ReMix: Seiken Densetsu 3 'Path-ology'

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Game: Seiken Densetsu 3 (Square, 1995, SNES)
ReMixer(s): OverCoat
Composer(s): Hiroki Kikuta
Song(s): 'Few Paths Forbidden'
Posted: 2005-04-12, evaluated by the judges

Scott Porter, alias OverCoat, who's been around the game music arrangement scene for quite awhile, submits a cool downbeat ambient/soundtrack piece from SD3, covering "Few Paths Forbidden" in a style reminiscent of DJs Shadow, Krush, et. al.; so much so, I would say, that if you dig either of those artists this is almost satisfaction guaranteed. The cross-panned delay synth riff, very soundtrackish, sustained synth pads, repetitive (but atmospherically so) drum loop, pulsing synth bass, beautifully delayed violin, and a waxy little amplitude modulated synth that comes in around 1'35" and gets some nice counter-rhythms going with its own sustain - found that particularly hypnotizing. So did Scott, apparently, as it gets its own little breakout section/solo of sorts soon afterwards, as the elements are decomposed and recomposed. This is very much the type of mix that, while it sounds full, is fairly minimalist, and relies on the perfection or near-perfection of every constituent element to work at all. You can't really have a deliberate, downbeat mix like this, with five or six elements and significant repetition, and not have each of those elements be well-chosen and interesting in some way, and also cohesive, but fortunately Scott's picked and chosen well. That doesn't mean there couldn't have been more to the mix - the panel's two-member dissent opinion cited repetition and minimal arrangement of the original, with the violin being the only tell-tale sign. These are both legit crits, and they're both ways this mix could have been better - I do agree with them. However, I also think Scott's taking a riff and built an enjoyable groove, something I'll definitely be listening to in the future, and part of downbeat necessitates some repetition. Malcos says it well:

"The soundscape here is very pleasant to listen to. My only reservation is that the flutes sounded a little odd at times with the delay. I agree with GL that I feel that the weaker parts of the source tune were left out, and I think the mix is better because of it. A little more variation, perhaps the addition of another section, would have stepped this mix up another notch."

Pretty much. I think most will enjoy this chill SD3 mix from "newcomer" OverCoat as it was probably meant to be enjoyed, as a straightforward, transporting meditation on the specific melody covered by violin from the original, with roots in soundtrack and trip-hop vibes.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

Whoa.
The echo/call & response effects here are really, really cool. And the fact that only half the musical elements are echoing in this mix make for a strange and unique sound scape and a really interesting listen. The mood here is darkly mellow, and not creepily darkly either but a warm comforting darkly mellowness.
I agree that downbeat is one of the better words to describe this.
Definitely a really unique and cool track.

- 42 on December 29, 2009

Nice synths and a way chilled vibe make this a pretty great track. The heavy delay on the leads is really what makes this one work, as it gives a huge sense of space. The main synth is absolutely fantastic, and the other instruments, while not stellar, do their part to support the lead. Beats are subdued but effective, and the length is perfect. I'm a fan. :-)

- OA on November 27, 2009

I feel like I'm on a cold, lonely mountain on an overcast day when I listen to this. The chewy warbles, electronic growls, and flute don't like to stay very long, leaving echo-y afterimages in their wake. The ambient pad in the back is always skybound, floating and humming along, but even that flies away when I'm left alone with my thoughts at 2:23-2:35. But I like being alone with my thoughts. And I like mountains and overcast. And this mix too, by association.

- Polo on October 15, 2009

Very subdued and chilling. It has a very beautiful vibe at the front and back of the song. The beat is quite pretty and the song has the feeling of never beginning or ending to it.

- Lint on January 1, 2009

soc
I still like this one, yo :D
I even once used it in an after effects "PROJECT X" product project way back in the day. I got an A!

- Monobrow on December 6, 2007

Meh...severely goes overkill on the atmosphere, and I liked how the original had longer and heavier percussion.

- DukeNukem007 on February 28, 2007

I like the 303 sound, but it could have better to not have the delay on all the time. If you automated the delay on and off throughout the riff it could have been more interesting.
The bass sits well in the mix.
The drums are done quite well, the delay on the snare sucessfully simulates the dead notes that would be played by a real drummer. But the beat is very repetitive.
The sustained violin notes don't sound too good as you can hear the loop points, the sample must have been very short. I'm not a big fan of the flute type sound.
It is mixed a quite well, but its all quite a mono sound apart from the stereo delays. The strings pad could do with more chorus to widen it in the mix so it doesn't come from the center but from everywhere. Also the drums are very mono. I think the delay has been overused a bit.
But apart from that it is quite a pleasant sounding piece.

- Mairuzu on October 27, 2006

Very interesting...
Sounds like some sort of spy soundtrack,
it´s like watching a person search through
a place with cool music in the background.
I liked the beat.
Thanks, Coatdude.

- Bummerdude on September 10, 2005

Absolutely delicious song, SOCboy, I already thought your music was awesome before, but this rises to a whole new level of greatness. Even when compared side-to-side with Dragonlord's MMZ2 ReMix (my other recent fav), it still stands out. I didn't see SOCs name at first when I downloaded it, and I was doubting that anything could hold some water in comparison to Cool Mind, but this one certainly does.
5/5, instant reccomendation SOCko.

- Weirdboyscott on April 20, 2005

SeattleOverCoat wrote: If I may be so bold, check out "Zebesian Graveyard" and "Hearsay" among others.

I personally would like to suggest "Brinstar Overgrowth Harmony". This was quite possibly [i]the[/i] song that got me hooked on SOC.
Other favorite (slightly more obscure) SOC moments of mine include "Himashi Nayami", "UNATCOAT", and "Omega".
But I agree, if you had to pick something that would go down well with most people, "Zebesian Graveyard" and "Hearsay" would prolly be it.

- Uncle on April 18, 2005

I might as well point this out, for those looking for more of my stuff:
http://vgmix.com/user_profile.php?user_id=311
Currently 30 other songs for your enjoyment... well, mostly :) a lot of my music is definitely not for everyone. If I may be so bold, check out "Zebesian Graveyard" and "Hearsay" among others.

- OverCoat on April 17, 2005

I think I'm going to have to say this is one of my favorites.
Good Job Overcoat. And thanks for the trip.

- NeOmega on April 17, 2005

Okee-dokee, here's what I think of this one.
I'm liking the groove that's goin' on. The pads and atmospherical paddy-type instruments and filtering effects are well executed. Some may have problems with the sythetic flute panning around the speakers and phasing in wierd directions, but I'm not one to be hatin' on it since I love effects. The violin sounds fake though, almost if not exactly like a Florenstan sound sample. Not a bad thing IMO, just something that would turn people off quite easily. The arrangement doesn't take it too far away from the original melody track. That needs to be more prominant in remixes. Good work there :)
I've heard better stuff from SOC's gigantic collection of musics and remixes (and re-remixes of other artists' stuff), but this would definately make an official debute type track here. Good job, OverCoat. :nicework:

- A-RoN on April 16, 2005

Who is this SOC? Some noob?
I still owe you five bucks.

- Navi on April 12, 2005

It's about time.
This is possibly the best remix SOC has ever put out. I've had this since its initial release at VGMix. My only complaint (a suggestion, rather) is that the synth flute feels incomplete; with some trippy panning tricks it would be perfect. [EDIT: I'm using the VGMix version as reference; I don't know if it's been fixed here yet.]
Welcome to OCR, OverCoat.

- Uncle on April 12, 2005