Mr. Ansari, recently appointed to the judges panel, isn't actually a big fan of the original special stage music from Sonic 2 that this latest ReMix of his covers, but for not being too into it, he's made quite an enjoyable, sugary sweet techno pop arrangement that's injected with a good dose of musical prozac and has had a melodic botox treatment such that it always smiles - but not in that scary, fake, real estate agent way, but rather in a lighthearted, jubilant, unobjectionable fashion. GL writes:
"The vibe throughout is nothing short of happy, uplifting and celebratory. Instrument selection is perfect. I especially love the piano and bells. This is especially obvious in one of my favorite sections around 1:20. Transition points throughout are silky smooth. At around midway the best section with the bass and bongo/congo appears. Really great work there. The bass and drumwork is consistently good and appropriate throughout. "
The instrumental section is indeed quite nice, and the running cross-panned arpeggios do a good job of adding to the multi-layered, very full sound. Nice string intro, too - good way to start things out. This isn't especially risk-taking, and relies on the same proficiencies and methodology Shariq has displayed and employed to previous success, but you can't fault an approach that works, and I imagine those clamoring for coverage of the source material should be quite pleased, as well as others into happytronica and Sonic musics in general. Great, solid work with a lot of substance to it.
Crulex on 2013-03-05 11:23:33Light hearted and happy, thats what this ReMix is. The best part of
this ReMix to me is the build. It continues to build up, then back
down, and even get a little piano bit to it after some bongo
drumming. Nice to hear something with a simple cheery feeling in
it.
OA on 2009-11-30 14:10:23Pretty nice synth pop, Good soundscape and instruments chosen. I
especially liked the synth arpeggios combined with the piano, and
really the only sample I wasnt super fond of was the bass, which
sortof seemed a little on the generic side. Good progression of the
theme, and excellent textures make this one a pretty sweet mix-
check it out.
markyb123 on 2009-09-18 09:23:23This is my first time on the site for many years. I came back after
rooting through some long lost folder called "games music" in the
depths of my hard drive.
A good portion of the songs I had were by Darkesword so you were
the first name I typed.
Im glad I found this little gem. As others have said - Its an
amazingly cheerful tune and takes me right back to playing Sonic 2
as a kid.
I can almost see sonic running through the bonus stage when
listening to this :)
Marmiduke on 2009-02-04 20:03:55I get a breezy vibe from this that I think might belong tucked away
in a soundtrack for one of those uber-bright and glossy animes that
almost make you throw up with cheerfulness. Not that this mix makes
me want to vomit. In ANY way.
The breaks in the main melody are CRUCIAL and Im very glad they
were included. The mix teeters on the edge of repetitive ear-strain
just as one of those classy flavour changes are injected. Love the
Latinesque cue. It introduces a "Hey, anything goes, bitches" feel,
but doesnt feel alien or out of place at all.
Perfect pacing and some really nice creative decisions made. I hope
that doesnt sound too patronising. Regardless, some great mixage.
Lucentas on 2008-12-06 16:20:11Half of the reason I like this mix is because of the memories it
brings back of playing Sonic 2 with my friends and neighbors--as
children, we rarely had the coordination or skill to get past the
first few zones, but the ridiculously neon,
pseudo-three-dimensional bonus stages will always be a fond
memory.
The other half is because its an awesome, cheery mix.
Hirosuke on 2008-08-17 13:34:59Bit late on the uptake, but I heard this for the first time today.
Ive been listening to a lot of OCRemixes, especially lately, and
especially Sonic. I dont know of very many songs, mainstream or
otherwise, that have the sheer feel-good rush, as told by KogeJoe,
that is brought to us by Dream Pipe, nor the tone that makes you
smile. You have no choice, you have to. In fact, the first time I
heard this mix, I giggled. An eighteen-year-old boy,
giggling.
I heard nothing reminiscent of Ice Cap or NiGHTS in this piece,
although the care-free sound, I think, would mesh well with NiGHTS
as stage music. The one thing that I heard parts of in this mix was
another mix of DarkeSwords, Just a Little More (Prime Edit),
although I believe that to be a mere similarity between the tunes
of both pieces as brought out by Darkesword and not
intentional.
Overall, a prime specimen of remixing, and a tribute to what video
game music has the potential to be: free-standing and enjoyable,
even to people who have never heard the source. Bravo, Darkesword.
Bravo.
KogeJoe on 2007-01-29 02:30:27I thought it was kind of colorful and very feel-good.
A totally new chord progression that, I think, gives an old melody
an entirely new feel. I like the mix-in of the option screen and
what the mixer did with that as well.
New mix, but still preserves that continuous feeling from the
special stage. Excellent work.
SillyJayJo on 2006-10-25 06:08:55yum yum yum this is such a fun fun one! Definetly cute like said
above. Cute and lots of feel good stuff.
Oh and starting at around 2:11 does me in something beautiful. The
piano the PIANO!! YESSSSSS THE PIANO! FAAAAABBBULLOUUUSSSSSSS
camelchild on 2006-05-26 08:50:01Can you say "Cute" in thirteen different languages? Because
whenever I hear this song I cannot shake the image of a million
cute things from my head!
Excellent, just absolutely excellent.
The choice for instruments was perfectly decided and the melody
just wont quit until youre bobbing up and down like a 5 year old
high on E-numbers. If SEGA ever decide to make a next-gen Sonic
game with Sonic 2s style of special stages, then Id recommend this
track above all else. Great job Darke, this is one to remember =D
DarkeSword on 2006-05-20 13:49:07
'Veggie' wrote: Is there something from NiGHTS
into Dreams on this track? Its seriously making me think of
NiGHTS 8O
No, there isnt.
Veggie on 2006-05-20 13:47:47Is there something from NiGHTS into Dreams on this track? Its
seriously making me think of NiGHTS 8O
Pip is uh..... on 2005-03-11 14:11:52Great track. My only qualm is the slow begining , but it does build
nicely to the :40 mark when the piano kicks in. Very nice tone to
it.I like the change of pace at 1:13 too. Good stuff from Darke!
EvilRyuAlpha on 2004-10-01 17:22:00god hearin this brings me way back..im a sonic fan all the way man
so maybe thats why i like it so much. But not being a big time
sonic fan wont hold you back from listenin to this song. I
reccomend some of u to atleast listen to some of it.
RoboticNinjaZombie on 2004-06-18 21:08:09Hearing this brought back great memories of the first day I got my
Genesis. Way to go, DarkeSword!
SmartOne on 2004-05-26 23:30:21I dont know why everyone is knocking the original song. I love how
it sounds like its "rocking" from left to right.
Anyway, this is an awesome ReMix that makes you feel all "warm and
fuzzy" inside. I like the techno-ish sounds and stuff. (You can
tell I know a lot about ReMixing.) This is probably one of my
favorite ReMixes.
