Song of the Week - WEEK 68 Voting/WEEK 69 Nominating

Week 68 Voting is closed.
Week 69 Nominating is restricted.

Week 68 Voting
The rules for voting can be found here.

Final Result:
1st: Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix)
2nd: Dreamfall : The Longest Journey Original Soundtrack - The Hospital Room
3rd: Rainbows - Chris Hlsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme)

Notes:
If you are a member at more than one of the forums which this event is being held at, please nominate and vote in only ONE of the forums. You may, however, comment in the threads at any of the other forums.
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Two bonus songs related to Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme) have been uploaded to the extras directory. Power Game Hits - Chris Huelsbeck - The Giana Sisters is the original track that Giana Sisters (Theme) is a remix of, and Dr.Future - Giana Sisters is a remix of the track from Remix.Kwed.Org.

Week 69 Nominating
The Nominations Queue can be found here.
The rules for nominating can be found here.

Here are the links to the corresponding threads at the other forums:
- Chudah's Corner
- Soundtrack Central

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Awww booo my track is next week. Oh well, this week sounds intersting so far. I'll edit later with votes.

EDIT: UGH! Nevermind... What a underwhelming week. Oh well! The point spread:

3 Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix)
2 Drag-on Dragoon Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 - Twelfth Chapter Sky
1 Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme) <---- Reminds me of that catchy Lemmings song from BSC 2005




A note about my nomination: The area that song is used in is called Reynard Beach. I guess that's a better track title than BGM_3018.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

3 points - Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme) - I don't think there was a single body part of mine that wasn't tapping along with this song. Very catchy, very fun. I love music like this.

2 points - Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix) - This is a very good ambient track. There were nice sounds used in this, and things slowly built up very well. It still kept the feel of urgency that would come with a battle track with subtle sounds too.

1 point - KUKEIHA CLUB pro-fusion ~TOKIMEKI MEMORIAL~ - The Ambition of Cultman - This song switched up things a few times. The intro was decent, then the song switched to rockin' for a bit with a guitar and bass that I really liked, then went into a nice jazzy section. The first three minutes of the song won me over enough to give it a point for sure.

The other songs were pretty good, except for The Hospital Room, which I just did not enjoy at all. Twelfth Chapter Sky was also a bit iffy. I thought the track was going somewhere else at the end, and was expecting it all to build to something, and the end just left me dissatisfied.

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

Quote:

3 Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix)
2 Drag-on Dragoon Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 - Twelfth Chapter Sky
1 Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme) <---- Reminds me of that catchy Lemmings song from BSC 2005

But, but... This was to be the track that pulled in zero points the way Irrevocable Dream failed to do. Aw well.

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

Nomination time:
* Album Title: Dynomite (Game Rip)
* Artist: Skaven
* Track Title: Endless Puzzle
* Source: ME
* File Location: Nominations Folder
* Year: 2002

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Originally Posted by Dr. Uzuki

But, but... This was to be the track that pulled in zero points the way Irrevocable Dream failed to do. Aw well.

Which one?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

My internet connection is finally (apparently) stable--no more long periods of being offline, no more shuffling to the library for 'net access, and best of all, no more late SoTW thread creation! Sorry about all the inconvenience it caused.

EDIT:
Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix) This piece vacilates between the ever-popular techno-funk genre and pure techno. Despite being essentially tuneless and ambient, it does a good job of conveying a tense mood, sort of like Mark Snow's X-Files underscore. The latter portion, which is louder and faster, is less evocative in this respect. I kept hoping for this to build to something, but that moment never came.

Bakumatsu Roman The Second Act Gekka no Kenshi ~Flowers Blooming on the Moon, Flowers Scattering on the Wind~ Arrange Sound Trax - First Movement "Swordsman of Gekka ~ Decision at Daybreak" (Theme 1) Try as I might, the ridiculously-long parody titles I sometimes invent simply can't compete with the real thing. The string arrangement on display here is typical of most Japanese arrangements, as is the flat orchestration. The resulting mix saps the power from what should be monumental and moving, leaving it sounding tinny and silly to me. Where's Kaoru Wada when you need him?

Drag-on Dragoon Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 - Twelfth Chapter Sky Label me a hater if you must, but I just can't get into DoD's particular brand of chaotic and dissonant orchestral writing. "Sounds like the CD is skipping" just doesn't belong in the same sentance as "music" in my book.

Dreamfall : The Longest Journey Original Soundtrack - The Hospital Room I tend to love wordless vocals, so this tune was naturally right up my alley. It's almost lullaby-like in construction, and the vocalist is well-supported by a small ensemble that lends power and depth to her performance. It verges on the melodramatic at times, but it doesn't bother me.

KUKEIHA CLUB pro-fusion ~TOKIMEKI MEMORIAL~ - The Ambition of Cultman Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-CULTMAN! This be jazz-funk and its lounge-lizard stylings don't intrigue me, nor does the lack of any structure. As I said more eloquently elsewhere, when music gets too impovisational, it just sounds like elevator music to me (at best--sometimes it's chaos that saps lifeforce from listeners).

Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme) A bit synthier than the other entrants this week, but also more melodic and structured. Bouncy, upbeat, and fun, with a cute melody and slight techno edge.

Rogue Galaxy Premium Arrange - THE LABYRINTH The beginning is a little meandering and chaotic, but things pick up later on with impressive percussion and brass but so-so woodwinds. Like the first track this week, I felt as if things were building up to a big payoff, but again it never comes. The meandering would have been forgiven if a poweful statement of theme had come along, but instead the song simply runs out of steam.

Tengai Makyou ~ The Apocalypse IV - Original Soundtrack - The Twelve Apostles Battle This sounds vaguely familiar--was it perhaps in the BSC? There are hints of a badass battle track here--the faint hum of the synthesized guitar melody buried under layers of sound design, the organ-led opening--but the majority of the track is just techno loops. The mixing here is simply unforgivable, as it foregrounds the uninspired trance over everything else. Properly handled, this tune and instrument set could produce a powerhouse, but botched like this, it sounds like those apostles were at a dance-off.

Disappointing week with only a few standouts; I supose that's to be expected coming off of a better-than-average bunch last time.

The Point Spread
Hospital Room - 3 pts.
Giana Sisters - 2 pts.
Shadowland Battle Remix - 1 pt.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Manny Biggz

Awww booo my track is next week.

Sorry about getting you psyched up, only to have your nomination be bumped, Manny. Things like this do happen. While it is quite unfotunate, it is a way to give new participants an incentive to partake in SotW. And we do need participants! Also noted your nomination edit. Will amend at a later time; kind of swamped with work at the moment.

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

Quote:

Tengai Makyou ~ The Apocalypse IV - Original Soundtrack - The Twelve Apostles Battle This sounds vaguely familiar--was it perhaps in the BSC?

AFAIK, the closest it came to any of those is the first battle track contest where it had 15 and lost the random drawing of which 15's got in. I actually went to bump it to 16 to ensure it a place, but I did at the last possible second, and in haste posted the bump in the DISCUSSION thread instead of the nominations thread.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I wish I had time to vote last week, as I found its selection much better than the current offerings.

3 point(s) :: Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix)

2 point(s) :: Bakumatsu Roman The Second Act Gekka no Kenshi ~Flowers Blooming on the Moon, Flowers Scattering on the Wind~ Arrange Sound Trax - First Movement "Swordsman of Gekka ~ Decision at Daybreak" (Theme 1)

1 point(s) :: Dreamfall : The Longest Journey Original Soundtrack - The Hospital Room

"Shadowland Battle Music" was pretty cool sounding, despite being largely ambient. No comments about the other tracks, except to say I felt the extra Giana Sisters tracks were unnecessary.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

HOLY COCONUT CRACKERS

This is my new favorite week of all time. All it needs is 3 great chiptunes and it would've been perfect.

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

I was half hoping for another sudden wave of new nominators to push my nomination into another holding pattern, but I finally caught a break. I still hold the record for consecutive weeks bumped, however. Awesome.

Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix) - I'm not entirely sure where I stand on this track. It changes its complexion so many times that I was left a bit puzzled. I liked it, then I didn't, then I did, then I didn't, and so on. Its ambient qualities are nice but it's also rather erratic and the continuity is greatly disrupted.

Bakumatsu Roman The Second Act Gekka no Kenshi ~Flowers Blooming on the Moon, Flowers Scattering on the Wind~ Arrange Sound Trax - First Movement "Swordsman of Gekka ~ Decision at Daybreak" (Theme 1) - This one easily wins the award for "Longest Title for a Nomination Ever". It's another one of those melancholy tracks that a lot of people really get into. The instrumentation's very well done, so I give this piece a lot of credit where it's due. But the mood's not what I'm usually into. However, I acknowledge that it's one of the week's stronger tracks and think it was a fine nomination.

Drag-on Dragoon Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 - Twelfth Chapter Sky - "Ear Rape". Yeah, I see what you meant, Uzuki. If I'm to be at all sincere, I don't like this track at all. It's monotonous and the editing effects to give it some kind of creepy "broken record" effect are annoying as anything I've ever heard. Maybe this was your goal all along, Uzuki, but I can't give this any points.

Dreamfall : The Longest Journey Original Soundtrack - The Hospital Room - It's soothing and serene, but also a tad dull. There are days where I could enjoy this track but I doubt it would ever rise to the upper echelons of my usual playlist.

KUKEIHA CLUB pro-fusion ~TOKIMEKI MEMORIAL~ - The Ambition of Cultman - This one's pretty good. I'm feeling the groovy flow. Jazzy nominations tend to go over well with me and this is certainly no exception. While it lacks a bit in having no clear hook, it's got a nice, organic sensibility in its progression. I agree that it sounds a little bit like elevator music, but it's upscale elevator music at least.

Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme) - Incoming bias alert! I'm a huge fan of well-layered synths and upbeat, effective melodies, so it's only fitting that I nominated this track. I won't go on forever about it, since it stands quite effectively on its own. I just think it's one of the most addicting synth melodies I've ever heard.

Rogue Galaxy Premium Arrange - THE LABYRINTH - I've listened to this album a few times before. I was rather hopeful, as it contains some strong composer credits, but the feeling of most of the tracks is what I consider to be fairly typical of the genre. Not that they're bad, but it's just quite expected. They work in the game very well, but outside, it doesn't do a lot to grab my attention. Militaristic tracks need some kind of special "oomph" for me to be impressed, since heavy drums, flutes and brass hits are quite often very standardized. THE LABYRINTH is above the curve but it still doesn't break any barriers.

Tengai Makyou ~ The Apocalypse IV - Original Soundtrack - The Twelve Apostles Battle - I can't put my finger on precisely why, but I like this track. It goes against my usual preferences but there's something in the bass, I think. It's energetic, and that helps it a lot.


Point Spread

3 Points: Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme)
1 Point: Bakumatsu Roman The Second Act Gekka no Kenshi ~Flowers Blooming on the Moon, Flowers Scattering on the Wind~ Arrange Sound Trax - First Movement "Swordsman of Gekka ~ Decision at Daybreak" (Theme 1)
1 Point: Tengai Makyou ~ The Apocalypse IV - Original Soundtrack - The Twelve Apostles Battle
1 Point: KUKEIHA CLUB pro-fusion ~TOKIMEKI MEMORIAL~ - The Ambition of Cultman

Originally Posted by Kaleb

No comments about the other tracks, except to say I felt the extra Giana Sisters tracks were unnecessary.

Well, that's why they're "extras", now isn't it?

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

Originally Posted by Crash Landon

Well, that's why they're "extras", now isn't it?

Yes, except that extras are typically reserved for alternate encodings or original versions. But most importantly, I thought all three versions were too similar melody-wise.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Elorin

Sorry about getting you psyched up, only to have your nomination be bumped, Manny. Things like this do happen. While it is quite unfotunate, it is a way to give new participants an incentive to partake in SotW. And we do need participants! Also noted your nomination edit. Will amend at a later time; kind of swamped with work at the moment.

Hey it's cool man. I understand. I just had a nomination 2 weeks ago anyway. I'm just pumped see how this song does, because it's one of my favorite songs of all time. (not just VG music either)

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Crash

Maybe this was your goal all along

Well, in particular, my goal wasn't a punch to the ears to everybody in the most base way. I've been frustrated about some noms that I've believed in doing poorly, it's been going on for awhile. I try, like most participants I'd assume, to make my nomination not only favorites of mine but something I can see having a realistic shot at contending. Because that makes the defeats disheartening, I wanted a break from caring at all. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't out to subject you all to something awful out of spite. I love Twelfth Chapter Sky, I just wasn't expecting anyone else would.

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WEEK 69 Nominating

Heyo ~ I hope I'm not doing this wrong. Hit me on my head if I am. Anyway, I'd like to nominate this song:

* Album Title: Xanadu Next Game Recording (rip)
* Artist: Falcom - Hayato Sonoda, Ishibashi Wataru, Murayama Takahide, Unisuga Takahiro
* Track Title: Evildoer
* Source: found on jap p2p
* File Location: here
* Year: 2005

This is from Falcom's Xanadu Next unreleased soundtrack. I found a fan recording today and thought it was so awesome it needed to be here.

edit: track title found

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

Originally Posted by Dr. Uzuki

Well, in particular, my goal wasn't a punch to the ears to everybody in the most base way. I've been frustrated about some noms that I've believed in doing poorly, it's been going on for awhile. I try, like most participants I'd assume, to make my nomination not only favorites of mine but something I can see having a realistic shot at contending.

It's kinda tough to do that when someone has a completely different taste from the majority.

How ya doing, buddy?

I have completely different taste from the majority? Perhaps this could be said recently of SotW, but I have ten nominations in the best song contest that are still alive as of round three. The only one out of the 11 to make it in given the boot by another nomination of my own. I wouldn't say that I'm that left of center.

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Originally Posted by Dr. Uzuki

I have completely different taste from the majority? Perhaps this could be said recently of SotW, but I have ten nominations in the best song contest that are still alive as of round three. The only one out of the 11 to make it in given the boot by another nomination of my own. I wouldn't say that I'm that left of center.

Hey, at least you're not as left of center as me, the guy who was surprised at the reaction to Road Avenger.

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

Originally Posted by Dr. Uzuki

I have completely different taste from the majority? Perhaps this could be said recently of SotW, but I have ten nominations in the best song contest that are still alive as of round three. The only one out of the 11 to make it in given the boot by another nomination of my own. I wouldn't say that I'm that left of center.

No, I didn't mean you. Sorry it came off as that. >_< I'm just speaking in general terms here.

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

Originally Posted by Dr. Uzuki

I have completely different taste from the majority? Perhaps this could be said recently of SotW, but I have ten nominations in the best song contest that are still alive as of round three. The only one out of the 11 to make it in given the boot by another nomination of my own. I wouldn't say that I'm that left of center.

I think what you're trying to say is that you have good taste in music when you try (witness your list). Otherwise, it's like a free-for-all at the local dump with you; even that perfectly good couch has a faint odor to it.

[/end dry sarcasm]

Onto the week, which acquitted itself decently.

(3 points) Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix): Long-lost cousin of the Ratchet and Clank series? It feels like, and that's a good thing. Seven minutes of pulsating industrial with enough understated leads to somehow pull the whole thing off.

(1 point) Dreamfall : The Longest Journey Original Soundtrack - The Hospital Room: What it does, it does well. Lovely wordless voices coupled with lilting orchestral support is a winner in my book.

(1 point) Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme): The man can compose. We get it. This isn't one of his better pieces I've heard, and it still has enough bouncy appeal to garner a point.

(1 point) Rogue Galaxy Premium Arrange - THE LABYRINTH: It has its moments, even if the whole thing doesn't feel like a cohesive whole.

Just missed a point: First Movement

Eh: Twelve Apostles Battle

A Huge Disappointment Given The Pedigree: Kukeiha Club - The Ambition Of Cultman

You Got Your Wish Uzuki, It Feels Like A Horrific Rejected Resident Evil Track: Twelfth Sky

I was speaking idiomatically.

Nomination time!

Album: ToBi D+VINE Complete Soundtrack Arrange Tracks
Title: Fly!
CD/Track: 2:3
Composer: Masashi Yano, Norihiro Furukawa
Year: 2004
Catalog Number: SRIN-1016~7
Source: http://chudahs-corner.com/soundtrack...og=SRIN-1016~7


I've been meaning to nominate something from this album for about a year now. Finally decided upon which track I liked the best. I'm not sure if there's been any offerings from SuperSweep in SotW yet. If not, here's the first.

How ya doing, buddy?

Decent week. Some tracks were good, others were blah.

(2 points) Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix)
This track slowly builds up some great ambience. Sounded nice, with some industrial elements in between parts. And the humming/piano combo near the end was just gorgeous.

(2 points) Rainbows - Chris Hülsbeck Volume 3 - Giana Sisters (Theme)
Very cute and upbeat. I have a fancy for most of Hülsbeck music anyways, so this was right up my alley.

(1 point) Drag-on Dragoon Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 - Twelfth Chapter Sky
Wasn't much of an "ear rape", and I found myself enjoying the weird structure after a couple of listens. Giving this a point for the very unique sound.

(1 point) KUKEIHA CLUB pro-fusion ~TOKIMEKI MEMORIAL~ - The Ambition of Cultman
Groovy stuff. Great drumwork throughout. I could loop this all day, and not get bored.

Last Blade 2 music is supposed to be good. Somehow, this arrangement was a bit dull at times. Twelve Apostles Battle was quite enjoyable. Also sounded like 80's music near the end. LABYRINTH started out mysterious and ended up being unmemorable. Hospital Room? First half was alright. And then it got scary and sounded like she was giving birth in there.

I skipped last week because of the exams, now let's spread some points!

3 points for Tokimemo

2 points for Drakengard

And the last one will be for Chris Hülsbeck

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

Oh no, tough week. I'm not entirely sure if I'll change my mind later but here're my votes:

(3 points) Anarchy Online Original Soundtrack Vol 02 - Shadowland Battle Music (Remix)
Guilty pleasure. :P Not sure why but the first time I heard this track, I was hooked. I recognise that it has faults but the entire package almost never fails to capture my undivided attention. My favourite section has got to be the piano solo. Beautiful.

(2 points) Dreamfall - The Longest Journey Original Soundtrack - The Hospital Room
Lovely vocals + beautiful melody = win
I really should get down to playing the game someday.

(1 point) Drag-on Dragoon Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 - Twelfth Chapter Sky
I quite like this kind of music, actually. Especially if it's done reasonably well. "Sky" could have been even better, in my opinion, but it's still pretty good as it stands. Very interesting modulation effects and some bits almost remind me of the traditional tape music techniques used by some experimental music composers in the past (e.g. John Cage). Also like how sounds travel between imaginary space in certain parts.

"Giana Sisters," "THE LABYRINTH" and "First Movement" just missed out. Really wished I had more points. Comments later today. *sigh* Have to work over the weekend.

Jam it back in, in the dark.