ReMix: Crack Down '4:20 A.M.'
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- Game: Crack Down (Sage's Creation, 1991, GEN)
- ReMixer(s): zyko
- Composer(s):
- Song(s):
- Posted: 2004-12-30, evaluated by the judges
Well, I thought Israfel's Shivers mix would be the last truly obscure mix to be posted in 2004, but I think zyko has that title beat in terms of esotericity. Furthermore, the ReMixer works in some unrelated but nonetheless fun movie quotes from the likes of Dune and Predator (see the very end for Governor Ahnud's cameo), in a funky, groove-centric mix from an old Sega Genesis title from the same publisher who released the slightly better-known Insector-X. GuitarMix critiquer extraordinaire Vigilante enthuses (with some reservations):
"funkified.
the guitar's clearly bringing the thing alive. It's definitely a jam track, but it never becomes dull; it keeps moving.
I like the vocal clips, although i think they could have been integrated a bit better with a fadeout, because the fuzz from the samples sticks out when the clip ends.
great stereo work, although i think some of the guitars sound a bit dry. i would have thrown on some intense stereo delay on the guitar around (:35)
this track definately keeps you moving."
Pretty much - I mean, let's face it, you NEVER have to be familiar with the source material when the power of wah guitar is involved. The magic of the wah is generally accepted to transcend race, sex, age, religion, and nationality, and speak directly to the inner mojo each of us have within us. Well, except Ralph Reed. I had fewer issues with the production, which Jesse can always be counted on to emphasize, than I did the repetitiveness of some of the percussion, as Larry points out:
"Nice how many of the subtler support elements under the lead guitar were being played differently each time from 1:22-2:53, though the basic patterns (strings/percussion/sythn playing the source melody pattern) definitely went long, staying around until 2:53. The percussion pattern in particular definitely could have used something to keep it fresh around the 2:20 mark, which was when I noticed the repetiveness."
... in general, you might get the feel at points that the mix is something of an excuse for zyko to just play some badass wah guitar. And - at times - you'd probably be right. But I ain't complaining, especially when there's enough arrangement in other segments to offset any... solo indulgences... that may or may not have occurred. The end result for some reason to me has a Streets of Rage feel to it; love the bit at 3'04" with the alternate processing, and the little organ riff that's present for a large portion of the mix does a good job of fleshing things out. Great attention to panning, with mucho cross-panning going on, and the saw synth bassline is phat. That may be the last time this year I deign to use the word 'phat' in a write-up, so savor it. Bottom line: good arrangement, great guitar work, and an amazing amount of wah are all vacuum-packed for freshness - chock full o' funk.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the do eet naoowww
- OA on March 25, 2009
shadowolf86;363428 wrote: But why I'm REALLY Here... I noticed in iTunes the song is also 4:20 long, so I was wondering if thatt was deliberate? I figured probably so, but I must know.
absolutely =)
- zyko on January 7, 2008
- Shadow Wolf on January 7, 2008
- watkinzez on June 26, 2006
- SirRus on January 14, 2005
[b]THIS SONG KICKS SOME SERIOUS ASS.[/b]
I loved the version posted on vgmix -- "The Man who broke his Smile" -- and I love this one just as much. As zyko pointed out in his submission email, this is a different take on the same theme(s).
I never liked any of zyko's previous guitar work, but this quite simply broke my bias in half. Very chill, ultra cool. My hat's off to you, zyko. Keep up the awesome work.
Oh yeah, for those of you who actually enjoyed the sound bites, you'll like the vgmix version. Edit: nevermind, I got confused and was referring to another of zyko's pieces.
- MrBogus on January 4, 2005
Zyko known for voices more than guitar? I thought he started with guitar and had a lot of guitar mixes pumped out in the beginning...or actually pretty much about equal in both departments, at the same time.
I'm sure if the original melody was better everybody would be cheering.
- Oddity on January 4, 2005
Plastikbag wrote:jordex wrote: Isn't zyko more known for his rap rather than guitar?
Of course he is more known for his rap... Probably "Niggaz 4 Life" to be specific since it was so "controversial" (Not really if you ask me, but some feel that way).
Anyways, be it guitar or rapping, zyko puts out some awesome shit, and this is no exception. I think this remix sounds great, great guitar riffs, I especially like the ending. Only problem that I had was the repetitive drums, but that really didn't take too much away from the remix as a whole. Good stuff.
This reminds me of his poker-face Sonic 2 remix, especially the chugging. It's more a jam than an actual song, but the bassline is so catchy even though it repeats itself over and over which makes you pay more attention to the wicked licks out of the guitar. I like the ending as well. The organ synth thing used is amazing. Thanks for the anticipation, Weed! Great jorb!
- A-RoN on January 3, 2005
Less Ashamed Of Self wrote:
I don't consider myself to be a good guitarist and I didn't hear anything there that I couldn't do on my third try.
you must be hot shit
- zyko on January 3, 2005
RedShadow13 wrote: wtf is going on. all i get is a blank page and "file does not exist" when i try to download this. theres no information in the download bar either. anyone know whats going on?
at least, thats whats going on with the ocr link. im getting it from the supertux mirror. still, this is odd. is there a reason for it?
Same thing here ...maybe the whole site is under maintenance now ? ..or some file transfer overload..
- RimFrost the Tourianist on January 1, 2005
at least, thats whats going on with the ocr link. im getting it from the supertux mirror. still, this is odd. is there a reason for it?
- Red Shadow on January 1, 2005
