Board 8 > [VGMC] d14: Pokemon Typing Boss vs Bloodlines, Phantom R Theme vs Seize the Day

(+) Yeah! (+)

Welcome to today's topic for Video Game Music Contest 12, a tournament of the best tracks from games, as decided upon by you, the voters.

Links:
Bracket - http://www.bracketmaker.com/tlist.cfm?tid=469506
Contest info - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lzzbpDP2whgvOTN2XHETfWg79IyPs01jdwIQu_L2C7k/
Discussion and results thread - https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/76419785
Main bracket playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9O9mntH1RFBXCwz0vAKZg8V0rnrKHsE
Side bracket playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW9O9mntH1RFI-vkdyFa8-bXzbFLMLl1X

Rules:

- Listen to both of the songs. Links have conveniently been provided for both songs. Even if Song A is your favorite of all-time and Song B is from a series you hate... Listen. To. Both. (If I have suspicions your vote is not based on a fair and impartial preference, it will be disqualified.)
- Obvious contest rules apply (no alts, one vote per person, no rallying, etc.).
- Please make your voting options clear, rather than burying them in text.
- Each set of matches lasts 24 hours, even if the new one isnt up by then.
- Always vote on the versions of the song provided, not versions from different sources.
- If you know ahead of time that you're not going to be around and you want to vote in advance, post your choices in the discussion/bracket topic.
- Please do NOT post tallies/score updates in the middle of the match, as this has a tendency to directly influence matches.
- You don't have to vote in all the matches, but it'd be cool if you did!

.
Match #1:

Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure - Boss Battle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMsxw_u8664" data-time="

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood - Bloodlines

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR0UjAQIX6E" data-time="

.
Match #2:

Rhythm Thief and the Emperor's Treasure - Phantom R's Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je1nL5y2qUg" data-time="

Tokyo Xanadu - Seize the Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7g5WDC-vVM" data-time="

.
Side bracket:

Charge Cycles - Mechanism Turned On

Boss
Phantom Thief B... er, R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Boss Battle - evil matchup i love em both
Phantom R's Theme - evil matchup i love em both
Mechanism Turned On - evil matchup i love em both

guess i'll just die

Boss Battle
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

The Charge Cycles song, oh my.
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

I really like the opening 30 seconds of Seize the Day, but Phantom R's Theme is much more consistent throughout.

Other matches were easy picks.
---

Bloodlines
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

Boss Battle kinda feels like a novelty at this point, although it's certainly still hype
Phantom R's Theme is pretty neat but SPiKA's music is going to sweep the world
what do I even do with this side match
---

Boss Battle
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

I don't have much to comment on for Boss Battle, but I do like it more than I/one might expect given the type of song it is. I actually have similar feelings on both songs here, in that I don't really get much from them other than some vague atmospheric feeling of intensity. Both are relatively solid songs but neither is great either. In this case I'll take Bloodlines' neat oriental-sounding rhythm section and slightly stronger focus on melody over Boss Battle's overpowering bass and more frantic sound. Also let me just say Boss Battle feels like WAY too intense of a song to be in a literal typing game.

Seize the Day sounds like a pretty generic anime OP. (I have no idea if it's the OP of the game, but it does sound like one!) I say that facetiously, but I am actually quite fond of the "generic anime OP" sound. This is a song I absolutely enjoy listening to. Also one part of the melody (see 2:51 for example, though it appears other places) reminds me of Snow Halation, which is pretty cool I guess? Unfortunately it drew a pretty rough opponent here which I either almost or actually did support during nominations. Phantom R's Theme has a relatively unique sound that I've loved every time I've heard it. Perhaps unsurprisingly based on the game title, the rhythmic off-beat sounds the song uses are really cool and give a lot of flavor to the song.

The bonus match is...one of picks versus one of Mycro's picks. If you know anything about either of our music tastes that pretty much says all there is to say about my feelings on this match. (And if not, well, the songs are relatively representative of them as far as I know, and the contrast should be self-explanatory)

Cradle Where Feelings Rest > Phantom R's Theme > Seize the Day > Bloodlines > Boss Battle > Mechanism Turned On

Strong day overall. Even Mechanism Turned On I would actually say I'm almost neutral towards as opposed to disliking it.
---

Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure - Boss Battle
Tokyo Xanadu - Seize the Day
Trails in the Sky the 3rd - Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Mechanism Turned On

Boss
Phantom
Mechanism
---

Boss Battle
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

boss battle
carpe diem
cradle

mechanism turned on literally feels like it has no floor.

which is weird and interesting but it turns out there's a limit on how long i'm willing to feel that way.

that limit is maybe thirty seconds.

mechanism is significantly longer than that.
---

dowolf posted...

mechanism turned on literally feels like it has no floor.

atonal?
---

no.

maybe it has to do with the lack of a baseline or rhythm section? I dunno. I don't know any formal music theory, which means I have to rely on crazy random metaphors to express ideas on music >_>

edit: well no it has a rhythm section. and a baseline at parts. so now i have no idea.
---

kind of like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeTFxbsVGrI" data-time="

?
---

The problem I have with it is that it feels a lot like freeform improvisational jazz except that it's electronic and not actually jazz.

To more directly state it, what I mean is that the musical patterns used feel too spontaneous and disconnected to me, which makes the entire song feel directionless.
---

NFUN posted...

kind of like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeTFxbsVGrI" data-time="

?

I didn't listen to the whole thing, but I didn't get the same impression from any of this.

pyresword posted...

The problem I have with it is that it feels a lot like freeform improvisational jazz except that it's electronic and not actually jazz.

To more directly state it, what I mean is that the musical patterns used feel too spontaneous and disconnected to me, which makes the entire song feel directionless.

That might be why. I dunno.
---

Bloodlines
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure - Boss Battle
Tokyo Xanadu - Seize the Day
Trails in the Sky the 3rd - Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Match 1: Bloodlines

Honestly didn't really like either. But Bloodlines was a bit better than the other.

Match 2: Phantom R's Theme

This was a kind of fun song, and the best one today. The other song didn't really do much for me. Felt kind of generic even.

Side Bracket: Mechanism Turned On

Didn't really like either here. But Mechanism has some real personality in how strange it sounds.

All in all, kind of a really weak day.

Boss Battle
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

All the matches were tough.

Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure - Boss Battle
Tokyo Xanadu - Seize the Day
Trails in the Sky the 3rd - Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Castlevania: Rondo of Blood - Bloodlines
Tokyo Xanadu - Seize the Day
Trails in the Sky the 3rd - Cradle Where Feelings Rest

Seize the Day may be one of those rare songs where I think I prefer the short version. Full version still good though.

That third match is... interesting. I almost want to vote Mechanism Turned On but listening to it... at times it honestly made me dizzy. Felt like my sense of balance got knocked out. It was weird. I've had certain songs/sound effects give me a headache but this was new. Taking that out of the equation, I did like it... but I mean... that is part of the whole package so...
---

Boss Battle
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

I feel like Kid Icarus's boss theme is very cliche/generic, but I love it. Favorite of the day along with Phantom R's Theme.

Mycro, what does Mechanism Turned On convey iyo? I feel like I have a better understanding of how you read music now that I've seen your write-ups, but I still can't really comprehend this track.

Boss Battle
Phantom R's Theme
Mechanism Turned On

Strong day all around
---

Bloodlines
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Boss Battle - I've always kinda liked Boss Battle, but it seems an odd choice for a contest regular. Just doesn't stand out a ton. Bloodlines is mediocre, which is a step up from most of the bracket's CV songs.

Phantom R's Theme - Phantom R's theme is good at first, but then it's just the same thing over and over again. Seize the Day is terrible though, so it's still an easy win for it.

Cradle Where Feelings Rest - Speaking of terrible, MTO doesn't really have any appeal to me on its own. It could be fun background music for a level (kinda reminds me of the music for those challenge areas in Super Mario Odyssey), but doesn't really give me any listening pleasure. Cradle is at least not unpleasant, though it's also probably not one of the 20 best Trails 3rd songs...
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

Both in the first match are fairly blah to me, so I had a hard time picking a winner. I like both in the second match well. As someone who supported Seize the Day into the contest, I'm not entirely sure WHY it was nominated, because I do think it's pretty generic anime OP. I do like that sort of thing in general but I don't think it works that well without the visuals. Or maybe I'm just grumpy it wasn't one of my preferred Tokyo Xanadu tracks. Anyway I like the style of the other one a lot. As for the side bracket, I hate Mechanism Turned On, it's complete nonsense almost entirely in my opinion. Not one of my favorite Trails the 3rd songs but I would much rather have it.
---

Bloodlines
Seize the Day
Cradle Where Feelings Rest

What an easy day, but it's also "Day of Contrasts, Part 2".

-First match: Bloodlines takes this extremely easily. Really, mainline Pokmon games have WAY better music than this.

-Second match: Phantom R's Theme is pretty meh; I don't like its trumpets played like that (it's almost like they weren't supposed to be played like that in any song and instead be replaced with other, more appropriate instrument). Seize the Day seizes the match with its nice, parcially-atemporal rock.

-Third match: Holy moly, what is this? I knew this was going to be a song for Mycro's liking, but darn, if it wasn't because he has such an incredibly sharp musical hearing, I would rant about saying: "Who entered this in the bracket?" (seriously, I can only tell 3/3's, 4/4's and 8/8's apart from each other, but anything past a 6/8 is too difficult for me to hear if it's not being marked for me by anyone else to distinguish it). Do you know what this reminds me of? Giygas from Earthbound. And I haven't even played Earthbound. It's kind of alien-like sounding while also sounding creepy and uncertain, which could work well in-context, but other than that, it just doesn't work for me. Oh, and Cradle Where Feelings Rest is a chill song that kind of reminds me of certain Ever17 piano song that I can't remember right now... Okay, I checked, it's Karma; although Cradle isn't as good or touching as Karma.

Bloodlines >> Seize the Day >>>> Boss Battle > Cradle Where Feelings Rest >>> Phantom R's Theme >>>>> Mechanism Turned On
---

Karma also sounds a ton like Whereabouts of Light
---

As the one who nominated Cradle for the side bracket, I also don't think it's as good as Karma. Karma is so good.

(Perhaps unsurprisingly, my first thoughts on hearing Cradle in-game were "oh this sounds like Karma I like this".)
---

Bloodlines ~ No real preference, but this one edged the other out.
Phantom R's Theme ~ Both of these are good, but I like this one better!
Cradle Where Feelings Rest ~ So soft and pretty and melodic.

Fun Fact: I almost nominated Reminiscence (or Aster House) but figured they'd flop in the real bracket. Also I really like Fighting Right On and didn't want to give up on it.

da real mvps of the melancholy 3rd songs
---

Well I mean I'd have supported Aster House in a heartbeat! It's probably in my top 5 songs from the game, though admittedly the difference between like 5th and 15th is so small that it's hard to tell. Whether or not a third person would is the real question though.

Reminiscence I wouldn't say I like quite as much, but I still might have supported it idk.
---

You'll never know if something will be supported or not until you nominate it!
---

Boss Battle
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Mechanism Turned On
---

Boss Battle
Phantom R
Cradle

First match is really good. I like both a lot, for some reason I just feel Boss Battle a little more. Don't really know why, so not much an analysis here.

Yes, Phantom R Theme, deliver those glorious trumpets right into my ears. I played a trumpet for years, so I'm pretty biased about them. Is it Wynton Marsalis-level of trumpeting? No, but how could it be? This was a super fun listen. Seize the Day is pretty solid too. It's kinda formulaic for anime-ish songs... but it's a great iteration of said formula. However, it's up against tough competition.I hope Phantom R goes far.

Mechanism Turned On... even before I looked I thought, "This has to be a Mycro song." Sure enough, it was. The other song isn't great, but it's tolerable.

That being said -- Mycro, you're a treasure to VGMC. Your crazy music savant skills add so much compared to people like me making shitty writeups and pretending we know what we're talking about. I'm glad you're bold enough to go with weird conceptual stuff like this even though you know it's gonna tank. Even though a lot of boundary-pushing results in a mess, if someone doesn't do it, the result is just stagnancy.
---

That explains why you don't like Your Reality... But I guess you'd really like The Edge of Nowhere.
---

Absolutely! I really like it as well.

Now I get to know your tastes better.
---

Bloodlines
Phantom R's Theme
Mechanism Turned On

Learn with Pokemon: Typing Adventure - Boss Battle
Tokyo Xanadu - Seize the Day

Trails in the Sky the 3rd - Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---

Ed Bellis:
Boss Battle
Phantom R's Theme
Cradle Where Feelings Rest
---