ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 'Falling Back'
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- Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Nintendo, 1998, N64)
- ReMixer(s): Darangen
- Composer(s): Koji Kondo
- Song(s): 'Gerudo Valley'
- Posted: 2005-12-11, evaluated by the judges
Darangen writes:
"This is a lyrical remix of Gerudo Valley. I made it for RPGamer.com's Splendid Performance competition, round 4. I know the judges haven't been fans of my lyrical remixes in the past, but I believe my vocal work has improved at least somewhat since my last vocal submission, so hopefully I'll either get acceptance or some new, helpful comments."
This does represent an improvement over the last mix Michael sent our way that had vocals, and while it lacks the clarity and pitch control of Hale-Bopp's 'Summertime' or jdproject's 'Ken Song,' those mixes set a pretty high benchmark for vocals in the genre. Michael also gets vocabulary bonus points for managing to write a rock lyric that incorporates the word 'ardency' - and in the chorus, no less. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure if that's the type of word I'd use in a rock song, but there's still vernacular cajones involved in doing so. This is Gerudo, which becomes readily apparent at 0'26" after a nice, edgy electric guitar intro. The chorus really works well in the chosen genre - it's already addictive as hell, but Darangen's power guitar anthematic treatment ensures that it'll be reverberating around in your head even longer. Instrumentally, it's what you'd expect from Mike, and the highlight for me was (surprise) the rockin' wah-wah solo at 2'45" - great addition. Vocally, I think the ReMixer sounds better when he's singing on top of a heavier bed of guitar and drums than he does in the more exposed passages. When the first verse entered, I was a little shaky (especially the "all" in "all that we've been through"), but as things progressed, they improved. Gray and Jesse both hated the intro, citing the production primarily, but it didn't rub me the wrong way. Of course, I like the White Stripes, so what the hell do I know? Quoth Oji-wan Kenobi:
"Mike's vocals are my main gripe, as they sound thin and a bit beginnerish. With more practice, but more importantly time, Mike's voice will continue to be stronger. Plus, on multiple listens, the delivery style sits a lot a better in the track. I could have gone for some richer harmonies, but the harmonization here sounded pretty nice. I liked the tone when the chorus's hit, and the lyrics were really catchy. A lot of people are gonna be singing 'em.
I thought the track could have sounded sharper, but I loved the arrangement here and the production was alright. The "Gerudo Valley" theme was skillfully woven with original material that pieced together very naturally. Great rock conversion with some genuine (even if unintended) pop overtones."
Pretty much. I can certainly appreciate the challenges of doing vocal mixes when one is not a singer by nature, and this represents marked improvement in my book, and the panel's as well. Furthermore, it's Darangen, and it's Gerudo, and this should be enough for more than a lot of you, so embrace your inner ardency and check it out.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the One of the first tracks I've listened to when I discovered OCR so
it holds a special place in my heart. Still holds up today. It's
catchy.
Here's Darangen's acoustic version to those who are interested. Great stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WqwYuQFgJw
- SwordBreaker on October 31, 2012
Here's Darangen's acoustic version to those who are interested. Great stuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WqwYuQFgJw
- SwordBreaker on October 31, 2012
Unununium;888881 wrote: The image I get is of someone who has something very important to say and it matters to him so much that it overcomes any fear of criticism, he just belts out his joyful noise because he knows it is right.After thinking about it a bit more, I realized that there's a word for this: ardency. :shock:
- Unununium on October 30, 2012
You know, I actually like this song more because of its
imperfect vocals. The song, therefore the underlying emotion, feels
more real to me due to the lack of pitch correction. The image I
get is of someone who has something very important to say and it
matters to him so much that it overcomes any fear of criticism, he
just belts out his joyful noise because he knows it is right.
What's more, this song makes me feel better about myself and my
shortcomings, to the point where I'm unafraid to sing along even
though I know my limitations and that I might be ridiculed for the
attempt. A perfect-pitch remake of this track would not mean as
much to me.
- Unununium on October 28, 2012
- Unununium on October 28, 2012
I have to say, I have always loved this remix ever since I first
heard it when I first found OCR. The music is catchy as all hell,
the lyrics are easy to follow along to, to the point I've found
myself singing it in college breaks - The only other mix with that
questionable honour being For You by AkumajoBelmont.
Others may have issue with the vocals but for me they elevate it from simply catchy rock to the kind of ReMix alongside Sixto,Willrock and Disco Dan that I would happily play for non-VGM fans to show them the power of VGM.
I also would be in favour of a return to this mix for a Remaster of sorts with the skills you have learnt since the original was accepted.
- RPQ on March 18, 2012
Others may have issue with the vocals but for me they elevate it from simply catchy rock to the kind of ReMix alongside Sixto,Willrock and Disco Dan that I would happily play for non-VGM fans to show them the power of VGM.
I also would be in favour of a return to this mix for a Remaster of sorts with the skills you have learnt since the original was accepted.
- RPQ on March 18, 2012
I've love this song ever since it got posted. It blew me away as
beign one of the first really good lyrical songs backed by great
Zelda music.
I admit I would LOVE to see it updated, but it's such an awesome song that I've been able to look past the amateur singing- I've heard worse from actual bands, so props!
- Sarinilli on February 6, 2012
I admit I would LOVE to see it updated, but it's such an awesome song that I've been able to look past the amateur singing- I've heard worse from actual bands, so props!
- Sarinilli on February 6, 2012
The idea to go back and redo this song is definitely something I've
considered. I do think I could do it better now, but it comes down
to working on something new or revisiting something already
done.
Maybe someday.
- Darangen on February 1, 2012
Maybe someday.
- Darangen on February 1, 2012
Assuming he didn't stop vocal training, I think it would be pretty
cool to hear Darangen redo his own song with a stronger lyrical
performance. I love the song and lyrics, so it would be pretty
sweet to hear an "upgraded" version. It's been quite some time
since this mix was posted, anyhow.
If you're reading this, Darangen, I meant this in the most positive way possible!
- rahmoon on January 31, 2012
If you're reading this, Darangen, I meant this in the most positive way possible!
- rahmoon on January 31, 2012
this is wonderful. being a singer myself, i appreciate the
difficulty in some of the notes you hit, and think you've done an
excellent job. the rockyness of the mix is very fitting, and the
words you've chosen i find to be fantastic, considering i find
them, well... pertinent. keep this up, i adore lyricals
- champ the hippie on August 25, 2011
- champ the hippie on August 25, 2011
I enjoyed this song. I have some gripes about the vocals, but
seeing as that's been covered, I'll let it be. I also enjoyed how
this song was put together, I've always been interested in hearing
Gerudo Desert songs, and vocal tracks are no exception.
- MechaFone on December 7, 2010
- MechaFone on December 7, 2010
Love, love, love this song. I really do. The amazing arrangement
that gives this ReMix more life than the original had really sold
this song. I'll be completely honest here, I think this is the best
Darangan ReMix I've heard. Yes, even the voice work was well done
in my opinion. Sure, the vocals could be a bit stronger here, but
he gave it a damn good go and I can't fault him for that,
especially when the lyrics are that damn catchy. Plus, I've heard
an acoustic version/cover/whatever of this song on YT, and his
vocals really fit the lyrics and feeling of the song there, so I
don't necessarily think the voice was the issue, so much as it just
may not have fit the way the song was played here. Minor voice bit
aside, really awesome ReMix and credit to the site's awesomeness.
- Crulex on December 7, 2010
- Crulex on December 7, 2010
Vocals are the focal point here, and they'd be pretty good, but
they sound a bit buried and there are some rhythm and pitch issues
in spots. Regardless, props to anyone who is willing to put their
vocals out there. I'm certain that your singing skills have only
improved in the past 5 years.
Lyrics and arrangement are great, and the guitars are strong as always. Good stuff. :-)
- OA on September 2, 2010
Lyrics and arrangement are great, and the guitars are strong as always. Good stuff. :-)
- OA on September 2, 2010
The vocals are a bit weak in this, unfortunately. :-/
Don't get me wrong: it's not that they are completely unlistenable or anything, but it does detract a little from the overall performance. On the other hand, singing is an extremely tricky skill, especially for the untrained, so props to the mixer for having the guts to do it anyway. And everyone that takes some serious interest in singing at some point faces technical issues, it's normal.
But now to the (more numerous) good points: the lyrics are fine, the vocal melody is catchy, and the song DOES rock, so no big deal.
I hope the mixer didn't just give up his vocal training along the way, because by now he should be doing quite fine.
- Holy Land on September 1, 2010
Don't get me wrong: it's not that they are completely unlistenable or anything, but it does detract a little from the overall performance. On the other hand, singing is an extremely tricky skill, especially for the untrained, so props to the mixer for having the guts to do it anyway. And everyone that takes some serious interest in singing at some point faces technical issues, it's normal.
But now to the (more numerous) good points: the lyrics are fine, the vocal melody is catchy, and the song DOES rock, so no big deal.
I hope the mixer didn't just give up his vocal training along the way, because by now he should be doing quite fine.
- Holy Land on September 1, 2010
Sweet! This sounds like an independent Hard Rock song! And I also
love the "falling back to where I used to be" part. And the Rock
idea period is just lovely!
- DJ Uni Mekaju on August 5, 2010
- DJ Uni Mekaju on August 5, 2010
Unfortunately as some people said, the vocals are sort of
weak.
However, the idea behind this mix is fabulous, despite what I thought a Gerudo Valley + lyrics mix would sound like. If the vocals were powerful, this would be one hell of a song. Congrats, and I would suggest re-recording the vocals since its been 5 years. You could make this song even better. Keep up the good work!
- theeggman85 on May 21, 2010
However, the idea behind this mix is fabulous, despite what I thought a Gerudo Valley + lyrics mix would sound like. If the vocals were powerful, this would be one hell of a song. Congrats, and I would suggest re-recording the vocals since its been 5 years. You could make this song even better. Keep up the good work!
- theeggman85 on May 21, 2010
I love this mix with a passion. Especially that "I'm falling back
to where I used to be" part. This is an beautiful mix that I didn't
know about until a few months ago and seriously wish I had known
about this sooner.
Guitar Intro = Pure Awesomeness.
A lot of people have criticized the vocals here, but I think they're fine and perfectly suited for this mix.
I've never claimed to have a musically trained ear, but it's evident that he had a lot of fun while making this, which I feel makes up for any critiques of style.
I will admit that the ending is lacking in closure though; it just sort of dribbles off...
Still, you definitely should be listening to this. Don't let it slip by.
- 42 on December 1, 2009
Guitar Intro = Pure Awesomeness.
A lot of people have criticized the vocals here, but I think they're fine and perfectly suited for this mix.
I've never claimed to have a musically trained ear, but it's evident that he had a lot of fun while making this, which I feel makes up for any critiques of style.
I will admit that the ending is lacking in closure though; it just sort of dribbles off...
Still, you definitely should be listening to this. Don't let it slip by.
- 42 on December 1, 2009
