OCR01034 - Wizards & Warriors 'Theme'

[djpretzel]

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

[Israfel]

You know, I didn't think much of this until around the 2:00 mark when the vocoder really starts to take center stage.

The arrangement isn't exactly mindblowing, but man that vocoder sounds cool. 3:09 in particular is pure gold. 8) I'm also reminded of Carlos, but mainly because she's the only artist that I listen to who makes regular use of that particular sound. ^_^

Groovy work.

[Dj Orange]

Pretty damn cheesy. But that's a stylistic complaint. The vocoder effects are evidence that lots of skill went into this mix, but sadly I just can't get into this garish techno stuff.

I like the bassdrum, but the other drum-work is average, in my opinion. :?

[Fray]

Ooooooh yeah. This is good. Really good. I have a feeling I'm gonna be listening to this one a lot in the next few weeks :)

I'm curious to know if any of this was made on a real analog synth? The sounds are pretty convincing in that regard.

My biggest gripe is the last minute or so... There just isn't much going on and it's rather boring relative to the rest of the piece. In general though, the arrangement is incredibly clean and musical. The vocoded stuff is cool but I think my favorite part is at 1:30 when the arpeggiated harmony kicks in. That's the part that elicited the "oooooh yeah" in the first paragraph, if you're wondering :P

Great stuff! Thanks for creating this.

Fray.

--- Edit ---

According to www.bazooie.com, the sounds were done with Buzz. Further proof that Buzz ownz yo mana. Btw, I listened to some of the other music on the site -- "an exercize in futility" is hella cool. Check it out, yo!

--- Edit ---

[Oddity]

Nice and different, but what's with the title?

[Atomic Dog]

You know, when I first listened to this, I was really turned off. It was ALL over the place, and that apparant lack of fluidity was really bugging me. But, ever the curious listener, I followed the link in DJPs description and downloaded all his other songs. I've been listening to them on repeat/shuffle for about an hour now, with this song included, and I have to say, it's really really really grown on me.

I think part of the problem is, when I go to review a song, I really make an effort to consciously listen to it. And I think that was messing things up for me. But when I queued all his other songs and sat down to read for class tomorrow, I found my head bobbing, my ankle thumping to the beat, and I realized - hey! I really like this!

I get the impression that bazooie probably does a lot of continuous mixing (like at a club or something), becuase that's how a lot of this sounds. It's all over the place, but when you just let it fill the room, you see how perfectly it all fits together.

Damn good job.

[Rellik]

Heh...

I mean...

I had stopped learning Buzz. I will now continue.

8O

I don't know the original... and I'm guessing the arrangement isn't exactly all the original anyway, so I'm assuming the original sounded pretty similar.

The vocoded synths acted almost like Cello's... they were so fluid; and the idea for there to be 2, that is GENIIUS. The lead buzzy analoguish thing is not perfect, but certainly not bad... sometimes it sounds sort of too flat for my taste, but it's really fine.

The percussion, I think I can learn alot from, really. Simple, no complicated driving forces, but it backs everything up very nicely, and is not repetetive.

At around 0:32, where that gated-sounding synth comes in, is lack-luster. The melody takes a very prominent position, and the melody, in my opinion, sounds more like a counter-melody that should have stayed in the back.

But... I can't believe how much this ReMix affected me. It's unbelievably fluid... and even from a game I've never played, it is... amazing. I think I did less than the credit the arrangement was due, earlier in this post. I think that orchestration plays a part in arrangement, and the orchestration of this is really what makes it so great. Perfectly balanced (almost).. always musical and fluid without being completely rhetorical and uninteresting.

...this really goes up there with Pachelbel's Gannon and Love Hurts and Revival Day Impoetus and IceCapped and all those (I don't like to rank, but I feel it doesn't do any injustice to at least show what this remix is comparable to).

[Kamikaze Noodle]

Some of the synths I felt could've been made better but overall this was a very satisfactory track. I'm not exactly balls-out about it like DJP but I have to admit that vocoded synth is DAMN SWEET. I really really wish though that some of those cheesy synths were, I don't know, less glaring. A very important thing I felt from this song though was a sense of actual emotion. Oh, and that vocoded synth was DAMN SWEET. I really love that Matrixy effect at 2:00, and the pseudo classical feel is perfect for the style bazooie was goin for. A well done track to be sure, and that vocoded synth was DAMN SWEET.

The last minute felt tacked on though. Didn't really need to be there.


And that vocoded synth is... aww hell you know more songs need vocoder love.

[Hakken]

Some of the best mixxes include emotion, and I think this piece hits it right on the head. It has that bittersweet meloncholy feel to it, almost haunting if you will. The vocoding was done great and never abused. What were the lyrics? It sounded like actual words being sung. This one is definately gonna be in my head for weeks. I'm with DJP on this one, two thumbz up! :D

[neostormx]

I'm always moved by this score, and this remix compliments that score so well its uncanny. I was immediately brought back in time to the 80s. The percusion could use work, but I wouldnt change the way it is. It makes it feel more 80's. Definitely does grow on you after a while. Good job all around!

[MTBE]

Wow bazooie, I think the people like it! Your voice is like a gift from God, herself. . .

[Kuros]

Wow... I love this piece. The game and the music has been some of my favorite for a very long time (I even use the heros name ifrom the series in most aliases that I make), and you did this piece more than justice.

10/10 in my book.

[gilead42]

Man, this song bring me back. I love Wizards & Warriors on the NES. Anyway great remix. It has (in my opinion) a rap song feel. Good job. 10/10

[WolfymoZ]

Very interesting, i liked the vocoder work. Nicely done.

Reminds me of playing that game, years ago. They shoulda had this music instead of the music they had. haaha!

[Xelebes]

Ooh... a mix with a substantial amount of vocals. This is a keeper just for that. And I likes vocoding...

And I just like the arrangement...

Ooh... the vocoding gets even BETTER... nice...

And I likes that drum.

My only complaint would be that the high is a bit too hot... but that is probably me, no?

[Fygee]

I've always been a gigantic fan of 70's synths and mellotrons (chorus sound + melltron strings = god), and the use of voice distortion, and its really great to see someone trying to replicate that style. As a result, you can probably figure that I listen to a lot of Moody Blues and pre-80's Genesis.

The song is fairly hit and miss.

Some of the synths are dead on, especially that small little "wow wow wow" sounding one at the end. The use of the vocoder is nice as well, its not too loud or far in the front, and doesn't overpower the song. The beat is also nice without becoming boring or repetitive.

Unforunately, the percussions sounds feel very weak and remind me a little too much of those $30 Yamaha or Casio keyboards you could pick up at Sears during the 80's. The percussion sound is also a little too loud and too forward in the stereo channels. The main synth is also too loud. Finally my last little gripe is the singer (which I'm assuming is the same person as the remixer), sounds a little too much like he's a part of a 1st grade musical play about how healthy vegetables are or something. In other words, singing because he has to, not because he wants to. He also sounds like his voice is in a "half-whisper", instead of a proper volume, which is needed to get the full effect from a vocodor.

Overall good song, but not perfect. I'd really, really like to see more songs that fit this style in the future.

[Slice O' Pie]

Considering this theme is one of those I used to leave my NES on just to listen to back in the day, I tend to be fairly discriminating when it comes to remixes of it. I've only REALLY dug a few that I've heard, and this one certainly makes that list. As DJP said in a much more eloquent fashion, this mix is quite choice.

[averageteenager]

I really liked it, i like those synth pop techno crap noises, does anyone know what the distorded voice is saying in it i think i know but i'm not sure

[Kreepster]

whoa! im no pro on remixes, i just know i love em! and techno is my style. dude this is one of best i think ive heard yet....love the beat and mealody at 1:25[/img]

[Vortex RuneCutter]

I'm not one to review remixes, mostly because of the lack of knowledge of terms. But I will give my opinion on this remix.

I like it a lot.

[Evilhead]

I really love this mix... I think it's my new favorite of the entire site, replacing Mazedude's A Boy and His Blob mix... I love all the retro stuff going on here, and all the various complexities. It is mixed and recorded perfectly. The ending is really nice, repeating and fading out perfectly. I don't know what else to say other than great job!!

[Facade]

It's an awesome remix and it's in my list of them, but I have one question. Can you/anyone tell me what your singing? Trying to think (busy right now...can't listen this minute) of what I've got out of the words so far..."Ecstasy" and "Set me Free"?

[Trenthian]

If you are listening bazooie, or rather reading... I would just like to say thank you man. Thanks, this song once you've listened past the 100th listen becomes a deeper part of ones life, it has changed the way I think of harmonics. Thanks.

[Jaxvon]

I have to admit that upon first listen, it sounded really cheesy and annoying. After a few more times through though, I began to really hear the hidden beauty of this mix. I am a little partial to synth stuff, but this song is just good anyway. The vocals sound like shit at first, but their almost ambient nature starts to grow on you. After 5 or 6 times, you almost go into a trance. This seriously makes me feel kinda creepy...I really can't describe it's effect on me very well. All I know is, it gets really good after awhile, so give it a chance.

[Trenthian]

I have one request, can someone tell me what he is saying?

the lyrics, I cant tell what they are... I dont know if you are supposed to know

but it sounds like he just wants to go to bed.

::goes back into a trance listening to this wonderful mix,:

in the verybeginning I just noticed the drum playing over the synth
very cool

[bazooie]

hi all. i'm glad you enjoy the remix. when i release the album later this year, i'll master it to a higher quality.

i've had a few requests for the lyrics so here they are in their full unadulterated, cheesy goodness:

and if you do love me
i will say i love you
and you will go with me
to the land of harmony
where horizon meets the sea
the sun will warm my love

my love, please leave me
i want to sleep
in the night, don't call me
just let me dream

now you can sing along o_0
-bazooie

[averageteenager]

thanks, this re-mix really kicks ACE! and i have wanted to know what the lyrics were, what i thought he was saying was waaaaay off :lol:

[Ailsean]

Yeah, this really NAILS that "switched on Bach" feel of being simultaneously so cheesy and so amazingly cool it's disturbing. I LOVE the gated bits and little squeaks. They serve well to point to bazooie's sense of the melody of the original. It's especially interesting to me because I've been working on this tune as well, and have heard a take Mustin did on it, and it's very cool IMO how, from the constant barrage of eigth-notes in the original, each person seems to pick out different bits as the "melody" (obviously I'm referring to the upper parts, not the bass melody). Also, I really dig the kind of Casio-ish drums. They sound nicely understated, and anything else would be over the top and not fit well IMO.

Anyway, great work on this one.

[Jaxvon]

Now that bazooie has posted the lyrics, I'm not really sure what he meant for them to be. On a purely auditory level, they do excellent in giving the song it's creepy feeling (at least for me). But perhaps, they have a deeper meaning? Anyway, just speculating on the significance of them.

[BSmitty]

this song really is addictive and kinda hypnotic...i like how it uses a very oldschool synth sound without sounding really cheesey...i also like the voice and lyrics. overall a great job bazooie. if you like this i highly recommend you check out the stuff on bazooie's website...i especially liked 'gellie frisbee'

bazooie, i would love to see more of your work on oc remix

[Rossodio]

I am pretty much a lurker around here, except when I'm experimenting with remixes of my own (none of which are of the caliber that OCRemix would take, but that's another story for another day)... But I had to come out of my lurking shell and at least say something about this mix. Decidedly new and original, to say the least.

Just like DJP said... first 11 seconds, the song just sounds like another techno mix. But then, my head gets to bobbing at 11" in. At 33", the main melody starts kickin, and my eyes drift closed -- I'm deep into the song now, my head sways left and right as my head bobs. What a jammin' song, I think to myself. At 1'11" I get a little variation on what's been going on and get further into what my ears are processing through Bazooie's magic...

But it's at 1'28" that I really start moving my whole body to the groove. The transition to this decidedly short section of this piece isn't perfect, but the song has actually enthralled me to the point of forgetting everything that's going on around me BUT the song. Amazing. Not perfect, but this mix is thus far perfect in its imperfections, if you catch my meaning.

And at 2'02", all hope is lost as I drift away into a buzzin' world of Wizards and Warriors Goodness. Back to the lyrical stuff. Who cares what the lyrics are -- the song is just flowin'. At 3'07", my strange trip into the Bazooie's musical world of Wizards and Warriors finally begins its descent toward reality, and fades into the dark depths of silence.

... whoa. What an experience.

The euphoric state of stereophilic goodness that I experienced here is unmatched since maybe goat's Ironsword remix... but perhaps not really like this since the now-antiquated "Death on the Snowfield" mix. This is one of the most naturally-flowing mixes I have heard to date, to say the least. Bazooie knows what the hell's going on, and I like it. Props to you, my friend -- you have made it to my (very short and exclusive) list of favorites from OCR after only 3 listens.

- Rossodio

[Casual Gmoe]

I....I think i'm in love...


This song is the greatest song i've heard on OCR in a LONG long time. Everything about it is great. I don't think there's much more to say other than.. wow, so i'll say it now. "Wow."

[SyncMaster]

After the first time hearing it i havnt stoped theres just something about it that draws you in and wont let go, gotta give it a ten in my books.

[chromal]

bazooie!

Wow! The highlight of my night was coming across this remix. Totally puts me in the zone. Utter ear candy. Walter Carlos meets Kraftwerk. This is absolutely great production work and of all the video game tracks you could have done, one of the more deserving tunes.

[meccaneer]

Is anyone else reminded of Jean Jacques Perrey?

[SyncMaster]

i really dont get why this mix is getting so much heat for its great, good job.

[Your Good Twin]

Well, I couldn't be bothered to read all the other reviews, but I wanted to add fuel to what I expect is the critical acclaim fire.

I love this song. LOVE IT. I'd never heard the original or played W&W, but I went on a downloading spree of remixes I otherwise had no interest in and this was one of them. It is now probably one of my top 10 favorite OC remixes. It's that good.

What can I say that hasn't been said? I love the vocoder so much (stole that term from earlier reviewers, what do I know about musical technology?!) I so wish more vocal (vocalesque?) aspects were added to remixes. Two of my other favorite remixes are ROBOVoice and The Incredible Singing Robot. Guess what?! Both have vocals. Guess it's just my forte (not bass).

Anyway, hope to hear more from this remixer very soon.

[Coucou]

Bravo! Bravo!
What a song!
Strangely, my prefered part is from 1:28 to 1:57
with all those synth sequences.

[Rhino]

This mix definatly grows on you ;)

[LuckyXIII]

i've had this remix since it first came out and am only now doing a "review"

not even a real review, just offering more encouragement to bazooie- - smashing job good sir (assuming you're a sir).

i was skeptical of this at first...but there was always this undeniable...uh...hook or something...something that i couldn't ignore.

i've come to conclude this is an example of a perfect electronic/synth song. the ambience - the reverb - the fluidity - i wish i had a fraction of these skillz

i will be to the site to sample more of this delectable sonic cuisine...

[the warlock]

I had this ReMix early on but its only now that ive got round to listening to it! Good things come to thos who wait is the saying and this is definately an example of how that can be justified. First off the intro sounded to bloody familiar but from then on this is a techno mix with that added quality. Synths used to perfection. The variation in using a techno genre is done well, enough to make me put "theme" on repeat. Ive always like the W&W's theme, the notes always remind me of a medieval atmosphere and this track for me still retains that atmospheric style blended with the excellent, even addictive techno fluidity. Oh and err.. kool trance-style lyrics i guess, they're pretty neat ^_^ Great job Bazooie

[Corporal Eschebone]

00:00 - Not a bad intro. Somewhat misleading though.

00:11 - THIS is what I mean by misleading. The vocals are just...perfect...

00:32 - Kinda cheesy, but a'ight. You mix the original melody back in occasioanlly for effect.

01:28 - My favorite part of the song. This made me do a review. There is no word in the English language that can accurately describe this.

02:03 - Here come those vocals again. They add an emotional, even melodic, feel to this mix.

03:08 - In my opinion, I think those string-style synths are ruining the overall effect of the vocals. They'd best be taken out or replaced with something less frontal and less up-and down. Same thing with the strings in the beginning.

After 03:08 it just kinda fades out. Unnecessary, but you did a good job on hiding the needlessness of it.

Overall - 96.5%

[Draginvry]

Oh I just found out about this one. It's been so long since I played W&W, I don't even remember the theme, but oh well. This remix has a really strange feel to it, and I don't much like the style, but it's very addictive nonetheless. Some of the synth sounds stand out too much, but maybe it is supposed to be like that? But the entire piece flows really well into each part, and the...uh...vocals, are awesome.

This is one of those that I wouldn't just sit down to listen to, but while in my car, I'll hit the "back" button every time the song ends :)

Definitely worth a listen if you want something a little different.

[DJ Riott]

Going through my playlists, I have been stumbling across old old songs... I began thinking that I wanted to go back give reviews of all my old favorite songs.

This song definately portrays emotion and it gives me the creeps in a way, and makes me a little bit sad too..

Vocoded to perfection and so smooth and groovy. I think its just right.

[esden9]

Bazooie...where art thou? You make Buzz sound more than it truly it is...or perhaps the man/woman behind the machine can lift such seemingly cumbersome software out of it's self made grave? In short this is one of the most played songs in my playlist. If Mr. Bazooie had a nickle for everytime I played this song..why he'd be rich man. And rightly so.

This remix screams originality wrapped up in some common techno themes. It is the quintessential example of VG remixes...combining the non-commercial with the pop heart that is techno/dance. Creamy vocoder passages add an air of mysterium...what is this lament in the midst of such happy tunage?

What could make this mix better? I can't rightly say...my head is bowed before such might..I could only ask in the most humble way for more smooth transitions and perhaps switching in different tempos. I usually play this mix back to back with Rotator's Orb of Light so maybe where this is where this sentiment comes from? Oh forgive this heretic his trespasses!

Bazooie..you must produce more...don't let your talents go to waste! Give me more! :lol:

[Particleman]

Oh, wow. This is by far one of my favorites. It's just the... ethereal feelings evoked by the song. It's very calm and relaxed, and it just kinda says "Hey, nothing to worry about. Just sit back and take it easy for a while." Only it doesn't really say it, so much as it projects an ethereal, dreamlike feeling that just draws you in without you realizing it.

The lyrics are difficult to understand, but I think that the effect would be lessened if they were clearer. As DJP said, at first it seems like just another techno cover, but it quickly proves itself to be something else altogether. It just works. It all comes together like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

I really, really wish I could say more, but since I'm totally musically illiterate, there isn't anything else I can add that isn't just reapeting what I've already said.

Bazooie, if you're reading this, seriously, do some more songs. This is highly memorable, and I'm certain a lot of the people who've heard this, including myself, would love to hear more.

[benevolensaurus]

This sounds like something you'd hear when the credits are rolling for some TV-show/movie, maybe an anime series or something... Not that that's a bad thing at all.

Yeah, it's very good, this piece. Me likes.

[jordex]

This song is so ecstatic! That's funny too cause I thought I heard the word "Ecstasy" in the main melody.

At first I didn't even realize that there were vocals in the piece but I can sort of make them out

"Let me dream?" something like that

1:30, love this part

3:07, also love this part

[Endymion Blackmoon]

This song is so ecstatic! That's funny too cause I thought I heard the word "Ecstasy" in the main melody.

At first I didn't even realize that there were vocals in the piece but I can sort of make them out

"Let me dream?" something like that

1:30, love this part

3:07, also love this part

The most I can make out of the lyrics is:

All alone here
---
And you belong with me

Where the road leads
Where the horizon meets the sea
---

Anyone know the full and correct lyrics to the song?

[Zipp]

I've listened to this one very very much. I even sat down with my keyboard and figured out how to play it myself. I loved the game, I loved the theme, and I love "Theme." Thank you so much for remixing this like you did. I can't say I love the other versions, but yours is the major major bomb.

And it would be nice to know the lyrics. Any helping us out?

Zipp

[Nowitstimetodie]

Thanx for writin this one!!!! I keep the song close!

[Less Ashamed Of Self]

Delicious... all of the W&W mixes have been great but this one definitely takes the cake. Amazing synths, a great progression, a beautiful feel and some really relaxed positive emotions flowing from this piece. Very soothing.

[esden9]

It's been 2 years since my first review. I *STILL* have this on my now reduced playlist, and I *STILL* find myself playing it 2 or 3 times in a row.

[your the man now dog]

My only gripe is that it felt like something was missing in the minute of fade out at the end...like it was leaving me hanging. Oh well, this is an amazing song nonetheless and very original.

[Trenthian]

hi all. i'm glad you enjoy the remix. when i release the album later this year, i'll master it to a higher quality.

i've had a few requests for the lyrics so here they are in their full unadulterated, cheesy goodness:

and if you do love me
i will say i love you
and you will go with me
to the land of harmony
where horizon meets the sea
the sun will warm my love

my love, please leave me
i want to sleep
in the night, don't call me
just let me dream

now you can sing along o_0
-bazooie
::sniff:: that is so cute.

[vindkast]

Certainly the most unpretentiously-named remix ever made. If this is just "Theme," I'd love to see a song bazooie owns and renames to makes his/her own.

This remix is beautiful, compelling, and charming-- as unexpected as DJP says in his writeup, and unparalleled since 2003. One of my all-time favorites. I hope bazooie is still remixing, I'd love to hear more!

[yosefu]

The lyrics are pretty cool and the song its self is just beautiful

[Marmiduke]

A big-hitter that's tucked away in the OCR catalogue, obscured by an epically unimaginative title and the unknown name of a one-time submitter. Even still, it's hard to forget this once you've heard it, not that you'd ever want to.
There's something special running through this that I can't really explain. bazooie has taken some techno conventions and sounds, churned them up and rearranged them into the most effective, invasive product possible. The result is something that clings to you and haunts you.
And what sets this above other mixes that manage to get inside you is that this also works as something that just sounds really cool, even fun and energetic at times. The bridging theme at 1:30 is such an awesomely inspired miniature side-journey that is just as exciting as the main one. And the vocoder effects intertwining with eachother and the other synth elements of the mix are as beautiful as they are demented-sounding.
This one is like a dream where I can't remember if it scared me or moved me. Or perhaps... it moved me so much it scared me?
Deeeeep stuff. As highly regarded as they come.

[Pachi Risu]

Good remix. Kudos.

[OA]

I was pretty wary of the remix title, but thankfully the theme itself is much more imaginatively arranged than i was initially led to believe, and it's one that i've recognized on my playlist for quite some time.
The synths are really distinct, and the vocoding, while being a bit difficult to understand, is very sonically unique. Good interpretation of the theme, and some good surprises and upbeat and catchy parts make this a really nice track.

[a_d]

don't care too much for most of it but @1:28 blows me away 8-O