Mizar Attacks: OverClocked Review

[Shrikeswind]

Larging it, big tunes on the decks. You know the score.

So I have a list of favorite video game soundtracks which, unsurprisingly, matches pretty well with my list of favorite video games. Not perfectly, but generally. And on both of my Top 5 lists (game in general and game soundtrack), we see Jet Force Gemini, which has, bar none, my favorite soundtrack in a video game. So when OCRemix started uploading a new album full of that sweet N64 jam, I knew I wanted in, partly because I love the soundtrack, but also because there's basically no JFG content out there so I'm always going to check it out when someone drops that sort of a bomb on me. I'll be posting a review of one track every day until either I catch up to the release schedule or the entire album is released. This one goes out to the bugs with beat. Give it loads.



So this is Ruins in the Deep, a remix by Sam Dillard of the Water Ruin theme. In-game, this is one of my top three favorites, so I had high hopes coming into this one. While I'll be talking more about the album as a whole when it's actually out, I'll state right here that I'm definitely docking points for how loosely the album does a lot of its mixes, and you'll definitely be hearing more about that in later mixes. Ruins in the Deep, however, is a very conservative mix, capturing the feel of the original track while also being a pretty close match to the melody. Ruins adds a very ethereal touch to the track, however, with vocals, violins, and chimes that create a beautiful counterpoint to the more somber aspect of the song and track.

I have two big issues with this track, both of which are rather ironic. The first is that it's almost too conservative - it feels less like a remix and more like a remaster, which is great, but the album at large seems more focused on doing something unique with the soundtrack. It doesn't always meet the mark for me, but conceptually there's a lot of promise there. The second is that Ruins in the Deep gets loud, which is ironic because that's what I love about the soundtrack in general. From the absolute second you turn on the game, Jet Force Gemini drives home that it's got a big score. But Water Ruin was a much quieter song, appropriately subdued to match the Atlantean aesthetic and the utter lack of any tension whatsoever on the stage. These issues combined lose a point for this track, but Sam definitely did good work on this track. 9/10, hard recommend.

[Shrikeswind]

Today's review is Anthem Anubis by bLiNd, a remix of the SS Anubis theme. This song is my absolute top pick from the soundtrack, so bLiNd had his work cut out for him to impress me with this mix (not that bLiNd was trying to impress me, but...) And holy crap does bLiNd deliver. Like much of the soundtrack and especially the ship levels, the Anubis has a very orchestral theme in-game. I'm not entirely sure I like the direction bLiNd took in making this a dubstep mix, but it does have its benefits, since it gives the song a bit of funk. My concern is that in some places it feels like this mix is trying to make the powerful melody of the original share the spotlight with something that should have been more background. bLiNd does have the sense to keep the melody up front, though, so I can't get too concerned. Minor note, I like the addition of that brassy M. It's such a great flourish for the Anubis theme. Very bold.

All told, this is an excellent piece and I can't really find much significant to fault. It's a great party mix for a great song. bLiNd definitely delivered on this track, earning this one full marks. 10/10, hard recommend.