Song of the Week - WEEK 50 Voting/WEEK 51 Nominations

For those of you who haven't been up on SotW's activities after GFF went down, we've merged the two threads for voting and nominations into one large thread. The formatting for the postings has changed, and all votes are being stored on the SotW Wiki.

Week 50 Voting is closed.
Week 51 Nominating is restricted.

Week 50 Voting
The rules for voting can be found here.

Tracks:
Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate
Gate of Thunder (Red Book Audio) - Crown
Jert Gaiden 3-2: Illegal Burger Deals (Game Rip) - I'll Take You Underwater
Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt
Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12
Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon
the Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler
TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave

Week 51 Nominating
The Nominations Queue can be found here.
The rules for nominating can be found here.

Notes:
If you are a member at more than one of the forums which this event is being held at, please nominate and vote in only ONE of the forums. You may, however, comment in the threads at any of the other forums.

TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave was originally in OGG format. This file has been used to make a LAME MP3 version for greater compatibility. The original OGG version is uploaded to the extras directory for those demanding original encoding quality.

Here are the links to this week's corresponding threads at the other three forums:
- Soundtrack Central
- Slightly Dark
- Chudah's Corner

Jam it back in, in the dark.

It's great to see SotW back where it originated. Branching out is just as excellent but its roots are here and I'll be posting here whenever able.

And even better, we've got 4 submissions from new participants! Plus, the submitted tracks are good!

Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate - After "Vein of Grief", I was a bit hesitant toward this track. I didn't much care for the earlier DoD selection. However, this is a definite improvement with satisfying piano, violin and oboe. Some intermittent harp makes it flow between segments and there's a lot of fluctuating emotion behind the notes as well. "Fate" is a very pleasurable track and shows that the Drag-on Dragoon OST may have potential after all.

Gate of Thunder (Red Book Audio) - Crown - This is a fair track but I'm not digging the distortion guitars 100%. Sounds a little canned. But the staccato chimes and forceful rhythm recover a lot of ground. It's not my favorite of the week but I'll agree that this one does stand upon its own merits.

Jert Gaiden 3-2 - Illegal Burger Deals (Game Rip) - I'll Take You Underwater - What is UP with the sound quality here? It sounds like it was actually recorded underwater. After running the track through a couple noise filters on my own, it's serviceable if somewhat unimpressive. Sparseness can work well but this feels like some kid's amateur garage tape. Combined with the poor audio quality, I just can't get behind this one. And what the hell is a JERT Gaiden, anyhow?

Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt - I haven't heard of this game in years. Such an awesome name for a character. The track though, it definitely blew me away with its ambience and cool funk slickness. It's smooth as rich, chocolate mousse and practically flows from the speakers in mellow, syncopated waves of bliss. I LOVE the synthesized trance beat and resonant guitar. The sax wails with grace and charm. I can't get over how eclectic and really, really stylish "Deadbolt" is.
Also, this track was submitted by a newcomer, making it an even more pleasant surprise. Thanks!

Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12 - A militaristic marching tune, eh? I've never been a die-hard fan of war-themed music, honestly. In "Track 12"'s favor, it's got a triumphant and optimistic feel instead of the more common "oppressive dirge" feel that many wargame tracks feature. It's not knocking me out of my chair or anything, but the french horn is quite nice and I actually enjoyed the brief vocal portions. I don't foresee this track earning a medal this week, but it's one of better war themes I've heard in a while.

Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon - Not too shabby, not at all. It does come off just a notch above being average but there are points that elevate it from being predictable to being kinda energetic and intriguing. What did catch my ear was the thick, meaty bassline. Props for good foundation work in a track. If "Dry Canyon" earned a medal, I wouldn't be upset.

the Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Travelerthe Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler - Poor Tenpei. His work is almost always of excellent quality but whenever one of his tracks is submitted to SotW, it's overshadowed by something more vibrant and unexpectedly interesting. I suppose this is because Sato's work tends to fall into a "tranquil" mode more often than not and although it's very pleasing it's easily lost amidst a sea of more frenetic saxophones and guitarwork. This is a shame because "Dream Traveler" is such a sweet, endearing track. Tragically, even I might have to skip it over in favor of this week's bigger surprises. Ah, Tenpei, always a joy to listen to but also so predictable. Fear not, though, your moment will arrive.

TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave - Yes, here is the dark, oppressive dirge I was referring to earlier. I will offer credit where this track is certainly due - it delivers a steady, building tension and captures the feeling of a bloody battle well. No scorn there. But it's just not the kind of thing I find myself listening to while I work or relax. I know many people like it and hey, cool. Just let me go on record as saying that this track is excellent for what it is but beyond a few listens, I'd get pretty bored of it quickly.


So let's round us up some doggies.

3 Points: Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt
1 Point: Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate
1 Point: the Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler
1 Point: Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon


So overall, this was a solid week. Jert Gaiden was a little off due to sound issues but nothing was wretchedly unlistenable. And a big thanks to all the newcomers who might read over this thread. Good stuff, guys. Do us all a favor and continue to participate, even if your nomination doesn't win anything.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

My comments were wiped out by an accidental keystroke

I'll put the results up, and leave comments when the naked shock of their sudden destruction has dwindled. But I must say that it's great to see SoTW come home, and even better to see some fresh blood. Perhaps I ought to avoid savaging their tracks until at least their second nom, eh?

The Point Spread
3 pts - Adventure of Petulent Pinapple Puppet Princesses Prettily Picking Peaches Plus Pears
2 pts - Small Soldiers
1 pt - Drag-on Dragon Drag-oon Dragoon
Just Missed - Scotland the Brave

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Jert Gaiden (I'll take you underwater) is the first nominated 2006 song.

A true representative of what looks to be a fine year.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Darkcomet72

Jert Gaiden (I'll take you underwater) is the first nominated 2006 song.

A true representative of what looks to be a fine year.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. I'm not sure which possibility scares me more

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by orion_mk3

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. I'm not sure which possibility scares me more

Bah. The track's actually pretty catchy, despite the low production quality and amateur performance. (Tags say "2006" for the year when the Reaseach Base says 2003, BTW.)

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Liontamer

Bah. The track's actually pretty catchy, despite the low production quality and amateur performance. (Tags say "2006" for the year when the Reaseach Base says 2003, BTW.)

No idea what you're talking about.

(2006 is correct)

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by CHz

No idea what you're talking about.

(2006 is correct)

kik u

http://wiki.songoftheweek.info/index...695&oldid=1687

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by orion_mk3

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not. I'm not sure which possibility scares me more

It's not as good as Road Avenger, so I only gave it 2 points.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Crash, sorry to dissapoint with Vein of Grief, it was meant to be a risky nomination. But you have my word, DoD2 is worth your time. Much of that OST is SotW material. It pains me to hear of anyone becoming hesitant on it.

3 Points - Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate
2 Points - the Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler
1 Point - Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I really liked Vein of Grief, more than most people did. Get happy now.

I also gave a point to Fate.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Well, I'm glad about two things:

1. I'm rejoining SOTW fun on one of the best weeks I've heard yet.
2. I'm glad I didn't get around to nominating anything.

1st-Deadbolt

Finally decided on making this number 1. It takes a bit to get started, but thankfully, the build-up is worth it and it does get better as it goes along. Love that guitar, especially after the 2:00 point. Works well with the sax and the beats. Different and enjoyable.

2nd-Dream Traveler

Good tracks like this are rare for me. Very rarely does this combination of instruments and sounds make for such a thoughtful melody. It is beautiful and I rarely use that word when describing tracks like this. I could probably listen to this for hours at a time.

3rd-Dry Canyon

Stewart Copeland=good shit. I always liked the music from the Spyro games and this is as good a sample as any I can think of from that series. Percussion-driven, understatedly frantic, bright and just enough melody inplemented.

And the rest:

4th-Fate

I actually liked this track quite a bit...There aren't any dead spots, the melody is solid and the piano backdrop works. The last minute is a nice change of pace. Overall, solid orchestratin'.

5th-Crown

:fish: Yeah, that pretty much describes me and this track. Normally, 5th place is a throw-away spot, but this is still great. Main issue I have with it is the melody isn't much to go with and it's mostly an 80's-mood track. Cool groove though, but far from the best the "of Thunder" series has to offer.

6th-Track 12

Kind of a drop-off between 5th and 6th spots. Hard to explain...The melody is good in spots, but the track as a whole isn't something I find all that interesting and isn't quite near Fate this week, as far as orchestratinerin' goes.

7th-Scotland the Brave

Eh...Mostly moody stuff with some celtic strings thrown in for good measure. I'm not impressed.

Song of the Weak: I'll Take You Underwater

I would but this track is already under a lot of other things at the moment. I imagine this is a parody of some kind.



And to cap things off: I nominate "Area 13 and 14" from Yo! Noid.

Info:

Title: Area 13 and 14
Album: Yo! Noid gamerip
Ripper: Capcom Lord
Composer: Capcom Sound Team
Year: 1990

Will upload in a little bit.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Doesn't we have two saperate threads for nomination and voting?
Anyway, here is my nomination for week 51th.

- Game : DBZ budokai 3
- Album : DBZ budokai 3 OST.
- Name : Evil Power
- Track : 22

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by lightgem

Doesn't we have two saperate threads for nomination and voting?

We used to, but since we moved to the multiforum system, we combined the two into one thread.

How ya doing, buddy?

(3 points) The Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler: There's a first for everything -- including a Tenpei Sato track I really enjoy. Maybe it's because this one just smells like a Mitsuda track because it's ethereal celtic music, but so be it.

(2 points) TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave: My nomination, so I need to show it some love. Graeme Norgate's style is pretty recognizable after a couple TimeSplitter games, but this was a breath of fresh air from the moment I heard it. It's got your typical militaristic snares, but I like the way the main melody (harpsichord? organ?) is fleshed out and topped with beautiful violin flourishes. A tad long, and probably shouldn't be played to death, but an enjoyable piece nonetheless.

(1 point) Gate of Thunder (Red Book Audio) - Crown: That chime sample does suck, but rest of the steady rockin' is decent.

As for the rest:
Love the Police, and Stewart Copeland's work in Spyro is decent --Dry Canyon is jazzy and simple but effective. Giacchino is a master, and even when his tracks don't totally hit (amazing that he was working on dreck like the Small Soldiers game back in the day), they still feel refreshing. I loved Vein of Grief, and that felt like a safer nomination than Fate, which seems to be too classic and straight for my tastes. Deadbolt doesn't do it for me. And the sound quality of I'll Take You Underwater destroys whatever kitschy charm the track might have had.

FELIPE NO

OK, I have been hanging around in VGM Discussion contributing nothing for too long, so I thought I'd finally check out Song of the Week. If it's like this every week, you should be seeing me around often!

Drag-on Dragoon 2 - Fate - I'm a big fan of this piece and the entire Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack, even including it on the Weekly MP3 of my own site this week before I spotted this. It has incredible emotive power, working surprisingly well when representing some of the most intense battles in the game, and demonstrates a lot of flair with instrumentation. It's mature, intense, and beautiful, and almost made me tear up when I first heard it, which very few pieces of music have ever done.

Gate of Thunder (Red Book Audio) - Crown - Though I find the introduction quite dull and detest the chime use, the development, rhythmical impetus, and fairly well done guitar solos of this track make it decent overall. Not one of my favourites, but I'd happily revisit this one some time again.

Jert Gaiden 3-2 - Illegal Burger Deals (Game Rip) - I'll Take You Underwater - Not sure what the hell to think of this one. If it's a parody, I won't criticise it too much, but it's still not enough to really entice me, being far too slow-developing and bland for my tastes. If it's not, heck... talk about unoriginal and cheesy. If the sound quality is intended to emulate being underwater, that's pretty awesome, though.

Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt - I basically agree with Crash and Goldfish here. I'm really digging the sax and guitar work, and enjoy its overall slick feel. It's great to see a jazz-based piece that demonstrates clear intentions to be original; too many composers seem to think adding a little bit of jazz here and there in a hackneyed style is enough to count for inspiration, but it isn't, regardless of it contrasts to the rest of the soundtrack.

Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12 - I've not heard many of Giacchino's works outside The Incredibles and the Medal of Honour series, but constantly find myself endeared to his symphonic epics. This one took me a while to really enjoy, but I'm now quite fond it, especially the use of vocals and unusual beats (are they percussive or electronic?). It's perhaps the most musically mature out of all these nominations, though loses a few marks for originality.

Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon - Again finding myself agreeing with Goldfish and Crash. This track more than suffices at creating an image of a canyon and I find the percussion use (both tuned and drums) pretty satisfying, and love the distorted effect of the guitar chords. The more I listen to it, too, it grows on me, and I notice lots of new features. Overall, a highly pleasurable and somewhat remarkable track.

The Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler - I'm not a massive Tenpei Sato fan, persistently finding his music to be memorable, functional, and enjoyable, yet not always exuberant. Though this is a highly attractive composition, it's a piece that exemplifies this to me; it's close to being superb, but somehow fall shorts due to reliance on a few too many repetitive harmonies and some stylistic downfalls. It presents serenity well, though eventually bores me.

TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave - While I agree with Chuckster about the effective exposure of this piece's melody and find some of the secondary passages highly satisfying, I don't find this theme captivating overall, being damaged by overextension and, once again, little harmonic richness. This theme does what it is intended to do very well, but lacks the qualities to be especially rich on a stand-alone basis.

So...

3 points - Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt
2 points - Drag-on Dragoon 2 - Fate
1 point - Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12

If I have done anything wrong, tell me. I'm still a newbie to all of this!

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Excellent week but no time for much comments. It was very, very difficult to assign points; won't be surprised if I change my mind on a few entries at the last minute.

With regards to Drag-on-Dragoon 2, I'm a big supporter of the soundtrack and "Vein of Grief" especially. Would have given it 6 points if I could. I don't see how it's a risky nomination, honestly, because though it seems chaotic, all the various elements in the song connect together very coherently. It's all very calculated and deliberate. I thought my Riven nomination was far more controversial. "Fate" is a pretty good track though I admit I much prefer aforementioned track, "Sadness" and "Plains of Pity."

(2 points) Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12

(2 points) TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave

(1 point) Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt

(1 point) Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate

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I had a hard time deciding if I even wanted to vote this week because I was a bit disappointed in the selection. Further complicating things, the tracks I like all seem to have some similar elements, and I find them all to be flawed in one way or another. Nevertheless, after the abomination of forgetting to vote in Battle 6 (thus causing my nominations to lose), I don't want to go unrepresented.

#1 :: Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate
#2 :: TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave
#3 :: the Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler

Honorable Mention :: Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon
Dishonorable Mention :: Jert Gaiden 3-2 - Illegal Burger Deals (Game Rip) - I'll Take You Underwater

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Voting:

3 points. the Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler
2 points. TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave
1 point. Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate
I ran out of points . Gate of Thunder (Red Book Audio) - Crown

Nomination:

Composer: Kanako Kakino
Album/Game Title: Kaze no Klonoa 2: Sekai ga Nozonda Wasuremono
Track Title: The Sorrow Revives
Disc Number: 2 of 2
Track Number: 16 of 35
Catalog Number: SCDC 00201-02
Year: 2002
Source: From the soundtrack booklet itself! ...or here.

Note: I actually (kind of) forgot what I nominated so far. I hope this isn't a repeat nomination that I nominated before.
<_<

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by BigCN401

The Sorrow Revives

Nice choice! And no, you haven't nominated this before. Actually, I was thinking of nominating this track at one time myself, but I already nominated something from Klonoa 2 (and it placed!). However, "Cursed Leorina" would likely be the track I would choose if I went again with Klonoa 2.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

My comments got deleted... short ones are due.

Drag-on Dragoon 2 - Fate: Oppressive and (yet) elegant. (2 Points)

Gate of Thunder (Red Book Audio) - Crown Good development till 2 min. Then goes down due to anticlimax.

Jert Gaiden 3-2 - Illegal Burger Deals (Game Rip) - I'll Take You Underwater In any case, average at best.

Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt Good improvisation, but no so memorable. (1 Point)

Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12 Original, chants can get annoying.

Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon Nice, but more timbre contrast please.

The Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler Melody + good timbre contrasts. Reminds me too much of one of ZUN's track, therefore surprise effect lost, therefore points deducted. Still a keeper. (1 Point)

TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave Got better with each listening. Engaging and very impacting. Stole points of Dream Traveler. (2 Points)

Good week.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Drag-on Dragoon 2 Original Soundtrack - Fate
Drag-on Dragoon 2 OST is one of those acclaimed soundtracks that I can't get into it. The previous entry, "Vein of Greif", had a big impact on me, however "Fate" leaves me indifferent. Technically could be impeccable but it doesn't matter if it doesn't convey me anything.

Gate of Thunder (Red Book Audio) - Crown
A good effort by Ts Music, although not enough for me. Somehow, all the song has the same tone, and that bores me to death. The monotony is hardly interrupted by the sound of distorted guitars and little more. Not enough variation, sorry.

Jert Gaiden 3-2: Illegal Burger Deals (Game Rip) - I'll Take You Underwater
Illegal drugs can force you to compose this kind of stuff. I am ignorant of the of the "inspiration" required to create this, but barely can be labelled as music.

Johnny Bazookatone - Deadbolt
Sorta eclectic, sorta grooving, of laid-back nature. It fullfills all what the average participant from sotw values highly, therefore it's a likely winner. Aside from predictions, I don't like it very much, in my modest opinion, it drags too much. No fun funk for me.

Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12
Well, at the end something energizing and remarkable. The militaristic approach appeals to me, although truth be told, it lacks of any subtlety. Maybe too direct and maybe very entertaining, it wins the amusement, of course.

Spyro the Dragon (Game Rip) - Dry Canyon
If I don't remember bad, Spyro the Dragon had good music, but this track don't make much for me. I find it quite generic, it has its moments though (percussion stands out).

The Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler
In the capacity of casual of Tenpei Sato, I had to honor him with this nomination. Dream Traveler embodies all what I enjoy about Sato's music, where the melody is the first and the most important one. On the other hand, part of my admiration for this piece born of celtic instrumentation. There is a certain quality of purity, simplicity and harmony which isn't exclusive only to complex/virtuosistic compositions.

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave
It starts off with an oppresive atmosphere which is always present, and that's admirable due to great development and six minutes of duration. It sounds grand and ominous, a track of epic proportions.

Point Distribution
(3 POINTS) Dream Traveler
(2 POINTS) Track 12
(1 POINT) Scotland the Brave

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Hi, here goes my point distribution this time, which is casually the same as isdapi's but with my own nomination bias :P. I have to say that I'm glad that at after a month we get some new material, but I didn't like too much this week, considering that there were tracks that were maybe a little hard to get into (maybe the exception was DoD2).


3 points. Small Soldiers (Red Book Audio) - Track 12
As someone asked for it in another forum, and as I think that it's hard to find, I uploaded the full redbook audio, so you can fully enjoy this song (since it takes melodies from other songs in the album). If you wanna check them, I was also interested in nominating tracks 6 and 7 http://s38.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3...Q3FOKILUDS892U

2 points. the Adventure of Puppet Princess Original Soundtrack - Dream Traveler

1 point. TimeSplitters - Future Perfect (Game Rip) - Scotland the Brave

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

Nevertheless, after the abomination of forgetting to vote in Battle 6 (thus causing my nominations to lose), I don't want to go unrepresented.

Yeah, pretty much all the staff fucked up, didn't they? :-D May Alexander Brandon poop on your grave.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Tenpei Sato makes a fine composition of Dream Traveler and to me, this song is Week 50:s winner! =)

Double Post:
Right, sorry, I'm kinda new here on GFF, but I'd say that
2nd place goes to "Scotland the Brave" from Timesplitters 3 and
3rd place goes to Stewart Copelands "Dry Canyon"

Jam it back in, in the dark.