Song of the Week - WEEK 88 Voting/WEEK 89 Nominating

I'm making a small return, which should be considered more as a guest appearance than a regular contribution, at least for now. Here I go:

Armored Core Original Best Track - Ambiguity
It took a while to build up, but the full development was interesting, with a good rhythm. However, there wasn't enough variations in the piece as a whole, only some layers added or removed. Not bad, not great, somewhere in-between.

Dragon Valor (Game Rip) - Brize Forest (2 POINTS)
I'm probably biased as I ripped this soundtrack myself, yet I have to say I find Dragon Valor's music to be quite good for a less popular Namco title. On the other hand, it couldn't compete with the big Namco franchises, but it can still on some grounds, at least in my tastes. "Brize Forest" is the main theme, a powerful one that flows well and should please most synth-rock fans. It's among the best themes the game has to offer, but not my top favorite, not that it matters here. I like this one enough to give it points.

Freespace 2 (Game Rip) - Ending Score
A dark medley, sharing its time between semi-ambiance and militaristic energy, the later not being long and developed enough in my opinion. It's well done, just not what I feel like listening to in this context.

Shin Gouketsuji Ichizoku - Bonnou Kaihou (Game Rip) - Let's Go! Necromancer (Extended Version)
The concept of this track reminds me of Cho Aniki. I love some tunes from Cho Aniki, especialy "Aniki 02". Do I like "Let's Go! Necromancer"? Sadly, not as much. Music-wise, it's very cool, but what brings my opinion down would have to be the vocals. Not that I can't enjoy songs with lyrics or vocal effects, but in this case, it's too heavy on some elements that I associate with the kind of Japanese culture I tend to dislike (see obsessive Japanophiles and otaku). It's still very good, but a part of it spoiled the rest in my case.

Technosoft GAME MUSIC COLLECTION VOL.15 ~ BEST OF THUNDER FORCE - Fighting Back (ST1) (2 POINTS)
One of my favorite composers, Tsukumo is an arranger though this time. I'm pleased by the fact he used his distinctive sound. It's a great Technosoft composition and well rendered.

The Sword of Xuan Yuan 4 - The Black Dragon Dances and the Cloud Flows (PC Game Rip) - Four24
Peaceful and relaxing, however it's too simple to get my points.

Uplink - Hacker Elite (PC Game Rip) - The Blue Valley (1 POINT)
Go conceptual tracker music, go! I like this kind of atmosphere and sound, but in my eyes, "The Blue Valley" has a major flaw: it's too long and not enough concise. The "Quality vs. Quantity" idea can be applied here; if quantity would have been reduced, I believe the quality would have raised. But this is my opinion. There are segments I really loved and felt the magic, while during some others, it was more ordinary, and globally, it's OK.

Wild Arms the Vth Vanguard Original Score Vol. 1 - Seeking the Blue Sky (1 POINT)
Well executed and charming, with many instruments and dynamic melodies. Nothing's wrong, except that this isn't my favorite kind of music. I find it a bit too light/happy (very slightly) to keep listening to it for long and stay interested. I can still recognize the qualities of "Seeking the Blue Sky".

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There is a track I liked when I discovered it, but as time went by, I forgot about it. Recently, while cleaning my HD, I've stumbled upon it and started to listen and enjoy again. While it's not the best tune out there, I'm still wondering what other people might think of it, so I'd like to make a nomination:

* Artist: Satoshi Kadokura
* Album/Game Title: Metal Saga ~Chain of Sandstorm~ Original Soundtrack
* Track Title: Route 99
* Disc Number: 1
* Track Number: 4
* Catalog Number: INCD-E0101
* Year: 2005
* Sources: http://www.gmronline.com/info.asp?Ca...r=INCD-E0101~3

Jam it back in, in the dark.