What are you listening to right now? Write a single-track mini-review. (Version 2.0)

Zork: Grand Inquisitor Soundtrack Rip - Mark Morgan - Track 9 - Exploring the Underground Empire

I needed something to soothe my nerves and this track turned out to be an apt choice. I remember the tune from way back when I played the game. It was always a treat to listen whilst exploring the expansive caverns of the Great Underground Empire, complete with mists and lights of diffused hues that add to the overall mystique of the experience. Listening to the "Exploring the Underground Empire" today, it still evokes the same wonder and fascination with its blend of electronic samples and effective percussion.

At the time, I didn't know who Mark Morgan was (didn't pay much heed to credits then) and only began taking a more vested interest in his work after the great Planescape: Torment soundtrack. So it was with much surprise and delight that I learned how Morgan was also responsible for music from Zork: Grand Inquisitor and the much loved Zork: Nemesis.

That said, non-sympathizers of ambient music will probably not warm-up to this Zork track.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Wizardry: LLYLGAMYN SAGA - Haneda Kentarou - Track 3 - "Fort City Llylgamyn"

I really should be typing out my thesis (my supervisor is hounding me for it...) but I couldn't help but be sidetracked by the Wizardy: LLYLGAMYN SAGA album. Not entirely sure if it's an arranged soundtrack (seems likely from the instrumentation). Regardless, "Fort City Llylgamyn" is one good example of the medievil style that so strongly characterizes the entire soundtrack. With soft strings and winds accompanied by a tinkling harp, the track evokes magic, wonder and an overarching sense of desolation and lost hope. Beautiful.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Anita Mui & Faye Wong - Fashion Show

Since my last post here (see above), I've completed my thesis (finally!) but proof-reading it turned out to be really boring. So I decided to go through my song collection and found this. "Fashion Show" features two bigtime canto-pop queens: Anita Mui and Faye Wong. Very strong on electronics, the song is decidedly different from your usual bubblegum pop, with Mui's husky and deep voice adding a certain seriousness and profound melancholy to the song (fans of Mui can probably relate to this...). Wong plays backup here with her light, otherworldly, crystal clear vocals, and provides a nice contrast to Mui's lines. Overall, I enjoyed the song a lot, though I don't really understand most of the lyrics. :P Really should brush-up on my Cantonese... Sadly, we won't get to hear these two divas in a duet again.

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

Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII- Original Soundtrack - Masashi Hamauzu - CD 2, Track 5 - "Trespasser"

I'm very fond of ambient electronica so it's no surprise this is one of my favourite tracks from the soundtrack. There's certainly not much of a melody there but those lush chords are a real steal. Love the progression. The electronics are also very well done; it's reminiscent of what Shimomura did in Parasite Eve. All in all a very cool and surreal piece.

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

Myst IV: Revelation - Jack Wall - Bomb Factory

This is apparently from a game rip so I'm not sure which track it corresponds to in the official soundtrack. In any case, it's a wonderful piece, and easily my favourite from Myst IV. I didn't think very much of the heavy oriental elements Wall incorporated into the Jade Empire soundtrack but what he did for this Myst track is great. It's not as blatant and tends to be fairly atmospheric with its electronic work and light percussion. Despite the ambient trappings, the song has a gorgeous melody that's very fluid and evolves nicely towards the end. The end result is a piece that's both apprehensive and wistful. I need to get the soundtrack so badly.

I was speaking idiomatically.

The Sword of Xuan Yuan Side Story: Billows of the Bleak OST - Zeng Zhihao & Wu Xinrui - Track 1 - "Fate of a Thousand Years"

I just completed The Sword of Xuan Yuan Side Story: Billows of the Bleak (a traditional Taiwanese wuxia RPG) and couldn't help but go back and listen to this track. "Fate of a Thousand Years" plays in the game's opening sequence and I've always loved it for the grandeur it captures, and the melancholic quality of the piece. But having completed the incredibly tragic and philosophical game, I realise now how integral "Fate of a Thousand Years" was in setting the stage for one of the most impactful RPGs I've played. With strong drum beats, resolute strings, and the delicate strains of the pipa, zither and synth choir, it's indeed a beautiful track made more so if you consider the context it plays in.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?