listened Songs from 2019 list on Spotify, even though all the times I listened to it for ranking purposes were done through a YouTube link. I liked it enough to actively seek out a Spotify link and listened to it quite a few times.

Either way, shes got a powerful voice and I always need more songs about doomed relationships. This is the end. I dont think we can be friends. Is...blunt, but as Ive said, I like bluntness with my sadness.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely some very nice instruments here, it makes it very close to being something I like unconditionally... but its still not quite there.]

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410: LIVE - T.B.D.:

https://open.spotify.com/track/5sFCshZWwo2ZPupqc2n7gd

Nominator: azuarc (21/28)
Source: Throwing Copper (11/15)

Initial Score: 52.52 [#339]
Revised Score: 50.00 [#425]
Final Score: 52.43 [#410]

(First Thoughts: Well I dont particularly wish to discuss the Tibetan Book of the Dead, LSD, death, or the person this is about... Ill at least admit that its interesting. If someone were to tell me they absolutely loved this song, or found it fascinating, I would completely understand that. Its rather brilliant, just not something I want to listen to often.)

The titles letters are an acronym for Tibetan Book of the Dead. It is a very large book.

This song was a portent of things to come, as the groups next album, Secret Samadhi, had many references to Eastern philosophy in the lyrics. That album did not sell well.

Book is large. Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Its not small. No, no, no!

...Heckling other peoples responses aside, Im not entirely sure why I had this with a positive score. If I dont want to listen to the song, and I dont want to talk about it, and I dont want to think about it, then it actively is not a song that I liked. I wouldnt say I disliked it either, I just...*shrugs*

[Later: ...Thats the second time I made a honeycomb joke in this topic (though this one will probably be the first posted since the other song is on a higher tier). Im so one dimensional that even the commercial parody jokes get recycled multiple times.]

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Actually, I do kinda like this. Lets see about moving it back to its original score?]

[Final Thoughts: Ehh... slightly lower than the original score, but more than the second. This is one of those songs that just kinda slides around the low 50s. Its good, just not my type of subject matter.]

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414: AZUSA CHIBA - LUWIERAS FOREST:

https://youtu.be/zzzP8MZQEF0

Nominator: Haste_2 (9/19)
Source: Hastes Extra Nominations (5/7)

Initial Score: 51.37 [#362]
Revised Score: 55.58 [#357]
Final Score: 52.23 [#414]

(First Thoughts: Not bad, but largely unremarkable.)

You know how it is; good song that doesnt make me think of anything particular, leaving it firmly in the realm of pleasant background music that doesnt leave a strong enough impression for a great score.

[For todays space filling song, lets go with some commercial jingles]

Mario Bros. [Atari]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dduvx-dEySY

Not a particularly obscure commercial (its strange enough that a fair number of people have seen it), but its still potentially worth revisiting.

Luigi calling for help and trying to find his brother is strangely on point for a commercial that long, long predates any types of characterization for Luigi.

The production values are surprisingly not bad for a random commercial:; a full set, multiple enemies, reasonably recognizable costume (sure, he looks more like Mario than Luigi, but Luigi was literally just green Mario at the time), its pretty neat.

The parody of the Car 54 intro is inexplicable, but actually kinda works?

I dunno, it seemed interesting enough to mention.

[Final Thoughts: Its still a nice song and still doesnt inspire any actual reactions, Im afraid.]

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413: LIVE - SUSQUEHANA:

https://open.spotify.com/track/0uh7gwxo82X6YioOclGkba

Nominator: azuarc (22/28)
Source: Throwing Copper (12/15)

Initial Score: 51.49 [#360]
Revised Score: 55.65 [#356]
Final Score: 52.30 [#413]

(First Thoughts: [this space left blank])

This is an odd nomination. The original release of Throwing Copper had 14 songs on it. The 25th anniversary added three extra tracks, including this one. azuarcs playlist had the 14 original songs & this one extra track.

...why just one of three bonus tracks? Nominating the original version of the album as it was meant to be heard makes sense. Nominating the extended version to get in as many songs as possible makes sense. Having just one extra song seems odd. (I know azuarc didnt create the playlist himself, but I question the person who did make it.)

Aaanywho.... the song is alright. The lyrics are that kind of vaguely almost philosophical rambling: Hard to bleed a wall when the bricks and sand are YOU! Is... its something, alright. I find it more comical than philosophical, but if the song works for you, then great.

[Final Thoughts: Well, I guess it kinda makes sense for this to have been the only extra track. It was written for the album, so you could argue that things are more complete with it included? Either way, the song is performed well (have I mentioned I like their poppier songs enough times yet?), but the lyrics arent working for me on any level.]

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Like I said, it was definitely an interesting take on the song.



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416: LENA RAINE - REFLECTION:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJXKBLeXK9c

Nominator: MetalmindStats (14/28)
Source: Celeste (10/21)

Initial Score: 57.00 [#290]
Revised Score: 55.37 [#360]
Final Score: 52.12 [#416]

(First Thoughts: Its the kind of atmospheric track I like, but I dont find myself getting lost in it.)

This might be nice on that meditative playlist I keep saying Ill make, but never do. Its not perfect since it doesnt actually put me into a relaxed state, but its so...quietly reflective that itd probably go well if I was already in the right headspace. It just needs some other songs to support it.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: The way the song progressively ramps up makes it a bit difficult to work with. I wouldnt ever describe it as intense, but it makes it a bit hard to quietly reflect on anything.

So... nice song, very close to being the type of thing I need more of, but its not quite there.]

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===============

415: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - DAUGHTER OF THE DARK GOD:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/daughter-of-the-dark-god

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (18/32)

Initial Score: 42.16 [#493]
Revised Score: 55.51 [#358]
Final Score: 52.18 [#415]

(First Thoughts: For future reference: If you ever want to nominate an album that consists of 8 EPIC BATTLEZ THEMESES that Im practically guaranteed to give below average scores to playing in succession... maybe dont?)

This song has two points in its favor over most of the EPIC FIGHTSES MUSIC of this album.

1: Latin singing. No idea what shes singing and dont particularly care, but the singing helps elevate the song and bring it closer to the EPIC FEELING they wanted to portray.

2: That outro. Its too short (roughly 40 seconds), but it is properly sad. Its a very weve finally won the war.. but at what costs?? as we survey all the destruction. It manages to pack a lot of emotion into less than a minute and I have to give them credit for that.

Beyond that, its still EPIC BATTLE!!!1!!!! which I still dont like, but there are enough positive qualities to the song that my opinion is generally positive. Though please dont make me marathon a bunch of these types of songs in one sitting again, thank you.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely one of the best examples of its genre, even if its still not exactly something I fully enjoy.]

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419: TOUHOU 17 - ENTRUSTING THIS WORLD TO IDOLS ~ IDOLATRIZE WORLD:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0VYKbTSxu0

Nominator: Shonen_Bat (4/27)
Source: Shonens Extra Songs (4/7)

Initial Score: 53.17 [#327]
Revised Score: 55.30 [#361]
Final Score: 52.06 [#419]

(First Thoughts: Fine enough, I suppose, but its a bit long and never brings anything to mind. Its just an alright song.)

Well, I like this more than most Touhou songs Ive heard. I find most of the PC-98 songs rather grating, so it was a good idea to try a more modern / not PC-98 Touhou song. Unfortunately, Im not really into this either. It doesnt bother me, but its too... intense & blatantly Touhou music for me to imagine anything. Its just like this is a good Touhou song, yes.

[Final Thoughts: Good Touhou song.]

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417 [TIE]: STURGILL SIMPSON - RONIN:

https://open.spotify.com/track/72FTwwTOazhuJ1titOxq65

Nominator: Xeybozn (14/20)
Source: Sound & Fury (8/10)

Initial Score: 51.16 [#370]
Revised Score: 55.72 [#355]
Final Score: 52.10 [#417]

(First Thoughts: The opening was great. Flipping through the radio, tires screeching, its all this is not a traditional song and I dont give a crap if HUMANS dont UNDERSTAND my BRILLIANCE. Then it just goes and plays guitars for a while because we cant have anything nice.)

Theres some fine guitar playing on this track, very heavy electric guitar shredding thats very classic rock and it does a fine job of telling you that this isnt going to be a very country album, but its nothing spectacular. Its also held back by the fact that its very clearly not meant to be listened to on its own; without the following track, this song literally stops mid-note.

Some song intros are good enough to actually stand on their own and justify getting their own track numbers; others, dont. And then theres Ronin, which doesnt really succeed or failits competent enough that you could listen to it separately, but so anti-climactic that you probably never would.

[Final Thoughts: I still love the intro.]

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417 [TIE]: MASAFUMI TAKADA - JUNK FOOD FOR A DASHING YOUTH:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yswhJKHTUc&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=3

Nominator: DoctorJimmy133 (15/27)
Source: Crypt of the Danganronpa (9/20)

Initial Score: 48.17 [#442]
Revised Score: 56.63 [#342]
Final Score: 52.10 [

(First Thoughts: Well its... better than several other songs on the soundtrack?)

I actually kinda like this. Its obviously still part of a genre that I dont like, but its mild enough that I can listen to it without a strong impulse to throw it into last place. Could see it having value being added to a playlist somewhere to possibly help build up my tolerance for this type of music?

Either way, I do like this. The beat is a bit softer, so its easier to tolerate, and I actually like the music in the background so its a pretty big improvement over all the other songs from the soundtrack that have already been cut.

[Final Thoughts: Appreciated, valuable in helping build up tolerance for this genre of music, but Im still not at a point where Im really a fan of it... still, something I am thankful for, even if the score doesnt properly reflect that.]

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Meg Myers - Running Up That Hill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7iVWK2W48o

I imagine 4 seconds over is close enough to five minutes? Also, it is a cover song. I'l change if you have a problem with either of those things.
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Iceman (Marvel)
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^Thank you very much! I knew youd be the one to ask about horror related music. <3



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420 [TIE]: SUPER METAL CRUSHER - BATTLE BGM 1~4:

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

Nominator: LOLIAmAnAlt (11/15)

Initial Score: 51.30 [#364]
Revised Score: 55.23 [#362]
Final Score: 52.00 [#420]

(First Thoughts: The list desperately needed some classic gaming beeping songs, but this isnt one of my favorites.)

I honestly do appreciate trying to nominate a TurboGrafx song. I dont think I have a favorite song from that system yet, so giving recommendations from that system is actually a really great idea. But, as we established, I dont often like battle themes and this isnt one of the exceptions. I like the soundchip here, just not quite this song.

Skimming the soundtrack, I think Battle BGM 5~8 might have fared the best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWPKXX_Wtg0

Theres a harsher, buzzing-like quality to it that Im kinda digging. Its definitely the best of the three Battle Themes from that game.

[Final Thoughts: Definitely the type of song that should be nominated, but not one that Im really into. Also, I suppose Ill have this tie with the other song Im giving the same writeup to...]

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420 [TIE]: ART BLAKEY AND THE JAZZ MESSENGERS - THE DRUM THUNDER SUITE:

https://youtu.be/3rfFLC5AfcY

Nominator: Haste_2 (10/19)
Source: Hastes extra songs (6/7)

Initial Score: 45.00 [#476]
Revised Score: 51.87 [#410]
Final Score: 52.00 [#420]

(First Thoughts: It gets some points for uniqueness, but Im really not a fan. I think I tend to dislike songs with a heavy focus on drumsI once said that I actively hated drums, though Ive since toned the rhetoric down to dislike how drums tend to be used in the types of songs Ive heard with them to be less...inflammatorily incorrectand this song serves as an example of drumming that I do not like.

I will say that I appreciate this nomination a lot more than the score reflects. Its definitely a side of jazz that Ive never heard and, while you probably didnt know my aversion to drums, I like that its such a bold choice and serves to test exactly how much I actually dislike the instrument as compared to how much I oversell my dislike of it. This is definitely the type of song that should be nominated and I honestly applaud you for doing so.

...Tempted to bump the score up to the low 40s here. I cant bring myself to put it in the 50s, because I still dont like the song, but I do like discussing & thinking about the song... yeah, Im moving this up to 45.00. Its a meaningless distinction since initial scores are pointlesspun not intended, but Ill take itbut I feel better giving it the slight bump.)

Ive decided I like this enough as a nomination that I do want to bump the score up to the low 50s. It feels wrong to constantly hype a song up as the type of thing that should be nominated and still give it a below average score.

[Final Thoughts: Im thankful for the experience, but its not quite my type of song.]

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423: PSO2 - SAKURA ~ FRANCAS CAFE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiflXqZhGiU&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=10

Nominator: NFUN (22/37)

Initial Score: 50.29 [#397]
Revised Score: 55.16 [#363]
Final Score: 51.79 [#423]

(First Thoughts: Its pleasant enough for background music, but I cant see it having much of a lasting impression.)

Feels like a credits song that plays over still pictures of the main characters relaxing or whatever.

...its also a disgrace to the Francas Cafe name, but Im trying not to hold that against the song. (Wow, I really hope I like Snowball ~ Francas Cafe as much on a second listen as I did on the first; this writeup is going to be so awkward if Snowball doesnt keep its ranking way, way, way beyond this inferior song.)

Either way, this song is fine. Kinda peaceful and relaxing, but not relaxing enough to get onto a relaxation playlist or anything.

[Final Thoughts: Its nice.]

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422: JON OF THE SHRED - WALLS CLOSING IN:

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

Nominator: IhatethisCPU (12/15)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 50.00 [#425]
Final Score: 51.90 [#422]

(First Thoughts: Not bad, but at no point in that eleven minutes did I feel anything. I didnt like or dislike it, at any point, for any length of time. It wasnt musical white noise, it didnt put me to sleep, it just existed. Until it didnt.)

My lack of reaction may be tied to the fact that I have no experience with slasher movies to really get what hes trying to accomplish musically. Like, in theory, I get that hes drawing inspiration from a bunch of 70s & 80s horror film soundtracks, but Ive never heard those songs? It results in the song just being an eleven minute homage to...basically nothing from my frame of reference.

Im sure its probably good? I dont mind listening to it, I just also cant point to anything the song does that I enjoyed either.

...I suggest trying to get Snake to listen to it, hed probably know what the artist was going for and have a valid opinion on it.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: Well, I still dont really get the song, but it feels like a notable jump in quality over the other 50 point songs. Moving this up a bit to 51-ish points.]

[Final Thoughts: Its a quality song and its somewhat interesting since its not a style of music I have any experience with.]

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426: PIANO OPERA - SEARCHING FOR FRIENDS:

https://open.spotify.com/track/6yCcVu0tX87APB7yThXQKw

Nominator: Haste_2 (11/19)
Source: Piano Opera Final Fantasy IV/V/VI (5/12)

Initial Score: 61.15 [#216]
Revised Score: 52.50 [#401]
Final Score: 51.68 [#426]

(First Thoughts: The opening parts of the song are quite good. Its probably a bit too happy, but the first 1:38 of the song is a fun adventuring song and I like what they did with it. After that, the song tries to become sad and were back to sad piano song that does not actually make me feel sad, which is...fine I suppose. It picks up again at the end, but that just leaves the song feeling bipolar. Ill say that I do like it and its probably the best you could do with a piano arrangement of this track, but I dont love it.

Original would hit around the 67 point range? Really good, but I dont think Id want to go all the way up to the 70s for it... though it is pretty... would have to listen to it a few more times to decide.)

Its nice, but Im still not a fan of this general style of piano music to begin with, so even the higher quality songs tend to be more... I guess I like this?, rather than things I can fully say I enjoyed.

[Final Thoughts: Fairly standard Piano Opera writeup, but I cant think of anything to really add about it.]

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424 [TIE]: MAZEDUDE - ROCKIN THE ANDES:

https://mazedude.bandcamp.com/track/rockin-the-andes

Nominator: sergiocornaga (11/18)

Initial Score: 51.11 [#372]
Revised Score: 55.02 [#365]
Final Score: 51.73 [#424]

(First Thoughts: I like the story behind the song, but its just kinda above average?)

Its an interesting song (yes, I say that too much, deal with it), but not one I find myself very drawn to. I could throw all kinds of praise at the track: How many different instruments and styles from all over the world it incorporates, how complicated it is, how Mazedude took a heavily computerized/synthetic song & actually improved it with all these...traditional sounds for want of a better way of describing things.

But all that doesnt really matter if its not something Ill actually go back to listen to; its an interesting & fun improvement over the original song, but not one that really appeals to me personally.

[Final Thoughts: Its nifty.]

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424 [TIE]: HARUYOSHI TOMITA - ODE TO JOY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEBCPfi_GV0

Nominator: IhatethisCPU (13/15)

Initial Score: 50.26 [#398]
Revised Score: 55.09 [#364]
Final Score: 51.73 [#424]

(First Thoughts: If there were an award for most brain melting song, it would have to go to this. A hip-hop remix of classical music from a licensed anime spin-off of Shenmues violently deranged cousin? But I think I like the idea of the nomination more than I like the actual song, regrettably. Its weird enough that Im sure it has to stay above 50 points, but... not far above 50.)

Its unique and interesting, but not exactly great and its over way too quicklya minute isnt even long enough to fully acknowledge what Im even listening to before it comes to an abrupt end.

[Final Thoughts: Also nifty.]

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^Post 131 directly said one of the writeups was going to be in ROT13, so it wasnt exactly meant to be a secret.

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428: FRUMS - DIMENSIONALIZE NERVOUS BREAKDOWN:

https://frums.bandcamp.com/track/dimensionalize-nervous-breakdown

Nominator: cakophon (23/26)
Source: vignette (18/20)

Initial Score: 65.01 [#174]
Revised Score: 58.52 [#315]
Final Score: 51.60 [#428]

(First Thoughts: Not as interdimensional or breakdown inducing as Id like, but good attempt.)

I know its very inconsiderate to say a song written during an anxiety attack isnt breakdown-y enough, but Frums shouldnt ever hear this review and its what I honestly think of it. Its good, but not one of Frums best and Im left wanting more from it.

[Final Thoughts: Another for the ever-growing songs I should like more than I do pile.]

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427: EVERY TIME I DIE - GRUDGE MUSIC:

https://open.spotify.com/track/07SF97XCo1ePUFJ2k6Fos4

Nominator: Bane (19/28)
Source: Ex Lives (9/14)

Initial Score: 52.11 [#351]
Revised Score: 54.95 [#366]
Final Score: 51.61 [#427]

(First Thoughts: Perhaps theyd buy you a drink if you werent always screaming.)

Decided to check for some YouTube comments to see what other people had to say about this:

XD THIS IS SO UGLY :D THERE ISNO TUNE, TUMBS DOWN :D I was looking for the music from the film "the grudge" and actually i find this, but WHAT IS IT ? XDDD
BANGBA BANNGNG SAUSAGE SAN TROPP REI BAGN BANG BANF BANG !!!

And I genuinely cant tell if this person is being sarcastic or not. The smiley face and intentionally bad grammar makes me think its a joke, but how could anyone be sure these days?

Either way, Im not sure why I have this song over some of their other songs, but this feels like a good placement for it, so here it is.

[Final Thoughts: This song keeps getting lightly shuffled around the low 50s, but I can never quite pin down why.

...also unrelated to anything, but Sausage San Tropp Rei sounds like a Shonen Anime attack.]

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430: MASAFUMI TAKADA - WONDERFUL DEAD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRGIdqezA94&list=PLLmUcHIAJVw_GCWsy10Bv4-rtr6XDQfSU&index=6

Nominator: DoctorJimmmy133 (16/27)
Source: Cwypt of the Nyecwodancew Danganwonpa (10/20)

Initial Score: 50.80 [#390]
Revised Score: 54.81 [#368]
Final Score: 51.54 [#430]

(First Thoughts: The out of place vocalizations did make me laugh, but Im not sure this is actually funny enough to deserve a high score.)

Kinda funny and kinda catchy, but not funny enough that I have to give it a great score or catchy enough that it gets stuck on my head on a regular basis. Its still a good song and definitely one of the best on the album, but I think I want to keep the score in the low 50s. Sorry.

[Final Thoughts: I really do like this song and I almost want to jump it up a while tier... but... not really? Its always the same response: Oh hey, I remember this track! Im actually looking forward to hearing this again. and then keeping it in the low 50s because Im still...not that into it.

...very tempting to move this further up the list, but... yeah, I think Im going to leave it here.]

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429: ESPERANTO - ELEANOR RIGBY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GApsh4Vw6_8

Nominator: rwlh (14/15)

Initial Score: 40.71 [#503]
Revised Score: 54.88 [#367]
Final Score: 51.57 [#429]

(First Thoughts: A rather unpleasant and bizarre cover of Eleanor Rigby, which is...odd and not in a way that I like.)

Trying to find other peoples comments on this song, I see someone calling it [a] complete deconstruction of Eleanor Rigby which more or less until the third minute of the song is unrecognizable.

That sounds like its putting my thoughts into words that people could actually understand; its such a very sharp departure from the original song thateven as someone who has never been a big fan of The Beatles or the original version of Eleanor Rigbythe song sounds incredibly wrong. With a bit more familiarity with this version, Im starting to appreciate it a little? Id at least say my feelings are slightly positive this time around.

(Unrelated to anything, but Eleanor Rigby is permanently associated with Family Ties in my mind. I dont know why, but I half-remember an episode where the father quotes the face that she keeps in a jar by the door line... though I dont recall the context. Google tells me the exact episode the scene happens in, but not the full dialogue and I dont care enough to find a way to actually watch the episode.)

[Final Thoughts: Its a very intriguing song, but I think I like it more in a wow, this is an interesting nomination way than an actually want to listen to it on a regular basis way.]

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Ill add those two to the list, thank you; and Id better post said list as there are some things from a while ago that never got fully added and if I put this update off any longer than Im going to start losing track of things.

ZALIST (in no particular order)

Achtung Baby (Album)
Emerson Lake & Palmer - Trilogy (Album)
Grind Session (Game OST)
Steve Reich (Artist)
Live - Hold Me Up
Live - We Deal In Dreams
Piano Opera - Terras Theme (Arr. Bill Dobbins)
Piano Opera - The Serpent Trench (Arr. Bill Dobbins)
Piano Opera - Welcome to Our Town! Music Box
Piano Opera - Theme of Love Music Box
Piano Opera - Moogle Theme Music Box
Piano Opera - My Home, Sweet Home Music Box
Piano Opera - The Mystic Forest Music Box
Piano Opera - Terras Theme: Music Box
Shooter Jennings - The Low Road
CFO - Let Me Show You How
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - Now or Never
Hive - Moves Within Time (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Movements)
Hive - Ultrasonic Sonic
The Moody Blues - In The Beginning/Lovely to See You
The Doors - Light My Fire (full version)
ZZ Ward - Ghost
Veracocha VS Axwell - Feel The Carte Blanche
Nina Simone - Dont Let Me Be Misunderstood

And some songs UF8 PMd a while ago

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432: FIRE EMBLEM PREMIUM ARRANGE II - TRUTH, DESPAIR, AND HOPE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWyVEOtY5H8

Nominator: Hbthebattle (7/11)

Initial Score: 59.46 [#266]
Revised Score: 54.67 [#370]
Final Score: 51.42 [#432]

(First Thoughts: This is technically something Ive asked for, yes.)

Plip.

I did want more jazz songs, more VGM remixes, more songs with sax solos, and more of a focus on brass instruments.

Youd think giving me the literal definition of what I wanted would have gotten you a higher score than this, but apparently, youd be wrong.

[Final Thoughts: A vast improvement over the original and I do love that sax solo, but its still not quite there for some reason.

(Sax Counter: 3 ; forgot to include a point when I started talking about Laughter in the Rain for no reasonor more accurately hadnt started the Sax Counter until after that writeup and didnt think to go back through past writeups to see if Id already praised saxophones prior to the counter officially starting.)]

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431: THE EIGHTFOLD ROAD - OLBERIC, THE WARRIOR:

https://familyjules7x.bandcamp.com/track/olberic-the-warrior

Nominator: The_Mighty_KELP (19/32)

Initial Score: 56.19 [#294]
Revised Score: 54.60 [#371]
Final Score: 51.46 [#431]

(First Thoughts: *the original First Thoughts were accidentally deleted at some point. Judging by another writeup, it seems it was something to the effect of: a good song that I dont have any connection to. Going to have this tie with The Trees Have Eyes, most likely*)

Ive decided I have the very slightly preference for Olberics theme, but its not much of one. Like the last song, it is fine and has nothing that I want to criticize, but it doesnt leave a lasting impression or anything either.

[Uhh... arbitrary pick... uhh...]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bgNyaAz1jg

...I have absolutely nothing to say about that, but its an arbitrary pick, you have to give me that much.

[Final Thoughts: Well, obviously its no longer tied or particularly close to The Trees... Either way, this is quite a good song for the album. Its suitably heroic and epic, feeling like it belongs in a Dynasty Warriors type gamethis is very charge forward and slaughter thousands of soldiers with your GIANT SWORD type music. But once again, I find that I prefer all the other remaining songs... I wouldnt say its too epic or too battle related, but its not the type of song that lends itself to whimsical flights of fancy or anything.]

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Cant say I know what Post Grunge is either, but Ill take your word for it.



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434: BENNIE BENJAMIN & GLORIA CALDWELL - DONT LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKYNqfx2ahc

Nominator: Mega_Mana (16/18)
Source: Megas Extra Noms (4/5)

Initial Score: 52.26 [#345]
Revised Score: 54.46 [#373]
Final Score: 51.38 [#434]

(First Thoughts: Ive only heard The Animals version of this song. Didnt know it was a cover; wonder what the original sounded like? Remind me to check up on that when this song is actually eliminated.

Either way, I dont think this works too well as an instrumental. It just seems lacking now.)

Without the lyrics, the song just feels incomplete. Its good enough that I like it, but Im left wanting...an actual finished version or something.

Somehow this song feels like the theme for a guest party member in an RPG that never fully joins. Like therell be an unwinnable boss battle, we cut to all the main characters on their knees talking about hopeless everything is, and then THIS MUSIC plays and CHARISMATIC RIVAL shows up (most likely standing on top of a large cliff, or wall, or some other IMPROBABLE LOCATION) and saves the day by doing something to make the invincible bosses vulnerable & fully healing the party so you can have an IMMEDIATE REMATCH that you can win.

[Final Thoughts: Well now Im picturing an old west version of Tuxedo Mask for this song.

Dont quite have time to update the list right now, but I do still need to add the original version of this song to it. Will hopefully remember to do that later.]

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433: TOOL - VIGINTI TRES:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCzlS0WwnDQ&list=OLAK5uy_l7KrE4YuWhZsfCdXlLJERHyk4YlwydukA&index=11

Nominator: Steiner (14/26)
Source: 10,000 Days (9/11)

Initial Score: 50.00 [#406]
Revised Score: 57.40 [#331]
Final Score: 51.40 [#433]

(First Thoughts: If this song made me feel anything, itd probably be somewhere in the top 10% of songs... as is, its just there?)

I like ambient tracks, mysterious tracks, and Tools more experimental things that question what music is so yes, this is one of the better Tool songs in this topic.

[Final Thoughts: Ehh... I still like it a bit, but feel like I got carried away with its score the second time around. Its different, but not so different that I become obsessed with it or want to listen to it repeatedly. Its certainly not the best of the...however youd describe these types of Tool songs.]

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437: THE WEEKND - VALERIE:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4fLnXd56RsWN4ZBtb9TegQ

Nominator: Player_0 (14/30)

Initial Score: 48.10 [#446]
Revised Score: 54.18 [#377]
Final Score: 51.28 [#437]

(First Thoughts: Well, its...an improvement in many ways.)

No drugs, no orgies, and hes actually referring to a woman by a real name? I didnt know he was capable of such a song.

This is also probably his best vocal performance, managing to sound as good as Michael Jackson ever did, and I like MJ enough to not make that comparison lightly. But for as much of an improvement as this song is, Im still not that into it; like the lyrics are an improvement, but still not any that I actually like so... no, still not great, but I do like it somewhat.

[Final Thoughts: Good song, even if I dont want to move it any further up the list.]

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436: RUNESCAPE - MASSACRE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_960dUEVEs

Nominator: handsomeboy (12/15)

Initial Score: 51.03 [#378]
Revised Score: 54.25 [#376]
Final Score: 51.31 [#436]

(First Thoughts: I should like this. A retro VGM cover of a song is totally my sort of thing, but... eh?)

Well, this is a lot better than the actual Nightwish song this is a.... [Parody? Remix? Homage? Rip-off? Please insert accurate term here] of. Planet Hell is just another in the long line of overly epic and thus mind-numbingly dull songs that Im not a fan of.

Moving along: So, I like the story behind the track (making it in honor of some popular fanmade music video about whatever happened), and I do like taking a traditional song & turning it into this artificial computer VGM thing, but considering my sheer dislike of the original song and my total lack of knowledge about Runescape, theres not a lot in the song itself for me.

[Final Thoughts: Sorry. It was definitely a good choice that seemed like it should be something I loved.]

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435: LIVE - THE DAM AT OTTER CREEK:

https://open.spotify.com/track/053lg6741LYiEHUKnG8y6c

Nominator: azuarc (23/28)
Source: Throwing Copper (13/14)

Initial Score: 63.00 [#196]
Revised Score: 54.39 [#374]
Final Score: 51.34 [#435]

(First Thoughts: Ehh... death is usually a bit too far on the soul-crushing side of things, but I do rather like this. This album has potential.)

And another song Im bouncing hard off of the second time around, sending it spiraling down another tier.

PROS:

The opening has some lyrics that appeal to me:

When all thats left to do
Is reflect on whats been done
This is where sadness breathes
The sadness of everyone

Thats definitely the type of sad lyric I tend to like.

Theres also some light distortion on the singers voice in places and the outro is also rather good; the slow fade out, like slowly sinking into the depths, is very well done and that slight buzzing sound towards the end is totally my sort of thing.

CONS:

Im not really invested in the story of someone drowning. Songs about real people dying tend to just be...too real for my cartoon-ish tastes.

It feels like a very loud and harsh song, almost unpleasant to listen to at times.

...well considering the subject matter it probably should be harsh and unpleasant, but that doesnt exactly make me like more.



It all works out to a rather slight like this time around.

[Final Thoughts: Good intro & outro, but the story is too grounded in reality (I feel I read that it was based on someone Ed knew who really drowned there, but Im not going to try to verify that story) for my tastes. The music is certainly differentId say it doesnt really sound like anything from either of their two nominated albumsbut I still prefer the more pop-ish songs of theirs over...whatever genre this is.

Since the original upload came from a Grunge YouTube channel, Im going to guess Grunge? Dont know what grunge actually is, but this song feels grunge-y.

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Sorry for the delay tonight, running behind on things but we should still get through the next ten songs... just, ya know, slightly later than usual.

...also Im sorry about the unfortunate timing on this elimination, but rearranging the list to avoid awkwardness would be cheating.



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440: VERACOCHA - CARTE BLANCHE:

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

Nominator: Djungelurban (13/15)

Initial Score: 28.72 [#544]
Revised Score: 44.49 [#491]
Final Score: 51.08 [#440]

(First Thoughts: Well, its not the worst example of this genre Ive ever heard, but that beat... can we just stop with the repetitive THUMP THUMP THUMP beats? Theyre the type of thing that doesnt get high scores or manage to be so triggering they get last place either and I cant imagine anyone enjoying me complaining about pulsing beats for the 500,000th time.)

Well, Im not bothered by the beat at all tonight, so thats a drastic improvement. I still cant think of anything I particularly like about the song or want to talk about though.

[Not-Quite-Final Thoughts: I slightly like this tonight, so it can go up to the low 50s for a bit.]

[Final Thoughts: Not bad. It could use some lyrics or something to go along with it, but its not bad.

(Pulsing Beat Counter: 5.5? I stopped complaining about it by the second listen, but I did complain incessantly during the first listen... gonna half count it, I guess?)]

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439: PSO2 - ESCA FALZ MOTHER ~ DEATHBLOW:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIknnfwOHfg&list=PLeKaE-gusMmaq2FecWApCcMOVGJblcdrD&index=23

Nominator: NFUN (23/37)

Initial Score: 20.00 [#560]
Revised Score: 53.97 [#380]
Final Score: 51.11 [#439]

(First Thoughts: Guvf fbat vf fb grqvbhf naq qvfnccbvagvat gung zl ernpgvba pna bayl or cebcreyl rkcerffrq va n frevrf bs vapbzcerurafvoyr & vauhzna tebjyf, ercerfragrq urer ol rapbqvat n zrffntr va EBG13.

...V fubhyq cebonoyl tvir rkgen cbvagf sbe oernxvat zl oenva gb n cbvag gung Vz fcrnxvat va rapbqrq zrffntrf, ohg V qvfyvxr vg jnl gbb zhpu gb qb fb.)

Npghnyyl, guvf vfag fb onq va ergebfcrpg. Creuncf vgf nyy gur qvfnccbvagvat fbatf gung jrer abzvangrq yngre va gur gbcvp gjvfgvat zl cbvag bs ivrj, ohg guvf vf npghnyyl xvaqn avprsne gbb ercrgvgvir, fher, ohg vg qbrf unir n fhvgnoyl rcvp srry gb vg. Vg npghnyyl anvyf gur yrgf xvyy gur svany sbez bs guvf greevslvat fcnpr qrzba srry, juvpu vf vzcerffvir.

Ohg...gur fbat vf fgvyy gbb ercrgvgvir sbe zr gb npghnyyl snyy va ybir jvgu vg naq Vz abg ragveryl fher jul vg pbzcryf zr gb fcrnx va gbathrf... vf gung n tbbq guvat? Onq guvat? Vgf whfg xvaqn bqq. Fgvyy... zhpu orggre guna V vavgvnyyl tnir vg perqvg sbe, lrf.

[Final Thoughts: Short version of that mess: Its got a good atmosphere, I like how the song actually succeeds at being dramatic and intense, but the song feels a bit repetitive.]

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438: POKEMON 2000 - POKEMON WORLD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_SaRl12o7s

Nominator: @GavsEvans123 (10/15)

Initial Score: 58.27 [#278]
Revised Score: 54.04 [#379]
Final Score: 51.20 [#438]

(First Thoughts: Should have nominated the TV show theme instead of this extended dance remix. Taking a song I really like and making it worse in every way is not exactly a recipe for a high score.

*notices theres a full version of the TV intro version*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SeGoR8ZzUY

Surprised I never heard the extended version before. Though I think I might prefer the intro version? Songs neat, but I dont know that stretching it to three minutes really helps anything.)

Dont really have anything else to add to that. This just takes a song Ive loved for years and remakes it into a genre that I have no interest in. I love the original song too much to actively dislike this version, but its a big drop in quality (in terms of things I want to listen to, anyway.)

...Also its unrelated, but its funny you mention not nominating this as the Pokemon Music Topic. I came very close to nominating the version of this song from Pokemon Puzzle League, but held off because a MIDI remix of an anime song felt like it was stretching the definition a bit too far.

[Final Thoughts: {Pulsing Beat Counter: 6.5)

When the song starts, I fear that Id been too harsh on it. Sure, its not the version I know, but different isnt bad... but the choruses bring in that pulsing beat; its short lived and not so loud as to be really bad, but it does bring the song down a bit. The original intro has a very smooth feel to it (no, I still dont know what I mean by that, but I know it when I hear it) that this remix does away with.

...Inexplicably the nominated version of the song doesnt feel like it drags on, while the extended version of the TV theme feels like its pointlessly extended. TV Version > Movie Version > Extended Version.]

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Furby.
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