Board 8 > Haste2 ranks all 180 VGMC Retirees.

Topic List	Page List: 1 ... 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
LeonhartFour 11/17/20 3:13:04 AM #451:	the best --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:947263955] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>the best </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 11/17/20 11:26:13 PM #452:	48) Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song - Battle With Saruin https://youtu.be/V5wJMKmtbkU Composer: Kenji Ito Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 9 (Lost R6 to Seize the Truth) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/V5wJMKmtbkU?t=112 You might be surprised I would like this one so much, but let me explain. I havent played much of the SaGa series, but years ago one of my friends got SaGa Frontier on the PS1 back in '98. I would watch him play it, and I thought it was the coolest game ever! The spell animations are jaw-dropping, too. And, of course, the music would have to leave an impression on me, right? But yeah, I think its cool that a Kenji Ito battle theme got retired (not saying its the best one, though). The opening introduces a ferocious syncopated pattern at 0:07 (a kind that sounds very much like Ito) from which much of the track relies on. You could almost say they're the backbone of this track. The ascending scales in the strings also boosts that energy around those patterns!! Love when the synth comes in at 0:30...powerful. The first part of the melody is nice enough.. but it gets a lot better in the second half at 1:27 with the strings along with the responses with that syncopated pattern, what a BANGER!! Normally I dont pay much attention to guitar harmonics, but the one at 1:40 is WAY TOO COOL! :) :) Then immediately after that is my FAVORITE part of the theme you got some cool chromatic melodic things combined with unexpected secondary dominants, a very Kenji Ito-like sound here!!! Then at Guitar solo only increases the excitement. The 2:08 is a switch to a relaxed triplet feel, but the way he groups the patterns sounds SO ridiculously awesome there!!! Then at the very end where you got that clash on the second note of the scale. (actually, the clash happens in a few other places, too) That synth solo at 2:25, too! Bluesy repetitions, cool licks and chromatic stuff (2:41 - 2:43) typical of pro jazzers, a nice sync with the rhythm in the middle, and then cram as many notes in as possible toward the end, too! (again, you got that nat-II against Phrygian at parts) Low jazz organ crazy bit just before the loop ends is fun. But yeah, this is what a battle theme is all about!! I'm curious about the original. Hm, I had a hard time finding the music on its own, here's a video of the final battle in RS3. Romancing SaGa 3 SPOILERS: https://youtu.be/MMukiBJwXFw?t=383 Oh WOW, these improv solos were in the original?! Totally didn't expect that! Makes me appreciate the original more and this one less. >_> Granted, the solos were adjusted in Minstrel Song (some of which I mentioned in the write-up) that make it better. 47) Gran Turismo 2 - Moon over the Castle https://youtu.be/kQMlzcbfz0I Composer: Masahiro Andoh Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 4 (Lost R7 to Trombe!) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/kQMlzcbfz0I?t=118 I dont know anybody else, but when it comes to music while driving I prefer classical music! Thus, the relaxed piano opening kind of speaks to me (not saying its classical music, though)! Gotta love use of major IV (melodic minor!). Its got some nice harmonies, such as bVII7 to help lead to the switch to its relative minor. Theme gets presented quietly at 0:35, yay. Very nice final synth pad chord at 0:59 it plays every possible note in the chord through the 11th! Pretty standard 90s metal comes in, but 90s generally means a style I like! Standard jazz organ is standard, but I love the way it revs as it comes in! Just like a race car. Then it hangs over (with a little fall) with such style as everything else is reverberating at 1:21! Rarely do I not think that jazz organ helps things! Oh, yeah, and I gotta add that the organ complements the beat very nicely. Standard electric guitar, standard melody, so its not TOO exciting at first. But things heat up at 1:59. Guitar goes up to the high register with such intensity especially when its that high D at 2:04, and then the harmonies hang around the #6 and dominant chordsahhh, the way the melody outlines that is SO AWESOME!! Oh, yeah, and that whole section has those harp arpeggios that are very nice! 2:11 I like the way the drummer does those triplets in the little break, the way they get split up. Finally, we get the climax at 2:13! More nice harmonies and altered scale notes and that shake in the middle make this so much fun =D! Jazz organ gets the spotlight for a moment nice outlines, particularly the diminished one at 2:43. Fun guitar solo. More of that revving I love at 5:00. Finally, nice way to wind down, similar to how it starts. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947300844] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>48) Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song - Battle With Saruin https://youtu.be/V5wJMKmtbkU Composer: Kenji Ito Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 9 (Lost R6 to Seize the Truth) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/V5wJMKmtbkU?t=112 You might be surprised I would like this one so much, but let me explain. I havent played much of the SaGa series, but years ago one of my friends got SaGa Frontier on the PS1 back in '98. I would watch him play it, and I thought it was the coolest game ever! The spell animations are jaw-dropping, too. And, of course, the music would have to leave an impression on me, right? But yeah, I think its cool that a Kenji Ito battle theme got retired (not saying its the best one, though). The opening introduces a ferocious syncopated pattern at 0:07 (a kind that sounds very much like Ito) from which much of the track relies on. You could almost say they're the backbone of this track. The ascending scales in the strings also boosts that energy around those patterns!! Love when the synth comes in at 0:30...powerful. The first part of the melody is nice enough.. but it gets a lot better in the second half at 1:27 with the strings along with the responses with that syncopated pattern, what a BANGER!! Normally I dont pay much attention to guitar harmonics, but the one at 1:40 is WAY TOO COOL! :) :) Then immediately after that is my FAVORITE part of the theme you got some cool chromatic melodic things combined with unexpected secondary dominants, a very Kenji Ito-like sound here!!! Then at Guitar solo only increases the excitement. The 2:08 is a switch to a relaxed triplet feel, but the way he groups the patterns sounds SO ridiculously awesome there!!! Then at the very end where you got that clash on the second note of the scale. (actually, the clash happens in a few other places, too) That synth solo at 2:25, too! Bluesy repetitions, cool licks and chromatic stuff (2:41 - 2:43) typical of pro jazzers, a nice sync with the rhythm in the middle, and then cram as many notes in as possible toward the end, too! (again, you got that nat-II against Phrygian at parts) Low jazz organ crazy bit just before the loop ends is fun. But yeah, this is what a battle theme is all about!! I'm curious about the original. Hm, I had a hard time finding the music on its own, here's a video of the final battle in RS3. Romancing SaGa 3 SPOILERS: https://youtu.be/MMukiBJwXFw?t=383 Oh WOW, these improv solos were in the original?! Totally didn't expect that! Makes me appreciate the original more and this one less. >_> Granted, the solos were adjusted in Minstrel Song (some of which I mentioned in the write-up) that make it better. 47) Gran Turismo 2 - Moon over the Castle https://youtu.be/kQMlzcbfz0I Composer: Masahiro Andoh Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 4 (Lost R7 to Trombe!) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/kQMlzcbfz0I?t=118 I dont know anybody else, but when it comes to music while driving I prefer classical music! Thus, the relaxed piano opening kind of speaks to me (not saying its classical music, though)! Gotta love use of major IV (melodic minor!). Its got some nice harmonies, such as bVII7 to help lead to the switch to its relative minor. Theme gets presented quietly at 0:35, yay. Very nice final synth pad chord at 0:59 it plays every possible note in the chord through the 11th! Pretty standard 90s metal comes in, but 90s generally means a style I like! Standard jazz organ is standard, but I love the way it revs as it comes in! Just like a race car. Then it hangs over (with a little fall) with such style as everything else is reverberating at 1:21! Rarely do I not think that jazz organ helps things! Oh, yeah, and I gotta add that the organ complements the beat very nicely. Standard electric guitar, standard melody, so its not TOO exciting at first. But things heat up at 1:59. Guitar goes up to the high register with such intensity especially when its that high D at 2:04, and then the harmonies hang around the #6 and dominant chordsahhh, the way the melody outlines that is SO AWESOME!! Oh, yeah, and that whole section has those harp arpeggios that are very nice! 2:11 I like the way the drummer does those triplets in the little break, the way they get split up. Finally, we get the climax at 2:13! More nice harmonies and altered scale notes and that shake in the middle make this so much fun =D! Jazz organ gets the spotlight for a moment nice outlines, particularly the diminished one at 2:43. Fun guitar solo. More of that revving I love at 5:00. Finally, nice way to wind down, similar to how it starts. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 11/21/20 8:11:25 PM #453:	Thanksgiving is coming up, which means I may not post any rankings next week. I decided I'd do a few more today, though. I updated the rankings. I went through and revised the score for everything rated below a 7. I also adjusted the others down a bit to reflect my newer rating standards. Sometime I'll quickly go through the other music, too, and make adjustments if they are significant. This one's next, huh.... 46) Super Smash Bros. Melee - Mother 2 Series ranking: 1 of 4 https://youtu.be/Ij0HptqoBxI Composer: Keiichi Suzuki, arr. by Hirokazu Ando Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 5 (Lost R5 to Life) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/Ij0HptqoBxI?t=76 Dont know if you all have heard the original Ness house theme, but MAN, this remix is so much better it is RIDICULOUS! Or did this theme originate in the original Mother in a track called Pollyanna? Oh, here it is, the very original theme. https://youtu.be/2w6siYk_Ge0 This is pure feel-good music. The melody is pure bliss! Back to the remix itself. It pretty much revolves around the tonic, but harmonies get really active! I especially like the last part of the melody (at 1:07, etc., where it simply cycles through three a few times; however, sneakily, the harmony is doing a similar movement, but at 1/4 the speed! The piano writing is fun very catchy! I simply love the after-phrase add-ons the piano (plus other instruments) does such as at 0:21!!! So tasteful and jazzy the way it emphasizes certain notes! It makes the i-V7 there sound SO GOOD. 0:31 has nice string writing to spice it off. At 1:00 you gorgeous bell synth thingies! Charming accordian and jazz organ solos with nice simple modulations in the middle of those :). Plus the piano actively comping alongside them. ahhhh, I cant get enough of it, the way it throws in little ideas!!! At 1:45 a major chord on top of another one at the PERFECT time!!!! Piano switches things up at 1:46 its great how it starts each of its ascending arpeggios on the off-beat! (jazz-like) Ah, the thrice repetition of part of the melody at 2:24 feels SO GOOD!!! All in all, this is my favorite music in Melee! 45) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - Dragon Roost Island Series ranking: 1 of 4 https://youtu.be/FkwhtdCW5rI Composer: Kenta Nagata Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R1), VGMC 2 (Lost R8 to MGS2 Theme) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/FkwhtdCW5rI?t=61 Two Nintendo series down back-to-back. Dude, this literally went from losing R1 (it lost to Blue Water, Blue Sky?!) to making R8. Really impressive turnabout, perhaps the best of any retiree! Man, I can't believe I didn't appreciate the theme back when I played Wind Waker way back when. In fact, I totally forgot about it! But yeah, it is a WONDERFUL rustic, European style. The nimble plucked instrument patterns and pan flute work SO well together. The guitar has just the right amount of mildness to it, and the airiness of the flute is perfect. The nimble guitar tremolos have subtle and unpredictable things about them, so it sounds totally legit as a result, WAY better than any previous retirees with Spanish guitar playing! The harmonies, man the way the harmonies moves from G minor to the temporary B-flat major (0:15) in such a subdued fashion, and likewise to the bII and VI. Then theres the down-to-earth 3-on-2 interaction between the two key parts! (e.g. 1:01 is a WONDERFUL example of it) Then bass (not sure if the bass is a separate instrument) starting at about 0:47 moves such COOL harmonies that somehow fit perfectly with the simple melody and old, rustic feel ! Then those harmonies come back with even more to it after the first minute mark! (I especially like the major IVs) All in all, I can't get ENOUGH of the old-fashioned rustic sound here! --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947452628] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Thanksgiving is coming up, which means I may not post any rankings next week. I decided I'd do a few more today, though. I updated the rankings. I went through and revised the score for everything rated below a 7. I also adjusted the others down a bit to reflect my newer rating standards. Sometime I'll quickly go through the other music, too, and make adjustments if they are significant. This one's next, huh.... 46) Super Smash Bros. Melee - Mother 2 Series ranking: 1 of 4 https://youtu.be/Ij0HptqoBxI Composer: Keiichi Suzuki, arr. by Hirokazu Ando Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 5 (Lost R5 to Life) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/Ij0HptqoBxI?t=76 Dont know if you all have heard the original Ness house theme, but MAN, this remix is so much better it is RIDICULOUS! Or did this theme originate in the original Mother in a track called Pollyanna? Oh, here it is, the very original theme. https://youtu.be/2w6siYk_Ge0 This is pure feel-good music. The melody is pure bliss! Back to the remix itself. It pretty much revolves around the tonic, but harmonies get really active! I especially like the last part of the melody (at 1:07, etc., where it simply cycles through three a few times; however, sneakily, the harmony is doing a similar movement, but at 1/4 the speed! The piano writing is fun very catchy! I simply love the after-phrase add-ons the piano (plus other instruments) does such as at 0:21!!! So tasteful and jazzy the way it emphasizes certain notes! It makes the i-V7 there sound SO GOOD. 0:31 has nice string writing to spice it off. At 1:00 you gorgeous bell synth thingies! Charming accordian and jazz organ solos with nice simple modulations in the middle of those :). Plus the piano actively comping alongside them. ahhhh, I cant get enough of it, the way it throws in little ideas!!! At 1:45 a major chord on top of another one at the PERFECT time!!!! Piano switches things up at 1:46 its great how it starts each of its ascending arpeggios on the off-beat! (jazz-like) Ah, the thrice repetition of part of the melody at 2:24 feels SO GOOD!!! All in all, this is my favorite music in Melee! 45) The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - Dragon Roost Island Series ranking: 1 of 4 https://youtu.be/FkwhtdCW5rI Composer: Kenta Nagata Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R1), VGMC 2 (Lost R8 to MGS2 Theme) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/FkwhtdCW5rI?t=61 Two Nintendo series down back-to-back. Dude, this literally went from losing R1 (it lost to Blue Water, Blue Sky?!) to making R8. Really impressive turnabout, perhaps the best of any retiree! Man, I can't believe I didn't appreciate the theme back when I played Wind Waker way back when. In fact, I totally forgot about it! But yeah, it is a WONDERFUL rustic, European style. The nimble plucked instrument patterns and pan flute work SO well together. The guitar has just the right amount of mildness to it, and the airiness of the flute is perfect. The nimble guitar tremolos have subtle and unpredictable things about them, so it sounds totally legit as a result, WAY better than any previous retirees with Spanish guitar playing! The harmonies, man the way the harmonies moves from G minor to the temporary B-flat major (0:15) in such a subdued fashion, and likewise to the bII and VI. Then theres the down-to-earth 3-on-2 interaction between the two key parts! (e.g. 1:01 is a WONDERFUL example of it) Then bass (not sure if the bass is a separate instrument) starting at about 0:47 moves such COOL harmonies that somehow fit perfectly with the simple melody and old, rustic feel ! Then those harmonies come back with even more to it after the first minute mark! (I especially like the major IVs) All in all, I can't get ENOUGH of the old-fashioned rustic sound here! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
LeonhartFour 11/21/20 8:12:33 PM #454:	Mother 2 is great --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:947452654] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Mother 2 is great </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
xp1337 11/21/20 8:20:17 PM #455:	LeonhartFour posted... Mother 2 is great Indeed. Best SSBM track for sure. --- xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out? <cite>xp1337 posted [p:947452877] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>LeonhartFour posted... </cite> <quote>Mother 2 is great</quote>Indeed. Best SSBM track for sure. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Team Rocket Elite 11/21/20 8:22:08 PM #456:	It wasn't back to back but Trombe lost in Round 1 in VGMC then made it to Round 8 in VGMC4. --- My bracket looked like random picks compared to his. Congrats to azuarc for winning the GotD 2020 Guru Contest! <cite>Team Rocket Elite posted [p:947452948] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>It wasn't back to back but Trombe lost in Round 1 in VGMC then made it to Round 8 in VGMC4.</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
th3l3fty 11/21/20 9:03:21 PM #457:	Mother 2 is an inferior mess of a remix tbqh --- thelefty for analysis crew 2008 imo -transience I have a third degree burn in flame-o-nomics -Sir Chris <cite>th3l3fty posted [p:947454271] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Mother 2 is an inferior mess of a remix tbqh</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 11/21/20 9:08:15 PM #458:	44) Ar Nosurge - Hidra Heteromycin Series ranking: 4 of 6 (EXA_PICO) https://youtu.be/O44aJ9Ywt7Y Composer: Haruka Shimotsuki, arr. by Eiichiro Yanagi Other credits: Haruka Shimotsuki (vocalist) Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 9 (Lost R3), VGMC 11 (Lost R2), VGMC 12 (Lost R7 to Sunshine Coastline) Favorite Part: The first main section, as well as the ending I wonder what such a name translates as? Those BASS GUITARS man very grindy, yet very smooth at the same time...also very unified. Reminds me of hellish music, and I figure the music is about that sort of thing. What a banger. Nice switch from 3/4 to 4/4 near the start. FUN violin duet if I ever get good at violin this would be something fun to play! CATCHY rhythms in the bass are SO FUN (e.g. at 0:10) ...yes, this a big reason the rating is so high. The vocals are slightly muffled, and that lets us blend in with the style that much better. At 0:35 you get the formal melody I LOVE the syncopated singing and the flatted second note in the scale 1:31 the guitars subside and you got more, um, angelic singers/piano patterns/synths, a good contrast. Good harmonies toward the end of this section, too. But then after that they decide to combine! Both heaven and hell simultaneously! Nice little G.P. at 1:56. 1:57 the guitars GO NUTS, and now angelic choirs make nice support. WILD guitar soloI love the fast rhythmic patterns that kind of get "crammed" in, my favorite part probably being 3:29 - 3:32 :) :). Big crescendo into even longer G.P. at 4:44. Im liking the way it starts to calm down a bit at 5:28, while still maintaining the basic sound. GREAT ending chords starting at 5:51, with major 7ths between the calm violin and the rabid bass as they move down to the resolution! Eh, why not. Here's a list of all the credits for this track. Lyrics: Nao Hiyama Guitar: Eiichiro Yanagi (Astilbe x arendsii) Violin: Reiko Tsuchiya All programming: Eiichiro Yanagi (Astilbe x arendsii) 43) Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddys Kong Quest - Stickerbush Symphony Series ranking: 1 of 5 https://youtu.be/RR_ifniLcW4 Composer: David Wise Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R6 to Dream of a Shore Bordering Another World) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/RR_ifniLcW4?t=39 Sorry about the extended play of this, but it's the only upload of this track I could find that sounds right to me. My favorite in the DKC2 OST goes back and forth between Forest Interlude and this, but more towards Stickerbush with NO R AFTER THE B (even the spell-checker doesnt like it!) lately. Very atmospheric and emotional. Theres the wind blowing (GREAT how it gradually rises in pitch), then theres the multi-channel echoes going on (with cool note choices AND rhythms), you got the synth pads weaving in and out.wow. Beautiful! QUITE the technical accomplishment, back in the day this was. Then you got little graceful melodic fragments carrying the music (a David Wise specialty), not the traditional melody+accompaniment. The electronic synth octave bounces are really awesome, because it plays more of an integral role with the music than youd normally expect. (the last part of each pattern is a BIT overpowering, albeit in a cool, panning fashion but its kind of endearing!! It gives a lot of buzzy oomph! Cool echo effects at random times (at 0:21, etc. with the plucked instrument). At 0:41 you finally get a full melody Ive always imagined that as being Dixie Kongs voice, actually (nevermind Dixie is the guitarist while Diddy is the vocalist normally). It sounds like shes out in an open canyon somewhere filling the empty space as much as she can singing her heart out about all of her innermost longings, knowing that nobody is around to hear it ;) I just love how it soars!!! It PIERCES my heart when it comes in!!!! Finally at 1:09 we hear some percussion to top it off. Harmonic patterns are very nice throughout, of course. Overall, this music is just greeeaaaattt!!! --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947454439] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>44) Ar Nosurge - Hidra Heteromycin Series ranking: 4 of 6 (EXA_PICO) https://youtu.be/O44aJ9Ywt7Y Composer: Haruka Shimotsuki, arr. by Eiichiro Yanagi Other credits: Haruka Shimotsuki (vocalist) Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 9 (Lost R3), VGMC 11 (Lost R2), VGMC 12 (Lost R7 to Sunshine Coastline) Favorite Part: The first main section, as well as the ending I wonder what such a name translates as? Those BASS GUITARS man very grindy, yet very smooth at the same time...also very unified. Reminds me of hellish music, and I figure the music is about that sort of thing. What a banger. Nice switch from 3/4 to 4/4 near the start. FUN violin duet if I ever get good at violin this would be something fun to play! CATCHY rhythms in the bass are SO FUN (e.g. at 0:10) ...yes, this a big reason the rating is so high. The vocals are slightly muffled, and that lets us blend in with the style that much better. At 0:35 you get the formal melody I LOVE the syncopated singing and the flatted second note in the scale 1:31 the guitars subside and you got more, um, angelic singers/piano patterns/synths, a good contrast. Good harmonies toward the end of this section, too. But then after that they decide to combine! Both heaven and hell simultaneously! Nice little G.P. at 1:56. 1:57 the guitars GO NUTS, and now angelic choirs make nice support. WILD guitar soloI love the fast rhythmic patterns that kind of get "crammed" in, my favorite part probably being 3:29 - 3:32 :) :). Big crescendo into even longer G.P. at 4:44. Im liking the way it starts to calm down a bit at 5:28, while still maintaining the basic sound. GREAT ending chords starting at 5:51, with major 7ths between the calm violin and the rabid bass as they move down to the resolution! Eh, why not. Here's a list of all the credits for this track. Lyrics: Nao Hiyama Guitar: Eiichiro Yanagi (Astilbe x arendsii) Violin: Reiko Tsuchiya All programming: Eiichiro Yanagi (Astilbe x arendsii) 43) Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddys Kong Quest - Stickerbush Symphony Series ranking: 1 of 5 https://youtu.be/RR_ifniLcW4 Composer: David Wise Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R6 to Dream of a Shore Bordering Another World) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/RR_ifniLcW4?t=39 Sorry about the extended play of this, but it's the only upload of this track I could find that sounds right to me. My favorite in the DKC2 OST goes back and forth between Forest Interlude and this, but more towards Stickerbush with NO R AFTER THE B (even the spell-checker doesnt like it!) lately. Very atmospheric and emotional. Theres the wind blowing (GREAT how it gradually rises in pitch), then theres the multi-channel echoes going on (with cool note choices AND rhythms), you got the synth pads weaving in and out.wow. Beautiful! QUITE the technical accomplishment, back in the day this was. Then you got little graceful melodic fragments carrying the music (a David Wise specialty), not the traditional melody+accompaniment. The electronic synth octave bounces are really awesome, because it plays more of an integral role with the music than youd normally expect. (the last part of each pattern is a BIT overpowering, albeit in a cool, panning fashion but its kind of endearing!! It gives a lot of buzzy oomph! Cool echo effects at random times (at 0:21, etc. with the plucked instrument). At 0:41 you finally get a full melody Ive always imagined that as being Dixie Kongs voice, actually (nevermind Dixie is the guitarist while Diddy is the vocalist normally). It sounds like shes out in an open canyon somewhere filling the empty space as much as she can singing her heart out about all of her innermost longings, knowing that nobody is around to hear it ;) I just love how it soars!!! It PIERCES my heart when it comes in!!!! Finally at 1:09 we hear some percussion to top it off. Harmonic patterns are very nice throughout, of course. Overall, this music is just greeeaaaattt!!! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 11/28/20 5:19:36 PM #459:	... --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947704605] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>... </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 11/30/20 11:51:47 PM #460:	Back to work!! 42) Dra+Koi - Love Song of a Certain Dragon https://youtu.be/a2kyr1S7Tfg Composer: Ikuko Ebata, arr. by Toh Ohyama, Other credits: Kanako Ito (vocalist) Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 5 (Lost R6 to Unfinished Battle) Favorite Part: First 22 seconds Haha, wow, this music BLOWS you away right off the bat! Man, that BEAT at the start the rhythmic chants, that double-reeded instrument (the pickup is GREAT), and theres the alternating between 23 beats and 32 beats...The low-pitched drums/claps/chants in combination are SO CATCHY. And the way it it quickly modulates to the major IVWOOOOOOOOWWW!!!! I wish I could say the rest of the music lives up to the intro, but. not quite. When the dynamics drop at 0:22, it doesnt give me that insane high anymore. The vocals are nice, though. But I gotta note that the main idea at the start is in five despite the meter, which allows for the seamless transition from 6/4 to 5/4. Good folk-like use of acoustic guitar here. The high comes back somewhat when we hear the starting material again!! Theres some electronic sustained sound that blends in with the guitars that I really like (such as at 1:44), too. 2:51 unexpectedly brings electric guitar to the forefront to give us a sort of folk rock sound for a little whilenot bad, actually! Not so sure on those synths after that, though. But anyway, It finishes off with an unexpected big low note (pun not intended because it ends NICELY :) :) :))!!! Anyway, this is some of catchiest folk dance I've ever heard! 41) 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - -[Deoxyribose]- Series ranking: 2 of 2 https://youtu.be/mlmYYyzek48 Rating: 8.9/10 (Excellent) Composer: Yoshimi Kudo VGMC History: VGMC 14 (Lost R7 to Endeavor) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/mlmYYyzek48?t=96 Fact: the only way I could prevent myself from continuously getting Deoxyribose and Isoleucine mixed up is the fact that Deo nominated this one! Very convenient way to remember it, indeed. =p This is a bit tough to write about. Just spew some words. MAN the atmosphere on this is fantastic! Cool ambient electronic metal here. Very much a banger, indeed. Those staccato 16th note patterns to start off are simply :) :) :), very 80s. (I dont really like 80s electronic stuff on its own, but I love music that borrows stuff from it) The electronic bass gives a similar feeling when combined with the percussion. String samples fit in this so well, too. At 0:50 comes the refrain, which is very catchy and you know things are serious! But what I LOVE about it are those POWERFUL 16th bass note runs leading into the melody EPIC! Ive never heard the bass done in that kind of way...but man, theyre overpowering if you use bass-heavy headphones! At 1:36 we get these STUNNING delayed voice samples that sound so distant and pensive. Yeah, its my favorite instrument in this track, for sure! Plus combined with the mellow bass and the soft string harmonies its really something else! At 2:33 we get a heavy dose of rock b/c of that HYPERactive bass! I admit I dont like this new feel as much, but its pretty fun! I enjoy the modified notes (such as in the bass) in the refrain the next time around. Honestly, the electric guitar melodies at 3:31 fall a bit flat. At 5:53 we get those lovely voice samples again, but it quickly leads into a quick path into the ending (which is apparently the victory music), my favorite part of the whole thing! The only problem is that Im not sure if this should count as part of it! In the end I decided to exclude it, as its really not part of it, and Isoleucine didnt have its own ending attached to it when it competed. But I already wrote some notes on this and I dont feel like deleting them! We got those same sounds used for those 16th notes patterns, but now theyre 8th notes. Mmm, and the same bass and stuff as before. But yeah, at this slower tempo the atmosphere gets milked to the fullest extent! The harmonies here are really nice, too. Also, the subdued electric guitar is DEFINITELY the best use of the instrument, right here...REALLY great nuances in it. And when the voice samples get put on top of it with the same melody as before, OMG!!! The hair on my arms get raised everytime I hear that. Wow, what a way to make this piece wind down! Seriously, the ending section is a 9.5+/10! Ive listened to quite a bit of the 13 Sentinels soundtrack, and its excellent! I ought to listen to more basiscape music, though. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947788479] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Back to work!! 42) Dra+Koi - Love Song of a Certain Dragon https://youtu.be/a2kyr1S7Tfg Composer: Ikuko Ebata, arr. by Toh Ohyama, Other credits: Kanako Ito (vocalist) Score: 8.9/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 5 (Lost R6 to Unfinished Battle) Favorite Part: First 22 seconds Haha, wow, this music BLOWS you away right off the bat! Man, that BEAT at the start the rhythmic chants, that double-reeded instrument (the pickup is GREAT), and theres the alternating between 23 beats and 32 beats...The low-pitched drums/claps/chants in combination are SO CATCHY. And the way it it quickly modulates to the major IVWOOOOOOOOWWW!!!! I wish I could say the rest of the music lives up to the intro, but. not quite. When the dynamics drop at 0:22, it doesnt give me that insane high anymore. The vocals are nice, though. But I gotta note that the main idea at the start is in five despite the meter, which allows for the seamless transition from 6/4 to 5/4. Good folk-like use of acoustic guitar here. The high comes back somewhat when we hear the starting material again!! Theres some electronic sustained sound that blends in with the guitars that I really like (such as at 1:44), too. 2:51 unexpectedly brings electric guitar to the forefront to give us a sort of folk rock sound for a little whilenot bad, actually! Not so sure on those synths after that, though. But anyway, It finishes off with an unexpected big low note (pun not intended because it ends NICELY :) :) :))!!! Anyway, this is some of catchiest folk dance I've ever heard! 41) 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - -[Deoxyribose]- Series ranking: 2 of 2 https://youtu.be/mlmYYyzek48 Rating: 8.9/10 (Excellent) Composer: Yoshimi Kudo VGMC History: VGMC 14 (Lost R7 to Endeavor) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/mlmYYyzek48?t=96 Fact: the only way I could prevent myself from continuously getting Deoxyribose and Isoleucine mixed up is the fact that Deo nominated this one! Very convenient way to remember it, indeed. =p This is a bit tough to write about. Just spew some words. MAN the atmosphere on this is fantastic! Cool ambient electronic metal here. Very much a banger, indeed. Those staccato 16th note patterns to start off are simply :) :) :), very 80s. (I dont really like 80s electronic stuff on its own, but I love music that borrows stuff from it) The electronic bass gives a similar feeling when combined with the percussion. String samples fit in this so well, too. At 0:50 comes the refrain, which is very catchy and you know things are serious! But what I LOVE about it are those POWERFUL 16th bass note runs leading into the melody EPIC! Ive never heard the bass done in that kind of way...but man, theyre overpowering if you use bass-heavy headphones! At 1:36 we get these STUNNING delayed voice samples that sound so distant and pensive. Yeah, its my favorite instrument in this track, for sure! Plus combined with the mellow bass and the soft string harmonies its really something else! At 2:33 we get a heavy dose of rock b/c of that HYPERactive bass! I admit I dont like this new feel as much, but its pretty fun! I enjoy the modified notes (such as in the bass) in the refrain the next time around. Honestly, the electric guitar melodies at 3:31 fall a bit flat. At 5:53 we get those lovely voice samples again, but it quickly leads into a quick path into the ending (which is apparently the victory music), my favorite part of the whole thing! The only problem is that Im not sure if this should count as part of it! In the end I decided to exclude it, as its really not part of it, and Isoleucine didnt have its own ending attached to it when it competed. But I already wrote some notes on this and I dont feel like deleting them! We got those same sounds used for those 16th notes patterns, but now theyre 8th notes. Mmm, and the same bass and stuff as before. But yeah, at this slower tempo the atmosphere gets milked to the fullest extent! The harmonies here are really nice, too. Also, the subdued electric guitar is DEFINITELY the best use of the instrument, right here...REALLY great nuances in it. And when the voice samples get put on top of it with the same melody as before, OMG!!! The hair on my arms get raised everytime I hear that. Wow, what a way to make this piece wind down! Seriously, the ending section is a 9.5+/10! Ive listened to quite a bit of the 13 Sentinels soundtrack, and its excellent! I ought to listen to more basiscape music, though. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
LeonhartFour 11/30/20 11:52:31 PM #461:	Love Song of a Certain Dragon is great. --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:947788499] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Love Song of a Certain Dragon is great. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
xp1337 11/30/20 11:54:12 PM #462:	So is Deoxyribose. --- xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out? <cite>xp1337 posted [p:947788547] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>So is Deoxyribose. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/01/20 12:11:23 AM #463:	And that, my friends, finishes the Excellent tier! Congrats to the 40 that managed to get into the Amazing / Phenomonal / Godly tiers! 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - -(Isoleucine)- Ar Nosurge - Class::EXSPHERE_NOSURGE Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica - The Second Tower Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica - EXEC_SPHILIA/. Atelier Ayesha - Yesterday's Opponents are Today's Ingredients Atelier Ayesha - Invitation Flower~ Autumn Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland - Flash Frost Atelier Shallie - Flying Clouds, Drifting Haze Baldr Heart - Innocence & Emptiness Bravely Default - Wicked Flight Civilization IV - Baba Yetu Cytus 2 - Chocolate Missile Drakengard 3 - Kuroi Ita ~ The Black Song (International Version) DuckTales - The Moon Fire Emblem Fates - Desire Below (Flow) Fire Emblem Fates - End of All (Land) G-Darius - Kimera II Ginga Force - Zenith GITADORA OverDrive - Douwa Kairou Halo 2 - Halo Theme (Mjolnir Mix) Idola Phantasy Star Saga - Endeavour Kingdom Hearts - Hikari Kingdom Orchestra Kirby Triple Deluxe - Moonstruck Blossom Legend of Mana - Title Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Main Theme Neotokyo - Tin Soldiers Okami - The Sun Rises Opoona - Partizans Phantasy Star Online 2 - GUERRANT-OFENZA-SUPRONT-UNNE Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon - Second Dark Matter Battle Sound Voltex III: Gravity Wars - Preserved Valkyria Super Mario Galaxy - Floater Land/Buoy Base Galaxy Taiko no Tatsujin 7 - Burning Force Medley Terraria Calamity Mod - The Filthy Mind (Theme of the Hive Mind) The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC - The Whereabouts of Light Umineko no Naku Koro ni 4 - Endless Nine Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru 8 - Ricordando il Passato Xenoblade Chronicles - Engage the Enemy Xenoblade Chronicles - Unfinished Battle Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country - Battle!! That's seven Gust tracks in the top 40! Happy, xp? Let me know if there are any errors in the names of the games or the tracks here. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947788938] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>And that, my friends, finishes the Excellent tier! Congrats to the 40 that managed to get into the Amazing / Phenomonal / Godly tiers! 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - -(Isoleucine)- Ar Nosurge - Class::EXSPHERE_NOSURGE Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica - The Second Tower Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica - EXEC_SPHILIA/. Atelier Ayesha - Yesterday's Opponents are Today's Ingredients Atelier Ayesha - Invitation Flower~ Autumn Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland - Flash Frost Atelier Shallie - Flying Clouds, Drifting Haze Baldr Heart - Innocence & Emptiness Bravely Default - Wicked Flight Civilization IV - Baba Yetu Cytus 2 - Chocolate Missile Drakengard 3 - Kuroi Ita ~ The Black Song (International Version) DuckTales - The Moon Fire Emblem Fates - Desire Below (Flow) Fire Emblem Fates - End of All (Land) G-Darius - Kimera II Ginga Force - Zenith GITADORA OverDrive - Douwa Kairou Halo 2 - Halo Theme (Mjolnir Mix) Idola Phantasy Star Saga - Endeavour Kingdom Hearts - Hikari Kingdom Orchestra Kirby Triple Deluxe - Moonstruck Blossom Legend of Mana - Title Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater - Main Theme Neotokyo - Tin Soldiers Okami - The Sun Rises Opoona - Partizans Phantasy Star Online 2 - GUERRANT-OFENZA-SUPRONT-UNNE Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon - Second Dark Matter Battle Sound Voltex III: Gravity Wars - Preserved Valkyria Super Mario Galaxy - Floater Land/Buoy Base Galaxy Taiko no Tatsujin 7 - Burning Force Medley Terraria Calamity Mod - The Filthy Mind (Theme of the Hive Mind) The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky FC - The Whereabouts of Light Umineko no Naku Koro ni 4 - Endless Nine Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru 8 - Ricordando il Passato Xenoblade Chronicles - Engage the Enemy Xenoblade Chronicles - Unfinished Battle Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country - Battle!! That's seven Gust tracks in the top 40! Happy, xp? Let me know if there are any errors in the names of the games or the tracks here. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
xp1337 12/01/20 12:27:38 AM #464:	Haste_2 posted... Happy, xp? never Haste_2 posted... Let me know if there are any errors in the names of the games or the tracks here. Drakengard 3 - Kuroi Ita should be Drakengard 3 - Kuroi Uta Less of a big deal but: Ar Nosurge - Class::EXSPHERE_NOSURGE should be Ar nosurge - Class::EXSPHERE_NOSURGE; (The n in nosurge is lowercase AFAIK and the song name ends in a semicolon as per its obvious coding language influence) Also not really an error but the "some Gust games have their subtitles some don't" irks me a bit but that's just a consistency thing and VGMC itself is all over the board on whether it runs with game subtitles or not. AT2 and Rorona have theirs, Ar nosurge, Ayesha, and Shallie don't. --- xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out? <cite>xp1337 posted [p:947789300] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Haste_2 posted... </cite> <quote>Happy, xp?</quote>never Haste_2 posted... </cite> <quote> Let me know if there are any errors in the names of the games or the tracks here.</quote>Drakengard 3 - Kuroi Ita should be Drakengard 3 - Kuroi Uta Less of a big deal but: Ar Nosurge - Class::EXSPHERE_NOSURGE should be Ar nosurge - Class::EXSPHERE_NOSURGE; (The n in nosurge is lowercase AFAIK and the song name ends in a semicolon as per its obvious coding language influence) Also not really an error but the "some Gust games have their subtitles some don't" irks me a bit but that's just a consistency thing and VGMC itself is all over the board on whether it runs with game subtitles or not. AT2 and Rorona have theirs, Ar nosurge, Ayesha, and Shallie don't. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
azuarc 12/01/20 12:27:40 AM #465:	Haste_2 posted... Let me know if there are any errors in the names of the games or the tracks here. Haste_2 posted... Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru 8 - Ricordando il Passato I'm pretty sure you have the wrong Umineko track here. This is the top quartile, so you must have copy-pasted the wrong line in your sheet. --- Video Game Music Contest 14 champion: Idola Phantasy Star Saga - Endeavour <cite>azuarc posted [p:947789301] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Haste_2 posted... </cite> <quote>Let me know if there are any errors in the names of the games or the tracks here.</quote> Haste_2 posted... </cite> <quote>Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru 8 - Ricordando il Passato</quote> I'm pretty sure you have the wrong Umineko track here. This is the top quartile, so you must have copy-pasted the wrong line in your sheet. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
PIayer_0 12/01/20 12:36:05 AM #466:	Haste can blame the Kuroi Ita on whoever filled out the retiree list in VGMC total stats --- -Abraham Lincoln <cite>PIayer_0 posted [p:947789492] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Haste can blame the Kuroi Ita on whoever filled out the retiree list in VGMC total stats </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Arti 12/01/20 12:42:22 AM #467:	azuarc posted... I'm pretty sure you have the wrong Umineko track here. This is the top quartile, so you must have copy-pasted the wrong line in your sheet. Pretty sure the other Umineko track he put in the top 40 is actually the wrong one --- http://backloggery.com/articuno2001/sig.gif azuarc may not know the strength of songs in VGMC, but he conquered the guru in Game of the Decade 2! Congrats! <cite>Arti posted [p:947789614] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>azuarc posted... </cite> <quote>I'm pretty sure you have the wrong Umineko track here. This is the top quartile, so you must have copy-pasted the wrong line in your sheet.</quote>Pretty sure the other Umineko track he put in the top 40 is actually the wrong one </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
LeonhartFour 12/01/20 1:59:59 AM #468:	pretty sure they're both wrong --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:947790995] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>pretty sure they're both wrong </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/02/20 12:05:07 AM #469:	PIayer_0 posted... Haste can blame the Kuroi Ita on whoever filled out the retiree list in VGMC total stats Nonsense. Everything in the total stats sheet is correct, even if they become incorrect when you copy and paste from it. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947825146] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>PIayer_0 posted... </cite> <quote>Haste can blame the Kuroi Ita on whoever filled out the retiree list in VGMC total stats</quote> Nonsense. Everything in the total stats sheet is correct, even if they become incorrect when you copy and paste from it. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/02/20 11:23:39 PM #470:	Time for some ACE ATTORNEY!!!! I created a top five, but then things changed, so I ended up with six write-ups. That means to start with an honorable mention!! I wish these all could do well in contests.... HM) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - Ace Attorney 5 ~ Court Begins Ranking within Retirees: 54.5 https://youtu.be/YD1ULJRRKxY Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: The first 26 seconds. VGMC History: (none) I gotta call this one of the more criminally underrated tracks in the series (excuse the pun, hehe)! This trial theme is awesome because it can be used as both a regular trial AND for suspense. The Ace Attorney is known for having not-so-sophisticated music, but this is somewhat of an exception. The harmonies alone makes this theme compelling. The Phrygian feel in the first half is coo, but I love all the KEY CHANGES in particular I love how you get a standard tonic-bII-tonic in G, but then suddenly bII gets used to move to the key of A in the first section. The rhythm section does those cool sets of four-sixteenth notes that seem to highlight the off-beats rather than the downbeat rhythmic tricks like this are GREAT and add depth! Other highlights include that tritone on top of bII at :08 and other places, a very INTENSE/DISSONANT moment there, especially with the brass joining in right then, too =O. I love the placement of the percussive chords (a common thing in Dual Destinies OST) at 0:27 with some subtle reverb there. 1:12 is the simplest part of it all (just a few octaves, but the way it tags on to that dark ending is totally GROOVY =D! I could talk about more things--There is so much to love about this particular Court Begins theme! 5) Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth - Confess the Truth 2009 Ranking among Retirees: 52.5 https://youtu.be/Rz0IgN_MfmI Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: All of it. VGMC History: (none) Back when I did an Ace Attorney music-ranking topic on this board (back in like 2015), this was 9th place back then. I'm 99% sure my top ten Ace Attorney music at the time was. AAI2 - Pursuit ~ Wanting to the Find the Truth PW:AA - Pursuit ~ Cornered AAI2 - Confrontation ~ Presto PW:DD - Athena Cykes ~ Courtroom Revolutionairre 2013 PW:DD - Apollo Justice ~ A New Chapter of Trials 2013 AAI2 - Gregory Edgeworth ~ A Defense Attorneys Knowledge PW:T&T - Cross-Examination ~ Allegro 2004 PW:DD - Pursuit ~ Keep Pressing On AAI - Confess the Truth 2009 AAI - Pursuit ~ Lying Coldly Okay, you probably rate this 3/10 just because the violins sound ratty, and yes, that does hurt my rating. Anyway, this is no doubt my #1 in the series in mood-setting. Very dark/suspenseful/groovy ohhh, the powerful feelings! But it's amazing how odd time, even something like 5/4, seems to make the atmosphere even better here, more alive! Also, the slow tempo really magnifies the feeling, too... there's at least one VGMC retiree yet to appear that I adore for a very similar reason! The basic idea is really cool with two lines interacting with each other, the lower line just focusing on one or two notes...this kind of thing is common in Ace Attorney, but I cant think of another track that does it better than one! Then you add the other stuff and the feeling gets upped tenfold! The strings then introduce the real melody, but it stays out of the way to milk that piano idea.the three ideas going on at the same time is SO COOL. CATCHY, too. Whats interesting is how certain notes you expect to hear in the piano are omitted, but because of everything else going on, you wnot notice it unless youre listening closely. The effect is interesting. Love the moments where the bass gets active, too. (At 0:47 we get a new contrasting section (a new dramatic feel), this time more chord/unified/percussion-focused ). I LOVE the way they do those syncopated rhythms, too, ahhh, the FEELINGS they exude! Great way to finish off the loop! Perhaps the best way to describe this theme, though, is from a comment from a YouTube user named Miles Edgeworth (fitting name): Do you hear it? The sound of the truth being revealed! --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947862292] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Time for some ACE ATTORNEY!!!! I created a top five, but then things changed, so I ended up with six write-ups. That means to start with an honorable mention!! I wish these all could do well in contests.... HM) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - Ace Attorney 5 ~ Court Begins Ranking within Retirees: 54.5 https://youtu.be/YD1ULJRRKxY Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: The first 26 seconds. VGMC History: (none) I gotta call this one of the more criminally underrated tracks in the series (excuse the pun, hehe)! This trial theme is awesome because it can be used as both a regular trial AND for suspense. The Ace Attorney is known for having not-so-sophisticated music, but this is somewhat of an exception. The harmonies alone makes this theme compelling. The Phrygian feel in the first half is coo, but I love all the KEY CHANGES in particular I love how you get a standard tonic-bII-tonic in G, but then suddenly bII gets used to move to the key of A in the first section. The rhythm section does those cool sets of four-sixteenth notes that seem to highlight the off-beats rather than the downbeat rhythmic tricks like this are GREAT and add depth! Other highlights include that tritone on top of bII at :08 and other places, a very INTENSE/DISSONANT moment there, especially with the brass joining in right then, too =O. I love the placement of the percussive chords (a common thing in Dual Destinies OST) at 0:27 with some subtle reverb there. 1:12 is the simplest part of it all (just a few octaves, but the way it tags on to that dark ending is totally GROOVY =D! I could talk about more things--There is so much to love about this particular Court Begins theme! 5) Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth - Confess the Truth 2009 Ranking among Retirees: 52.5 https://youtu.be/Rz0IgN_MfmI Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: All of it. VGMC History: (none) Back when I did an Ace Attorney music-ranking topic on this board (back in like 2015), this was 9th place back then. I'm 99% sure my top ten Ace Attorney music at the time was. AAI2 - Pursuit ~ Wanting to the Find the TruthPW:AA - Pursuit ~ CorneredAAI2 - Confrontation ~ PrestoPW:DD - Athena Cykes ~ Courtroom Revolutionairre 2013PW:DD - Apollo Justice ~ A New Chapter of Trials 2013AAI2 - Gregory Edgeworth ~ A Defense Attorneys KnowledgePW:T&T - Cross-Examination ~ Allegro 2004PW:DD - Pursuit ~ Keep Pressing OnAAI - Confess the Truth 2009AAI - Pursuit ~ Lying ColdlyOkay, you probably rate this 3/10 just because the violins sound ratty, and yes, that does hurt my rating. Anyway, this is no doubt my #1 in the series in mood-setting. Very dark/suspenseful/groovy ohhh, the powerful feelings! But it's amazing how odd time, even something like 5/4, seems to make the atmosphere even better here, more alive! Also, the slow tempo really magnifies the feeling, too... there's at least one VGMC retiree yet to appear that I adore for a very similar reason! The basic idea is really cool with two lines interacting with each other, the lower line just focusing on one or two notes...this kind of thing is common in Ace Attorney, but I cant think of another track that does it better than one! Then you add the other stuff and the feeling gets upped tenfold! The strings then introduce the real melody, but it stays out of the way to milk that piano idea.the three ideas going on at the same time is SO COOL. CATCHY, too. Whats interesting is how certain notes you expect to hear in the piano are omitted, but because of everything else going on, you wnot notice it unless youre listening closely. The effect is interesting. Love the moments where the bass gets active, too. (At 0:47 we get a new contrasting section (a new dramatic feel), this time more chord/unified/percussion-focused ). I LOVE the way they do those syncopated rhythms, too, ahhh, the FEELINGS they exude! Great way to finish off the loop! Perhaps the best way to describe this theme, though, is from a comment from a YouTube user named Miles Edgeworth (fitting name): Do you hear it? The sound of the truth being revealed! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
LeonhartFour 12/02/20 11:25:37 PM #471:	good #1 song AA music deserves more love --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:947862356] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>good #1 song AA music deserves more love </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/02/20 11:40:43 PM #472:	4) Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Logic and Witchcraft Ranking with Retirees: 52.25 https://youtu.be/QLJtSws3rBs Composer: Yasumasa Kitagawa Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/QLJtSws3rBs?t=30 VGMC History: (none) This one just barely beats out AAI's Confess the Truth. Yeah, the title of this track is kind of contradictory (excuse the pun AGAIN, eheh). But in this game Phoenix Wright is literally defending in witch trials, so yeah! But anyway, theres a Logic theme in every game in the series. The logic themes from Dai Gyakuten Saiban and Apollo Justice are more popular, but to me, this one tops them all. PLvPWs soundtrack tends to be very acoustic/orchestral compared to other games, and this is one of my favorite examples of that. Add it's filled with the kind of details that I love. I enjoy the lightness of the theme, while at the same time its very serious and foreboding kind of a Final Jeopardy feeling...it accomplishes those feelings very well. The harpsichord is not supposed to be able to do accents or change volume, but hey, I like the accents it does here! It gets even better when it switches to the bells. ahhhhhh. But I especially love the way the strings get used ! Love the crescendos and pizzes the way they support the theme. The support gets even better at 0:30 with the pizzes and reverse piano effects working together such cool light ambient crescendos! Finally, Im just a fan of the melody its just so nice for reasons I cant explain! Well, it goes back and forth between nat-6 and b6, so that's one reason. All in all, I just feel like this theme is SO GOOD for what it's intended to be. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947862684] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>4) Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Logic and Witchcraft Ranking with Retirees: 52.25 https://youtu.be/QLJtSws3rBs Composer: Yasumasa Kitagawa Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/QLJtSws3rBs?t=30 VGMC History: (none) This one just barely beats out AAI's Confess the Truth. Yeah, the title of this track is kind of contradictory (excuse the pun AGAIN, eheh). But in this game Phoenix Wright is literally defending in witch trials, so yeah! But anyway, theres a Logic theme in every game in the series. The logic themes from Dai Gyakuten Saiban and Apollo Justice are more popular, but to me, this one tops them all. PLvPWs soundtrack tends to be very acoustic/orchestral compared to other games, and this is one of my favorite examples of that. Add it's filled with the kind of details that I love. I enjoy the lightness of the theme, while at the same time its very serious and foreboding kind of a Final Jeopardy feeling...it accomplishes those feelings very well. The harpsichord is not supposed to be able to do accents or change volume, but hey, I like the accents it does here! It gets even better when it switches to the bells. ahhhhhh. But I especially love the way the strings get used ! Love the crescendos and pizzes the way they support the theme. The support gets even better at 0:30 with the pizzes and reverse piano effects working together such cool light ambient crescendos! Finally, Im just a fan of the melody its just so nice for reasons I cant explain! Well, it goes back and forth between nat-6 and b6, so that's one reason. All in all, I just feel like this theme is SO GOOD for what it's intended to be. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/05/20 11:39:00 PM #473:	3) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - Athena Cykes ~ Courtroom Revolutionnaire 2013 Retiree Ranking: 52.125 https://youtu.be/HmCF8txfZnQ Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: 0:34 - 0:55 VGMC History: VGMC 8 (Lost R1 to Tomorrow), VGMC 9 (Lost R1 to Tuxedo Knight) HM: Athena Cykes ~ Courtroom Revolutionnaire 2016 (8.3/10) Yeah, this and the previous two are all really close together and the order could change at any time among them. Sad that it lost both matches, but its interesting how it lost to two tracks I recognize! I like this WAAAAYYYY more than either of those, though. ~_~ I guess this theme didnt do that bad in retrospect, though. Its probably capable of beating a weakling, at least. But on to talking about this theme. Phoenix Wrights objection themes are fine, and yeah, hes the boss/main character, but he gets overshadowed by his underlings in terms of their themes! =D Have you heard her original theme? It uses the same melody, but yeah, its way different! https://youtu.be/w9ep6aD7AQM Anyway, the way Iwadare modified it into an epic objection theme is just RADICAL! Its unmistakably the same melodic ideas being used, but the harmonies and scales used are completely different! Its not only epic, but its that kind of music that CUTS into (exposes) EVILS very core. I LOVE when it plays when confronting the (extremely evil) villain of DDs case three for that reason. Still has some of that girly-ness to it, though, with the harps, bells and such. But yeah, really nice harmonies throughout, favorites being the vi7-diminished (the third chord right at the start), the brass chord changes (descent) at 0:34 leading to a neat key change, as well the chromatic downward movement from 0:42 - 0:52 with a surprisingly natural melody on top and wow, what a climax there with those trumpet chords! There are also some good details, such as the big orchestral sound shifting to bells through that big percussive chord at 0:05. I love the role of the piano here provides nice rhythmic accents. The percussive use of trumpet samples in the latter part are great, too. Anyway, overall, this is a good example of one of the more orchestral-esque themes in the game. Epic! I just wish it was used more often. The 2016 version doesn't score as high because 1) I'm not a fan of putting the theme to electric guitar and 2) I don't like how it has to repeat my least favorite part four times at the end of the loop. I won't post the top two yet because, well, they're at a 9.0+. In fact, I'm astonished at how high they scored based on my listens today... that's probably a fluke. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:947969190] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>3) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - Athena Cykes ~ Courtroom Revolutionnaire 2013 Retiree Ranking: 52.125 https://youtu.be/HmCF8txfZnQ Composer: Noriyuki Iwadare Score: 8.8/10 (Excellent) Favorite part: 0:34 - 0:55 VGMC History: VGMC 8 (Lost R1 to Tomorrow), VGMC 9 (Lost R1 to Tuxedo Knight) HM: Athena Cykes ~ Courtroom Revolutionnaire 2016 (8.3/10) Yeah, this and the previous two are all really close together and the order could change at any time among them. Sad that it lost both matches, but its interesting how it lost to two tracks I recognize! I like this WAAAAYYYY more than either of those, though. ~_~ I guess this theme didnt do that bad in retrospect, though. Its probably capable of beating a weakling, at least. But on to talking about this theme. Phoenix Wrights objection themes are fine, and yeah, hes the boss/main character, but he gets overshadowed by his underlings in terms of their themes! =D Have you heard her original theme? It uses the same melody, but yeah, its way different! https://youtu.be/w9ep6aD7AQM Anyway, the way Iwadare modified it into an epic objection theme is just RADICAL! Its unmistakably the same melodic ideas being used, but the harmonies and scales used are completely different! Its not only epic, but its that kind of music that CUTS into (exposes) EVILS very core. I LOVE when it plays when confronting the (extremely evil) villain of DDs case three for that reason. Still has some of that girly-ness to it, though, with the harps, bells and such. But yeah, really nice harmonies throughout, favorites being the vi7-diminished (the third chord right at the start), the brass chord changes (descent) at 0:34 leading to a neat key change, as well the chromatic downward movement from 0:42 - 0:52 with a surprisingly natural melody on top and wow, what a climax there with those trumpet chords! There are also some good details, such as the big orchestral sound shifting to bells through that big percussive chord at 0:05. I love the role of the piano here provides nice rhythmic accents. The percussive use of trumpet samples in the latter part are great, too. Anyway, overall, this is a good example of one of the more orchestral-esque themes in the game. Epic! I just wish it was used more often. The 2016 version doesn't score as high because 1) I'm not a fan of putting the theme to electric guitar and 2) I don't like how it has to repeat my least favorite part four times at the end of the loop. I won't post the top two yet because, well, they're at a 9.0+. In fact, I'm astonished at how high they scored based on my listens today... that's probably a fluke. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Leonhart4 12/05/20 11:58:46 PM #474:	2016 > the original --- https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB <cite>Leonhart4 posted [p:947969707] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>2016 > the original </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
SeabassDebeste 12/06/20 12:32:39 AM #475:	courtroom revolutionnaire and confess the truth 09 so good the other two AA songs are kinda ??? though - like the 2015 list more! --- yet all azuarc of all sorts are more or less capricious and unreliable - they live in the varying outer weather, and they inhale its fickleness <cite>SeabassDebeste posted [p:947970514] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>courtroom revolutionnaire and confess the truth 09 so good the other two AA songs are kinda ??? though - like the 2015 list more!</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Leonhart4 12/06/20 11:13:32 AM #476:	Yeah, Layton/AA has a surprisingly good OST, but that's an odd selection from it! --- https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB <cite>Leonhart4 posted [p:947980543] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Yeah, Layton/AA has a surprisingly good OST, but that's an odd selection from it! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/11/20 11:57:56 PM #477:	40) G-Darius Kimera II https://youtu.be/MC62uO7hPto Composer: Hisayoshi Ogura Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 3 (Lost R3), VGMC 4 (Lost R5 to Dark Cloud Main Theme) Favorite Part: The first minute I initially didnt like it very much because of how incredibly STRANGE and quirky it was, but its grown on me a LOT. I cant believe Dark Cloud beat this. Dungeon-like atmosphere, yet its beautiful at the same time. This very well be the most unique music of all the retirees. I love those low-pitched percussion instruments that sound almost like growls. The first minute alone is enough to satisfy my unique music curiosity. Bubbly beginning, a very awesome set of percussion from the get-go, along with some very weird melodic and percussive fragments going on everywhere (and the timing of these is very tasteful), except that these things actually unify the whole track. The low sustained synths are perfect. SUCH an artistic use of sounds. An operatic female voice starts off fragmented, as well, but then it flat out takes the lead a little later (and it works GREAT combined with that synth). 1:30s syncopated thing is awesome. Pop-style singing/chords/echoes used in very interesting ways. 2:04 gets calmer while re-using some of the same sounds, but violins are added. Some of the main theme enters really quietly at 3:08 just before the loop finishes neat! Oh, theres actually some new stuff around the 5:00 mark thats really nice, too--funny how I assumed otherwise for SO LONG. All-in-all, its amazing that we had a gem such as this on the PS1. Its probably my favorite theme from this game, well, either that or H.G. Virus. But from the same series, I am in LOVE (moreso) with Suite Photoconductivity ~Third Tune: Bolt and Sword~ , which unfortunately lost R1 last contest, but it didnt do too bad in retrospect. Only 8 net votes behind GOSU. But it absolutely blows me away, so here it is again or your listening pleasure. https://youtu.be/w9Pho3INsN8 39) Super Mario Galaxy - Floater Land/Buoy Base Galaxy Series ranking: 1 of 4 https://youtu.be/fE0Thp3wjXU Composer: Mahito Yokota Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 2 (Lost R7 to Dragon Roost Island) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/fE0Thp3wjXU?t=34 SMGs soundtrack :). I love the epic orchestral style of the OST in general (it was a good idea to get a new principal composer, though Koji did have a few works in it), and this track showcases it in spades. Im a sucker for live orchestra, really, especially if brass gets featured! But Im also really into spacey sounds at the start. What cool triplet areggio-like figures there (outlining non-triadic harmonies), and doing a major/minor thing near the end the intro is fun, too! The piano bass really fills out the atmosphere without drawing attention to itself. I the brass writing is GREAT. For example, I like how the melody is an octave above the top of the chords below. As for the main theme, its rhythmic structure works nicely it has a kind of militaristic march feel, but also dramatic! I like some of the melodic note choices (both b-ii and nat-ii get used). It goes to a cool spacey sound again at about 0:50, an addition that makes it sound so much like a Heroic Mario [RIP]! Then it switches to major!! Finally, that trumpet melody at would be a LOT of fun to play at 1:14, oh, and at 0:34, too.(honestly, if I had a chance to play SMG music in an orchestra it would be a dream come true). The performing orchestra is... the Mario Galaxy Orchestra...okay, so basically a studio orchestra, but even studio groups sound pristine in Japan. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:948231355] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>40) G-Darius Kimera II https://youtu.be/MC62uO7hPto Composer: Hisayoshi Ogura Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 3 (Lost R3), VGMC 4 (Lost R5 to Dark Cloud Main Theme) Favorite Part: The first minute I initially didnt like it very much because of how incredibly STRANGE and quirky it was, but its grown on me a LOT. I cant believe Dark Cloud beat this. Dungeon-like atmosphere, yet its beautiful at the same time. This very well be the most unique music of all the retirees. I love those low-pitched percussion instruments that sound almost like growls. The first minute alone is enough to satisfy my unique music curiosity. Bubbly beginning, a very awesome set of percussion from the get-go, along with some very weird melodic and percussive fragments going on everywhere (and the timing of these is very tasteful), except that these things actually unify the whole track. The low sustained synths are perfect. SUCH an artistic use of sounds. An operatic female voice starts off fragmented, as well, but then it flat out takes the lead a little later (and it works GREAT combined with that synth). 1:30s syncopated thing is awesome. Pop-style singing/chords/echoes used in very interesting ways. 2:04 gets calmer while re-using some of the same sounds, but violins are added. Some of the main theme enters really quietly at 3:08 just before the loop finishes neat! Oh, theres actually some new stuff around the 5:00 mark thats really nice, too--funny how I assumed otherwise for SO LONG. All-in-all, its amazing that we had a gem such as this on the PS1. Its probably my favorite theme from this game, well, either that or H.G. Virus. But from the same series, I am in LOVE (moreso) with Suite Photoconductivity ~Third Tune: Bolt and Sword~ , which unfortunately lost R1 last contest, but it didnt do too bad in retrospect. Only 8 net votes behind GOSU. But it absolutely blows me away, so here it is again or your listening pleasure. https://youtu.be/w9Pho3INsN8 39) Super Mario Galaxy - Floater Land/Buoy Base Galaxy Series ranking: 1 of 4 https://youtu.be/fE0Thp3wjXU Composer: Mahito Yokota Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 2 (Lost R7 to Dragon Roost Island) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/fE0Thp3wjXU?t=34 SMGs soundtrack :). I love the epic orchestral style of the OST in general (it was a good idea to get a new principal composer, though Koji did have a few works in it), and this track showcases it in spades. Im a sucker for live orchestra, really, especially if brass gets featured! But Im also really into spacey sounds at the start. What cool triplet areggio-like figures there (outlining non-triadic harmonies), and doing a major/minor thing near the end the intro is fun, too! The piano bass really fills out the atmosphere without drawing attention to itself. I the brass writing is GREAT. For example, I like how the melody is an octave above the top of the chords below. As for the main theme, its rhythmic structure works nicely it has a kind of militaristic march feel, but also dramatic! I like some of the melodic note choices (both b-ii and nat-ii get used). It goes to a cool spacey sound again at about 0:50, an addition that makes it sound so much like a Heroic Mario [RIP]! Then it switches to major!! Finally, that trumpet melody at would be a LOT of fun to play at 1:14, oh, and at 0:34, too.(honestly, if I had a chance to play SMG music in an orchestra it would be a dream come true). The performing orchestra is... the Mario Galaxy Orchestra...okay, so basically a studio orchestra, but even studio groups sound pristine in Japan. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
LeonhartFour 12/11/20 11:59:01 PM #478:	I don't understand how Buoy Base is the only Galaxy song to retire because it's low tier for me and the soundtrack for both games is just so good. --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:948231379] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>I don't understand how Buoy Base is the only Galaxy song to retire because it's low tier for me and the soundtrack for both games is just so good. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/17/20 11:09:02 PM #479:	I certainly agree that there are multiple Galaxy tracks worthy of retiring. I admit I haven't heard the soundtrack in a long time (nor played the game, though I think I bought it used a couple of years ago....?), and I never really fully digested it. But I can say I absolutely love Gusty Garden Galaxy! Confession: to be frank, Kimera II and Floater Land really should have been an 8.9. But now we're truly in the 9.0+ territory now! Before moving on to #38, though.... ELIMININATED: VGMC 4 (fourth elimination) 1) G-Darius - Kimera II 2) Gran Turismo 2 - Moon over the Castle 3) Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream - Wild Wind 4) Super Robot Wars Alpha 3 - Trombe! 5) Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru - discolor 6) Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - The Price of Freedom 7) Grandia II - FIGHT!! Ver. 4 ~ The Final Battle 8) Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal - Ratchet & Courtney Battle 9) NieR - Shadowlord 10) Umineko no Naku Koro ni Anime - Happiness of Marionette 11) Sonic 3D (Saturn) - Rusty Ruin Zone Act 2 12) Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of The Second - Din Don Dan Dan Fo 13) Umineko no Naku Koro ni - Hope 14) Barkley, Shut up and Jam Gaiden - Johnathan Taylor Thomas 15) The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC - Silver Will (Super Arrange) 16) Dark Cloud - Dark Cloud Main Theme Average ranking: 115.9 Average rating: 7.84 Note that Silver Will was revised upwards a bunch. 38) Atelier Ayesha - Yesterday's Opponents are Today's Ingredients Series ranking: 4 of 5 https://youtu.be/aPuaHfnZ9D0 Composer: Kazuki Yanagawa Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 8 (Lost R4), VGMC 11 (Lost R3), VGMC 13 (Lost R5 to Invitation Flower ~ Autumn) Favorite Part: The first 30ish seconds Yay for intense battle themes! The second of the three retired Ayesha theme falls! Melody-wise its pretty simple, but theres a lot of added complexity. The first melody itself is intriguing.its so wicked intense, barbaric with how the guitar sounds. It sharpens one of the notes creating a sort of chromatic neighboring effect for extra tension. Then a grand pause! Then repeat. Brilliant! Odd little "percussive" effects add to that tension. That reverse piano effect is awesome the way it leads into a louder section. We got some cool hemiola string patterns added as it moves to moves to relative iv just like a blues tune! Once again, cool note choices outside the minor scale, too! I cant forget to mention those RIDICULOUSLY awesome piano ideas between each phrase around here, too...! Then at enters a relatively tame melody at 0:24 in yet another key before it finally moves back to the tonic again. From there both ideas get expanded upon. Melody 1 gets played in 4ths now at 0:48, cool. Gotta mention again between every phrase when theme #1 plays is some BRAND NEW effect be it accordian, guitar, etc! I really enjoy the sudden change to the serene piano before it finally climaxes (with instrumentation at its fullest) to the very end of the loopeverything just kinda comes together at the end. .gotta love those odd chalkboard scratching sounds at 1:47, too. >_> Overall, we got some solid artistry of sounds with only a few simple ideas. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:948471324] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>I certainly agree that there are multiple Galaxy tracks worthy of retiring. I admit I haven't heard the soundtrack in a long time (nor played the game, though I think I bought it used a couple of years ago....?), and I never really fully digested it. But I can say I absolutely love Gusty Garden Galaxy! Confession: to be frank, Kimera II and Floater Land really should have been an 8.9. But now we're truly in the 9.0+ territory now! Before moving on to #38, though.... ELIMININATED: VGMC 4 (fourth elimination) 1) G-Darius - Kimera II 2) Gran Turismo 2 - Moon over the Castle 3) Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream - Wild Wind 4) Super Robot Wars Alpha 3 - Trombe! 5) Umineko no Naku Koro ni Chiru - discolor 6) Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII - The Price of Freedom 7) Grandia II - FIGHT!! Ver. 4 ~ The Final Battle 8) Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal - Ratchet & Courtney Battle 9) NieR - Shadowlord 10) Umineko no Naku Koro ni Anime - Happiness of Marionette 11) Sonic 3D (Saturn) - Rusty Ruin Zone Act 2 12) Ragnarok Online 2: Legend of The Second - Din Don Dan Dan Fo 13) Umineko no Naku Koro ni - Hope 14) Barkley, Shut up and Jam Gaiden - Johnathan Taylor Thomas 15) The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC - Silver Will (Super Arrange) 16) Dark Cloud - Dark Cloud Main Theme Average ranking: 115.9 Average rating: 7.84 Note that Silver Will was revised upwards a bunch. 38) Atelier Ayesha - Yesterday's Opponents are Today's Ingredients Series ranking: 4 of 5 https://youtu.be/aPuaHfnZ9D0 Composer: Kazuki Yanagawa Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 8 (Lost R4), VGMC 11 (Lost R3), VGMC 13 (Lost R5 to Invitation Flower ~ Autumn) Favorite Part: The first 30ish seconds Yay for intense battle themes! The second of the three retired Ayesha theme falls! Melody-wise its pretty simple, but theres a lot of added complexity. The first melody itself is intriguing.its so wicked intense, barbaric with how the guitar sounds. It sharpens one of the notes creating a sort of chromatic neighboring effect for extra tension. Then a grand pause! Then repeat. Brilliant! Odd little "percussive" effects add to that tension. That reverse piano effect is awesome the way it leads into a louder section. We got some cool hemiola string patterns added as it moves to moves to relative iv just like a blues tune! Once again, cool note choices outside the minor scale, too! I cant forget to mention those RIDICULOUSLY awesome piano ideas between each phrase around here, too...! Then at enters a relatively tame melody at 0:24 in yet another key before it finally moves back to the tonic again. From there both ideas get expanded upon. Melody 1 gets played in 4ths now at 0:48, cool. Gotta mention again between every phrase when theme #1 plays is some BRAND NEW effect be it accordian, guitar, etc! I really enjoy the sudden change to the serene piano before it finally climaxes (with instrumentation at its fullest) to the very end of the loopeverything just kinda comes together at the end. .gotta love those odd chalkboard scratching sounds at 1:47, too. >_> Overall, we got some solid artistry of sounds with only a few simple ideas. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
xp1337 12/17/20 11:15:55 PM #480:	VGMC4 was the first VGMC I fully participated in (maybe even at all, I forget if I voted towards the end of VGMC3) so it has a fond place in my heart. Kimera II is a worthy top pick from its retirees. --- xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out? <cite>xp1337 posted [p:948471539] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>VGMC4 was the first VGMC I fully participated in (maybe even at all, I forget if I voted towards the end of VGMC3) so it has a fond place in my heart. Kimera II is a worthy top pick from its retirees. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
NFUN 12/17/20 11:16:33 PM #481:	kimera 2 too low --- Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination <cite>NFUN posted [p:948471554] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>kimera 2 too low</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
xp1337 12/17/20 11:17:03 PM #482:	i mean on the overall list, yeah --- xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out? <cite>xp1337 posted [p:948471572] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>i mean on the overall list, yeah </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/17/20 11:35:58 PM #483:	What a shame my favorite VGMC 4 rep had to lose to my least favorite one. ;_; 37) Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country - Battle!! Series ranking: 3 of 6 https://youtu.be/1weNnjzaXbY Composer: Kenji Hiramatsu Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 13 (Lost R7 to Class:EXPHERE_NOSURGE;) Favorite Part: The intro and1:11 - 1:46 Confession: I voted Despair of Elferia over this in the ToC, which gave Elferia the win by like one vote, IIRC? To think the true final should have been Battle!! Vs. EXPHERE, apparently. On to the music. I never thought such a pure jazz piece could work as a battle theme. It seems to be one of the hottest new ideas for such music! Makes me want to play XC2 so badly. (one of these days I plan to try the series) Seriously, in almost every phrase theres something interesting going on. Sounds like some kind of Latin. This uses a REAL professional jazz combo, and Im a sucker for real pro groups! To have a real pro jazz drummer, man. The intro piano line is so SWINGING, so CATCHY, especially how it leaps from the low E to the chords (and the chords are missing the E, interestingly)... I LOVE THOSE CHORDS!!! The drums come in to enhance the feel, likewise the really tasteful string bass. The violins play slow, soaring line on top, a perfect complement to the energetic rhythm section. Then the piano takes over the same idea at 0:29 BRILLIANT! What beautiful pedals! Also, 0:43 music starts moving forward, all the parts pretty much united, and then culminating in cool Latin offbeat rhythms! Wind chimes! We get a new upbeat melody at 0:54 more fun rhythms, yay. Good violin countermelodies in here. Loving those piano embellishments between 1:07 and 1:10. 1:11 brings back the first theme.but a lot of cool changes this time around! Nice bluesy string bass right off the bat to enhance the feeling. Strings have more a dramatic flare this time around. Likewise with the piano, e.g. those AWESOME patterns at 1:31. Then at 1:33/1:40 the piano does a fake tripletized delay echo!!! Cello now gets a little spotlight! The drummer has a lot of fun in the section right after. 2:31 decides to extend the second theme idea I have no qualms with that. 3:02 turns into an improv jam session. (except that, well, given the unity in certain things, it may have been planned out) Still, fun rhythm section stuff stylish string bass at 3:18. I like the chord at 3:23. Phew, okay Ive said enough. This track is awesome! --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:948472167] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>What a shame my favorite VGMC 4 rep had to lose to my least favorite one. ;_; 37) Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country - Battle!! Series ranking: 3 of 6 https://youtu.be/1weNnjzaXbY Composer: Kenji Hiramatsu Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 13 (Lost R7 to Class:EXPHERE_NOSURGE;) Favorite Part: The intro and1:11 - 1:46 Confession: I voted Despair of Elferia over this in the ToC, which gave Elferia the win by like one vote, IIRC? To think the true final should have been Battle!! Vs. EXPHERE, apparently. On to the music. I never thought such a pure jazz piece could work as a battle theme. It seems to be one of the hottest new ideas for such music! Makes me want to play XC2 so badly. (one of these days I plan to try the series) Seriously, in almost every phrase theres something interesting going on. Sounds like some kind of Latin. This uses a REAL professional jazz combo, and Im a sucker for real pro groups! To have a real pro jazz drummer, man. The intro piano line is so SWINGING, so CATCHY, especially how it leaps from the low E to the chords (and the chords are missing the E, interestingly)... I LOVE THOSE CHORDS!!! The drums come in to enhance the feel, likewise the really tasteful string bass. The violins play slow, soaring line on top, a perfect complement to the energetic rhythm section. Then the piano takes over the same idea at 0:29 BRILLIANT! What beautiful pedals! Also, 0:43 music starts moving forward, all the parts pretty much united, and then culminating in cool Latin offbeat rhythms! Wind chimes! We get a new upbeat melody at 0:54 more fun rhythms, yay. Good violin countermelodies in here. Loving those piano embellishments between 1:07 and 1:10. 1:11 brings back the first theme.but a lot of cool changes this time around! Nice bluesy string bass right off the bat to enhance the feeling. Strings have more a dramatic flare this time around. Likewise with the piano, e.g. those AWESOME patterns at 1:31. Then at 1:33/1:40 the piano does a fake tripletized delay echo!!! Cello now gets a little spotlight! The drummer has a lot of fun in the section right after. 2:31 decides to extend the second theme idea I have no qualms with that. 3:02 turns into an improv jam session. (except that, well, given the unity in certain things, it may have been planned out) Still, fun rhythm section stuff stylish string bass at 3:18. I like the chord at 3:23. Phew, okay Ive said enough. This track is awesome! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Team Rocket Elite 12/24/20 10:13:07 PM #484:	Bump --- My bracket looked like random picks compared to his. Congrats to azuarc for winning the GotD 2020 Guru Contest! <cite>Team Rocket Elite posted [p:948729031] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Bump</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/25/20 7:07:41 PM #485:	Mery Christmas, y'all! All this time I realized I could have put in the preliminary ratings just for fun. Might as well just mention prelim ratings for the 9/10 ones so far. Kimera II: 8.5 Floater Land: 8.1 YOATI: 8.6 Battle!!: 9.2 I plan on adding a prelim rating for everything else so far in the rankings, too. 36) Terraria Calamity - The Filthy Mind (Theme of the Hive Mind) Series ranking: 1 out of 3 https://youtu.be/1NbQFGnQaCE Prelim score: 8.1/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) Composer: DM DOKURO VGMC History: VGMC 14 (Lost R5 to Moonstruck Blossom) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/1NbQFGnQaCE?t=47 Doom metal!!! (if I got that right there are way too many subgenres) The 5/4 gets utilized very well here with lots of variety in rhythms and phrase transitions! ! Its got some real thick and grindy electric guitar/bass orchestration, and I just LOVE the folky sound when the flute gets added to the mix. Depending on the day, my favorite TCM track is either this or Murderswarm. I feel lucky this one retired because its likely weaker than Servants or Crabulon, and this was probably the weakest VGMC 14 retiree. (And to think that Murderswarm literally lost a likely retirement by one vote) It starts with a muted/glitchy sound ( for no real reason except to be random), with a catchy rhythmic ostinato set up right away. It then gets repeated louder by the HUGE bass (SCARY @NFUN) and violins introduce a new idea, the actual melody I guess, but honestly, thats not the main attraction. =p It turns into Halloween at 0:27. Oohs are nice when they come in (GLOOMY @NFUN), and the piano gets some fun stuff with some rhythmic interaction with the bass, though. The drumming in this section is also LOTS of FUN!!! At 0:47 we get a subtle crescendo into my favorite section! Gotta love that flute! Its such a great counterbalance to the electric stuff. Yummy phrygian way to end the section. The little flute break at 0:56 is TOO cool with the unison stuff. Then we finally get at 1:21 the electrics go ALL OUT, aw yeah!!! Mmmm, so dirty, so rough, so intense!!! At 1:26 it gets displaced by an eight note, too, what fun!!! The loop concludes similar to the half-way point, but with the electric guitars going at it even harder!!! Awesome. A total headbanger, this one! Listening to it with headphones is a bit much for me, so Im rating this based on use of regular speakers. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:948755434] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Mery Christmas, y'all! All this time I realized I could have put in the preliminary ratings just for fun. Might as well just mention prelim ratings for the 9/10 ones so far. Kimera II: 8.5 Floater Land: 8.1 YOATI: 8.6 Battle!!: 9.2 I plan on adding a prelim rating for everything else so far in the rankings, too. 36) Terraria Calamity - The Filthy Mind (Theme of the Hive Mind) Series ranking: 1 out of 3 https://youtu.be/1NbQFGnQaCE Prelim score: 8.1/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) Composer: DM DOKURO VGMC History: VGMC 14 (Lost R5 to Moonstruck Blossom) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/1NbQFGnQaCE?t=47 Doom metal!!! (if I got that right there are way too many subgenres) The 5/4 gets utilized very well here with lots of variety in rhythms and phrase transitions! ! Its got some real thick and grindy electric guitar/bass orchestration, and I just LOVE the folky sound when the flute gets added to the mix. Depending on the day, my favorite TCM track is either this or Murderswarm. I feel lucky this one retired because its likely weaker than Servants or Crabulon, and this was probably the weakest VGMC 14 retiree. (And to think that Murderswarm literally lost a likely retirement by one vote) It starts with a muted/glitchy sound ( for no real reason except to be random), with a catchy rhythmic ostinato set up right away. It then gets repeated louder by the HUGE bass (SCARY @NFUN) and violins introduce a new idea, the actual melody I guess, but honestly, thats not the main attraction. =p It turns into Halloween at 0:27. Oohs are nice when they come in (GLOOMY @NFUN), and the piano gets some fun stuff with some rhythmic interaction with the bass, though. The drumming in this section is also LOTS of FUN!!! At 0:47 we get a subtle crescendo into my favorite section! Gotta love that flute! Its such a great counterbalance to the electric stuff. Yummy phrygian way to end the section. The little flute break at 0:56 is TOO cool with the unison stuff. Then we finally get at 1:21 the electrics go ALL OUT, aw yeah!!! Mmmm, so dirty, so rough, so intense!!! At 1:26 it gets displaced by an eight note, too, what fun!!! The loop concludes similar to the half-way point, but with the electric guitars going at it even harder!!! Awesome. A total headbanger, this one! Listening to it with headphones is a bit much for me, so Im rating this based on use of regular speakers. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
NFUN 12/25/20 7:14:17 PM #486:	filthy mind good and its DM DOKURO thank you very much --- Life before death, strength before weakness, journey before destination <cite>NFUN posted [p:948755623] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>filthy mind good and its DM DOKURO thank you very much</quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/25/20 7:44:48 PM #487:	2) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - Apollo Justice ~ A New Chapter of Trials! 2013 Retiree Ranking: 35.5 https://youtu.be/Y_EfUOJlBGY Composer: Toshihiko Horiyama, arr. byNoriyuki Iwadare Prelim score: N/A Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/Y_EfUOJlBGY?t=67 VGMC History: (none) Honorable mention: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice - Apollo Justice ~ A New Chapter of Trials! 2016 (8.9/10) Okay, the 2016 version of this has been in a contest!! It lost pathetically in VGMC 14, sadly, but it won THREE matches in alt bracket two years before!!! It even beat the awesome Exec Sublimation! I love the 2016 version of this, but I still prefer this one. Its not as fleshed out as 2016, but I like more of the focus on the string samples and chimes as opposed to being more synth and electronic drum-focused. Anyway, this is a remix of the original objection theme from Apollo Justice ~ Ace Attorney, which you can listen to here: https://youtu.be/SR6JTUWn_yE On to the theme itself; its catchy, though not particularly hummable because of all the leaps. The leaps are what make it cool, though! The rhythms are really catchy, too, between the cluster piano and the melody itself. Particular details in 2013 I like include the FIERY synth octaves on the very first chord and the string chords in the intermediate section at 0:38. But when the synth gets added in the recap, its just YEAH (very smooth~ and groovy ~!) Understandably, some people prefer the original its got more of an electronic pop sound to it, if thats your thing. I gotta go with 2013 as my favorite, though, mainly because of the added ending, which is flat out amazing! That alone increases my rating significantly. Anyway, the guitar solo at 1:07 is AWESOME.. It was definitely worth saving it for the end! Why do the key changes sound so good?! Anyway, dont know how to describe it its very climactic but in a laid back sort of way? And it adds a ton of depth to the theme as a whole It re-uses the rhythmic motif (syncopated three-note rhythm) in such a RADICALLY different way. Now, 2016 itself has an excellent ending with its plucked synth thing which is really epic! Lets pretend the actual ending at 3:07 doesnt exist its just weird. its not used in the actual game, anyway. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:948756617] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>2) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - Apollo Justice ~ A New Chapter of Trials! 2013 Retiree Ranking: 35.5 https://youtu.be/Y_EfUOJlBGY Composer: Toshihiko Horiyama, arr. byNoriyuki Iwadare Prelim score: N/A Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) Favorite part: https://youtu.be/Y_EfUOJlBGY?t=67 VGMC History: (none) Honorable mention: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice - Apollo Justice ~ A New Chapter of Trials! 2016 (8.9/10) Okay, the 2016 version of this has been in a contest!! It lost pathetically in VGMC 14, sadly, but it won THREE matches in alt bracket two years before!!! It even beat the awesome Exec Sublimation! I love the 2016 version of this, but I still prefer this one. Its not as fleshed out as 2016, but I like more of the focus on the string samples and chimes as opposed to being more synth and electronic drum-focused. Anyway, this is a remix of the original objection theme from Apollo Justice ~ Ace Attorney, which you can listen to here: https://youtu.be/SR6JTUWn_yE On to the theme itself; its catchy, though not particularly hummable because of all the leaps. The leaps are what make it cool, though! The rhythms are really catchy, too, between the cluster piano and the melody itself. Particular details in 2013 I like include the FIERY synth octaves on the very first chord and the string chords in the intermediate section at 0:38. But when the synth gets added in the recap, its just YEAH (very smooth~ and groovy ~!) Understandably, some people prefer the original its got more of an electronic pop sound to it, if thats your thing. I gotta go with 2013 as my favorite, though, mainly because of the added ending, which is flat out amazing! That alone increases my rating significantly. Anyway, the guitar solo at 1:07 is AWESOME.. It was definitely worth saving it for the end! Why do the key changes sound so good?! Anyway, dont know how to describe it its very climactic but in a laid back sort of way? And it adds a ton of depth to the theme as a whole It re-uses the rhythmic motif (syncopated three-note rhythm) in such a RADICALLY different way. Now, 2016 itself has an excellent ending with its plucked synth thing which is really epic! Lets pretend the actual ending at 3:07 doesnt exist its just weird. its not used in the actual game, anyway. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 12/31/20 12:39:48 AM #488:	In the past I've had a hard time getting my mind in the music listening mood at times. It seems to be connected to stress. If I've been stressed out recently, music doesn't get me the same satisfaction. Okay, that's probably obvious. But I improved my music satisfaction the same by watching a funny video (hello thar TwoSetViolin) to relax the stress, running at the gym, and listening to some of my favorite classical music. In fact, it made a HUGE difference. That may seem obvious, but I'm surprised at how much I was able to change my enjoyment of music. 34) Okami - The Sun Rises Series ranking: 1 of 2 https://youtu.be/ya3yxTbkh5s Composer: Rei Kondoh Prelim score: 9.1/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 2 (Lost R1), VGMC 3 (Lost R2), VGMC 4 (Lost R3), VGMC 5 (Lost R8 to The Extreme) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/ya3yxTbkh5s?t=81 Ahhhh. it sounds so Japanese traditional, but so cinematic orchestral) at the same time. I cant get enough of those flutes (at least two different kinds) the stylistic details they add and how the higher ones sound slightly metallic. Very thick orchestration works great here giving you plenty of sounds to hear. This is another Heres another example of feel good music I dont see how anyone could dislike it. It makes me sad that Reset ~ Thank You won a contest rather than this one, as this has by far the better melodies, harmonies, instrumentation, mood. Nice harmonies at the beginning you wont notice them if you dont pay attention, but theyre subtly beautiful! Very traditional scale usage at the start sets the right mood. At 0:25 and 0:29, ahhhh Shamisen insertions, so tasteful!!! More highlights include that resolution to major at 1:18, and then the new section at 1:21 the way it goes from the VI7 chord to the V min 9th chord to IV and then back up again, but ESPECIALLY I love way the harp outlines them there(including a change in the 6th scale degree).... YEEEEESSSSS!!!! And the lyrical ornamental flutes on top of that... woooooo. Oh MAN, the FEELS so EPIC. Virtuosic little harp flourish at 1:51! EDIT: OH, wow. So this is who lost to The Extreme in the finals! 33) Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland - Flash Frost Series ranking: 3 of 5 https://youtu.be/s9fOwF7-yZ4 Composer: Ken Nakagawa Prelim score: 8.6/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 12 (Lost R4), VGMC 13 (Lost R5 to XBC2's Battle!!) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/s9fOwF7-yZ4?t=31 Flash Frost if thats about the weather, that does not sound like something you want to drive in. Im totally into the violin It has so much warmth and soul at the start, especially with the piano backing it. LOVE how the piano and electric bass combine afterwards I really love unique ways of using electric bass!!! This theme is so girly... but hey, I like it that way! Thats precisely why this tracks so endearing. Regarding the melody, its interesting that its in minor because it sounds so HAPPY! The guitar solo at 0:31 is absolutely GORGEOUS.the style is very artistic and the percussiveness of the plucking is just perfect. Impromptu sounding, too! it does so many subtle things (for example, the way it incorporates triplet rhythms at certain spots). Some unique beautiful harmonies in there, too, especially right at the start! And the note choices for the guitar are spot on tasteful, avoiding the obvious harmony outlines. I love how the violin and piano combine in the climax--a nice bright sonorous sound!!!! Plus the chimes, viola (I think, it could be another violin), acoustic+electric guitar, squashy snare, etc. make it sound very full. Is this what you call girly metal?! (oops, I mean, of COURSE thats perfectly normal) Nice surprise key change at 1:34. Plus that active synth at the very end is cool. Rorolinas outfit is incredibly cute, too. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:948940511] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>In the past I've had a hard time getting my mind in the music listening mood at times. It seems to be connected to stress. If I've been stressed out recently, music doesn't get me the same satisfaction. Okay, that's probably obvious. But I improved my music satisfaction the same by watching a funny video (hello thar TwoSetViolin) to relax the stress, running at the gym, and listening to some of my favorite classical music. In fact, it made a HUGE difference. That may seem obvious, but I'm surprised at how much I was able to change my enjoyment of music. 34) Okami - The Sun Rises Series ranking: 1 of 2 https://youtu.be/ya3yxTbkh5s Composer: Rei Kondoh Prelim score: 9.1/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 2 (Lost R1), VGMC 3 (Lost R2), VGMC 4 (Lost R3), VGMC 5 (Lost R8 to The Extreme) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/ya3yxTbkh5s?t=81 Ahhhh. it sounds so Japanese traditional, but so cinematic orchestral) at the same time. I cant get enough of those flutes (at least two different kinds) the stylistic details they add and how the higher ones sound slightly metallic. Very thick orchestration works great here giving you plenty of sounds to hear. This is another Heres another example of feel good music I dont see how anyone could dislike it. It makes me sad that Reset ~ Thank You won a contest rather than this one, as this has by far the better melodies, harmonies, instrumentation, mood. Nice harmonies at the beginning you wont notice them if you dont pay attention, but theyre subtly beautiful! Very traditional scale usage at the start sets the right mood. At 0:25 and 0:29, ahhhh Shamisen insertions, so tasteful!!! More highlights include that resolution to major at 1:18, and then the new section at 1:21 the way it goes from the VI7 chord to the V min 9th chord to IV and then back up again, but ESPECIALLY I love way the harp outlines them there(including a change in the 6th scale degree).... YEEEEESSSSS!!!! And the lyrical ornamental flutes on top of that... woooooo. Oh MAN, the FEELS so EPIC. Virtuosic little harp flourish at 1:51! EDIT: OH, wow. So this is who lost to The Extreme in the finals! 33) Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland - Flash Frost Series ranking: 3 of 5 https://youtu.be/s9fOwF7-yZ4 Composer: Ken Nakagawa Prelim score: 8.6/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Excellent) VGMC History: VGMC 12 (Lost R4), VGMC 13 (Lost R5 to XBC2's Battle!!) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/s9fOwF7-yZ4?t=31 Flash Frost if thats about the weather, that does not sound like something you want to drive in. Im totally into the violin It has so much warmth and soul at the start, especially with the piano backing it. LOVE how the piano and electric bass combine afterwards I really love unique ways of using electric bass!!! This theme is so girly... but hey, I like it that way! Thats precisely why this tracks so endearing. Regarding the melody, its interesting that its in minor because it sounds so HAPPY! The guitar solo at 0:31 is absolutely GORGEOUS.the style is very artistic and the percussiveness of the plucking is just perfect. Impromptu sounding, too! it does so many subtle things (for example, the way it incorporates triplet rhythms at certain spots). Some unique beautiful harmonies in there, too, especially right at the start! And the note choices for the guitar are spot on tasteful, avoiding the obvious harmony outlines. I love how the violin and piano combine in the climax--a nice bright sonorous sound!!!! Plus the chimes, viola (I think, it could be another violin), acoustic+electric guitar, squashy snare, etc. make it sound very full. Is this what you call girly metal?! (oops, I mean, of COURSE thats perfectly normal) Nice surprise key change at 1:34. Plus that active synth at the very end is cool. Rorolinas outfit is incredibly cute, too. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Leonhart4 12/31/20 3:06:38 PM #489:	Oh hey it's the good Okami retiree --- https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq https://imgur.com/89Z5jrB <cite>Leonhart4 posted [p:948959719] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Oh hey it's the good Okami retiree </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 01/06/21 10:57:30 PM #490:	I'm raising the bar a little bit more for 9.0. Flash Frost is the new benchmark, and I'm pretty sure this is the last time I'm raising the bar! Stuff before that will have their ratings dropped slightly as a result. 32) Umineko no Naku Koro ni 4 - Endless Nine Series ranking: 2 of 15 https://youtu.be/6Qs9EiK_JJE Composer: dai Prelim score: 9.1/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 4 (Lost R4), VGMC 7 (Lost R2), VGMC 9 (Lost R5 to Seize the Truth) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/6Qs9EiK_JJE?t=123 Interesting how early this one appeared in VGMC and to think that it was in a match just last year in the ToC. This ones cool! It has a very serious tone, in a unique way. Its full of good melodies, emotionally it reaches out to me, and it doesnt have long boring edm trance segments that have hardly anything going on! Funny how this ended up exactly at 9/10 given its name. Im liking those harmonies and xylophone rhythms (SO FUN) near the start. as well as how the flute gets put on top (I like the chromatic parts of it!). Then the big chimes come in, one epic strike at a time! Then the violins take the theme, which is good stuffl, but I like some parts more than others. theres that dissonant chord at 0:41, a good thing! I LOVE the note choices at 0:57 - 1:01...so quirky how it does a sort of chromatic neighbor-type king!!!! Then come the chords at 1:14. Its simple, but surprisingly fun. Such a graceful bounce to it! And perfectly placed, too! But the best part has to be at the two minute mark such great harmonies, such great melodies! Oh, the FEELINGS from this section! Also, at 2:16 the amazing 1:15 piano chords are now in the background, OMG HOW DID I NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL [when I made this writeup]?! For the next couple of minutes its mostly familiar repetitions. 4:31 gives us a new cool piano idea, and HEY, those 1:15 piano chords at 4:43 again, aw yeah! Except I actually dont really like all the strings being added it doesnt mix very well. I wonder what those words spoken are about something about Satan? =O 31) Civilization IV - Baba Yetu Translation: Our Father https://youtu.be/5e0Qelqp-Cc Composer: Christopher Tin Other credits: Soweto Gospel Choir Prelim score: 9.4/10 Score: 9.1/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R7 to Scars of Time) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/5e0Qelqp-Cc?t=76 Finally we're moving up the Amazing Tier ladder! Yay for grammy-winning vgm! (But everything ranked above this should also win a grammy) This is, like, the ULTIMATE feel good music. This is pure, unadulterated, African folk dance music at its best (well maybe not exactly, but I like to think it is!). More specifically, it is in the Swahili language (Hakuna Matata, yo). Music is so ridiculously charming. Nice open pure sound in the intro. Then you got the timeless melody!! And the timeless choral chords. Charming harmonic progressions (for example, the way it moves between I and vi). Gotta love those male solos with those catchy off-beat rhythms and the sudden crescendos at the peaks. African mallet percussion, aw, yeah (reminds me of Lion King again, which is my favorite movie soundtrack by the way!). At 1:17 it gets more cinematic with the way the harmonies change IV,V,vi,V(G major), ii,I (F major), vi,V (Db major), vi (E major)... hugh. All that sounds AMAZING! BIG horn rip near the end there is BIG. 1:39 uses one THAT chord progression so annoyingly overused in popular music these days, but it works SO WELL here I didn't even notice it for a long time! At 1:58 we get another cinematic intermediate section epic horns! Strings and horns make some nice patterns and countermelodies at 2:19. Relatively calm ending makes me feel SO GOOD. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:949202933] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>I'm raising the bar a little bit more for 9.0. Flash Frost is the new benchmark, and I'm pretty sure this is the last time I'm raising the bar! Stuff before that will have their ratings dropped slightly as a result. 32) Umineko no Naku Koro ni 4 - Endless Nine Series ranking: 2 of 15 https://youtu.be/6Qs9EiK_JJE Composer: dai Prelim score: 9.1/10 Score: 9.0/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 4 (Lost R4), VGMC 7 (Lost R2), VGMC 9 (Lost R5 to Seize the Truth) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/6Qs9EiK_JJE?t=123 Interesting how early this one appeared in VGMC and to think that it was in a match just last year in the ToC. This ones cool! It has a very serious tone, in a unique way. Its full of good melodies, emotionally it reaches out to me, and it doesnt have long boring edm trance segments that have hardly anything going on! Funny how this ended up exactly at 9/10 given its name. Im liking those harmonies and xylophone rhythms (SO FUN) near the start. as well as how the flute gets put on top (I like the chromatic parts of it!). Then the big chimes come in, one epic strike at a time! Then the violins take the theme, which is good stuffl, but I like some parts more than others. theres that dissonant chord at 0:41, a good thing! I LOVE the note choices at 0:57 - 1:01...so quirky how it does a sort of chromatic neighbor-type king!!!! Then come the chords at 1:14. Its simple, but surprisingly fun. Such a graceful bounce to it! And perfectly placed, too! But the best part has to be at the two minute mark such great harmonies, such great melodies! Oh, the FEELINGS from this section! Also, at 2:16 the amazing 1:15 piano chords are now in the background, OMG HOW DID I NOT NOTICE THIS UNTIL [when I made this writeup]?! For the next couple of minutes its mostly familiar repetitions. 4:31 gives us a new cool piano idea, and HEY, those 1:15 piano chords at 4:43 again, aw yeah! Except I actually dont really like all the strings being added it doesnt mix very well. I wonder what those words spoken are about something about Satan? =O 31) Civilization IV - Baba Yetu Translation: Our Father https://youtu.be/5e0Qelqp-Cc Composer: Christopher Tin Other credits: Soweto Gospel Choir Prelim score: 9.4/10 Score: 9.1/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R7 to Scars of Time) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/5e0Qelqp-Cc?t=76 Finally we're moving up the Amazing Tier ladder! Yay for grammy-winning vgm! (But everything ranked above this should also win a grammy) This is, like, the ULTIMATE feel good music. This is pure, unadulterated, African folk dance music at its best (well maybe not exactly, but I like to think it is!). More specifically, it is in the Swahili language (Hakuna Matata, yo). Music is so ridiculously charming. Nice open pure sound in the intro. Then you got the timeless melody!! And the timeless choral chords. Charming harmonic progressions (for example, the way it moves between I and vi). Gotta love those male solos with those catchy off-beat rhythms and the sudden crescendos at the peaks. African mallet percussion, aw, yeah (reminds me of Lion King again, which is my favorite movie soundtrack by the way!). At 1:17 it gets more cinematic with the way the harmonies change IV,V,vi,V(G major), ii,I (F major), vi,V (Db major), vi (E major)... hugh. All that sounds AMAZING! BIG horn rip near the end there is BIG. 1:39 uses one THAT chord progression so annoyingly overused in popular music these days, but it works SO WELL here I didn't even notice it for a long time! At 1:58 we get another cinematic intermediate section epic horns! Strings and horns make some nice patterns and countermelodies at 2:19. Relatively calm ending makes me feel SO GOOD. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
LeonhartFour 01/06/21 10:59:44 PM #491:	'Eh'ndless Nine --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:949203010] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>'Eh'ndless Nine </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 01/06/21 11:01:52 PM #492:	30) Bravely Default - Wicked Flight Series ranking: 1 of 2 https://youtu.be/UeGV3MUlSpU Composer: Revo Prelim score: 9.7/10 Score: 9.1/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 7 (Lost R4), VGMC 8 (Lost R7 to Pappiliones) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/UeGV3MUlSpU?t=31 I was in awe when I heard this for my first time, and it still awes me. This music is the epitome of me and I would have composed music a lot like this in an alternate universe where I actually had creative talent. Bravely Default music has always appealed to me, even generic stuff in it. Something about the way they get put together.though the sound of the brass is definitely a big factor. It starts off fairly standard, but with a lot of intensity in a way I like (LOVE the trumpets in this game..again, its a group led by Eric Miyashiro!) Nice instrumentation in the intro, particularly the fairy-like sparkling sounds in the background they add magical aura to the mix! And they get to be used a LOT throughout the loop. I especially like them at the semi-conclusion at 1:55. Catchy rhythmic idea laid out by the strings I like because thats so Bravely Default. But the REAL magic happens at 0:31!!! It aligns with my kind of nerdy musical preferences SO PERFECTLY. Its those WEAVING TRIAD OUTLINES that are CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING. I CANT GET ENOUGH of it, despite the fact that most of the music is spent playing those! Ill first mention that the beat (quarter rest, dotted quarter, dotted quarter, dotted quarter, dotted quarter, quarter) is one of my favorite simple beats, but ONLY if the stuff on top avoids syncopated rhythms, and the main melody is almost 100% straight rhythms, so I LOVE this rhythmic ostonato!!! To make it more awesome, theres that SURPRISE key change from B minor to D minor as the main section begins! (listen from 0:28 to 0:32 to understand what Im talking about) Not just that but the sounds used there, too! The soft piano and bells combining gives this ethereal feeling in the midst of intensity SPOILER ~~The boss in this fight is apparently a fairy who betrays you~~ Oh, and the electric guitar joining in on the theme is just an afterthought, you could say. Ooh, At 1:05 the electronic beeps add to the atmosphere nicely 1:14 - Tasteful descending chromatic 16ths there! Regardless, I enjoy at (1:56) musical direction with it switching over to major temporarily, and the harmonies moving up the circle of fifths is very nice here! Then those resonant and warm trumpets that I love so much finish it off! Nothing new until 3:19 where it re-iterates past material not much else I want to mention, really. But needless to say, this battle theme is great! Oh, yeah.. ELIMINATED: VGMC 9 (fourth elimination) 32) Umineko no Naku Koro ni 4 - Endless Nine (9) 48) Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song - Battle With Saruin (8.9) 49) Final Fantasy X - Someday the Dream will End (8.9) 53) Granado Espada - Rapal (8.9) 56) Shovel Knight - Strike the Earth! (8.8) 64) Ao no Kiseki Evolution - Seize the Truth (8.7) 71) Popn Music 18 - Kurokami Midareshi Shura to Narite (8.7) 73) Beatmania IIDX 21 SPADA - SP DARK LEGACY Hyper (8.7) 77) Deemo - Evolution Era (8.6) 113) Tales of Zestiria - Flaming Bonds are Being Tested (8.1) 137) Umineko no Naku Koro ni - system0 (7.7) 160) Metal Masters - Metal Beat (6.9) 161) BALDR Force - Face of Fact (6.9) 177) Tales of Symphonia - Starry Heavens (6.3) 182) Tales of the Abyss - Meaning of Birth (5.9) 193) Persona 3 - Memories of You (5.4) Average score: 7.9 Average rank: 102.9 With the lower scores revised, Starry Heavens is actually in last place, though... --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:949203099] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>30) Bravely Default - Wicked Flight Series ranking: 1 of 2 https://youtu.be/UeGV3MUlSpU Composer: Revo Prelim score: 9.7/10 Score: 9.1/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 7 (Lost R4), VGMC 8 (Lost R7 to Pappiliones) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/UeGV3MUlSpU?t=31 I was in awe when I heard this for my first time, and it still awes me. This music is the epitome of me and I would have composed music a lot like this in an alternate universe where I actually had creative talent. Bravely Default music has always appealed to me, even generic stuff in it. Something about the way they get put together.though the sound of the brass is definitely a big factor. It starts off fairly standard, but with a lot of intensity in a way I like (LOVE the trumpets in this game..again, its a group led by Eric Miyashiro!) Nice instrumentation in the intro, particularly the fairy-like sparkling sounds in the background they add magical aura to the mix! And they get to be used a LOT throughout the loop. I especially like them at the semi-conclusion at 1:55. Catchy rhythmic idea laid out by the strings I like because thats so Bravely Default. But the REAL magic happens at 0:31!!! It aligns with my kind of nerdy musical preferences SO PERFECTLY. Its those WEAVING TRIAD OUTLINES that are CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING. I CANT GET ENOUGH of it, despite the fact that most of the music is spent playing those! Ill first mention that the beat (quarter rest, dotted quarter, dotted quarter, dotted quarter, dotted quarter, quarter) is one of my favorite simple beats, but ONLY if the stuff on top avoids syncopated rhythms, and the main melody is almost 100% straight rhythms, so I LOVE this rhythmic ostonato!!! To make it more awesome, theres that SURPRISE key change from B minor to D minor as the main section begins! (listen from 0:28 to 0:32 to understand what Im talking about) Not just that but the sounds used there, too! The soft piano and bells combining gives this ethereal feeling in the midst of intensity SPOILER The boss in this fight is apparently a fairy who betrays you Oh, and the electric guitar joining in on the theme is just an afterthought, you could say. Ooh, At 1:05 the electronic beeps add to the atmosphere nicely 1:14 - Tasteful descending chromatic 16ths there! Regardless, I enjoy at (1:56) musical direction with it switching over to major temporarily, and the harmonies moving up the circle of fifths is very nice here! Then those resonant and warm trumpets that I love so much finish it off! Nothing new until 3:19 where it re-iterates past material not much else I want to mention, really. But needless to say, this battle theme is great! Oh, yeah.. ELIMINATED: VGMC 9 (fourth elimination) 32) Umineko no Naku Koro ni 4 - Endless Nine (9) 48) Romancing SaGa: Minstrel Song - Battle With Saruin (8.9) 49) Final Fantasy X - Someday the Dream will End (8.9) 53) Granado Espada - Rapal (8.9) 56) Shovel Knight - Strike the Earth! (8.8) 64) Ao no Kiseki Evolution - Seize the Truth (8.7) 71) Popn Music 18 - Kurokami Midareshi Shura to Narite (8.7) 73) Beatmania IIDX 21 SPADA - SP DARK LEGACY Hyper (8.7) 77) Deemo - Evolution Era (8.6) 113) Tales of Zestiria - Flaming Bonds are Being Tested (8.1) 137) Umineko no Naku Koro ni - system0 (7.7) 160) Metal Masters - Metal Beat (6.9) 161) BALDR Force - Face of Fact (6.9) 177) Tales of Symphonia - Starry Heavens (6.3) 182) Tales of the Abyss - Meaning of Birth (5.9) 193) Persona 3 - Memories of You (5.4) Average score: 7.9 Average rank: 102.9 With the lower scores revised, Starry Heavens is actually in last place, though... </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 01/12/21 12:46:56 AM #493:	Finally in the 20's! 29) Xenoblade Chronicles - Unfinished Battle Series ranking: 2 of 6 ("Xeno") https://youtu.be/QeW_ycTXtVY Composer: Yoko Shimomura Prelim score: 9.3/10 Score: 9.1/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 5 (Lost R7 to The Extreme) Favorite Part: Key change at 2:00 Huh. All this time I thought it was ACE+ who did this track, but only a few days ago I found out it was SHIMOMURA!!! The feelings this music evokes is really something else. This is OVER-THE-TOP dramatic and climactic unlike anything Ive heard for a battle theme. Swelling emotions, too. Those accented STRING PATTERNS! Theyre constant (making the piece rather minimalist, which is fine), but under the changing harmonies they exude so much of the emotions and INTENSITY that Im talking about. Its amazing that i-VII-VI-VII-i can sound so good here, because progressions like that I often make fun of. But the string patterns fit in with it beautifully!!! The more powerful parts tend to be when it alternates VI and VII, though. Love the relatively slow melody on top, as if theyre stopping to soak in the atmosphere. LOVE when the piano joins them, too. Then theres the key change at 2:00 - SO GOOD, how it moves up chromatically to the VI of the new key. Then horns join in!!! Electric guitar effects are used in some interesting stuff throughout this to add some additional feelings, too. (0:48, 1:22) All in all, very exciting and strongly emotional stuff! Oh, and is this really supposed to be called Unfinished Business? Because that would be a TERRIBLE name for music like this! --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:949406136] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Finally in the 20's! 29) Xenoblade Chronicles - Unfinished Battle Series ranking: 2 of 6 ("Xeno") https://youtu.be/QeW_ycTXtVY Composer: Yoko Shimomura Prelim score: 9.3/10 Score: 9.1/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 5 (Lost R7 to The Extreme) Favorite Part: Key change at 2:00 Huh. All this time I thought it was ACE+ who did this track, but only a few days ago I found out it was SHIMOMURA!!! The feelings this music evokes is really something else. This is OVER-THE-TOP dramatic and climactic unlike anything Ive heard for a battle theme. Swelling emotions, too. Those accented STRING PATTERNS! Theyre constant (making the piece rather minimalist, which is fine), but under the changing harmonies they exude so much of the emotions and INTENSITY that Im talking about. Its amazing that i-VII-VI-VII-i can sound so good here, because progressions like that I often make fun of. But the string patterns fit in with it beautifully!!! The more powerful parts tend to be when it alternates VI and VII, though. Love the relatively slow melody on top, as if theyre stopping to soak in the atmosphere. LOVE when the piano joins them, too. Then theres the key change at 2:00 - SO GOOD, how it moves up chromatically to the VI of the new key. Then horns join in!!! Electric guitar effects are used in some interesting stuff throughout this to add some additional feelings, too. (0:48, 1:22) All in all, very exciting and strongly emotional stuff! Oh, and is this really supposed to be called Unfinished Business? Because that would be a TERRIBLE name for music like this! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
xp1337 01/12/21 1:11:05 AM #494:	Haste_2 posted... Oh, and is this really supposed to be called Unfinished Business? no it's supposed to be called Unfinished Battle --- xp1337: Don't you wish there was a spell-checker that told you when you a word out? <cite>xp1337 posted [p:949406558] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Haste_2 posted... </cite> <quote>Oh, and is this really supposed to be called Unfinished Business?</quote>no it's supposed to be called Unfinished Battle </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 01/16/21 7:36:39 PM #495:	28.5) Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney - Cross-Examination ~ Allegro 2007 Ace Attorney ranking: 1st https://youtu.be/ZSUD7ccpZx0 Composer: Toshihiko Horiyama Score: 9.2/10 (Amazing) Favorite part: 0:43 - 0:46 VGMC History: (none) Surprise! Why would I share my old rankings if my #1 didnt change? ;) Allegro 2004 = best cross-examination theme? Its super awesome, but nah! Apollo Justice has a pretty dark soundtrack in general, and this is no exception. The atmosphere in this is simply amazing for being on the regular Nintendo DS. So very dark and climactic, as if youre directly confronting the devil itself (pun intended, if you know what I mean ;) It also makes VERY good use of stereo panning! This theme (Allegro 2007) is very simple, in terms of melody. Like most Cross-examination themes, it copies the idea, from the original game, of the melody going back and forth between the top line and the bass (well, not exactly, but close enough). But the feelings it evokes MAN. Plus, when it finally does something different at 0:14, I LOVE the use of Lydian (#4) there!!!! (technically its related to the scale step below the home key but it ]anticipates the home key, so its sounds" like Lydian) The portamento synth eighth note notes repeating the tonic underneath is really cool, and their hairpinning subtly infuses the music with such ambient intensity! And then when the main idea repeats at 0:15, gotta love all the reverberating bell-like soundsit sounds like it's physically bouncing off different walls....it gives me the CHILLS!!!! And then you got that ringing chord just before 0:29 wow! The ending section is nice, but I absolutely LOVE the dissonant crescendo/reverse effect at the very end of the loop (0:43 - 0:46).... CREEPY, but its perfect for this kind of music! All in all, it has some of the best sound production I've ever heard on the Nintendo DS. 28) DuckTales - The Moon Composer: Hiroshige Tonomura Prelim score: 9.3/10 Score: 9.2/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R1), VGMC 3 (Lost R3), VGMC 2 (Lost R2), VGMC 5 (Lost R5 to Love Song of a Certain Dragon) Favorite Part: The moon ostinato What a charming piece of work. But man, the repetition on top of the music is simply WONDERFUL I will call them the moon patterns because they are what make this theme sound like the moon! Each one of those notes sound like a little shooting star! Between them and the other stuff in the intro, its so much fun to listen to how they fit together using the 15/8 meter! Also,, the moon pattern getting its own measure a capella at the start makes me so happy--its such a literal cool feeling thats hard to describe. ;) The theme simply wouldnt be the same without that opening measure! And it works over a lot of chord changes, too! Nice happy-go-lucky theme (contrary to the level itself, I imagine) at 0:15! Id love to get into the rhythmic structure here, but it would take too much spaceIll just say that it has nice symmetry to it. In each of the four it does something different (A,B,C, and then D). In the next four little sections it borrows two of them (D and C), then adds two new rhythmic ideas!! Finally, at the end of that I love the delay of the tonic at 0:34 - 0:35 via bVi-bVII-major I, and the way it bounces three times on the tonic so very charming!! Plus at the same time the moon patterns finally resolves by moving down. YESYESYES!!! Then a fun little gliss up to the next section. 0:36 is very catchy...its like Scrooge bouncing on his cane, and again, some nice rhythmic structure here, too (such as a three-note syncopation getting repeated three times at the end). And the timing of the moon patterns coming back BEFORE the end of the loop is just great! All in all, this is maybe my #1 NES theme ever, but in my top two at worst! --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:949580573] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>28.5) Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney - Cross-Examination ~ Allegro 2007 Ace Attorney ranking: 1st https://youtu.be/ZSUD7ccpZx0 Composer: Toshihiko Horiyama Score: 9.2/10 (Amazing) Favorite part: 0:43 - 0:46 VGMC History: (none) Surprise! Why would I share my old rankings if my #1 didnt change? ;) Allegro 2004 = best cross-examination theme? Its super awesome, but nah! Apollo Justice has a pretty dark soundtrack in general, and this is no exception. The atmosphere in this is simply amazing for being on the regular Nintendo DS. So very dark and climactic, as if youre directly confronting the devil itself (pun intended, if you know what I mean ;) It also makes VERY good use of stereo panning! This theme (Allegro 2007) is very simple, in terms of melody. Like most Cross-examination themes, it copies the idea, from the original game, of the melody going back and forth between the top line and the bass (well, not exactly, but close enough). But the feelings it evokes MAN. Plus, when it finally does something different at 0:14, I LOVE the use of Lydian (#4) there!!!! (technically its related to the scale step below the home key but it ]anticipates the home key, so its sounds" like Lydian) The portamento synth eighth note notes repeating the tonic underneath is really cool, and their hairpinning subtly infuses the music with such ambient intensity! And then when the main idea repeats at 0:15, gotta love all the reverberating bell-like soundsit sounds like it's physically bouncing off different walls....it gives me the CHILLS!!!! And then you got that ringing chord just before 0:29 wow! The ending section is nice, but I absolutely LOVE the dissonant crescendo/reverse effect at the very end of the loop (0:43 - 0:46).... CREEPY, but its perfect for this kind of music! All in all, it has some of the best sound production I've ever heard on the Nintendo DS. 28) DuckTales - The Moon Composer: Hiroshige Tonomura Prelim score: 9.3/10 Score: 9.2/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 1 (Lost R1), VGMC 3 (Lost R3), VGMC 2 (Lost R2), VGMC 5 (Lost R5 to Love Song of a Certain Dragon) Favorite Part: The moon ostinato What a charming piece of work. But man, the repetition on top of the music is simply WONDERFUL I will call them the moon patterns because they are what make this theme sound like the moon! Each one of those notes sound like a little shooting star! Between them and the other stuff in the intro, its so much fun to listen to how they fit together using the 15/8 meter! Also,, the moon pattern getting its own measure a capella at the start makes me so happy--its such a literal cool feeling thats hard to describe. ;) The theme simply wouldnt be the same without that opening measure! And it works over a lot of chord changes, too! Nice happy-go-lucky theme (contrary to the level itself, I imagine) at 0:15! Id love to get into the rhythmic structure here, but it would take too much spaceIll just say that it has nice symmetry to it. In each of the four it does something different (A,B,C, and then D). In the next four little sections it borrows two of them (D and C), then adds two new rhythmic ideas!! Finally, at the end of that I love the delay of the tonic at 0:34 - 0:35 via bVi-bVII-major I, and the way it bounces three times on the tonic so very charming!! Plus at the same time the moon patterns finally resolves by moving down. YESYESYES!!! Then a fun little gliss up to the next section. 0:36 is very catchy...its like Scrooge bouncing on his cane, and again, some nice rhythmic structure here, too (such as a three-note syncopation getting repeated three times at the end). And the timing of the moon patterns coming back BEFORE the end of the loop is just great! All in all, this is maybe my #1 NES theme ever, but in my top two at worst! </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
LeonhartFour 01/16/21 7:38:34 PM #496:	Allegro 2007 is excellent but Allegro 2004 is still the best The Moon is lame --- http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/080/145/638.png https://imgur.com/WqDcNNq <cite>LeonhartFour posted [p:949580639] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>Allegro 2007 is excellent but Allegro 2004 is still the best The Moon is lame </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Mr Lasastryke 01/16/21 7:45:04 PM #497:	LeonhartFour posted... The Moon is lame why are your music opinions so terrible --- Geothermal terpsichorean ejectamenta <cite>Mr Lasastryke posted [p:949580865] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>LeonhartFour posted... </cite> <quote>The Moon is lame</quote> why are your music opinions so terrible </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 01/17/21 12:23:02 AM #498:	I forgot the link to The Moon: https://youtu.be/KF32DRg9opA ...This will take you to the moon, literally! 27) GITADORA OverDrive - Douwa Kairou Series ranking: 2 of 6 (bemani) https://youtu.be/IEhGUmXcG2Y Composer: DJ Totto Prelim score: 9.7/10 Score: 9.3/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 13 (Lost R5 to Innocence and Emptiness) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/IEhGUmXcG2Y?t=50 Not the most complex music around, but this music is so HAPPY!!! Its perfect to play if you win the state basketball championship or something! :) :) :) I cant get over how it makes me FEEEEEEEELLLL!!!!! DJ Totto does such unique things with seemingly ordinary harmonies! Guitar is really adventurous too so it reminds me of prog in that sense. Okay, now to talk about the details of the music. Starts off with a DELIGHTFUL unique harmony (love how it goes from major to minor to major), with an extremely natural 5/4 meter, too,... for quite some time I didnt even notice it. Joyful, but subdued piano theme doing arpeggiated stuff that modifies just enough to fit the neat harmonies (I LOVE stuff like that) , crazy guitar stuff, and then it suddenly drops back to calmness again with a WONDERFULLY placed bII with a 4th at 0:20. Then the main theme comes in so JOYFULLY in a 6/4 for example, when the melody descends from the climax its minor because it hits the major-sounding leading tone!! Great use of nat-VI at 0:27 that only maintains that feeling. ;) Back to the main melody at but a bit little modified and comes in at 0:53 before the phrase is supposed to end...just one of many tasteful details in this track! LOVE the major-sounding end to the phrase there partly because DJ Totto decides to stick a nat-VI between the b-VI and bVII before it resolves (1:01 - 1:04)! The next part at 1:05, the harmonies start losing some stability here, and the bass does cool chromatic movements there. Interesting that the final chord is used to modulate to B-flat. The guitar continues to have fun, including some virtuosic stuff starting at 1:34!! All this time its in the key of B-flat still, but then at the last moment it decides to refer back to the home key with one final ambiguous chord the way the guitar and piano do that at the end is SO tasteful!!! WOW. DJ Totto is awesome~! (and this is not the last time youll see music from this artist in this topic, even if this is the only retiree by DJ Totto) 26) Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica - The Second Tower Series ranking: 3 of 6 https://youtu.be/HxgnX8ulK-g Composer: Ken Nakagawa Prelim score: 9.0/10 Score: 9.3/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 2 (Lost R5 to MGS2 theme) Favorite Part: All of it. I keep forgetting that Exa Pico has been known among the vgm community almost as long as the contests have been going. Im guessing this plays near the beginning of the game? (turns out its early in the OST, so thats probably correct) Absolutely everything in this is beautiful~ and folksy~!! Nature and magic. So many little details in this it is STAGGERING.... Starts off with rain drops in an echoey chamber then cool whispering/electronic sounds combining artistically (kind of imitating a radio broadcast?), culminating in Ar Tonelico!!! Well, now I know Ive been pronouncing the games name correctly! Ahhhh. Then you got the flute marking the breaking of dawn! Man, the scoops and mordents the flute does are SO TASTEFUL. Makes me want to learn wooden flute. Nice supporting sounds there, like the synth pads, the way they emerge and taper so gently! The VI7 chord at 0:40 might be my favorite bit there! More weird whispering at 0:58 , but it just WORKS for whatever reason. 1:10 got that nice light xylophone and ocean waves! 1:18 the pan flute sounds so primitive, the way its slightly out of tune. The 1:26 melody is absolute GOLD. such a sweet sound! The sitars countermelody bits make this MAGICAL, to with its reverberating brilliance and non-triadic note choices! Melodious chorus after that!! (exclamation, exclamation, exclamation) Beautiful rattles at 2:18, etc. At 3:06 this section is full of neat subtleties soft horns, piano, harp, and electronic sounds everywhere. It becomes more ambient at 3:36 Choir synth ideas separated by light xylophone off-beat patterns (WOW!). Even at the very end when you think there's nothing new you get some french horns added (4:26). --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:949589928] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>I forgot the link to The Moon: https://youtu.be/KF32DRg9opA ...This will take you to the moon, literally! 27) GITADORA OverDrive - Douwa Kairou Series ranking: 2 of 6 (bemani) https://youtu.be/IEhGUmXcG2Y Composer: DJ Totto Prelim score: 9.7/10 Score: 9.3/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 13 (Lost R5 to Innocence and Emptiness) Favorite Part: https://youtu.be/IEhGUmXcG2Y?t=50 Not the most complex music around, but this music is so HAPPY!!! Its perfect to play if you win the state basketball championship or something! :) :) :) I cant get over how it makes me FEEEEEEEELLLL!!!!! DJ Totto does such unique things with seemingly ordinary harmonies! Guitar is really adventurous too so it reminds me of prog in that sense. Okay, now to talk about the details of the music. Starts off with a DELIGHTFUL unique harmony (love how it goes from major to minor to major), with an extremely natural 5/4 meter, too,... for quite some time I didnt even notice it. Joyful, but subdued piano theme doing arpeggiated stuff that modifies just enough to fit the neat harmonies (I LOVE stuff like that) , crazy guitar stuff, and then it suddenly drops back to calmness again with a WONDERFULLY placed bII with a 4th at 0:20. Then the main theme comes in so JOYFULLY in a 6/4 for example, when the melody descends from the climax its minor because it hits the major-sounding leading tone!! Great use of nat-VI at 0:27 that only maintains that feeling. ;) Back to the main melody at but a bit little modified and comes in at 0:53 before the phrase is supposed to end...just one of many tasteful details in this track! LOVE the major-sounding end to the phrase there partly because DJ Totto decides to stick a nat-VI between the b-VI and bVII before it resolves (1:01 - 1:04)! The next part at 1:05, the harmonies start losing some stability here, and the bass does cool chromatic movements there. Interesting that the final chord is used to modulate to B-flat. The guitar continues to have fun, including some virtuosic stuff starting at 1:34!! All this time its in the key of B-flat still, but then at the last moment it decides to refer back to the home key with one final ambiguous chord the way the guitar and piano do that at the end is SO tasteful!!! WOW. DJ Totto is awesome~! (and this is not the last time youll see music from this artist in this topic, even if this is the only retiree by DJ Totto) 26) Ar tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica - The Second Tower Series ranking: 3 of 6 https://youtu.be/HxgnX8ulK-g Composer: Ken Nakagawa Prelim score: 9.0/10 Score: 9.3/10 (Amazing) VGMC History: VGMC 2 (Lost R5 to MGS2 theme) Favorite Part: All of it. I keep forgetting that Exa Pico has been known among the vgm community almost as long as the contests have been going. Im guessing this plays near the beginning of the game? (turns out its early in the OST, so thats probably correct) Absolutely everything in this is beautiful~ and folksy~!! Nature and magic. So many little details in this it is STAGGERING.... Starts off with rain drops in an echoey chamber then cool whispering/electronic sounds combining artistically (kind of imitating a radio broadcast?), culminating in Ar Tonelico!!! Well, now I know Ive been pronouncing the games name correctly! Ahhhh. Then you got the flute marking the breaking of dawn! Man, the scoops and mordents the flute does are SO TASTEFUL. Makes me want to learn wooden flute. Nice supporting sounds there, like the synth pads, the way they emerge and taper so gently! The VI7 chord at 0:40 might be my favorite bit there! More weird whispering at 0:58 , but it just WORKS for whatever reason. 1:10 got that nice light xylophone and ocean waves! 1:18 the pan flute sounds so primitive, the way its slightly out of tune. The 1:26 melody is absolute GOLD. such a sweet sound! The sitars countermelody bits make this MAGICAL, to with its reverberating brilliance and non-triadic note choices! Melodious chorus after that!! (exclamation, exclamation, exclamation) Beautiful rattles at 2:18, etc. At 3:06 this section is full of neat subtleties soft horns, piano, harp, and electronic sounds everywhere. It becomes more ambient at 3:36 Choir synth ideas separated by light xylophone off-beat patterns (WOW!). Even at the very end when you think there's nothing new you get some french horns added (4:26). </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Zyxyz0 01/17/21 12:38:52 AM #499:	huh, is that an OST version of The Second Tower? I remember it starting at 1:18 ingame (it's the world map theme for like, the second half of the game iirc? ftr) --- Archive of my and others' playthrough/ranking topics, fanfiction recs, etc: http://zyxyzarchive.x10host.com/ <cite>Zyxyz0 posted [p:949590392] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>huh, is that an OST version of The Second Tower? I remember it starting at 1:18 ingame (it's the world map theme for like, the second half of the game iirc? ftr) </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
Haste_2 01/17/21 2:08:36 AM #500:	New topic. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/79243737#1 Thanks for your interest and participation so far. --- "Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?" "You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think." <cite>Haste_2 posted [p:949592428] in Haste2 ran... [t:78392394]...</cite> <quote>New topic. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/79243737#1 Thanks for your interest and participation so far. </quote> ... Copied to Clipboard!
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Board 8 > Haste2 ranks all 180 VGMC Retirees. (+) Yeah! (+)

Board 8 > Haste2 ranks all 180 VGMC Retirees.