[SotW] Song of the Week - WEEK 167 Voting/WEEK 168 Nominating

Alright, time to nominate something.

Artist: Mathias Rudsengen (cycerin)
Game Title: Castle Crashers
Track Title: Winterbliss
Year: 2008
Sources:
Castle Crashers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Castle Crashers
Winterbliss (will start streaming automatically)

Note:
The developer of the game hired some of the artists at the Newgrounds Audio Portal for their music. They licensed some of their older works and also asked some of them to produce custom tracks for the game. As far as I know, Winterbliss was one of the licensed tracks, but since it's rather obscure and hasn't been published anywhere else except for the Newgrounds Audio Portal, I think it's still eligible.

I'm a bit confused by the footnote on licensed music on the Nomination Phase - SotW Wiki page, so correct me if I drew wrong conclusions.

Also, I don't know how to describe the album, since it's neither OST nor Gamerip, so I guess I'll just call it Castle Crashers.

I uploaded it to the FTP.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

As far as I know, he didn't work on other video game soundtracks before, so I guess it won't pass by the "original piece of professional VGM composer" rule.

As being said, I don't really get where the rules are trying to go, whether it's

"keep out music that is mostly known by its original source rather than the game it appeared in"
or
"keep out all music that wasn't specifically composed or arranged for a game"

I interpreted them in the former meaning, but I might be wrong, and some people apparently interpret them the other way, too. So probably someone who contributed to the rules would know more about the original intentions behind them.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

That's a valid concern... But I think it's pretty well defined by the rules on the Wiki (rule 4 and footnote 2) that since the original source would not be eligible for nomination, it would not be eligible when later included in a game.

Yeah, that's pretty clear, the thing I don't understand though, is that if only tracks where the original source is eligible get through, then why do we even need this footnote, since the nominator could just nominate the track from the original source in the first place.

I'm pretty sure I'm missing something here, a concrete example of when this footnote would apply would be greatly appreciated.

Originally Posted by Kaleb.G

Until we can agree on a decision, CHz and I are going to put this nomination on hold. However, you're free to change your nomination for now while we decide if this track should be accepted.

Sounds good to me, here we go.

Nomination

Artist: Lee Barber (The Orichalcon)
Game Title: Ioncross Freelancer: Total War
Track Title: Rochester Base Bar Music
Year: 2005
Source: Total War Music Soundtrack by TO and FIDGAF

This is neither a game rip nor an official soundtrack, as you can just download the files from their site. I uploaded it to the FTP. Also, this is probably as obscure as it gets.

Voting

Alien Soldier (Game Rip) - 3-PRAYERS (3st. BGM)
The instrumentation is pretty cool, it doesn't even sound too chiptunish and the melody is even a little catchy after a few listens. It's still a bit too dissonant and in-your-face for my taste.

Catan (XBLA rip) - Soothing Theme
Well, the title says it, and I really like it, especially the part near the end. Although subtle, the melody really flows in this one.

La-Mulana (Game Rip) - Curse of IRON PIPE
I like the part starting at 0:41, although I don't find the other melodies too engaging and the instrumentation doesn't fit the tune so well either.

LaTale (Game Rip) - Viridianscape
It has a few very catchy parts, it's nicely varied and the instrumentation is superb.

Mass Effect Original Soundtrack - Virmire Ride
I like the dark feeling of this track. It varies just about enough to keep it from getting boring, so that's nice, but I think it could've been quite awesome if it did go further from the primary tune.

Paper Mario (Game Rip) - Sun's Tower
In-game, this one really stood out for me, since I find the track that plays in the area around it ("Clouds Over Flower Fields") to be absolutely horrible. On its own, it doesn't sound that great anymore, and the not-so-great synths are also rather noticeable in this particular track. Still, it sets a pretty nice mood and is sort of catchy in some parts.

Super Robot Wars OG Original Generations Original Soundtrack - TREUE
This one is pretty nice, although it doesn't really stand out in any way either. It gets a little repetitive by the end.

Tetris (Famicom Game Rip) - Technotris
The main melody is extremely catchy, and the piece doesn't even rely on it too much.

2 Points: Tetris (Famicom Game Rip) - Technotris
2 Points: LaTale (Game Rip) - Viridianscape
1 Point: Catan (XBLA rip) - Soothing Theme
1 Point: Mass Effect Original Soundtrack - Virmire Ride

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