Song of the Week - WEEK 230 Voting/WEEK 231 Nominating
 

Song of the Week. 225 Weeks and counting.
Week 230 Voting is restricted.
Week 231 Nominating is closed.

THEME WEEK
Epic Proportions
Only long-ass songs need apply: over seven minutes, unlooped. Total time is 98:56 with the longest song in glorious lime and the shortest in pink. I am very disappointed that we wouldn't squeeze out another minute and four seconds to crack the 100 minute barrier, but at least this is the first SotW that won't fit comfortably on a single CD.

Results:
1). [14] Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version)
2). [13] Sidologie - Knucklebusters
[9] VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars
4). [8] CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede
5). [7] SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix]
6). [6/2.5] Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day
7). [6/2] Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game
8). [3] The Tone Rebellion Original Music Soundtrack - The Gathering of Pangir

Tracks:
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version) (8:52)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede (7:09)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day (9:05)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Sidologie - Knucklebusters (18:00)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game (26:00)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix] (7:37)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: The Tone Rebellion Original Music Soundtrack - The Gathering of Pangir (10:31)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars (11:42)

Voting Rules:
Voters must distribute 6 points among the 8 nominees, giving points to at least 3 songs, giving no song more than 3 points, and giving no more than one of their choices 3 points. Possible ways of voting include:

Notes:
Please remember to upload your nominations to the SotW server! Uploaded noms mean a faster, smoother SotW experience for everyone. Server information:

Week 231 Nominating:
The Nominations Queue can be found here.
The rules for nominating can be found here.

OH GOD IT'S SO LONG (i'd better have a crack at this while i have some spare time)

I can understand why Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version) was nominated twice! It's a grand, and mightily enjoyable orchestral romp that never outstays its welcome. Lovely and impeccably refined stuff.

CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede is really not at all interesting, I'm afraid. I don't feel the harpsichord works, and the shouts from around the 4 minute mark add nothing to distinguish what is a rather dull affair. I enjoyed when these elements coalesced into an intriguing synthy package towards the end, but sadly this was short-lived.

Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day sets the mood of a hazy Asian village effectively, and manages to sustain this throughout. The instruments become somewhat tedious as the song progresses though, and any atmospheric merit is qualified by relative monotony in composition. However by judging it on the aforementioned merits, it's an effective piece that only errs on the side of tedium as a result of its overextended runtime, which is a problem I was well aware would come up in this theme week!

Well, Sidologie - Knucklebusters didn't have me for the full 18, needless to say...but I don't mind it, notwithstanding my short attention span! On the whole it's mundane, but the industrial rock sound keeps me kind of interested. Some parts were noteworthy and helped keep the track afloat (hellooo 7:12, sup 10:09~) and the GUITARIN' at the end was a welcome reward to receive. So I'd peg this one as slightly above-average.

I can't comment on individual elements of Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game because apparently this Xtaty Da is a sadist. :tpg: It's standard blues-rock for the most part. The development is fluid if nondescript. :eagletear: it's OK though; there's some good noodling here and there. 17:51--> is alright, and is certainly the best third of the track.

THEME WEEK SUPER HAPPY CROSSOVER = SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix]. This is too cheesy in parts, but slap bass is always win no matter the context. I like this one; a pleasant surprise!

The Tone Rebellion Original Music Soundtrack - The Gathering of Pangir is too subdued for too long, and desperately needed a change in dynamics to keep things interesting. As it stands, it's passable fantasy ambience, which soothes more than entertains. This, given my current mood, is not a particularly good thing!

zts is THE GOD of long-ass electronica VGM. THE GOD. I'm a sucker for his arranging style, which is present in spades in VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars. Crunchy, fluid and synthetic at the same time with a wonderful sense of melody. Change ups and transitions throughout keep it fresh. Quality!

so many minutes, so few POINTs (but i don't really mind)

2 points: VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars
2 points: Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version)
1 point: SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix]
1 point: Sidologie - Knucklebusters
5th: Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game
6th-8th: the other 3

Even though ::earexhaustion::, this week was fun. I'll be holding onto the four to which I gave points. That's a pretty good share by normal week standards, so it's definitely a plus here!

(3 points) Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version): I get co-credit when this wins this week. Love it. It does take three minutes for the main, lovely part to come in, but it's worth it. One of my favorite orchestral tracks.

(1 point) CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede: Is this a beatmania track? Who cares. I'm impressed it maintains its propulsive pull over the span of seven minutes.

(1 point) Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day: Noticeably Asian, vaguely 80s, totally worth it.

(1 point) VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars: In the end I had to give this a point because I really like boppy electronica like this.

Did you nominate this before or something? I must have not seen.

3 points - Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version)
This seemed like a borderline nom to me because Biohazard is such a popular series and the music seems well known. However, this track was (shockingly) omitted on the western release of this album, so it may have easily been missed by many. I absolutely love the brooding opening segment with the eerie strings. However, there are many uplifting verses in this track, and it's easy for me to stay entertained for nearly the entire duration.

2 points - Sidologie - Knucklebusters
I was first introduced to this melody from something called "Knucklebusters (PSX Music2000 edit)" which I picked up somewhere years ago. I think I like this version more. Good stuff.

1 point - SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix]
Longer version of a decent DDR track. Tight pick amongst the remaining six.

No, he nominated the same song after you did and declined to put up a replacement.

Speaking of which, what's with the no voting? Are you telling me people don't have 100 minutes or so to devote to SotW this week?

Not really feeling up to full comments this week, so it's points only:

The Gathering of Pangir - 3 pts.
Wont Let End as Dream - 1 pt.
Ganymede - 1 pt.
Like Stars - 1 pt.

...okay, one comment. I have a theory that Djinova is really zts and actually composes the music as it's nominated. Would explain a lot :)

If this is the case then Djinova/zts/ztsova, please marry me.

3 points: Sidologie - Knucklebusters
1 point: CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede
1 point: Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day
1 point: Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game
Just missed: Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix]

Great week, didn't think it contained enough "epicness" though.

It was really hard to assign points this week. Because the tracks are so long, I found that there was something to like about each track at some point.

(2 points) CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede

(2 points) VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars

(1 point) Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version)

(1 point) Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day

Seriously, 26min of music in Swarog?!? It's actually not too bad.

[=!] Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version)
[=!] CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede
[=!] Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day
[=!] SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix] (7:37)
[="] VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars (11:42)

I'd sell houses and boats for his talent. But with great artists you never know. They create something and then think: oh, what crap. Hence, I'm fine with the role of the listener.

(3 points) Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game
(2 points) Sidologie - Knucklebusters
(1 point) VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars

I was saying it tongue-in-cheek. Basically I really like the track and wish I got the chance to nominate it first.

Sorry I'm taking so long to get my vote in. For some reason I'm finding it tough to just quickly listen through this week's tracks.

Okay, finally.

3 points - Knucklebusters
2 points - Kind Lady (2008 Extended Mix)
1 point - Ganymede

My nom was definitely beat out by a couple great songs, that remain so despite their ridiculous length.

Is it possible we can have an extension till the end of the week? I won't be able to listen to the tracks until the weekend, and I've been looking forward to this week for some time. Minor request; no prob if it can't be fulfilled.

Oh yeah, I'm still in charge, aren't I?

In that case yeah sure. Extension granted. I'm on the road and won't be able to close before tomorrow anyway, so might as well let inertia take its course.

2 points: Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game
1 point: Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version)
1 point: CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede
1 point: Sidologie - Knucklebusters
1 point: SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix]

I liked this week a lot. Special ups to twenty-six minutes of Russian jam.

I've never really liked the original Knucklebusters tune all that much. The arrangement is pretty good, though.

I wish "extended" always meant "with four straight minutes of solos added in the middle" like it does in Kind Lady.

I like how I extended the week to accommodate Darkcomet and he didn't even vote. Well he's got an hour or so before I close this puppy like an Orange County murder investigation.

Additional Spam:
Voting and nominations are at long last closed & restricted respectively.

1). [14] Biohazard Orchestra Album - I won't let this end as a dream (Orchestra version)
2). [13] Sidologie - Knucklebusters
[9] VAGUE IN WINTER 2 - like stars
4). [8] CARDINAL GATE Conclusion - Ganymede
5). [7] SYNTHESIZED - Kind Lady [2008 Extended Mix]
6). [6/2.5] Kamaitachi no Yoru Special Arrange Pack - Visions of a Distant Day
7). [6/2] Swarog (Red Book Audio) - In-Game
8). [3] The Tone Rebellion Original Music Soundtrack - The Gathering of Pangir

Oh, and we can't proceed with Week 231 until TheKnight gets his nom uploaded. YOU HAD TWO WEEKS!

WTF how the hell does one miss an extension they personally request :(

Loved this week; we should totally do this again sometime. Point spread would've seen 2 points go to both Swarog and the Biohazard tune, not sure on the 1 pointers.

Huh. Well I guess I don't have to close voting then.

I may be gone on a trip during the voting period for my nomination, so I hereby award advance points of 3 to my nom and 1 point each randomly to other tracks. =}