ReMix: Blaster Master 'TI BlastaParty'
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- Game: Blaster Master (SunSoft, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Taysiir
- Composer(s): Naoki Kodaka
- Song(s): 'Area 1'
- Posted: 2002-02-06, evaluated by djpretzel
This is some neat stuff - mucho effects, from EQ to phasing to filters with generous portions of resonance, and fantastic stereo imaging with very distinct positioning all highlight this first submission from Taysiir - yes, another great first submission. This is loop heavy techno Blaster Master action that excels in its attention to sonic manipulations of all shapes and sizes - the direct, throbbing bassline is the element that stays the most consistent, and even it bounces around with filters and pitch bends. There's often several different parts being run through different effects at the same time - someone obviously had some major fun with the DirectX / VST plugins, but in a way that's very musical and tasteful. Not what you'd expect from a first submission, especially since usually the one element that might be a little lacking is the effects / mixing end of things, which is where this track excels. Good, unique electronica, highly recommended - definitely wanna hear more from Taysiir!
Discussion: Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the A 2002 mix, and I'll try and be gentle with this one.
I can see where the effect work is coming from; it's an early example of sound manipulation to give the track life, which can be noted in the synths and velocity work for the drum fills, so it's a good dynamic touch.
However, while people had beefs with the drums, I have a much [i]bigger[/i] concern with the writing. Sure, I can understand the track being old, but I honestly swear that's no excuse to put the source melody in a completely different key to the accompaniment; it comes off as clashing dissonance and laziness to me. Even Beatdrop considered himself guilty of that technique himself in the past and had been able to rectify himself since - it's very harsh sounding.
Thankfully at 2:56, when the B section of the source came in, it managed to fit in so much more with the source material. But even then it had to regress itself by reverting back to the A theme and fail to fit it in properly.
So for me, the track feels really sloppy and difficult to even put a recommendation through. I guess if you're looking for Blaster Master remixes then it may be something, but even then you'd most likely want to proceed with caution, especially in regards to the writing.
- Rexy on December 15, 2011
I can see where the effect work is coming from; it's an early example of sound manipulation to give the track life, which can be noted in the synths and velocity work for the drum fills, so it's a good dynamic touch.
However, while people had beefs with the drums, I have a much [i]bigger[/i] concern with the writing. Sure, I can understand the track being old, but I honestly swear that's no excuse to put the source melody in a completely different key to the accompaniment; it comes off as clashing dissonance and laziness to me. Even Beatdrop considered himself guilty of that technique himself in the past and had been able to rectify himself since - it's very harsh sounding.
Thankfully at 2:56, when the B section of the source came in, it managed to fit in so much more with the source material. But even then it had to regress itself by reverting back to the A theme and fail to fit it in properly.
So for me, the track feels really sloppy and difficult to even put a recommendation through. I guess if you're looking for Blaster Master remixes then it may be something, but even then you'd most likely want to proceed with caution, especially in regards to the writing.
- Rexy on December 15, 2011
The drumming in the background feels out of place somehow -
something about their sound makes them sound separate from the rest
of the song.
The melody being repeated over and over again really rubs off as repetitive. This song is clearly riding on the strength of the melody to maintain interest, which is disappointing.
- Bahamut on October 31, 2009
The melody being repeated over and over again really rubs off as repetitive. This song is clearly riding on the strength of the melody to maintain interest, which is disappointing.
- Bahamut on October 31, 2009
Arrangement sure takes its time building and progressing, like a
racecar that puts emphasis on revving up as opposed to speeding. It
feels creepy and suspenseful at times, like at 1:42 when the bass
is accompanied only by claps, or when the treble descends on the
first tail end of the source before the percussive breaks. 2:50
provides a sunny contrast with the more carefree source section and
the harp, although the reprieve is short-lived. Even the interludes
at 1:25 and 2:37, though uplifting, stand out on their own without
bridging any melodic or emotional gaps.
Transitions notwithstanding, this mix proudly does what it wants without overexerting itself. It's the kind of mix that randomly throws kisses at its audience, saying "so what if I don't win the race? I got other strengths!"
- Polo on September 5, 2009
Transitions notwithstanding, this mix proudly does what it wants without overexerting itself. It's the kind of mix that randomly throws kisses at its audience, saying "so what if I don't win the race? I got other strengths!"
- Polo on September 5, 2009
Overall, there's just a strangeness of the mix that doesn't sit
right. We're in some sort of pseudo-key here, and somethings a
little too off. Can't say this works for me.
- DragonAvenger on November 29, 2008
- DragonAvenger on November 29, 2008
The thing with the different keys.. it sounds really weird. Almost
in a good way, but not quite. Also, the beat never really gets
going, which I sort of expected.. and it doesn't quite work for me
like this. Lots of good ideas, but no coherence.
--Eino
- evktalo on March 25, 2008
--Eino
- evktalo on March 25, 2008
This is...not my thing. It sounds like the background was made
completely independently of the melody, and in a different key. The
repetition just aggravates this.
But more than anything, I find it infinitely amusing that the opening post basically says "this kinda sucks."
- Dhsu on March 16, 2008
But more than anything, I find it infinitely amusing that the opening post basically says "this kinda sucks."
- Dhsu on March 16, 2008
A lot of the drum sounds and filtering reminded me of the song
"Club Thrall" from the Illegal Danish movie. Pretty cool
stuff.
I'm not a huge fan of the source, perhaps because that game repeatedly kicked my ass, but I think it's just a style thing. It reminds me of metroid music, and Im not huge on that either.
Regardless of my personal feelings about the source, this is a very creative mix with a lot of thought put into the production, especially considering the timeframe. Nice work.
- OA on June 5, 2007
I'm not a huge fan of the source, perhaps because that game repeatedly kicked my ass, but I think it's just a style thing. It reminds me of metroid music, and Im not huge on that either.
Regardless of my personal feelings about the source, this is a very creative mix with a lot of thought put into the production, especially considering the timeframe. Nice work.
- OA on June 5, 2007
This remix nagged at me when I was listening to it. It seemed to
have pretty good production and use of panning, but I thought there
are some glaring issues that hurt this song. My main beef is with
the underlying synth sound being in a different key than the main
melody line. This seemed to be true with the bass synth as well
(can't remember exactly how these went as I'm not hearing the song
at the moment). It makes me think the synths (and possibly the
repeating flanged drum loop) are just generic samples. I wanted to
like this song since I thought the lead synth is excellent, but I
think the off-key parts ruined it for me.
- Nutritious on October 11, 2006
- Nutritious on October 11, 2006
Wow...
This is a slick track...
Great variety, real creative use of the Blaster Master theme. Immaculate mix. Tons o' fun.
Taysiir's got some definite professional skill - this is the kind of guy I'd want behind the booth at a party! If he has CDs, I'd buy 'em too - free downloads be damned!
10/10 overall.
- killthrush on November 15, 2004
This is a slick track...
Great variety, real creative use of the Blaster Master theme. Immaculate mix. Tons o' fun.
Taysiir's got some definite professional skill - this is the kind of guy I'd want behind the booth at a party! If he has CDs, I'd buy 'em too - free downloads be damned!
10/10 overall.
- killthrush on November 15, 2004
I'm a huge Blaster Master fan, and I must say I really like this
remix! :)
It has a very trance-like feel to it, and it's very different and distinct from all the "same-old" Blaster Master Area 1 tunes I've heard. For lack of a better word, I personally find the constant flanging and the "cooing" (like at 2:36) to be... cute. ;) The remix as a whole has a very energetic, almost hyper, feel to it. Very nice. I particularly like your percussion style here, like at 2:05 for instance. My favorite part is the bridge at 2:50... that's done so well. A smooth, surreal-sounding melodic bridge in the middle of a breakbeat trance mix... once again, very different and you work it in so well.
Overall, I think this remix is excellent! A lot of fun to listen to (especially while driving, I've found). I'd personally give it an 8.5 out of ten! Great work, Taysiir! :)
- Samus Aran on June 25, 2002
It has a very trance-like feel to it, and it's very different and distinct from all the "same-old" Blaster Master Area 1 tunes I've heard. For lack of a better word, I personally find the constant flanging and the "cooing" (like at 2:36) to be... cute. ;) The remix as a whole has a very energetic, almost hyper, feel to it. Very nice. I particularly like your percussion style here, like at 2:05 for instance. My favorite part is the bridge at 2:50... that's done so well. A smooth, surreal-sounding melodic bridge in the middle of a breakbeat trance mix... once again, very different and you work it in so well.
Overall, I think this remix is excellent! A lot of fun to listen to (especially while driving, I've found). I'd personally give it an 8.5 out of ten! Great work, Taysiir! :)
- Samus Aran on June 25, 2002
This game doesn't have that many remixes, so I for one, was excited
when this one came out. I, too, love the build up in the intro
until 0:41 when you can tell which music from the game is...from
there, I just imagine myself playing Blaster Master again....great
game, great remix! :)
- skawttieboy on June 22, 2002
- skawttieboy on June 22, 2002
The unique buildup of music from the beginning of the mix made me
listen to TI Blasta Party further to see what it was about instead
of skipping past it, and I generally liked what I heard with this
one. The sound effects alone make this a noticeable track just
because many of them remind you of aliens. Though a little bit
repetitive, the beat here catches your ear, and I didn't feel the
track tweaked my ear. The soft transitional at the 2'50" mark I
could have gone without, but overall, this is a strong track by
Taysiir that I enjoyed and felt was a keeper. Give it a try. It may
or may not be your thing.
- Liontamer on June 12, 2002
- Liontamer on June 12, 2002
Blaster Master 'TI Blasta Party'
Pretty average techno here, and it has its share of problems. There's a lot of dissonance in here - some of it works well, some of it really tweaked my ear. Also, you can only use a flanging so much before it starts to grate, and that point is reached about 1 minute into this 4 minute mix. Ouch. And lastly, it just didn't hold my attention very well - guess it was too repetative or something. Either that or I'm too tired to let anything hold my attention. Oh well. At any rate, sorry, but I really can't recommend this.
- orkybash on May 23, 2002
Pretty average techno here, and it has its share of problems. There's a lot of dissonance in here - some of it works well, some of it really tweaked my ear. Also, you can only use a flanging so much before it starts to grate, and that point is reached about 1 minute into this 4 minute mix. Ouch. And lastly, it just didn't hold my attention very well - guess it was too repetative or something. Either that or I'm too tired to let anything hold my attention. Oh well. At any rate, sorry, but I really can't recommend this.
- orkybash on May 23, 2002
