1991 GameWorld 1st Anniversary Album

1991 GameWorld 1st Anniversary Album
Arranged by Nam Sang Kyu


This one is going to be difficult to talk about. For one, this isn't even a published Album but rather an arrangement of popular 1991 game music. Secondly, No known information about what GameWorld is can be found, at least not in my hour long search of the interwebs. Lastly, it was originally on tape. Yep, a Cassette Tape. Despite all these unknowns to its origin its actually a rather nice little collection, if you can deal with the slightly muffled sound from its original tape incarnation to its MP3 Reincarnation. It has the feeling you are definitely listening to it from a Mono speaker even in Stereo.


The songs come from a wide array of games like King's Quest 2 to Thunder Force 3 many of which were released LONG before 1991. This album would be just a bit better had it not been independently released and with updated tracks, but the flow is consistent and varied enough that you don't want to turn it off before one quick listen. Super Shinobi has a total of 3 tracks from them which also happen to be my personal favorite. The song "China Town" has this funky guitar that enters halfway through and for some reason I can picture kid's walking through the mall and seeing the arcade in the distance. They run, arms full of greedy little quarters and tokens. Running amuck, seeing friends and hopping on Super Street Fighter II with them. I don't know why considering most of these tracks are from PC and Genesis/MegaDrive games. Just give it a listen and you'll know what I mean.


Mind the Dull Stereo and you'll be alright, I give it 2 and a half Sonny Bonds out of 5.

1943: The Battle of Midway

1943: The Battle of Midway
Capcom


I should preface this by saying I was never a Nintendo kid. Sorry, I wasn't. My parents let us make our decision as to what we wanted that fateful year in 1987 when the gaming biz was exploding in our little minds. We decided then and there to make a decision between Final Fantasy and Phantasy Star, between After Burner and 1943. Ultimately we went with the Sega Master System, come review time for those I will let you know the outpouring of nostalgia I have for those soundtracks. Those who choose the Plumber over the Hedgehog will also agree, perhaps 1943 is one of those game soundtracks that is better listened to under nostalgic trance then for enjoyment. On the surface the music is basic 8-bit shooter fun with bleeps and bloops tum-tumming away. The music is simple, yet effective if you've ever played the game. With Japanese planes flying by and missiles going all over the place with the occasional barrel roll it fits. Listening on your stereo not so great. Its generic Nintendo stereo. Nothing great or grand, nothing truly memorable or repeatable.


One more thing before I rate this sucka. The game is developed by Capcom, a Japanese Video Game company. The premise of the game is essential an American Fighter Pilot taking revenge during the Pacific Theater of WW2 against... the Japanese. This game was released in 1988, it was only 43 years ago that we left the war with the dropping of Atomic Bombs. If a soldier who loved electronics decided with recent technology to create a company that may or may not have become Capcom in recent years that means he could be only 64 years old when 1943: Battle of Midway came out under his regime. Wouldn't you want to maybe either make the game about the Japanese attacking Americans? I mean I'm not trying to be vulgar or something but everyone's got an opinion.


My opinion... For nostalgia I would give this game a 3 out of 5, but for pure enjoyment and as a Nintendo Outsider, I give it an 1 and a half Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Fighter Planes out of 4. Only 4 this time... those planes are freakin' huge.

1830: The Game of Railroads and Robber Barons

1830 Railroads and Robber Barons
George "The Fat Man" Sanger and David Govett


I'm a simple kind of guy. I like my music, food, books, and the occasional female interaction, and while I'm sitting in my bar playing a quick hand of poker while waiting for the train to roll on in I says to the Barkeep "Have that playa put on some patriotic music whud'ja?". Before you know it the ol' piano player pulls out his Casio and starts hammering out "This Land"  and "Dixie". That is exactly what 1830 Railroads and Robber Barons is. Cruise the internet for Midi's of America the Beautiful and there you have it. Feelin' like rustling up some old Window 3.1 memories, then pop in Railroads and Robber Barons. The music really isn't that bad, for MIDI standards that is, but the songs are the same tired and true Red, White, and Blues. Not something to keep, but something to download when your son has to give a presentation on the Continental Railroad.


I give it 1 and a half Snidely Whiplashes.

10th Anniversary Konami Label Theme Song Collection

10th Anniversary Konami Label Theme Song Collection
Various Artists (For more info visit: http://vgmdb.net/album/1391)


Say it three times fast: 10th Anniversary Konami Label Theme Song Collection, 10th Anniversary Konami Label Theme Song Collection, 10th Anniversary Konami Label Theme Song Collection!! Good, now remember it because as the Angry Video Game Nerd says "I F***in' LOVE Konami" and this Album goes on to prove that again. Some people criticize it for its very powerful opening of J-Pop songs only to falter under the more popular American tracks but I find the collection to be solid all around. The opening tracks mostly that of "Believe" and "Smile Again" have hard rocking guitar riffs and that cheesy 90s style that just cries Japan. As the album progresses the tone quickly changes with one of the more terrible songs ever in existence. "I am the Wind" the 'theme' song from Symphony of the Night is just awful. It's like listening to Kenny G, mixed in a blender with Celine Dion, and High School Sophomore girl poetry. It is terrible. Here is another example; go to an elementary school choir production. Now don't go there with the attitude of parents (that is assuming their child somehow has collectively taken all of the talent in the world and shines with radiance as they sing "Tiptoe through the Tulips") but rather that of Ebert. Bring tissues, your ears will bleed. 


I Am The Wind is directly in the middle of the album. After such a strong opening this song enters in and makes you wonder about continuing. If you make it this far, please go on. "Esperandote" from Silent Hill begins the 'slowing' down process. A moaning violin and waltzing accordian accompany the Opera-etic Latin performance by Rika Muranaka. "The Best Is Yet To Come" from Metal Gear Solid is a beautiful rendition. It is by far one of the slowest song on the entire album, but that does not make it bad. The singer, Aoife Ní Fhearraigh, voice is that of a haunting melody. Her gaelic delivery has a calming affect and as the song continues it takes on that more traditional Irish style. All in all, its a beautiful song... but the album doesn't end there. 


After a quick J-"slow jam" the album delivers one of the best, funniest, and most upbeat J-Pop songs you will ever hear. "Motto! MOTTO! Tokimeki" is one of the happiest songs in existence. You cannot listen to this song and frown, its impossible. It has one of those piano synth's that grinds in the background but its accompanied by a bubbly singer who at times seems to be whispering the lyrics, but more like one of those stage whispers where you are actually suppose to know what she is saying but its still a secret. The background singers chime in at some of the best moments and all around the song is laden in 80's greatness. Don't forget the only 'engrish' phrases sung in the background "Tell your Heart!". The guitar solo comes ripping through the middle followed by another 'whisper' session only to draw us into the chorus one last time! "TAKE A CHANCE!" on this song, its one of my favorites, might not be for you, but for me... its awesome.


This album, while not all J-Pop, and not all Calm Songs, is exactly what it claims. Its the 10th Anniversary of all Konami's most popular Theme Songs. It will please fans of J-Pop/Rock and it will please fans who prefer to listen to the quiet awakenings inside their rotting souls. Its perfect all around, one of the better collections out there.


I give it 4 and a Half Richter Belmont's outta 5

1080 Avalanche Disc Two and 1080 Snowboarding

1080 Avalanche - Disc Two (Gamecube) (Additional Music: Lawrence Schwedler)

1080 Snowboarding (N64) (Kenta Nagata)

Hey Dudes!

Do you like Snowboarding?! Do you like Techno?! If that is the case then you might tolerate the Second Disc of the Unofficial 1080 Avalanche soundtrack. Lawrence Schwedler's only composition on that terrible soundtrack is to provide a few courses with their music and menu screen music. However, its not bad, but the longest track of actual composed/remixed music is about 2:31. The rest of the soundtrack includes some more terrible ska rock and if then that falls flat.

HOWEVER, 1080 Snowboarding is composed by Kenta Nagata. Did you hear what I just said? Kenta Nagata!! Kenta Nagata is a Nintendo Composer who has worked on titles such as Mario Kart 64, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. His work is iconic in being really catchy, really fun, and really quirky. The ultimate in background lounging goodness. If only Nintendo had stuck with him for 1080 Avalanche we might have had some goodness flowing through us. Luckily 1080 Snowboarding happens to have the fresh funk style we love. Leave it to the older games to get it right. Kenta Nagata's style for 1080 Snowboarding plays like a watered down version of Jet Set Radio Future, and thats not a bad thing. With funky fresh 'sound bytes' included in a jumpy bassy theme, the soundtrack plays more like something you would expect from a video game as opposed to watching the X-Games Band Sponser. The flow from song to song is great as far as actually listening to it from track one on. Wherein the first few tracks have a funky feel just as you are getting sick of it the style switches to more of a techno rock. There are two tracks on the 'soundtrack' version as opposed to the Game that actual add the lyrics back in. This unfortunately kills the mood that Kenta Nagata sets up, and the voices sound muddled. All in All Kenta Nagata adds that style to it that makes you actually want to snowboard, or at least play some 1080, just take the two tracks out that aren't so great. (Grasp Power and Vacant Lives)

In conclusion,

1080 Avalanche for the Gamecube sucks. The music sponsored sucks, the menu music sucks. Its a bad choice. Don't bother at all.

1080 Snowboarding for the Nintendo 64 is great. Its fresh, yet classic and the tracks don't drag on and on. Its fun to play when driving around or maybe doing something that needs a little more action and I would recommend muting the TV while playing 'Avalanche' and instead pop in the soundtrack for some real 'Snowboarding'! 

I give it Three and a Half Tye-Dye Helmet Covers out of Five! 

1080 Avalanche Disc One

1080 Avalanche - Disc 1 (Gamecube)
Artists: Finger Eleven, JP, Socketzero, Squidd, Really Bad Bands


I have to review this one today, or else I don't know when I'll ever have the balls to listen to the music again. This game, at least the first disc, is awful. I don't mean in the way where you listen to it just so you can say "Man, this is so terrible its good" I mean awful, flat out terrible. Why is it so terrible? Well, with the invention of games to CDs the ability to put more memory and better sounds also came. Unfortunately games based on Sports got the grand idea to not create their own soundtrack but rather let the leading bands of the day supply them with it instead. I have not yet listened to the second disc, nor have I listened to 1080 Snowboarding, the predecessor, but I can tell you this, if you happen to like bad bitchy lyrics that have no merit with continuous C chord guitar riffs, and drummers that should have stayed in their parents basement then I think you might enjoy the first disc. For the rest of us who know what music is (with lyrics or without) and who would much rather prefer to listen to their only child's death rattle then Finger Eleven's chirping I think its safe to say "STAY THE FUNK AWAY FROM THIS!"


I give it a Zero. So bad, it doesn't even deserve its own rating chart.


P.R. If you happen to like any of the above mentioned bands, I'm sorry... I don't. Never have. Never will. Put on some Faith No More and call me in the morning.

007 - Nightfire (Composed by Jeff Tymoschuk)

007 - Nightfire
Jeff Tymoschuk


Listening to the first few tracks of 007 Nightfire is like being engaged in epic fights with Bond all over the place. With track titles like "Paris By Helicopter" and "Enemies Vanquished" it is possible to forget that you are actually listening to a Video Game Soundtrack and not the latest Bond Movie. The Synth is actually good to the effect of the other sounds, however the horns at times can be annoying. As the Soundtrack continues on the Bond Theme that becomes ingrained in the songs starts to get annoying and you only wish by the end that the album could somewhat have its own creative license. Not much else can be said about this one, its an Action Game, with an Action Soundtrack, set to the Action Packed Theme of James Bond. If I could recommend one track out of this it would be "Jungle Assault" It pulls off the double bass, synth, and James Bond theme the best. Jeff Tymoschuk (Who sounds like a Russian Antagonist from a Bond flick already) did his job but nothing other than Bond shooting guys really comes out.


I give it Three Golden Guns Outta Five.