[SotW] Song of the Week - WEEK 125 Voting/WEEK 126 Nominating

I actually thought this was a fairly good week, no terrible tracks.


Voted Tracks

3 pts to History Repeats Itself Abandoner Lostchild coupling soundtrack - Abandoner - Abandoner Main Title
I may be biased having nominated this track, but I just love the enveloping mood & atmosphere that literally wraps around oneself. The song progresses slowly and uses repetition to emphasize the laid-back feel of the groove, but seems to to change up before things gets unbearably repetitive. And while the strings are no killer melody that you'd find yourself humming, I think they appropriately add variation and sorrow to what's obviously supposed to be a somber piece (after all, it's called "Abandoner").

2 pts to Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3 Original Soundtracks - Phantom of Blue
At first listen, I didn't think it had much value. But, like most trance, this one grew on me as I listened to it more. The mechanically-filtered vocals, which I often find cheesy, actually sound quite fitting and give this piece a strong melody. From a vast saturated soundscape, to the energy delivered by the constant fade-then-blastback of the song's drive, to the way that elements are always progressing in some way, to nicely satisfying my dynamics bias, this song hits me where it counts. Oddly, I find 4:50 - 6:10 (part of the beginning re-looped) slightly grating, as its repetitiveness seems to become more evident the second time it's used. But then the energetic vocal section of the song comes to the rescue, arresting that slight nuisance.

1 pts to Wizardry ~Dimguil~ Original Sound Track - Theme of Wizardry
Finding this track in amongst this week's electronic melodies is a pleasant surprise. Ethnic styles have always plucked my musical heart, and this seems to be a well-executed weave between that and a more traditional orchestral style. I could almost see it in a movie soundtrack.


Non-Voted Tracks

Within a Deep Forest (Game Rip) - Scales of Zordium
This would easily get a high vote from me if only it were longer and progressed a little more, and didn't have that abrupt cut-out at the end. As it is, it's a neat, chill little piece with an encompassing atmosphere.

CAL ~ The Eternal Beautiful Girls - The Continent of Time
Wow. Sweet and bubbly to the max. But it's instruments don't sound quite so polished. Could use some more sonic glitter.

Synaesthete OST - Tryptonaut
A nice little electronic trance groove. Not a whole lot of variance or progression, but it's charming enough to bop your head to.

Doki Doki Majo Shinpan! ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK - Forget not Tomorrow (Akuji Nishimura's Theme)
This so nearly got a vote from me. It's a pleasant, energetic rock ballad, possessing an interestingly varied drumline and a memorable melody. It reminds me of OA's This Feeling, which is definitely a good thing.

R-Type Leo (Game Rip) - PARADISE PLANET (AREA1)
Cheesy voice right from the get-go is a bad sign. Surprisingly, it seems rather well-composed with a solid drive, if a little repetitive. With better instrument patches (obviously a limitation of the game system) I think it would fare much better. I know as a game music aficionado it seems odd to say that, but I consider the actual sound and texture of a song nearly as important as the musical content.

Additional Spam:

Originally Posted by Rimo

History Repeats Itself Abandoner Lostchild coupling soundtrack - Abandoner - Abandoner Main Title

Definitely share similarities with the melodic side of Silent Hill (down to the vinyl playback noise!), which in my book is a good thing. Smooth and laid-back melancholic atmosphere that does well of not falling into complete darkness. Good sound as well. Although emotional, I haven't been completely carried away, yet this might be related to how it is still new to me and that it might not have reached so deep inside yet, down to my internal abyss where not so much music had the character and the power to access. I'll keep this track and see how it grows on me with time.

If you like it, I would recommend acquiring the entire album. Most of the tracks on History Repeats Itself have the same atmospheric quality, and all of them seem best experienced as part of the cohesive work.

Also, here's my next...


Nomination

Album Title: The Dig Soundtrack
Artists: Michael Land, Emily Bezar
Track Title: A River Canyon
Track Number: 6 of 11
Catalog Number: CDQ-724355556721
Year: 1996
Source: Again, the CD itself. VGMdb Link

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Wow, that was a close one. Only one point between my nomination and the winner. And all those last minute votes brought it up immensely, too. I'll get you next time, you elusive 1st!

I know, this isn't a competition between nominators, but I think it's fun to see it that way. And it was amusing, too, seeing the votes practically double on the day of the deadline. Although, I suppose I'd be used to it if I had still been participating in SotW all this time. >.>;

Originally Posted by surasshu

And the impopularity of Wizardry is a surprise to me as well, I didn't think it was that bad.

I agree. Maybe people are getting tired of hearing orchestral, even if it is given an ethnic dash of spice.
If so, that doesn't bode so well for my nomination in the queue. o.o

There's nowhere I can't reach.