ReMix: Shivers 'Cerebral Rose Jam'

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Shivers

Let's be upfront - it's pretty unlikely that you've played Shivers. I'd imagine this ReMix will get more listeners from fans of Israfel than of the source material, but I'm fine with that - it doesn't reflect negatively on the game or its music, it's just that some titles aren't as well-known as others. Sierra did its very best to keep the Adventure genre alive, and delivered many a classic PC title back in the day. Bottom line is, whether you're an Israfel advocate, Sierra nut, actually played Shivers, or are simply into well-crafted, ethnic-infused compositions of the ilk the ReMixer is so adept at creating, you should take the time to check this ReMix out. Michael writes:

"The main theme was used as the basis for several arrangements within the game. So sometimes it was played slowly, sometimes quickly, with backing material, or sometimes solo. My own take of the melody takes it at a more leisurely pace. As far as the samples go - the ethnic samples are from Quantum Leap's Rare Instruments collection, the piano is the one that comes bundled with GigaStudio, the percussion is from Sonic Implants and everything else was freely downloaded."

When Shnabubula first started submitting his stuff, some comparisons to Michael's work were drawn, and to anyone who's been following both artists I think this mix again illustrates certain similarities in style, specifically juxtaposition of very emotive, authentic acoustic instruments with extremely synthetic timbres, in this case solo string, wind, and vocal leads being contrasted against insectile, creeping/falling electronic arpeggios. Articulation work abounds, on all the leads, w/bends and ornamentation, and also on the organic, hypnotizing percussion, which melts into the bassline in an opium-like daze of sound. Very Eastern, not only in instrumentation but also structure. The progression at 3'08" and the like, with synth pads, is striking, delicate, and beautiful. The panel's own mojo-worker and all-around ladies' man, Larry Oji (aka Dr. Feelgood) interjects:

"I also had to say that this track makes great makeout music. Cue it up in the background for your lady."

... where applicable. Smooth, exotic stuff from Israfel.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Damn, not sure how I missed this gem. This track is both intense and inspiring.
Kindof at a loss for words, really. :/
Just download it.

- OA on March 23, 2009
There are so many different kinds of sounds coming from this remix-I can't even name one of them, I'm so hypnotized. One of the more interesting remixes I've found.

- MechaFone on November 19, 2008
Musical sex is right - holy crap, this remix is amazing. Considering that the whole thematic portion of the game is based on 8/16 bars of music, really amazing interpretation, holy crap. It's like a harem of Sierra wickedness in this piece.
Really nice solo violin sample too, really good. Also, I love how you play with the theme (in no way relating to musical sex, lol) and monkey with the listener's sense of expectation - if you've played the game, you know what I mean. Really great arranging and development, truly-truly well done!!

- siven7 on August 21, 2007
I concur with Larry.
In all seriousness, this is one of the coolest tracks on the site. Period.
If you haven't listened to this yet, do it now without hesitation or excuse. If you have, get your significant other and play it again.
If you don't have a significant other, then just go get your mom/sister. When you hear the musical sex that is this remix, you won't care who she is.
Seriously.

- big giant circles on August 21, 2007
My lady, ThatPaige, [URL="http://vgfrequency.blogspot.com/2007/08/songs-lady-likes-1.html"]wrote up on the VG Frequency blog about her love for this track[/URL]. She knows what she's talking about. This track is the business. You don't know jack about OCR if you haven't given this a listen. It's required downloading.

- Liontamer on August 19, 2007
Man, I love this game. I played it a lot when I was younger... I wish I still had the CD, or I could find some place to download it... It'd be pretty small. It'd also be cool to find a quality version of the soundtrack somewhere.
But all in all, an excellent remix from an excellent game.
... and Shivers >>> Shivers 2

- Reliken on November 15, 2005
Whoa, very nice interpretation. I reckognize the source, even. Shivers rocks, btw. Absolutely loved the game.

- Jack the Ripper on October 26, 2005
I've been meaning to write a review of this since I first downloaded it on vgmix. I really did enjoy the combination of different timbres in the mix - the steady ethnic drum and bassline do a good job of bridging the gap between the jazz piano and the more overtly ethnic world-music instruments. The plucked synth is also used to an interesting effect, though I don't really like the way it's mixed.
I have also never been a fan of the choral stuff in Israfel's music (I'm just not a fan of that kind of thing in general), and this is no exception. Still, I've learned to deal with and it doesn't detract from the mix for me. Great work, dude.

- Adhesive_Boy on January 13, 2005
Israfel wrote: A popular observation. This isn't the first time that people have compared my music to the soundtrack in World of Warcraft. Which is mildly interesting insofar as I have honestly never played it or heard the soundtrack. No, seriously.

You should listen to "Dun Morogh" from the soundtrack. There's a striking similarity.

- playingtokrush on January 13, 2005
A popular observation. This isn't the first time that people have compared my music to the soundtrack in World of Warcraft. Which is mildly interesting insofar as I have honestly never played it or heard the soundtrack. No, seriously.

- Israfel on January 4, 2005
Who else thinks Israfel has played or listened to the soundtrack of World of Warcraft?

- playingtokrush on January 4, 2005
First off, if Shivers had just one fan, it was probably me. Back in the day I ran Tojo Mojo'd Shivers Puzzle Solutions (at one point Alian's). I also rocked out to the medly of shivers music included on one of the Shivers 2 CDs.
So it is drawing on my considerable background in Shivers that I must say this mix is excellent. It uses the theme in a very subtle but recognizable fashion, remixing it into different styles in much the same way the game did.
This is going straight into heavy rotation :)

- tojo-mojo on January 1, 2005
Amazing stuff here--very moody and relaxing. This'll be a good song to loop while I do my homework. Everything sounds so natural...just awesome shtuff going on. I think I'll go bone up on music theory now, so I can be more like Israfel, of course..

- IC on December 31, 2004
I think it could have used more dynamics. Not that you didn't at all, but I think it could have gotten a little louder near the end of it.

- kevisco on December 30, 2004
This sounds very professional. Everything sounds real, and the synths blend in and don't distract my ears from the message you're trying to send. I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from someone who knows so much in terms of musical theory. Good, chill stuff. :) Production is A grade.

- Blake on December 30, 2004

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