ReMix: Space Harrier 'I Got the Spacebeam'
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- Game: Space Harrier (Sega, 1986, SMS)
- ReMixer(s): Star Salzman
- Composer(s): Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Tokuhiko Uwabo
- Song(s): 'Theme'
- Posted: 2004-08-23, evaluated by the judges
Well, let me be honest. I don't particularly like this mix. I've thought about it, and I don't just think it's because I'm a huge fan of the original. Star Salzman sends us a Space Harrier rap mix with fairly amusing lyrics and rapping; the bit about dodecahedrons is truly inspired, no argument there. Maybe the problem is that doing a rap ReMix of this theme is just very difficult because it's not one of those themes that really lends itself to the genre, like a certain controversial Asterix ReMix covered. From that perspective, Star's done an admirable job in converting a piece that didn't lend itself to rap into something passable, but it didn't really resonate with me. The lyrics by themselves I think I appreciate more, for the aforementioned geometry reference (stage 4 anyone?) and also another excellent rhyming of "killa" with "Squilla". So what's my problem? I'm not beyond saying it's just *my* problem, but the way the original is used seems like an afterthought pinned onto an existing original. The best pieces of the mix, in my estimation, are the ones that have absolutely nothing to do with the original, and the less successful bits are those that do implement the original but do so in ways that sound a little forced. Now, before you read any further whilst wondering if I'm just 100% negative on this, I should clarify that I do like the lyrics, some of the instrumentation, and the production. And the judges panel had much more positive things to say. Vigilante writes:
"I understand djp's concern in that there is a lot of unrelated original material, mainly the beat and bassline. However, the chord progression on the bridge is definitely from the original, as is the pianoeyness that goes on thru the mix. On top of that, the mix is clearly well done, the lyrics are funny as hell and are specifically about space harrier. I think it's got plenty going for it, including the original."
I'd say some of the pianoeyness does, and a good portion doesn't. Malcos writes:
"I think this is definitely the kind of original kind of flair we want on oc. I understand DJP's concerns, however, the lyrics are about space harrier and if as Vigilante has said, the chords in the bridge are from the original, I think we can pass this one."
And for good measure, Larry writes:
"The reason this sounded misleading as a ReMix was because it essentially went for over a minute as just original material until the second half went full on into rearrangement territory at 1:11. Once it got there, everything was gold from both the music and rearrangement departments. If the sections had been placed in a different order, there wouldn't have been any confusion over this meeting the submission standards."
So, don't take my word for it. Clearly, that'd have been a mistake for each of the judges on the panel. We usually see eye to eye on most decisions, and there are checks and balances that can be enacted when the disagreement is extreme, but this is just an issue where, while I found the mix's lyrics amusing and well-constructed, I wasn't feeling the arrangement as much as others. Definitely draw your own judgments; regardless of how it plays as an OC ReMix, it's still fun and enjoyable music.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the This is a puzzlingly unique and amusing mix, to be honest I can't even point the reason I like it - I just know I do. It feels way shorter than it actually is, then again it's probably better that way.
A+++, would (and will) hear again.
- Holy Land on October 1, 2010
I SAID DON'T EVER BUG ME
WHILST I'M BEIN' A KILLA
i think that's all that needs to be said, but since I'm feeling verbose, I'll say a bit more. I like the original theme a lot, but i'm not really hearing much of it throughout, and the lyrics aren't great, though the flow and delivery is good enough. I think speeding up the track a bit mroe overall would be good, more of a club/party track.
- OA on February 25, 2010
Nah, it was a good surprise. The lyrics made me laugh, made me think of trudging through a good(?) kind of sludge through space. o.o Good job.
- HitoriJaNai on December 1, 2009
Protricity wrote: This is some crazy killer power orchestra rap.. whatever. Just great stuff.
I was at star's house when he made this. We got rather into it. Its easily one of my favorites from him. Creativity is simply spilling off of it. Very well used original source material.
Round 1:30 is when I feel it gets the most powerful. 1:50 always makes me laugh. This is simply a music style you'll never hear anywhere but here.
Sweet.
Agreed 100%
The middle section is so good. Complete juxtaposition that works. I'm glad I don't hate rap because it's one of the best things ever, and I used to hate it til I stopped being gay.
- Audity on April 5, 2006
- Dionyseus on October 31, 2005
- Digital_Adhesive on April 18, 2005
I remember everytime I came across a mix where the review mentions it had lyrics, I always got this bad feeling because I don't enjoy lyrics in most songs- mostly due to that it's hard to enjoy the -music- and any lyrics at the same time (if they are even audible).
I think this mix if fairly clear, flows well, and has humorous lyrics, which labels it a keep for me.
- Zenth Relin on April 18, 2005
- Vero on January 22, 2005
jordex wrote: everythings great but i dont like the voice of the vocalist, its too gangster for me
but if someone else did the vocals or just took em out, ild wet myself over this song
I tried to remove vocals in the Goldwave but failed. I wanted to listen this music without the vocals.
:|
Good orchestra/rap.
- Txai on January 1, 2005
but if someone else did the vocals or just took em out, ild wet myself over this song
- jordex on December 19, 2004
- Vague Rant on November 18, 2004
- TwinTurboTerrorist on September 28, 2004
I was at star's house when he made this. We got rather into it. Its easily one of my favorites from him. Creativity is simply spilling off of it. Very well used original source material.
Round 1:30 is when I feel it gets the most powerful. 1:50 always makes me laugh. This is simply a music style you'll never hear anywhere but here.
Sweet.
- Protricity on September 3, 2004
That song rocked.
Dodecahedron = 12-sided polyhedron.
You know, if any of you wanted to know that...
Keep it up. It made me laugh.
- Super-Duper Sombrero on September 2, 2004
- Jonathon Striker on August 31, 2004
