ReMix: Pictionary 'Person, Place, or Groove?'
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- Game: Pictionary (LJN Ltd., 1990, NES)
- ReMixer(s): The Orichalcon
- Composer(s): Tim Follin
- Song(s): 'Let's Draw a Picture'
- Posted: 2007-01-26, evaluated by the judges
Rounding out our night of Australianosity is the panel's own Orichalcon, with an upbeat groove on the Pictionary tip. This was actually created for Larry Oji's project to honor composer Tim Follin, still in progress but looking solid. Lee writes:
"Bassline matches the groove and was the inspiration for the mix. Reminded me a lot of a Crash Bandicoot 3 track (from the Future maps). Piano controls the melody. It's not the most realistic sounding piano, but it's meant to be more of a platform-game piano that just sounds bright and happy, rather than realistic. Strings and Rhodes keep the key and fill the backing while the moogie synth and reverse-cymbals lead into each section alternatively. I went with a fade-out simply because it works. There's a background crowd ambience that was meant to generate the feel of being in a bar or pool room, just kicking back and enjoying a game of Pictionary with your mates."
The background crowd effect works well for the song; often that kind of ambiance can come off wrong, but here it's appropriate and gives the arrangement an informal, laid-back vibe. Jill writes:
"Solid buildup, smooth percussion, great piano embellishments... The brightness of the piano sample doesn't bother me at all, actually, because I think it suits this kind of "family friendly" game... like something you'd hear in The Sims (or SimCity- Larry and I seem to be on the same Paige). The melody is pleasant and meandering, like a walk through Central Park. Nice breakdown at 1:34, and party atmosphere to boot. No smelly turtles here."
Good thing, too, seeing as this is our first Pictionary mix. Lee simplifies the original a bit but does it justice by embellishing the groove amply and ably. Larry's project is the first, perhaps of many, to focus on a specific composer - one who, while he may not be as well know as Koji Kondo or Nobuo Uematsu, has his own unique approach that Lee's done well in re-envisioning. Keep an ear out for more, and give mad props to two of OCR's Australian artists, TO and DJR, for marking the occasion with some excellent music.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I've had this perma-slotted in my playlist since day one. It's a
great focus, get-in-the-groove song for studying, reading, working,
cleaning...
...4.04.2011: doing the laundry...
- WesternZypher on February 21, 2011
...4.04.2011: doing the laundry...
- WesternZypher on February 21, 2011
Who would have thought that a mix of Pictionary would end up being
one of my favorite OC ReMixes? What a hoot!
- Schneau on January 22, 2010
- Schneau on January 22, 2010
42;498498 wrote: I really like the atmosphere, the background crowds.
It's almost like being in a mall or something.
Wow, this is a cool mix.
The piano here is awesome.
It really is.
I still listen to this one all the time. It's one of those ones that grows on you the more you hear it. Really great remix.
- Flare4War on January 23, 2009
I really like the atmosphere, the background crowds.
It's almost like being in a mall or something.
Wow, this is a cool mix.
The piano here is awesome.
It's interesting seeing some of the other reactions to this mix.
I personally find this a mellow, quasi-jazz style, others find it aa party background music or as a dancing track. It's rare to find a track that has been so versatiably labeled by the community.
- 42 on January 22, 2009
It's almost like being in a mall or something.
Wow, this is a cool mix.
The piano here is awesome.
It's interesting seeing some of the other reactions to this mix.
I personally find this a mellow, quasi-jazz style, others find it aa party background music or as a dancing track. It's rare to find a track that has been so versatiably labeled by the community.
- 42 on January 22, 2009
Nice use of background crowd noise on this one, it really gives it
a solid backing atmosphere and a great mental picture as
well.
I thought the bass used sounded a bit midi-esque, but the rest of the sounds used were fantastic. I love that bright, cutting piano sound. It's not even close to being grounded in reality, and I think that is what makes it so appealing to me. Overall the sequencing was pretty rigid, but somehow it works. I think it would have been more effective sounding more natural, but it almost has a Disneyland feel to it. You can tell everything is fake, but it's fake done so well that it makes it's own rules.
An awesome party track, i'd have this as bg music at a BBQ. :-)
- OA on April 23, 2008
I thought the bass used sounded a bit midi-esque, but the rest of the sounds used were fantastic. I love that bright, cutting piano sound. It's not even close to being grounded in reality, and I think that is what makes it so appealing to me. Overall the sequencing was pretty rigid, but somehow it works. I think it would have been more effective sounding more natural, but it almost has a Disneyland feel to it. You can tell everything is fake, but it's fake done so well that it makes it's own rules.
An awesome party track, i'd have this as bg music at a BBQ. :-)
- OA on April 23, 2008
This arrangement is so groovy. The beat just keeps you tapping your
foot and the the rest is piano a'la melody that will keep your
attention every loop.
Outstanding piano remix.
- Flare4War on October 18, 2007
Outstanding piano remix.
- Flare4War on October 18, 2007
This ReMix is awesome!
I'm not ashamed to say that I shake my tail to this song8) The crowd and piano with that groovy bass is genius! It's got a certain smoothness yet motion that just makes you want to dance...
Keep up the great work Mr. Orichalcon! :)!!
- Amru on April 27, 2007
I'm not ashamed to say that I shake my tail to this song8) The crowd and piano with that groovy bass is genius! It's got a certain smoothness yet motion that just makes you want to dance...
Keep up the great work Mr. Orichalcon! :)!!
- Amru on April 27, 2007
This song is just so good. I instantly get happy, left wanting more
after it's finished. This song totally inspires me to build a house
on The Sims. :D
Great jorb!
- Nario on February 26, 2007
Great jorb!
- Nario on February 26, 2007
its professionally made with an informal tune, Awesome! although it
had a good arrangement, its nothing out of the ordinary, nothing
really funky or anything,(im not saying that is a problem)but on
the whole is a solid mix. great mix!(cant believe i used the word
"mix" 2 times in those few words).
- The Instrumental Light on February 24, 2007
- The Instrumental Light on February 24, 2007
Hehe, this reminds me of the Mario Paint song that has a similar
feel to this. I love it ^^
- HoboKa on February 16, 2007
- HoboKa on February 16, 2007
JJT;233499 wrote: This is easily my favorite remix of anything off the Pictionary OST.
I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not. :'-(
(i.e. everyone make Pictionary mixes, dammit)
- Liontamer on February 13, 2007
I really dig the beginning with its market place kind of feeling,
and I'm very happy that the voices can be heard time and again
throughout the song.
The piano may not be live, but what you did with it is absolutely awesome. The fade out in the end is kinda lame in my opinion, probably something like the chatter in the beginning would have been better.
Great song, even if it's rather on the short side.
- Martin Penwald on February 13, 2007
The piano may not be live, but what you did with it is absolutely awesome. The fade out in the end is kinda lame in my opinion, probably something like the chatter in the beginning would have been better.
Great song, even if it's rather on the short side.
- Martin Penwald on February 13, 2007
GaMeBoX;231214 wrote: This mix has survived in my winamp playlist for several days! Thats a great compliment from my side. Its a really smooth, enyoyable mix. Like the piano stuff, after a few listens the melodies/arpeggios become obvious/natural.. Gotta check out the source.. Keep up the good work m8!
Good to hear, GaMeBoX. I've been enjoying your mixes a lot recently as well.
And thanks for the comments, people. This song was made purely for Larry and his Dirge for Follin project, but I like to think that others can just lay back with their headphones on and chill to the music while playing some online Pool or something.
- The Orichalcon on February 9, 2007
This mix has survived in my winamp playlist for several days! Thats
a great compliment from my side. Its a really smooth, enyoyable
mix. Like the piano stuff, after a few listens the
melodies/arpeggios become obvious/natural.. Gotta check out the
source.. Keep up the good work m8!
- GaMeBoX on February 9, 2007
- GaMeBoX on February 9, 2007
