ReMix: Xenogears 'TransientSands~Dazil'
Download MP3
Play Preview
- Game: Xenogears (Square, 1998, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): mp
- Composer(s): Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'Dazil, City of Burning Sand'
- Posted: 2002-01-07, evaluated by djpretzel
This actually came in around when The Pancake Chef submitted his own Xenogears / Dajil ReMix, and was thus delayed a lil bit. But everything works out in the end, and both ReMixers / ReMixes are unique enough to make both tracks worth grabbing. Pollard's mix is heavier on the sitar (great panning) and tabla (wooo!), but has excellent guitar bits as well, from lighter (solo bit at 1'14" with a nice rim shot on the drums) to heavier (flesh chords sprinkled throughout). Mixed with the table shtuffz is a traditional acoustic rock kit, which melds nicely. I always like to point out the individual details that I feel make a mix stand out, and for me on this one it's the whispering / low speech (see 1'38" and afterwards), though the level guitar hum ending is also nice. The bass - when used - is a little too low and doesn't eat up enough of the sonic spectrum as I'd like it to, but you'll hardly notice :) Solid piece that successfully intertwines rock / ethnic flavors.
Discussion: Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the I like this, sort of an Arabian Rock.
It reminds me of the desert from Paper Mario on the N64 except kicked up a notch or two.
Its intensity reminds me of the austere will of desert travelers, but unlike the Sahara, it changes the soundscape pretty often. It has a nice, comfortable, camel-like, plodding pace, short and sweet, and is fun to listen to.
- 42 on December 3, 2009
It reminds me of the desert from Paper Mario on the N64 except kicked up a notch or two.
Its intensity reminds me of the austere will of desert travelers, but unlike the Sahara, it changes the soundscape pretty often. It has a nice, comfortable, camel-like, plodding pace, short and sweet, and is fun to listen to.
- 42 on December 3, 2009
The music vaguely reminds me of a spaghetti western in parts. It
also makes me think of steel strings, for whatever reason. It has
an eerie transition at the very beginning. I enjoy the percussion
throughout the track.
Overall, I think it's alright. Somewhat enjoyable, somewhat eerie. Transient could apply.
- Lint on July 30, 2009
Overall, I think it's alright. Somewhat enjoyable, somewhat eerie. Transient could apply.
- Lint on July 30, 2009
I love the ethnicity that is infused into what is essentially a
slow rock track. The guitar is fooling noone, sadly, and I'm
usually not really bothered by it. But it seems like a missed
opportunity. I get this is an old mix, and that it's ridiculous to
suggest things that probably weren't accessable or doable at that
time, but the music does suffer from it, and that's a shame.
That being said, the rest of the instruments sound awesome and serve the arrangement very well. The melody isn't distinctly strong in this, but I still think things stay fresh when the familiar disappears. A more distinguishable theme running through this would have resulted in a better finished product, but as it is, I'm still more than happy to listen to it.
- Marmiduke on July 21, 2009
That being said, the rest of the instruments sound awesome and serve the arrangement very well. The melody isn't distinctly strong in this, but I still think things stay fresh when the familiar disappears. A more distinguishable theme running through this would have resulted in a better finished product, but as it is, I'm still more than happy to listen to it.
- Marmiduke on July 21, 2009
This is one of those tracks that can play in the background and
then suddenly be noticed. The percussion is cool, the sitar sets
the scene, and the combination of rock and world music works well.
Considering the age, it's an impressive track. Gotta agree that the
distorted guitars aren't great, tho. The overall mood is a little
too heavy, but that's countered by the track not being too long.
Doesn't outstay its welcome.
What's with the whispers around 1:40?
- Rozovian on February 9, 2009
What's with the whispers around 1:40?
- Rozovian on February 9, 2009
I like how the mix just starts abruptly and builds as the drums,
guitar, etc. are introduced. The guitar break around 1:15 or so is
very nice as well. Also like the whispering in the background
towards the end. Very nice work!
- justinj212 on January 10, 2009
- justinj212 on January 10, 2009
The beginning of the mix sounds like a remix of one of the
prehistoric themes from Chrono Trigger. Then the source shows up
slowly and repetitively until the rock style takes the stage.
Overall the rock rendition doesn't really suit the town in the game
but the song itself is well done and enjoyable.
- Evil_Cronos on December 7, 2008
- Evil_Cronos on December 7, 2008
Definately nice work on the drums. Sitar really works for this
piece, setting the style and mood. The guitar is fakey, but
alright. It would definately be better with a liver
performance.
I was left wondering and wanting more at the end, could have stood to be a bit longer, perhaps a recap of the beginning, or something. Overall, nicely done.
- DragonAvenger on September 1, 2008
I was left wondering and wanting more at the end, could have stood to be a bit longer, perhaps a recap of the beginning, or something. Overall, nicely done.
- DragonAvenger on September 1, 2008
A very recognizable slow version of the melody at the beginning. I
like the sitar sound way in the back with the drums on top of it
afterwards. The electric guitar addition was nice. It gets real
guitar heavy with a somewhat dark sounding solo at 1:40 which is
cool, but man, I'm having a hard time finding the melodies of the
originals in this song during all the parts besides the ones that
start from 0:17 and 0:57. Am I missing them or are that clean part
and the dark solo at the both original additions? I really like the
overall feeling and the whole "divided into easily understandable
parts" arrangement system used in this mix. I think this is one of
those mixes that is hard to label with a genre name, which works in
it's favor. ^_^ I would like to have heard some arranging of the
"less than main" melodies of this song (assuming I haven't just
missed them.) Pretty good job in my unprofessional opinion.
- CHIPP Damage on December 9, 2007
- CHIPP Damage on December 9, 2007
Decent level of arrangement, but it doesn't really surpass the
original in any aspect. The drums drive just enough to get the job
done, so it's definitely one that I can listen to from start to
finish without getting bored, but it is a little on the slow side
for the choice of instruments in the latter half.
- Chickenwarlord on December 3, 2007
- Chickenwarlord on December 3, 2007
All of the percussion is fantastic and really pops. The sitar is
nice, though im not completely sold on the fake electric guitar.
The clean sound was good, but the distortion really wasn't.
The arrangement was nice, and overall the song is good,but the fake guitar brings it down.
- OA on January 23, 2007
The arrangement was nice, and overall the song is good,but the fake guitar brings it down.
- OA on January 23, 2007
Woooo, tablas sound FRESH man! The sitar drone is and strums are
extremely sick! I didn't think accoustic drums would come in but
they did, with success. Some nice fills there and the likes. The
drums are mixed in extremely well, sounds good on the overall! Nice
job!
- Sirocco on August 10, 2005
- Sirocco on August 10, 2005
Awesome mix! I love the way it has a rockin' sitar, It's like an
electric on a killer amp, but it's a SITAR! Cool ethnic percussion,
and really cool whispering. One of my favorite mp tunes, and he has
some cool ones (also check out Lufia II - Of Sinistrals and Men).
Very, very cool mix of ethnic & rock sounds. YEHAW!
- mDuo13 on July 28, 2002
- mDuo13 on July 28, 2002
Xenogears 'Transient Sands ~ Dazil'
What can I say? I love the original, and I love Matt Pollard's version. Great blend of rock and Indian instruments. And the whispering at the end really gives the song a new dimension (what's he SAYING, anyway? ;) ) Another worthy download from mp!
- orkybash on June 5, 2002
What can I say? I love the original, and I love Matt Pollard's version. Great blend of rock and Indian instruments. And the whispering at the end really gives the song a new dimension (what's he SAYING, anyway? ;) ) Another worthy download from mp!
- orkybash on June 5, 2002
