ReMix: Super Mario Bros. 2 'The DarK Underground'

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Super Mario Bros. 2

Very compelling first submission from DarK PurPLe, changing a very short BGM into an extended ambient / experimental mix that really struck me the right way. It's minimalist, with a hovering chord playing throughout almost the whole piece, a bitchin' electric guitar, two resonant synth basses, and very minimal drums - kick and snare later, but a cool muted percussion bit with a great triplet in there. This is some of the msot hypnotic music I've heard, very easy to lose yourself in. It takes a while for the whole thing to sync in, but that's okay because at almost six minutes, the artist HAS awhile. I liked how this piece evolved - it's very edgy, builds nicely, and never drops into any cliches. You certainly can't dance to it (unless you call the acid-tripping-walk-around-the-room-with-your-hands-out-looking-at-the-ceiling-hippie-thing dancing), but it's perfect for turning the lights off, putting on some headphones, and achieving zen-like concentration. Like I said, very unique, and like anything unique, worth listening to at least once. Recommended.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 11 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Interesting take on the original - probably the thing that bothers me most is that it could've been shortened in its repetitions to keep things more interesting.

- Bahamut on September 11, 2009
I always liked this mix. The lead is a little, and the pad is excellent, and the filtered bass too. There a long intro where the song doesn't develop at all, to the point where it would normally feel repetitive, but it just gets you entranced, sort of, and I'm glad to see this here on ocr for a change.
Once the drums come they don't really add anything, and at the same time the lead starts sounding really strange, lagging behind as it slides between its notes. Sounds a lot like me trying to play the ocarina in Zelda 5...

- Dafydd on December 23, 2008
I've always enjoyed this mix. It's long, I'll grant that, but it's not something that I stop and really focus on. Having it in the background is hypnotic, in quite a good way. Larry is right, there isn't anything else like this on OCR that I've seen, and it's worth having.

- DragonAvenger on October 27, 2008
I remember this one from way back. It was one of the first newly posted tracks that I DLed after I was introduced to OCR. I was still in my "download stuff only from games I know phase" before I wised up many months later. I definitelyt played this on the radio several times, because I remember the bass distorting through the radio station's soundboard and having to compensate for it with Winamp's EQ settings.
One subtle detail I never noticed with the electric guitar synth until just now was the really cool effect of trails of previous notes overlapping with new notes, something you don't catch until the sample is exposed from 3:17-3:39.
I loved the arrangement's slow burn approach. Spent many days just sitting back and letting this one loop. There's been nothing else like it on OCR. Especially being from a popular game like SMB2, this is criminally under-reviewed.

- Liontamer on May 14, 2007
There is some cool stuff going on in this mix, especially the distorted bass, and the guitar playing, but that chord that just hangs forever smothers it completely. Sorry. :(

- OA on December 27, 2006
Hmm, I guess I'm the only one who loves this remix. I agree, the first half of the song could have been shortened considerably, but the thing to remember about this piece is the atmosphere. It's a very trippy take on the underground theme from SMB2. It's not something you would listen to actively; it's more accustomed to background music while studying or chilling out. In any case, it will always hold its place on my roster of classics.
In case you don't know, DarK has remastered the piece and posted it on vgmix. If you didn't like the original, you may not like the remastered version, but for all fans of the original, the update is some nice ear candy.

- MrBogus on January 30, 2005
EEP 8O .. Well, I don't really have much to add beyond what has been said. That resonating sound that is being played throughout the song is hella annoying. But beyond that it's not all that bad. I do like that rapid-drill type soft sound I can hear in the back ground.
Mh.... Don't believe I'm going to keep this one. A tad bit too repetative for me. :(

- Elex Synn on November 17, 2003
continuous high-pitched noise for 6 straight minutes? no thx

- LibertyCabbage on October 6, 2003
This actually reminds me of a very old techno band called "Kraftwerk". Now seeing as I like some "01|) 5|<00L" techno, I'm very pleased to hear this kinda thing being played, as the one kinda ambient thing is held out through the song in the back reminds me alot of that older techno. *shrugs* I also love how it kinda has the feel of older techno, but has the sound of newer techno towards the middle of the song. Not much else to say aside from the fact that I really like it!
-SS

- ShadowSleeper on March 27, 2003
/me likes it. Very thick and atmospheric. The guitar is perfectly done IMO. But perhaps it IS just a tad to long and repetitive. But you still have to download it! :)

- EmptyMy on September 23, 2002
Super Mario Bros. 2 'The DarK Underground'
This really ain't my cup of tea. The background chord is really annoying, and it takes far too long to develop (almost three minutes!) And I'm sorry, you can't make a repetative theme streatch 6 minutes just by adding and subtracting elements! So unfortunately, this mix really doesn't do it for me, and I can't recommend it.

- orkybash on May 26, 2002

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