ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 'A Rose For Zelda'

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The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

So, after one of OCR's longest posting droughts in our fairly continuous, contiguous five years, which I thank ye kindly for bearing with us through, I'm back from Sin City, also known outside the realm of Frank Miller as Las Vegas. Stayed at the Luxor but spent most of my time at Mandalay for Devconnections. Met up with some truly superlative people and... well, as they say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but there's a certain tax accountant from Connecticut whose tattoos I'm having an amazingly hard time getting out of my mind... yes... Back on track, though, and ready to roll: it's hard to be lukewarm about newcomer Tepid's Zelda submission, which has a tropical, strawberry daiquiri feel to it most of the time, but mixes in some shimmering, icier, verb-drenched electrics to create a soundscape that's both mellow and striking. Acoustic picked and strummed dominate the first two minutes, after the ocean fx intro, but Coldplay-ish background textures are employed at the two-minute mark, evoking a sort of "laid-back guitar ensemble with Brian Eno cameo". Some of the textures, especially the really quick strumming that fades in at 3'37" overtop reversed electrics, are particularly edible. Primary concerns from panelists centered around simplification of the source material (not necessarily an issue - it's better than using it verbatim, at least) and repetition. Brandon addresses aspects of this critique:

"Compositionally, I understand the claims that this is repetitive. The simple recurring strumming patterns and melodies team up with the waltz-time and limited number of instruments to make for a very static feel at times. There’s a lot going on though that makes up for compositional simplicity. The performance is absolutely nailed in the sense that the off-tempo strumming and picking add complexity rather than clutter, human variety rather than human mistakes."

Gray adds:

"The source material was short and basic, but this mix really captures the spirit of the original, yet takes it into new uncharted territory at the same time. The vibe and the texture of the mix is wonderful and like a rose, as it goes on the mix continues to bloom. The section especially at around the 2 minute mark was wonderful as the textures continued to evolve and expand."

I think the simplification suits the enhanced dynamics, textural work, production, and performance perfectly; had this been much more complicated, it would have lost the serenity and lullabyeish nature it possesses. There's a childlike sense of exploration and vastness that well serves the source material and the Zelda universe itself; a truly unique piece that's helping me come back down from cloud 9, Nevada, and will remain a go-to track for moments of reflection and chillin'. A cool mix from Tepid.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I thought I'd already commented on this before... strange.
One of the most poignant, thoughtful, and meaningful remixes on the site. From the moment the song starts, you feel swept away into a journey of emotions and contemplation. It's rare that a song has the power to completely capture my attention and actually allow me to get lost in the music. I don't have the eloquence of some of the other posters in here, but some of the assessments have been spot-on about how emotional this track is.
Personally, I like the SFX at the end - it feels fitting, since the entire track is so engrossing and captivating, that there be some sort of release at the end of the song that sends you back to the real world again. It may not have been executed in the right key, but it still feels like a satisfying conclusion that brings you back down to Earth after the song had done such an amazing job of taking you away to someplace else.

- Emunator on September 21, 2009
beautiful simply beautiful. I love this and i have never nor do i thinki ever will hear a remix of this song better than this!

- Legendary Hero on July 21, 2009
:shock:
This is amazing; I can't believe I haven't heard this yet.
Hearing Zelda's theme on guitar is astoundingly beautiful.
If you haven't heard this yet, shame on you. Go download it now.
Mournful, longing, love-filled, saddening, remembering the happy times.
This is the kind of mix that can soften anyone up inside.

- 42 on March 2, 2009
It definately thrusts Zelda's Lullaby into a Wind Waker style, even though Zelda's Lullaby already had a great Wind Waker treatment in the Wind Waker. But thankfully, it comes in much more focused here, great guitar work.
The melody shines brighter than ever in the initial portion of the mix. When the sound gets bigger and the electric elements come into it, I was a little thrown. The transition isn't 100%, although I didn't really notice it at all on my second listen. And I felt the narrative of the piece was a little disjointed. Zelda's Lullaby is a peaceful, reflective song after all, and I didn't really get the full connection between the acoustic and electric sections. With big sounds come a lot of different emotions: sadness, elation, love, hope, defeat. I can extract all of those from the music, but I'm confused as to which, if any, fit with the song. A stronger establishment of concept may have helped here.
That's a minor gripe though. The samples were irrelevant but I liked that they were there anyway. Overall, strong work on a track that deserves a lot of love.

- Marmiduke on February 23, 2009
Damn, this sweet! Never even thought about using guitar for Zelda and it's... it's... so beautiful! Great sound man!

- Ryu2Wolf on January 6, 2009
[U]This has to be my favorite mix on the site.[/U] I love this song so damn much. Everything is just so relaxing at emotional all at the same time. Guitar effects were AMAZING. I especially love the big buildup starting around 3:00, and then at 3:28..................it's my favorite moment ever. The reversed guitar and piano intertwine so beautifully and create this feeling that you were just about to grasp someone's hand, and then just falling into nothing. Incredible. Leaves me with chills every time. Outstanding work Tepid.

- XiaoXiaoNeo on October 28, 2008
This is an awesome and gorgeous piece of music. It giives me a moving yet mildly depressing feel, as though a great adventure had come to an end and yet nothing really changed to make the world better. A solitary emptiness.
Nonetheless, despite how much I love this piece, the quality seems mildly lacking in a couple parts. No big deal to me, but it is there.

- Duo on May 3, 2007
The arranger is very adventurous in his usage of new chords, but he does this very well. Love the usage of accoustic guitar.
At times in the music, there seems potential for a celtic arrangement. I could almost hear a celtic flute like in Lord of the Rings or something. Maybe even a lone bagpipe... :-P
Great work!

- KogeJoe on February 1, 2007
First review from a long-time lurker. Three years or so long, heh.
This has always been one of my favorites. One of the few five-starred mixes on my playlist. It has that dreamy and relaxing feel to it. Like other posters have mentioned, I envision someone sitting on a beach, with miles of sand and ocean as far as the eye can see. I get the feeling that something isn't quite right, but whatever it is, life will go on.
Great piece, heh.

- SoC on September 22, 2006
This song is so melancholic and sweet. Just bursting at the seams with a feeling of, "Everything changes. Even you. And there's nothing you can do about it." The way it breaks off into a swell in the middle just accentuates the mood, branching off in new directions as the future possibilities lay themselves out before you. Things change, but maybe change is for the best? Maybe loss contributes to wholeness.
Maybe... The potential is sweet, and so are the memories, but things have changed, and maybe that won't happen. Is the dream of the future as important as the future itself? Is it more important if you'll hope for something wonderful when the future looks so dim? To motivate you, keep you pushing forward when you really want to sleep.
A sigh and a dream at the edge of the sea. A prayer and a hope while cutting the rope. Dangling, dangling, then falling from me; and into a newness still yet undreamed.
Everything changes. And nothing will ever be the same.

- Ventrex on March 3, 2006
The minute I turn this song on, I am immediately swept into it by the waves. It starts out relaxing and low-key and then the mood changes. It's multi-dimentional in terms of emotion, and that only allows the listener to connect even more to it. Ya, I second what the last three posters have said. Well done. It's beautiful.

- lady zelda on February 6, 2006
This...is amazing. I'd put it up there with the likes of Sigur Ros and Mogwai for good easy listening that is beautiful yet engaging.
Props to Tepid!

- stang on February 6, 2006
You know what this song reminds me of? Rather, the picture it gives me? I can just kind of see a newlywed couple just dancing on a beach patio. Just kind of enjoying a quiet dance together, albeit clusmily, but still it doesn't matter to them. The giggle kind of really helps set that mood for me, of them just being in love with each other. Then as it goes on, they just kind of float into their own world, into that place where they are all that's in it. The offset non-perfection of the guitar patterns help to set it, too.
Nevertheless, how in the world could I not have seen this when it was first debuted, I'll never know. What a great picture it gives me. Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. 10/10.
P.S. sound effect lol.

- Burger Deluxe on December 19, 2005
I would've never imagined Zelda's Lullaby to be remixed into a song of this style. It's very calming and nice, and the ocean sound effects add to it's peacefulness. The guitar really, really does this song justice, I can't describe it, it just fits so well.
The giggle in the beginning just sold me. Haha I don't know why, I just loved it when I heard it.
The part at 2:01 with the electronic elements, it turned the song from a "thinking on the beach while watching the stars" kind of tone to a "why am i alive, what must i do?" kind of tone. I loved it, it added a sort of melancholy feel to the song.
Every bit of this song I loved. Bravo man.

- SynthesizedStampede on December 18, 2005
This rendition receives a 10 out of 10 for me - I agree with some of the other comments that the giggle at the beginning is [i]awesome[/i] in this song! The sea sounds, the mellow alternative tone...
[i]Truly[/i] an intoxicating song that had me closing my eyes and getting all romantic. *chuckle* Great job!

- triumvir on December 10, 2005

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