[SotW] Song of the Week - WEEK 209 Voting/WEEK 210 Nominating

Song of the Week. 200 Weeks and counting.
Week 209 Voting is an closed fist.
Week 210 Nominating is a limp kleenex.

Results:
# [14/10] Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)
# [14/8.5] Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange-
# [13/9.5] Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1
# [13/7.5] Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION
# [9]Mushihimesama Double Arrange Album - Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage2)
# [6]Super Monkey Ball (GameCube Game Rip) - Underwater
# [5] Gradius III and IV (PS2 Game Rip) - Opening Theme
# [4] Afrika Original Soundtrack - Okapi

Tracks
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Afrika Original Soundtrack - Okapi
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange-
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Gradius III and IV (PS2 Game Rip) - Opening Theme
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Mushihimesama Double Arrange Album - Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage2)
Get the Flash Player to play this audio file: Super Monkey Ball (GameCube Game Rip) - Underwater

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:

Spoiler:

"Traditional"
Song1 - 3 pts.
Song2 - 2 pts.
Song3 - 1 pt.

"Even Stevens"
Song1 - 2 pts.
Song2 - 2 pts.
Song3 - 2 pts.

"Tough Decision"
Song1 - 2 pts.
Song2 - 2 pts.
Song3 - 1 pt.
Song4 - 1 pt.

"Nomination Bias"
Song1 - 3 pts.
Song2 - 1 pt.
Song3 - 1 pt.
Song4 - 1 pt.

"Indecisive"
Song1 - 2 pts.
Song2 - 1 pt.
Song3 - 1 pt.
Song4 - 1 pt.
Song5 - 1 pt.

"Shotgun Spread"
Song1 - 1 pt.
Song2 - 1 pt.
Song3 - 1 pt.
Song4 - 1 pt.
Song5 - 1 pt.
Song6 - 1 pt.

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

Spoiler:

* Host: ftp.sotw.info
* Username: nominations@sotw.info (that is the actual username; not an e-mail address)
* Password: gff
* Port: 21

Week 210 Nominating:
The Nominations Queue can be found here.
The rules for nominating can be found here.

How ya doing, buddy?

Here's my next nomination:

* Album Title: Senko no Ronde DUO Sound Track
* Artist: Yasuhisa Watanabe
* Track Title: Birds Eye (Mika Drop 1)
* Source: SRIN-1066 | Senko no Ronde DUO Sound Track - VGMdb
* File Location: Nominations folder
* Disc Number: 1 (of 2)
* Track Number: 14
* Catalogue Number: SRIN-1066
* Year: 2009

EDIT: File uploaded! Sorry for the delay.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Afrika Original Soundtrack - Okapi Afrika is one of the best game soundtracks in years, with the sole drawbak (if you can call it that) of sounding really, really like a John Williams film score. I personally view that as a huge plus; Okapi is also a more humoresque composition than many of the more serious songs and doesn't outstay its welcome.

Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange- "Celtic arrange" are two words I always enjoy seeing attached to VGM. Sound quality is excellent, and the specialty instruments really shine through and enhance the melody. Really first-rate.

Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1 Growing up with the NES Contra games, I could be forgiven for expecting too much of this piece. It's a good chiptune, fulfilling expectations in terms of melody and rhythm, if somewhat below the level of the original game.

Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION SOMETIMES I WONDER WHY SO MANY RELEASES HAVE TRACK TITLES IN ALL CAPS. MAYBE THEY THINK IT LOOKS COOL? That aside, the music has some nice parts (most notably when the sax is present). I don't care for the hair metal guitar solo, but then when do I ever?

Gradius III and IV (PS2 Game Rip) - Opening Theme I only recently realized that "Gradius" is probably a mistranslation of "Gladius" (i.e. the sword, which would make sense as the name of a starfighter). In terms of music, there's basically no content here: just drum loops and beats.

Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground) Some interesting stuff going on here, especially as regards the jagged way the rhythm and melody interact. It's not as full an exploration of the style as I might have hoped, but is nonetheless a good listen.

Mushihimesama Double Arrange Album - Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage2) Would it have killed them to write the name as Mushi Hime Sama so I'm not always worried about spelling it wrong? While I'm enthusiastic about the works of Shimomura and Abe in general, this song seems less than the sum of its parts. It's fine stuff, but the artists' names may have raised my expectations a little too much.

Super Monkey Ball (GameCube Game Rip) - Underwater Some nifty rhythm and synths, though a little light on substance.

Excellent weak overall. Only one dud, with multiple songs vying for points.

The Point Spread
Okapi - 2 pts.
Genesis - 2 pts.
Stage 1 - 1 pt.
Party in Their Nest - 1 pt.

Also, I don't know if you noticed, but our nomqueue is a little thin right now. I guess what I'm saying is
Please nominate something

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

Originally Posted by orion_mk3

Please nominate something

OK then.

Nomiation #39

Composer: Mark Mothersbaugh
Game Title: The Sims 2: Open For Business
Track Title: The Sims 2 NewWave Theme
Track Number: N/A
Year: 2006
Catalog Number: N/A
Additional Information: In case you didn't realise, this is from a gamerip, no official release contains this song that I'm aware.

Uploading to the FTP, Devo style.

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

(3 points) Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange: Celtic is right in my wheelhouse and this song pretty much nails it. It really takes off about a minute in when the pace picks up and the percussion kicks in. All in all a lovely piece.

(2 points) Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1: Decent chiptunage here. Nary a misstep, even if it doesn't recraft my expectations for the "genre."

(1 point) Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground): A definite 80s vibe here. Barely merits a point against simliar-level competition.

As for the rest:

Underwater has the benefit of familiarity with me, but its synths do provide a decent if empty experience. Sea of Frozen Crystals sounds exactly like Katamaritaino from Katamari Damacy. I like the metalish parts in the first half of Taking Off better than the second half. Okapi sounds well-done but this stuff simply isn't my cup of tea. Opening Theme sounds incomplete; I need another couple layers of something on top of these synths.


Edit:

Here's a nomination.

Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Game Title: An Cinniùint - Tsuganai OST
Track Title: Battle with the Devil
Track Number: 2-18
Year: 2001
Catalog Number: SBPS-0002

How ya doing, buddy?

Afrika Original Soundtrack - Okapi is a decent bit of orchestral quirk, but it's far from noteworthy. Sounds good for 'event scene' music, but not so good for active listening.

Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange- is so cliche, so very cliche. But it's all good cliche. The melody's strong and gives the composition a good grounding as the instruments go a bit wild creating a particularly fun and festive atmosphere. The percussion is the highlight for me; 2:16 is alright too.

Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1 is pretty good, nice melody and great drive. It doesn't do too much, but what it does do is highly serviceable.

Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION is this week's epic, and a dynamic one at that. I can really get into this one, it's cheesy and over-the-top on just the right levels. I don't remember too much about it once it's finished (save the sax at around 5:30), but that doesn't stop me from playing it again!

Gradius III and IV (PS2 Game Rip) - Opening Theme is really neat as well, I like the industrial edge and the build throughout. I'll be keeping this one.

The groove factor in Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground) is a bit disappointing, and the whole track comes across as a bit messy to me. And I really dislike the addition of the harmonica, it sounds out of place and like they're trying too hard. :/ Needs more slap bass, definitely.

Mushihimesama Double Arrange Album - Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage2) is very slick and sweet background music. The bubbliness of the electronica nicely complements the almost whimsical development, however sparse any melodic components may be. The Elebits vibe is a plus, too.

Super Monkey Ball (GameCube Game Rip) - Underwater is similar in sound to the Mushihimesama track, though adopts a more aquatic edge. I dig this, my only complaint is that the track becomes a little repetitive after a while.

POINTs for sax, unPOINTS for harmonica >=C

2 points: Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange-
1 points: Gradius III and IV (PS2 Game Rip) - Opening Theme
1 point: Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION
1 point: Super Monkey Ball (GameCube Game Rip) - Underwater
1 point: Mushihimesama Double Arrange Album - Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage2)
6th: Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1
7th: Afrika Original Soundtrack - Okapi
8th: Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)

So hard to distribute points. i.e. excellent week! Only two that I could have done without.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Nomination:

Album: Gran Turismo Sound Collection ~MUSIC~ Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Original Game Soundtrack
Track: 12
Track name: Current of the times
Composer: Yudai Sato
Info: VRCL-4009 | Gran Turismo Sound Collection ~MUSIC~ Gran Turismo 5... - VGMdb
Link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XA4135ED

Also, would you guys find interesting to make a sotw youtube channel? I mean, putting the winner songs (and runner ups) that are on the sotw info web in that channel. Unless we want to make it in a more sophisticated way, using the imutube program (this is what you get by using it) and posting a song per day should'nt be a big work if there is enought collaboration.

With this, we would find an easier access to the historic winners, we could make playlists to listen to while doing something else, and of course, maybe some people would learn about this contest and participate.

How ya doing, buddy?

3 points: Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION
2 points: Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)
1 point: Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1
Just missed: Underwater

Excellent week, with lots to enjoy.

I also approve of a YouTube channel for SotW. It's only logical to have such an outlet for a contest like this.


By the way, orion, I had a nomination in queue. Where did it go?

YouTube is indeed a cool idea, once a few issues are worked out (who would maintain it, how we would prevent the songs being deleted and the account banned in piracy witchunts, etc.).

Oh, and Draconis, it looks like your nom was accidentally purged with last weeks'. It's back now.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Hey fellas, how's it going?

• Album: Nintendo Sound Selection vol.3 Luigi <B-Side Music>
• Artist: Kazumi Totaka
• Disc #: 1 (of 1)
• Track #: 18
• Track Title: The Prince's Adventure
• Catalogue Number: CN-P020
• Year: 2005
• Additional Info: The acoustic arranged version on Peach Healing Music is also fantastic, but I like the let's-go-on-an-adventure charm of the original chiptune.
• Source: CN-P020 | Nintendo Sound Selection vol.3 Luigi <B-Side Music> - VGMdb

I can't provide this if you need it for next week, but this album isn't particularly rare, so it shouldn't be difficult to find.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

(3 points) Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION
(1 point) Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange-
(1 point) Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1
(1 point) Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)

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

Here're my votes:

(3 points) Mushihimesama Double Arrange Album - Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage2)
Just when I was contemplating an MDAA nomination, one comes up for this week. Regardless, a really nice arrangement of a familiar tune that's not unrecognizable and yet changes up the song enough to make it more than just a simple retooling of the original.

(2 points) Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange-
Like the Irish jig thing that this song has going for it. At times, it almost sounds a bit Middle Eastern, which is a bit strange but nevertheless interesting.

(1 point) Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1
Nice old school vibe here. The beginning could have been better though, but the middle sections kind of make-up for it.

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

Spectacular week!

<<3 Points>> Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION
<<1 Point>> Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange-
<<1 Point>> Mushihimesama Double Arrange Album - Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage2)
<<1 Point>> Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)

I was speaking idiomatically.

We still need one more nomination to have a full eight songs next week. Nobody wants a 6-song SotW, so get those noms in!

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Got a few tracks in my personal queue but this is kind of rushed, hope it's not too popular; also tell me if i should check the info, could try to find some in game credits. No time right now though, could do that tomorrow maybe.

Game Title: Blast Corps (N64 Game Rip, i suppose)
Artist: Graeme Norgate
Track Title: Replay
Year: 1997
Source: Dubious mp3 tags

FELIPE NO

I'm new here, so I hope I'm doing this correctly. I do have a ton of ideas of some semi-obscure stuff to nominate, but I do not wish to do that process at the moment since I'm still trying to see how this works.

3 Pts.} Super Monkey Ball (GameCube Game Rip) - Underwater
2 Pts.} Contra Force (Game Rip) - Stage 1
1 Pt.} Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)

Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION comes pretty close to me wanting to grant it a point too.

Also, normally for something like this I would write something explaining and analyzing the aspects of a track I like or dislike, I may do that later.

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

Not much time to elaborate, but my top two picks were already known prior:

3 points - Contra Force - Stage 1
2 points - Insector X - Party in Their Nest
1 point - Brighter than Dawning Blue Music Collection - Terra Passport - Genesis -celtic arrange-

I played Contra Force as a kid and liked the first stage music. Nothing fancy or lengthy, but a solid tune.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

This week is S++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1 point: Okapi
1 point: Opening Theme
1 point: Stage 1
1 point: Sea of Frozen Crystals (Stage 2)
1 point: Underwater
1 point: PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)
Barely Missed: Genesis -celtic arrange-, TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION


Every song here is so good, every last one

Though to be honest, I'm already familiar with 3 of these tunes, all of which I love dearly. Contra Force's Stage 1 is an old nom of mine that didn't make it out of the BSC'06 prelims. As awkward as the game was, I always thought the game had much better music than that of the original and Super C.

Sea of Frozen Crystals is an arrangement of... an old nom of mine that didn't make it out of the BSC'07 prelims. Shimomura does a splendid job, though the best part is that she managed to get the chords correct (seeing as the original is by Kimihiro Abe, that is some monstrous feat)

All these years of neglecting the SMB soundtrack for the superior SMB2 soundtrack caught up to me; I don't remember Underwater being this good. Guess I'll have to revisit the first game's soundtrack again.

The new tunes were also great, especially Okapi (I don't care if ripping off John Williams is double redundant), and the PS2 Gradius III+IV opening theme (WTFFFFFFFF HOW HAVE I NOT HEARD THIS). Best part of the entire week though was the break at 2:27 of the Insector tune, it made perfect sense in every way.

Even the non-pointers were highlights: the last minute of Genesis -celtic arrange- is gold, and while the Final Soldier suite is probably my least favorite tune, it's far from bad; the part where the dude just hates on the keyboard at 1:50 for a split second was cool.

So yeah, definitely one of my favorite weeks. Great job everyone!

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Oh, and here's a nom:

=== Kaleb.G ===
* Album: Spindizzy Worlds (SNES Game Rip)
* Artist: Akiko Hashimoto, Yoshinori Hirahara
* Track Title: Level Music 7
* Year: 1992
* Source: SPC rip with info based on the SNESMusic.org entry.
* File Location: nom folder

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

Been wondering what happened to Ed Bellis' nomination from PPPPPP, has it been missed somehow?

Also tried to confirm the info on my nomination, got the year from the game itself and found Graeme Norgate's website which should confirm that he composed the tracks for the game. (Check out the site, it has 232 of his compositions on it.)

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

Oh my god I'm so tired and going back to bed after this why am I up.

Oh, it's because Darkcomet was right and this week is awesome here have some quick yet late votes.

2 points - Insector-x
1 point - Contra Force
1 point - Final Soldier Taking off something ~~~
1 point - Gradius 3 & 4
1 point - Super Monkey Underwater

I was speaking idiomatically.

Just got back from NYC. Gonna sleep a bit. Votes will be cast in a few hours.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Jolteon

I'm new here, so I hope I'm doing this correctly.

Looks good to me. Welcome aboard!

Originally Posted by Stalky

Been wondering what happened to Ed Bellis' nomination from PPPPPP, has it been missed somehow?

Whoa! Good catch, Stalky. But if you read down a bit further, you see that the album was too new to be nominated.

With this late surge of posts, I'm going to keep voting open for another 6-8 hours. Ye be warned.

FELIPE NO

2 points ~ Final Soldier Suite & Original Soundtrack - TAKING OFF ~ SOLE WARRIOR ~ PROGRESSION
2 points ~ Gradius III and IV (PS2 Game Rip) - Opening Theme
2 points ~ Insector X - PARTY IN THEIR NEST (Imperial Underground)

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by Chuckster

Composer: Yasunori Mitsuda
Game Title: An Cinniùint - Tsuganai OST
Track Title: Battle with the Devil
Track Number: 2-18
Year: 2001
Catalog Number: SBPS-0002

Chuckster just reminded me of this, but unfortunately that song's disqualified for having placed.

Jam it back in, in the dark.