Song of the Week - WEEK 52 Voting/WEEK 53 Nominations

Week 52 Voting is closed.
Week 53 Nominating is restricted.

Week 52 Voting
The rules for voting can be found here.

Tracks:
Guild Wars Special Edition Soundtrack - A Warrior's Heart (Bonus)
Phantom Brave ~Original sound track~ - The End of This Passionate Feeling
SimCity 4 Rush Hour Soundtrack - Bumper to Bumper
The Baku Bomb!!! Baku Bomberman Original Soundtrack - Green Garden
Touhou Youyou Yumi ~Embodiment of Scarlet Devil~ (Game Rip) - The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood (WAV Version)
Turrican Original Video Game Soundtrack - Freedom
WILD ARMS the 4th Detonator Original Score - Time and Rocks Piled Up
Yo! Noid (Game Rip) - Area 13 and 14

Week 53 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.

Here are the links to the corresponding threads at the other forums:
- Soundtrack Central

Jam it back in, in the dark.

OMG, the selection this week was really uninspired. If I'm not in an error, 6 of the 8 nominated songs where from previously nominated albums. Worst week ever? xD

Anyway, here goes my next nomination:

Album: pop'n music 12 Iroha AC ♥ CS pop'n music 10
Disc 3 of 3
Track 15
Track Name: Beyond the Earth -Original Long Version-
Composer: Nekomata Master
Source: http://chudahs-corner.com/soundtrack...=KOLA-0094~096

Downloadable: http://gh.ffshrine.org/soundtracks/1787/1394

There's nowhere I can't reach.

3 points: Phantom Brave ~Original sound track~ - The End of This Passionate Feeling
2 points: SimCity 4 Rush Hour Soundtrack - Bumper to Bumper
1 point: Guild Wars Special Edition Soundtrack - A Warrior's Heart (Bonus)

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

Originally Posted by ikkei

OMG, the selection this week was really uninspired. If I'm not in an error, 6 of the 8 nominated songs where from previously nominated albums.

Phantom Brave, Bomberman 64, and Embodiment of Scarlet Devil make three.

Splitting hairs, the previous Guild Wars track was from the normal OST, whereas this track is one that was added to the special edition soundtrack. And the previous Turrican track was from Super Turrican for the SNES, not the album.

SimCity 4 Rush Hour has, surprisingly enough, NOT had any nominations prior to this one (this came up during the eligibility discussion). WILD ARMS the 4th Detonator and Yo! Noid are likewise fully clear.

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

Oasis from SimCity 4 had been previously nominated. I was going to say WA4 as well, but I checked on it, Windward Birds was from Alter Code F.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by CHz

Phantom Brave, Bomberman 64, and Embodiment of Scarlet Devil make three.

Splitting hairs, the previous Guild Wars track was from the normal OST, whereas this track is one that was added to the special edition soundtrack. And the previous Turrican track was from Super Turrican for the SNES, not the album.

SimCity 4 Rush Hour has, surprisingly enough, NOT had any nominations prior to this one (this came up during the eligibility discussion). WILD ARMS the 4th Detonator and Yo! Noid are likewise fully clear.

I see :ashamed: . The selection wasn't that bad after all. Anyway, Simcity 4 and Rush Hour are different albums/games?


Let's spread some points!

2 points
WILD ARMS the 4th Detonator Original Score - Time and Rocks Piled Up
Yo! Noid (Game Rip) - Area 13 and 14

1 point
Touhou Youyou Yumi ~Embodiment of Scarlet Devil~ (Game Rip) - The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood (WAV Version)
Turrican Original Video Game Soundtrack - Freedom

I'll maybe change this because I'm starting to like "Bumper to Bumper", which is a song that seems to take its time to grow up.

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by ikkei

Anyway, Simcity 4 and Rush Hour are different albums/games?

Rush Hour is an expansion pack for SimCity 4.

FELIPE NO

6 points: Turrican Original Video Game Soundtrack - Freedom

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

OK, since I might be up next week here's my next nom:

Album: Gensou Suikoden 3 OST
Disc 1
Track 11
Track Name: Vinay Del Zexay
Composer: Michiru Yamane, Takashi Yoshida, Masahiko Kimura
Source: http://chudahs-corner.com/soundtrack...log=KMCA-164~5

If it's not obscure enoigh, tell me.

BTW, I'd like to address something. Every time I nominate something, someone insinuates it's a joke nomination. Whatever you might think of my taste in music, I have never made a joke nomination.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Wow, three good weeks in a row...I have nothing bad to say at all about this week, aside from maybe the lack of drama on my decisions...It was going to take something massive to topple the three I had in mind to place.

1st Yo! Noid Area 13 and 14

Ah, I breath it in every time this comes on...THIS is what makes sitting through those terrible pizza-eating contests in the game so worthwhile. Whether it's scaling a massive skyscraper at night in the city or flying through a bunch of crap with a propeller hooked to a body strap, this is "final level" music at its' best, NES or no. The sense of urgency, melody, progression and of getting everything out of that NES soundchip as possible can't be done any better than the folks at Capcom's Sound Team. One of the few truly "elite" NES tunes that comes to mind (and for that matter, Yo! Noid's overall soundtrack is right on pace with the NES Megaman games as far as my favorite 8-bit chiptunes go).

2nd Time and Rocks Piled Up

Typical Naruke dungeon music. I can't say this is anything special for her...As one of her biggest fans, it's just special for me.

3rd The End of This Passionate Feeling

I'm not a sucker for the violin normally, but this is too tasty to pass up. Perfect melody and probably would've placed second, if not for my Naruke-bias, as I'd consider this and TARPU and equals. One of my favorite Sato pieces.

I'm kind of strapped for time, so cliff's notes version for everything else...

4. Bumper to Bumper (best Simcity track I've heard yet...Manages to settle in and groove right along)

5. Freedom (would have placed in a weaker week. Nice melody, but this never grabbed me as much as some of the other arrangements from this Turrican album)

6. Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood (I'm content with this, but it never quite reached as high as the ones above it).

7. A Warrior's Heart (nothing bad to say and a much better track than I was expecting. 'Tis a good march with a surprisingly good melody).

8. Green Garden (servicable light fare, but not noteworthy)

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Since people aren't rushing to nominate, it looks like my turn may come up sooner than I expected so I better get my next nom out of the way now. Initial reaction seems to be against allowing something composed by Issei Noro so I'll nominate something from Casiopea which is eligible.

* Artist: Casiopea
* Composer: Minoru Mukaiya
* Album Title: Dramatic
* Track Title: Oriental Spirits
* Disc Number: 1
* Track Number: 11
* Catalog Number: ALCA-9016
* Year: 1993
* Sources: This is Casiopea's discography on their site which shows Mukaiya as the composer of this track (this album is on the second row - sixth one from the left) and this shows some of the game music he has composed.

I'll upload it and add it to the nomination queue and the research base.

Votes to come later.

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

I haven't the time to vote right now, but I thought I would nominate something. It's a little different from my usual fare: a comedy song!

* Composer: Michael Land
* Album Title: Curse of Monkey Island
* Track Title: "A Pirate I was Meant to Be"
* Disc Number: 2
* Track Number: 04
* Catalog Number: n/a (gamerip)
* Year: 1998
* Source: http://soundtracks.mixnmojo.com/ (I would like to upload my personal version, which is slightly different)

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

One more nomination:

* Composer: Yoko Kanno
* Album Title: Nobunaga's Ambition: Haouden
* Track Title: Blue Whitecaps
* Disc Number: 1 (of 1)
* Track Number: 3
* Catalog Number: KECH-1033 (KCS-018)
* Year: 1992
* Sources: http://chudahs-corner.com/soundtrack...alog=KECH-1033

I was speaking idiomatically.

I always hope for good weeks but when my own nomination is in the running, I don't necessarily want weeks this good.

A Warrior's Heart - My feelings toward "war" themes are always a little mixed, mostly because I'm not history's greatest fan of conflict in general, hence music which reflects battle strikes a discordant nerve within me. There are pleasant sections in this track, for sure, but when it invariably goes back to the tension, I find myself wishing for the smooth, elegeant strings again. War marches have little to offer pacifists such as myself.

The End of This Passionate Feeling - Another Sato track, something I can always appreciate. Although I feel this isn't the most impressive track on the album, it holds its own very well. I enjoy the Phantom Brave OST for the bold departures Sato made from his usual work while maintaining the style that's earned him many fans. An energized tempo, fanciful woodwinds and deeply contrasting strings make this track a joy.

Bumper to Bumper - I've known about this track for a while now and have always found it rather mesmerizing in how it manages to capture the true essence of the morning rush hour with basic instrumentation. The brass hits are perfect for the blare of car horns. Perfect, I say. I love the staccato rhythm that binds the entire piece together too. As far as the nominations go, this is probably the most inventive track. My only beef is that it takes so long to build. I think the same effect could've been managed with approximately ninety seconds shaved off.

Green Garden - I once listened through this album and didn't find a whole lot to really get excited over. The melodies were bright and bubbly, as I'd expect, but nothing was what I'd call exceptional. It was all very standard fare for the genre, really. Green Garden is definitely one of the top 2 tracks from that album, since I remember this one clearly. And on a different week, this could be a solid silver or bronze. But this week is filled with too much quality and Green Garden suffers for it.

The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood - There are a lot of solid tracks this week, which has caused "The Maid" to feel rather average. It doesn't really fail in any regard but, by the same token, it does fail to meet the same level of quality composition that at least half this week's submissions do. Sorry but this one didn't interest me as much as other tracks.

Freedom - My nomination for this round. I brought out the heavy guns this time, since I feel very, very strongly about this track. You do not know how much I absolutely love this piece. Win or lose, Freedom will most likely remain my top-rated VGM track for a long, long long time.
The first time I heard "Freedom", I had to stop everything else I was doing and just listen. I then spent the next half hour replaying the track, soaking in the wonderful depth and sheer elegance of the harmonies. The melody engrains itself into your memory and the lilting strings refrains are magical. The emotion is nothing but sheer release, triumphant and blissful; "Freedom" is a most apt title.
Also, how often do you get to hear such luscious and beautiful use of cowbell in a VGM track? That alone deserves merit.
I can't even say enough good things about this one. Chris Huelsbeck has made me a believer. This track is better than sex. No, strike that. "Freedom" is sex.

Time and Rocks Piled Up - I'm kind of a sucker for percussion-driven tracks like this. I thought the aggressive, yet up-tempo nature was great and the rich brass samples were fantastic. I don't have anything bad to say about "Time and Rocks", so let it suffice that I think it's a wonderful, fun track.

Area 13 & 14 - I like chiptunes, and Capcom's never failed to deliver some of the best. But for the NES, I know I've heard better, and especially from the Capcom camp. I don't mean to hold this track up to the impossible standards set by Wily 1-2 or Ducktales - The Moon, but even amongst lesser Capcom tracks, and NES music in general, I just don't find myself that impressed by Yo! Noid's sound.


Time to score this thing.

3 Points - Turrican Original Video Game Soundtrack - Freedom
1 Point - WILD ARMS the 4th Detonator Original Score - Time and Rocks Piled Up
1 Point - SimCity 4 Rush Hour Soundtrack - Bumper to Bumper
1 Point - Phantom Brave ~Original sound track~ - The End of This Passionate Feeling


I think this was the BEST week SotW has had in several months. Seriously, and not just because a track I love was in the mix. There were no losers this week. That is to say, had they not all fallen into the same regrettable group, every single nomination could've placed during alternate weeks. Props to everyone who nominated.

Originally Posted by Darkcomet72

6 points: Turrican Original Video Game Soundtrack - Freedom

Haha. I appreciate the hearty support, but how's about making the point spread fair so that your vote isn't totally ignored?

EDIT: I'm in a very indecisive mood. Ever since I made my next nomination, I've felt as though I jumped the gun or something. I have a handful of tracks I like and can't decide, so I'm going to hold off on a nomination until my gut decides on something for me.

Sorry if this adds to any confusion for some.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Crash Landon

Haha. I appreciate the hearty support, but how's about making the point spread fair so that your vote isn't totally ignored?

DC72 voted over at STC. Rest assured, three more points for Freedom are in the bag.

FELIPE NO

No idea my nomination was up so soon. Quick question before I nominate: what's the eligibility rule on Tetrisphere? I seem to recall someone nominating a song from the game before, but it might have been the Best of Contest. My memory is too foggy.

It may be that I'm actually not planning on nominating a Tetrisphere track next. I'm just curious before I have to make a hard decision on which track of mine will get pummeled in the voting next week.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Chuckster

No idea my nomination was up so soon. Quick question before I nominate: what's the eligibility rule on Tetrisphere? I seem to recall someone nominating a song from the game before, but it might have been the Best of Contest. My memory is too foggy.

Extol was nominated ages ago. There was no track from it in the BSC '05, but there might've been in '04. In any case, I'd say that the soundtrack is clear.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I apparently haven't voted since Week 49. Time to change that. Also, I'm stealing Crash's vote format

A Warrior's Heart (Bonus) - This song has a majestic feel to it, and I like its sweeping nature. It doesn't feel as full as I'd like it, and I assume that's because, knowing the game, the music is meant to be substantive, but not get in the way of the gameplay. The melody is real nice, but again, I'd like there to be more than there is.

The End of This Passionate Feeling - Okay, seriously, the guitars have me sold. I am SUCH a sucker for latin beats and instruments, and this song is like MUSICAL CANDY. Except... ew, that DUN DUN DADADUNDUN DADADUN part, you know, where the rhythm kind of stutters, doesn't have the right PUNCH. But DAMN, the violin, and those fucking guitars at the start... I love this song. Seriously.

Bumper to Bumper - Okay, can we stop nominating SimCity? Please? I'm not even complaining about the fact that it's nominated a lot, you know, too popular and such, but my ANTI-AMBIENT BIAS prevents me from really understanding why any of these tracks are nominated. The only one of these that I can recall liking at all was the one from the Sims, and that doesn't even really count as a SimCity game. Please please please stop nominating this!

Green Garden - Best fucking song for the N64 fucking ever. EVER. FUCKING EVER. EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but I love the melody of this song, and this is one of the few tracks on the N64 that does a great job of escaping the MIDI-ish sound that N64 tracks have (before you call me an idiot, I do know the N64 used MIDI almost exclusively for its music), and it's also just bouncy, fun, and happy. Why the fuck do all the good tracks get nominated when my song is nominated?

The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood - Oh, hey, it's like Castlevania, only not Castlevania! I'm liking where this is going based off the beginning... and then the worst cymbal sample ever kicks in. Yuck, that is FAR too distorted. GO AWAY! Of course, it doesn't, and the whole song can't really recover from the reptitiveness of the whole thing.

Freedom - Well, this is nice, for sure, but it feels too light and fluffy. It's almost some cheesy 80's sitcom theme song. Turrican's a shooter game, right? What the hell is this doing in the soundtrack?

Time and Rocks Piled Up - I nominated this because the uptempo beat, and those awesome trumpets, are really better than most of Naruke's stuff. My one complaint, and it's minor, is that it's those same goddamn trumpets that Naruke uses in pretty much anything she does. However, she manages to overcome that in this track because she uses them effectively, and most importantly, sparingly. Also, that nasty whistle synth comes nowhere near this track. This song is fast and fun, and the melody is great.

Area 13 and 14 - This is okay, but not great. Too short, and too simple.

All in all, a really good week, and a week that reminds me what I've been missing by not voting these past few weeks.

3 points to Time and Rocks Piled Up
2 points tp The End of this Passionate Feeling
1 point to Green Garden

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Mo0

Green Garden - Best fucking song for the N64 fucking ever. EVER. FUCKING EVER. EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit, but I love the melody of this song, and this is one of the few tracks on the N64 that does a great job of escaping the MIDI-ish sound that N64 tracks have (before you call me an idiot, I do know the N64 used MIDI almost exclusively for its music), and it's also just bouncy, fun, and happy. Why the fuck do all the good tracks get nominated when my song is nominated?

Blue Resort is better, and I'm glad Drakken didn't nominate it.

Also, Freedom is staff roll.

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

A question about future nomination eligibilities:

In the case of the "Mad Maestro!" soundtrack, all the tracks are arranged versions of classical compositions. They're recognized scores but completely reworked for the game.

Would this album be allowed for nomination under the "exclusive arrangement" clause that was voted upon in December?

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

Originally Posted by Crash Landon

In the case of the "Mad Maestro!" soundtrack, all the tracks are arranged versions of classical compositions. They're recognized scores but completely reworked for the game.

Would this album be allowed for nomination under the "exclusive arrangement" clause that was voted upon in December?

Reworked for game = eligible. If it's from a particularly famous composition, you might run into some protest non-votes (recall Plastic People from the BSC '05), but the track'd be fair game.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Darkcomet72

Also, Freedom is staff roll.

Ooooooh, okay. That makes sense. Why didn't I think of that? O_o

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Now or never.

Guild Wars Special Edition Soundtrack - A Warrior's Heart (Bonus) (1 POINT)
The beginning reminds me of Hans Zimmer's King Arthur Film Score. The piece is replete with epic movements and spectacular instrumentation, it's epic sounding done right. Nevertheless, in some moments, it lacks of the intensity needed to stand out.

Phantom Brave ~Original sound track~ - The End of This Passionate Feeling (1 POINT)
Sato hardly dissapoints me, and this time isn't an exception. I like the tango approach and the exuberant instrumentation, Sato knows how to surprise. What would be of the music without the imagination and daring which are present in this piece.

SimCity 4 Rush Hour Soundtrack - Bumper to Bumper
Once again, this piece reminds me of a particular Film Score, "K-Pax". With a progression semi-minimalist, it makes good use of its limited instrumentation and through the repetition of an only-phrase it develops subtlely. It's effective in its own, although not very accessible.

The Baku Bomb!!! Baku Bomberman Original Soundtrack - Green Garden
Bomberman bring me good memories. I can't deny the charming and goofy qualities of this track, but beyond of that, I feel the composition is completely empty. Fun but banal.

Touhou Youyou Yumi ~Embodiment of Scarlet Devil~ (Game Rip) - The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood (WAV Version)
And well, our monthly ration of ZUN. How in other times, some synths are really crap and that is very ugly. It's hard concentrate on the composition while you listen determined sounds, even so, I did it and although the piano-thing is absolutely crazy the rest is bearable.

Turrican Original Video Game Soundtrack - Freedom
It sounds like an epilogue, a successful end to a prolonged adventure. Turrican is between my more beloved European VGM Soundtracks, and Freedom is one of the highlights of Turrican Sountrack. So, you can imagine that any praise is extra. Insta-3-POINTS

WILD ARMS the 4th Detonator Original Score - Time and Rocks Piled Up (1 POINT)
Yeah baby, you know how to tap me. The percussion is specially inspired and those trumpets are very enticing. The cool-espionage atmosphere is maintained through the entire piece, which makes to maintain the things interestings.

Yo! Noid (Game Rip) - Area 13 and 14
And to finish a little old-school action. In spite of the inherent limitations of this kind of stuff, it's possible to find great compositions with an open-minded approach. Area 13 and 14 doesn't reach the level of legendary's compositions such as Megaman, but this track is a very worthy contender to it.

FELIPE NO

Guild Wars Special Edition Soundtrack - A Warrior's Heart (Bonus)
Soule’s orchestrations are one of the fews I really enjoy. They are mostly more memorable then others. Add to this some majesty and convincing atmosphere, you got a pretty good track. (1 Point)

Phantom Brave ~Original sound track~ - The End of This Passionate Feeling
I have no idea, but Tenpei’s tracks always seem too feathery for me. It’s actually a good track with exemplary variety and timbre contrast, but I didn’t enjoy it so much.

SimCity 4 Rush Hour Soundtrack - Bumper to Bumper
Here is a case where I think game context can push up my feelings for this track considerably. It bears great originality and fantasy, but remains rather sparse and choppy on its own, all the same.

The Baku Bomb!!! Baku Bomberman Original Soundtrack - Green Garden
I remember this tracks from BSC 2004 (was there a discussion on its eligibility?) and I highly enjoy it until now. It’s fun and cute without sounding trivial, in my opinion. (2 Points)

Touhou Youyou Yumi ~Embodiment of Scarlet Devil~ (Game Rip) - The Maid and the Pocket Watch of Blood (WAV Version)
Most of ZUN’s tracks have really strange synth samples, which requires an “acquainted” taste to enjoy. Sitting through hours of Practice Start on that level, I know this track by heart, so I am quite biased. It’s actually quite cute, but also one of the more repetitive tracks.(1 Point)

Turrican Original Video Game Soundtrack – Freedom
It’s strange that Huelsbeck’s composition seems so basic actually, but it’s still has something absolutely absorbing. I liked it the first time I heard this track, just like the other Turrican track. (2 Points)

WILD ARMS the 4th Detonator Original Score - Time and Rocks Piled Up
I can’t get my fingers on most of Naruke’s work. Pretty much like the case of Sato, it doesn’t quite grab me as much as the variety and the creative percussion wants to do.

Yo! Noid (Game Rip) - Area 13 and 14 Nice chiptune, but a bit short. 6/10.

My nomination

Album: Blaze
Track Number: 3
Title: Heaven’s Race Guitar Style
Artist: Sound Online
Year: 2005
Cataloque Number: IBCD-0004
Additional Information: It’s an arrangement of one of Perfect Cherry Blossom’s track, but it’s so much driven away, that it can hardly be called another nomination from this album. I just notice that the guitar work is done by “a2c (MintJam)”. Maybe _DH_ can tell me what me what it’s all about, since he nominated some stuff from MintJam a while ago.
Source: http://soundonline.info/blaze/
Possible Problem : This album was released in Comiket 69, meaning it’s basically Doujin, so is it allowed?

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Djinova

It’s an arrangement of one of Perfect Cherry Blossom’s track, but it’s so much driven away, that it can hardly be called another nomination from this album. I just notice that the guitar work is done by “a2c (MintJam)”. Maybe _DH_ can tell me what me what it’s all about, since he nominated some stuff from MintJam a while ago.
Source: http://soundonline.info/blaze/
Possible Problem : This album was released in Comiket 69, meaning it’s basically Doujin, so is it allowed?

Looks like the original composer of this track is Tsukasa Yatoki of Sound Online. a2c just played guitar and was in charge of mastering. Unless you can prove that Tsukasa Yatoki composed a piece of original game music, I'm afraid it won't be allowed. A shame too since the instrumental samples on the site make the album sound quite good. Where did you get the full version from? I haven't been able to find anything from Comic Market 69 on vgmcentral especially the G5 Project which also featured a2c.

Jam it back in, in the dark.