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

Damn, I forgot all about TA, and I do own the actual game! Otherwise, I'd have nominated something sooner. All I remember was how spectacular the music was, and how it complemented the onscreen action, becoming more intense as things got hectic. I'm surprised to learn it was Jeremy Soule all along. Looking forward to this.

No one super huge happy fun time track this week, unfortunately.

(2 points) Wild Arms the Vth Vanguard Original Score Vol. 1 - Seeking the Blue Sky: I feel appropriately dirty picking a Wild Arms track in SotW, but it's deserved her. Has its western trappings and combines it with a villagey-feel. Happy and bouncey and enjoyable without overkill.

(2 points) Uplink - Hacker Elite (PC Game Rip) - The Blue Valley: It probably should be a bad thing that in 12 minutes there were no surprises and I knew exactly where it was going. Nonetheless, this is enjoyable stuff, and thankfully the track never loses its propulsive backbeat.

(1 point) Technosoft GAME MUSIC COLLECTION VOL.15 ~ BEST OF THUNDER FORCE - Fighting Back (ST1): Not much to say. Enjoyable synth.

(1 point) Armored Core Original Best Track - Ambiguity: I must be the only one who likes these Armored Core games. Trite at times (piano, breakneck dnb, etc.), but the song's agreeable enough.

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

I suppose I should vote, while I'm at it. The flash player is really nice, though Necromancer doesn't work at the moment. Props.

Ambiguity: Calming but almost emotional. Too bad it doesn't really DO anything other than be cool and calming. A perfect way to start off the contest playlist, though.

Brize Forest: The mediocre RPG battle song of the week.

Ending Score: I nominated the track, and I like it. Bugger. It has a cool movie-like quality that goes with the last movie in the game extrodinarily well.

Let's Go! Necromancer: Creepy sounding Japanese guy chanting in front of a slow meody? Uh...no thanks.

Fighting Back (ST1): The mediocre racing song of the week.

Four24: Yawn, but in a good way, sorta kinda. Nothing I would bother with for my hard drive, but it's okay.

The Blue Valley: This one, on the other hand, does have a place on my HD. Why? IT'S SO BIG! (Shawn Elliot voice) I enjoyed this one quite a bit, and it's long to boot. I have longer, but nice enough to make it a good combination.

Seeking the Blue Sky: Ooh, nice one. Almost a combination of Prince of Persia and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's good stuff, I like that comparison.

2 points each:
-Ending Score
-The Blue Valley
-Seeking the Blue Sky

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Dragon God sez:

• Artist: Masahiro Kajihara
• Album/Game Title: Triggerheart EXELICA OriginalSoundtrack - SOUND ANCHOR
• Track Title: STAGE 1 ~Exelica, Dancing at Dawn~
• Disc Number: 1 (of 1)
• Track Number: 4
• Catalog Number: N/A
• Year: 2007
• Sources: Just pulled it from the MP3's tags. :\

I was speaking idiomatically.

Argh. I wanted to nominate a Total Annihilation track at some point, too. Guess my plans will have to be put on hold for a while! Wait a minute, the TA track Sceptre X nominated is a track I wanted to nominate, too. Argh. But you'll be certain there's a very high chance that I'll support the track. :P

Nice week. Here's how I voted:

(2 points) Uplink - Hacker Elite (PC Game Rip) - The Blue Valley
It might be 12min long but the song never feels like it's that long. It might take a while to develop but it certainly was worth it. Agreeable instrumenttion also helps a great deal.

(2 points) The Sword of Xuan Yuan 4 - The Black Dragon Dances and the Cloud Flows (PC Game Rip) - Four24
For people who are remotely interested, this comes from a Taiwanese PC RPG set in ancient China (way before the Tang Dynasty). This song plays in a startling turning point in the game and the gravity of the event is perfectly captured by the simplicity of the song's presentation and thought-provoking melody. Actually, such tracks, down to the instrumentation, are rather common in Taiwan/HK swordfighting drama serials and flicks. :P

(1 point) Armored Core Original Best Track - Ambiguity
It took me several listens to warm-up to this even more but I'm glad I gave it a chance because it's very nice. I like how the track builds and it's interesting to hear how the various layers work together.

(1 point) Technosoft GAME MUSIC COLLECTION VOL.15 ~ BEST OF THUNDER FORCE - Fighting Back (ST1)
Nice and upbeat. The melody is lots to like. However, it lacks a bit of the mysterious X-factor to bump it up.

Freespace 2 was close to getting a point. I think it's pretty nice but too many good tracks this week. Wild Arms V was quite close too, but lacks more of the mysterious X-factor I've been looking out for this week. Call it personal whims. :P

Here's my Soule nomination:

* Album Title: Icewind Dale II Soundtrack
* Artist: Jeremy Soule
* Track Title: Heart of Winter Theme
* Source: http://www.tracksounds.com/reviews/icewind_daleII.htm; http://pc.gamezone.com/gamesell/p20183.htm; http://www.mobygames.com/game/window...winter/credits
* Disc Number: 01
* Track Number: 40
* Catalogue Number: NA
* Year: 2002
* Note: Although this is from the Icewind Dale II soundtrack, the nominated song is from the first Icewind Dale expansion: Heart of Winter. The IWD2 soundtrack is bundled together with the IWD2 Collector's edition box set.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

This is a weird week in the sense that I'm a little bit under whelmed by it as a whole, but it's downright painful cutting one of the top four tracks out of points. It has to be this way though, you all have forced my hand on the 3-2-1 distribution, because there's something here that's getting the shaft and needs a boost.

3 points - Armored Core Original Best Track - Ambiguity (getting skunked bad)
2 points - Uplink - Hacker Elite (PC Game Rip) - The Blue Valley (the s3m really does sound better)
1 point - Technosoft GAME MUSIC COLLECTION VOL.15 ~ BEST OF THUNDER FORCE - Fighting Back (ST1) (for the rockin' middle section)
0 points - Wild Arms the Vth Vanguard Original Score Vol. 1 - Seeking the Blue Sky (great song but it'll win without my help)

Nomination:

* Artist: Unknown
* Album/Game Title: Fur Fighters (kuttlas' game rip)
* Track Title: New Quack City
* Disc Number: N/A
* Track Number: 25 in the rip
* Catalog Number: N/A
* Year: 2001
* YouSendIt Link: http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.ph...5579FC68B10183
* Additional Information: A huge thanks to kuttlas for answering a long standing request for a rip of this game and making this nomination possible. Title came from myself. It's the name of the level this track plays in the game. However, the mp3 isn't tagged or named accordingly. No clue at all on the artist.

Edit: Gamefaqs lists some credits for this game, Nick Wiswell is noted as being the audio producer, but there's no composer or music credit.

FELIPE NO

(2 points) Wild Arms the Vth Vanguard Original Score Vol. 1 - Seeking the Blue Sky
(2 points) Shin Gouketsuji Ichizoku - Bonnou Kaihou (Game Rip) - Let's Go! Necromancer (Extended Version)
(1 point) The Sword of Xuan Yuan 4 - The Black Dragon Dances and the Cloud Flows (PC Game Rip) - Four24
(1 point) Dragon Valor (Game Rip) - Brize Forest

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

Ambiguity: I had a feeling this song would be shoved toward the bottom after my first listen to this weeks batch of songs. Anyways, it's my nomination but it's also still my favorite without any bias I think. This song really multiplies in quality after the first listen or two. I love the development in the song, very well done I think. It's too bad Kota Hoshino doesn't compose a large amount of songs for the Armored Core series anymore, (Saitoh seems to be taking over). I like the mood this song sets, partially a reason why I love the Armored Core series , along with the brilliant gameplay (it's a mystery why so many people don't like it).

Brize Forest: Decent song. Songs like this give a great fighting beat to a game. Although, these songs commonly are just mediocre, and don't amaze most of the time.

Ending Score: I really don't like the opening melody with the strings. The voices don't fit with it in the beginning. The development in the middle of the song was very well appreciated. Although, sadly, it doesn't resurrect the song from the depths of the ground. The ending wasn't the songs saviour either, too bad. Decent song.

Let's Go! Necromancer (Extended Version): :-) I not exactly sure why I like this song, slightly. The voices are just decent, but the melody is cool. But this doesn't compare to the recent cool, rockin' tracks (whatever you want to call them...). Slightly Cool nonetheless. (Many Artists yes?)

Fighting Back (ST1): Synth, these kinds of songs always sound better within the game it seems. Kind of a boring melody and overall presentation.

Four24: Hmm, an interesting nomination. I wouldn't have expected something exactly like this to come into the pool. The simplistic style is nice, I'm sure the scene or event this song is tied to would boost the impact somewhat.

The Blue Valley: A long song, reminds me of a composer I recently heard, making techno style sounds, but using actual instruments (I can't remember his name >.<). The melody is very enjoyable, cool development. Some of the parts of the song are on the brink of being completely boring. Cool.

Seeking the Blue Sky: I've always wondered if I would like the Wild Arms Series, but my budget just doesn't cut out for another RPG. I like this song, not surprised it's getting a good amount of points, it will probably get one from me too. I like this refreshing theme, very enjoyable.

~~~POINTS~~~

1st ---> Ambiguity 3pts
2nd ---> Seeking the Blue Sky 1pt
3rd ---> Four24 1pt
4th ---> The Blue Valley 1pt

5th: Let's Go! Necromancer (Extended Version)
6th: Brize Forest
7th: Fighting Back (ST1)
8th: Ending Score

I wonder when the time will come when I put a song above my own nomination, I'm almost waiting for it (but nominating a song just to lose and waste a slot seems silly). Anyways, Ambiguity and Seeking the Blue Sky were the top winners this week, but there was a big enough gap between the two that a 3 - 2 would seem out of place. Although, the Wild Arms song beat Four24 and Blue Valley (and Necromancer song, but you can only give out so many points). 6 and 7 are about the same, with #8 sitting rightfully at the end of the list.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

3 points-Seeking the Blue Sky (nom)
2 points-Brize Forest (really cool synth rock)
1 point-Let's Go! Necromancer (I recognized this one as "Let's Go! Yin Yang Fortuneteller" from New Power Instinct Matrimelee OST...Classic stuff, though I definitely prefer "Over Clock of Palpitation")

Fighting Back ranks out slightly...It's good, but not as pants-wetting as some of Technosoft's other shmup works.

Nothing else really caught my attention this week.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I have found out the name of the TA track, I'll bring it up now to save grief later. The track name I have in my first post (Guerra 1) is some odd Spanish playlist Windows Media Player gave me.

Revised nomination:
Title: Brutal Battle
Album: Total Annihilation
Artist: Jeremy Soule
Year: 1997
Source: http://www.tauniverse.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31517
Upload: In my first post.

Good to see that people have been meaning to nominate this track, it makes me feel like I have a chance.

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

3 points: Dragon Valor (Game Rip) - Brize Forest
1 point: Armored Core Original Best Track - Ambiguity
1 point: Wild Arms the Vth Vanguard Original Score Vol. 1 - Seeking the Blue Sky
1 point: Technosoft GAME MUSIC COLLECTION VOL.15 ~ BEST OF THUNDER FORCE - Fighting Back (ST1)

Xuan Yuan came close.

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

The Blue Valley. The main criticism seems to be length, but it wouldn't work nearly as well for me if it was shorter. It works as a track that sits under the action gaining energy before finally boiling over. Twice. There's a great bit at 6.47 where the thrust of action cuts out completely after a long simmering-down period following that first melody - you know at that point that the track's preparing to build to its true apex. The second melodic section is even prettier than the first, reaching majestic heights even, with the involvement of strings at 8.23. [3]

Let's Go! Necromancer. I like this sort of upbeat poppy music, as long as it's not too sugary or stale, and this is neither thanks to a good fusion of styles, and not taking itself too seriously. There's a eurobeat-like synth, oriental instruments, an electric guitar, that slow warbling bit, and a pick & mix of silly vocal samples and the like. The main vocals are also quite good, especially the punchy chorus. Fun. [2]

Ending Score. Not as dark as I would like it to be. The haunted voices have that great effect which makes them sound like they're coming from the beyond, but the plodding tune in the same section is far from other worldy. I'm quite neutral about the middle section. The track seals a point with the final section: the haunted ambience here reminded me of Tangerine Dream. I don't know their full body of work enough to say that with confidence, I'm thinking specifically 'Near Dark'. [1]

I was speaking idiomatically.

Please keep this open. I'll be voting a bit later.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I changed my votes listed here:
http://www.gamingforce.com/forums/sh...936#post405936

FELIPE NO

Looks like I'm due for a new nom. I'll have it by the end of the night.

Edit: And here it is now (/Omec)

* Artist: Kenichi Tsuchiya
* Album/Game Title: Shin Megami Tensei 3: Nocturne OST
* Track Title: Normal Battle ~Amala Network~
* Disc Number: 1 (of 2)
* Track Number: 18
* Catalog Number: N/A
* Year: 2003

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

Nomination:

Artist: Tim Bartlett
Album/Game Title: Immortal 3
Track Title: Ork
Disc Number: 2 (of 2)
Track Number: 12
Catalog Number: AKCD002~3
Year: June 15, 2006
Source: http://gamingforce.com/audio/gfa-albums.php?id=4337

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Votes coming very soon!

EDIT: OK!

Ambiguity - Does nothing for me. I mean, it's not bad when it starts out with the piano, but then the bad techno drum loop comes in, and it's just a lot of nothing. I honestly think I'd feel a lot differently if it had better-fitting drums (or none at all).

Brize Forest - It was nothing special before, and it's nothing special now. I will say that it's not bad. Gotta love that awful-sounding double snare drum hit.

End Credits - This one was at least interesting. Pretty decent stuff, and it's always nice to hear choral parts.

Let's Go! Necromancer - OK, this one was interesting...but in a different way. Kind of fun, in a way, but not something I'd normally listen to.

Fighting Back - Decent synth rock. Pretty ROCKIN' at the end without needless crazy noodling, and nice prominent bass.

Four24 - Ah, this is nice and peaceful. One I'd occasionally listen to when I want to hear something relaxing.

The Blue Valley - Beginning isn't bad. At around the 2:00 mark, I thought, "Ah, this is going to get good." I thought an awesome melody was going to come in, but it didn't. Fortunately, at 3:30 a melody does come in. Doesn't last long, though. Then at 5:40-ish, we get some pounding timpani. At least, I think that's what it is. At 7:53 things get a little more interesting with the bells, cymbal hits, and tambourine. Wow, it really doesn't seem like I've been listening to this for 8+ minutes. It goes by really quickly. Gasp, strings! Now it sounds kind of like an actual normal song (not that there's anything wrong with ambience and percussion/rhythm). Slooowing things down now as we approach the 10 minute mark. At 11:00, it's all happy with a bells melody again. And we've come to the end of our journey.

I have no idea why I wrote all that out like that.

Seeking the Blue Sky - The first song that is obviously quality from the get-go. I'm guessing this will be the winner.

So-so week.

2 pts. - Seeking the Blue Sky
2 pts. - Four24
1 pt. - The Blue Valley
1 pt. - End Credits

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Voting is closed!

1). [30] Wild Arms the Vth Vanguard Original Score Vol. 1 - Seeking the Blue Sky
2). [24] Uplink - Hacker Elite (PC Game Rip) - The Blue Valley
3). [19] Technosoft GAME MUSIC COLLECTION VOL.15 ~ BEST OF THUNDER FORCE - Fighting Back (ST1)
4). [14] Shin Gouketsuji Ichizoku - Bonnou Kaihou (Game Rip) - Let's Go! Necromancer (Extended Version)
5). [12] The Sword of Xuan Yuan 4 - The Black Dragon Dances and the Cloud Flows (PC Game Rip) - Four24
6). [11] Armored Core Original Best Track - Ambiguity
7). [10] Dragon Valor (Game Rip) - Brize Forest
8). [6] Freespace 2 (Game Rip) - Ending Score

Nominations will remain open because next week's a battle.

More to come about The Blue Valley in a little bit (my internet connection is being absolutely dreadful tonight).

Additional Spam:
And by "a little bit," I really meant a pretty sizable chunk. I'll be lucky to get this uploaded tonight.

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Well, two out of three isn't bad.

I really didn't care for the Hacker Elite track. I felt it meandered far too long and never delivered anything even close to a suitable payoff for the time invested. Every time I felt as though it was moving toward an escalation in the melody and pacing, it merely switched up the ambient sound effects.

I'm not one to hate on ambience; most times, I'll throw it a point if it's decent. But eleven minutes is much too long. "Uplink" was, to me, VGM's version of a used car salesman, feeding me just enough to keep me interested, yet never delivering on any of the promise of excitement. In the end, I felt like I'd been bamboozled.

I would've liked to see Four24 or Let's Go! Necromancer take that space instead.

But what can you do?

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

Oooooh!! I envy you Shanks! Third place on your first ever SotW!!!!! And it was a puny arrange; I just gave you points because of my Thunder Force loyalty and the nice tune. Oh well, I met the winners head on! It's about time.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I'm with Crash on Blue Valley. Very tiresome; don't know what all the fuss was about. But props where props are due, I suppose.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Crash Landon

I felt it meandered far too long and never delivered anything even close to a suitable payoff for the time invested. Every time I felt as though it was moving toward an escalation in the melody and pacing, it merely switched up the ambient sound effects.

I'm not one to hate on ambience; most times, I'll throw it a point if it's decent. But eleven minutes is much too long. "Uplink" was, to me, VGM's version of a used car salesman, feeding me just enough to keep me interested, yet never delivering on any of the promise of excitement. In the end, I felt like I'd been bamboozled.

Agreed. Sure, I gave it a point, but it's just one point because it was kind of interesting. Like you said, there were a number of places where it felt like it was leading up to something bigger, but then it just changed the instruments a bit and started off in a different direction leading nowhere. For it to get 2nd place seems really odd to me. Of course, I should be used to SotW's odd results by now.

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