ReMix: Deus Ex 'Siren Synapse'

downloadDownload MP3
6,340,168 bytes, 4:24, 192kbps
Stream/preview on YouTubePlay Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com
Deus Ex

Whew! This took some real coordination, but it was worth it: I'm proud to present OC ReMix's first composer-mixer collab, featuring VGM legend (and Deus Ex composer) Alexander Brandon and the panel's own Big Giant Circles! What's more, we've got a complete interview with Alex for your reading pleasure! Alex, Larry, Jimmy, Fishy and myself all worked hard to make this happen, but most of the credit of course goes to Mr. Brandon and Mr. Hinson, for being extremely badass individuals, coordinating a fascinating interview, and putting together an awesome arrangement & our very first mix from Deus Ex! Alex writes:

"John Romero introduced me to OCR about five years ago. Since then I’ve been continually amazed by this whole “remix” thing, and to collaborate on this piece was a hell of a lot of fun. I’m so proud of it (with the little that I did, BGC deserves a huge lion’s share of the credit) that I’m going to tell BT about it and see what he says. It’s the first electronic piece that really feels like it’d be right at home as a major release. So Jimmy and David, thanks for bringing so much awesome music into the game industry and giving me the chance to be involved."

The irony of having Alex thank me for pretty much anything is not lost on me; this is a man who's done tons for VGM, whose music I find myself humming constantly, and who's accessibility and attitude really show how much he cares not just for music, but for video game music specifically. Do read the interview, it's really quite epic. Even as I'm writing this, I'm still 110% stoked that we're posting our first composer-mixer collab along with a full interview, and that it's Alex, someone who really knows the industry & the art form. How'd this all happen? Big Giant Jimmy's the one who got things rolling:

"So I've been following Alex's blog for a while, and since he seemed so down to earth and approachable, I kept thinking how cool it would be if I could get him to collaborate on a remix.  When I purchased Era's End, I actually had a brief e-chat with his wife and told her as much, and she said he'd probably think it was cool, so I should just ask him.  So long story short, I did, and Alex was mad cool about the whole thing, even in spite of my initial lengthy, gushing, fanboy email, haha.  For the remix, I knew it had to be Synapse (Hong Kong Streets) from Deus Ex - that entire OST is amazing, but it was that track in particular that turned me onto the game a few years back when a friend emailed it to me like "Man, you gotta check this song out".  It also seemed appropriate since Alex once said he was partial to that particular track.  All in all, this was a truly humbling (and exciting!) experience for me.  Alex was not only very cool, but also very humble, and that in turn was humbling for me!  I can't thank him enough for the collab, and I earnestly hope that perhaps we'll see more of this sort of thing (collabs with actual game composers) in the future.  And down the road, I'd sure love to do another collab with Alex as well!"

Now, what about the music, eh? Well, Deus Ex DID have a bloody fantastic soundtrack, and even if Alex wasn't involved at all it would still be great to be posting our first ReMix of it. When the composer himself digs the mix, it does lend it a certain shroud of invincibility, at least with regards to the guessing game of whether or not the piece honors the original, etc. I've never liked that particular guessing game, because it usually involves projecting one's own opinion onto the original composer, who is usually unavailable/unaware of such discussion. Nevertheless, people do it... but not this time :) The arrangement is a great, mellow blend of electronica and articulate, zheng/guzheng lead, with stutter effects, multiple synth leads, percolating synth accompaniment, and entrancing pentatonic melodic riffs. It reminds me of Koshiro's 'China Town' given a more futuristic, bustling metropolis sort of vibe. Bottom line, I love the original, and this upgraded, 2.0 collaboration is even better, maintaining the catchy, melodic source and setting it to a re-envisioned, organic electronica. Awesome work by Alex and Jimmy, making great music AND OC ReMix history in one fell swoop!

djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Whooo, the remastered version is killer :-D I thought that aspect of the song already sounded great from the start, but every element of the song feels clear, defined, and full. The whole soundscape is full of action so I like to listen to this one multiple times in a row so I can pick out the individual instruments and appreciate the work that went into them.
This is a really stellar collab - the fusion of organic and synthetic instruments was completely seamless and ultimately places this track squarely in the middle of my preferred genre of music. Killer work! :-D

- Emunator on December 21, 2009
I am most flattered Torley! True to your motto, you have amplified my awesome! The remaster sounds great! :-) :-)

- big giant circles on November 9, 2009
This is SUCH a enticing melodic rush! Lovely take on a classic. It made me smile so much I remastered it to bring out the sheer gravity of the mix — let your subs feel this:
» [URL="http://bit.ly/sirsyn"]Download Siren Synapse Remastered MP3[/URL]

- Torley on November 8, 2009
Love the voice clip in the beginning.
Interesting choice of instruments; gives the track a very distinct sound.
Overall a very enjoyable remix.

- Martin Penwald on October 27, 2009
Everything is awesome here, but I have to point out that the minute that begins at 2:24 is just so very, very supremely sweet.

- MrBogus on October 27, 2009
Instant favorite. I like it all the way through but then I like pretty much everything by BGC.
Excellent colab guys.

- Flare4War on October 26, 2009
The thing that really stands out about this ReMix is that, while it rearranges the original in such a way that it is a song both old and new (as with all ReMixes), it sounds like something you would actually hear in a game; you can easily imagine playing with this in the background. To me, that makes it twice the tribute.

- Nobbynob Littlun on October 23, 2009
I really dig this mix, quite awesome work guys! I've never heard the source tune or even played the game so I am coming in to this mix cold. I like mixes that can stand on their own I think that is really telling of how far the community has come!
Back when this all was first starting I am willing to admit I enjoyed some songs only for the nostalgia factor, but mixes like these, which hold their own apart from the game are really awesome and much more frequent these days.
Great job!

- jintoreedwine on October 20, 2009
I've been waiting/hoping for someone to do a Deus Ex remix on OCR for years, but I never imagined Alex himself would be a part of it! BGC too, who I remember from his great contributions to the Lifestream album (I so very nearly made an OVA of "adrenalyn kick" over Death Note clips, which if you listen to the quote in the song, is a perfect match). Anyway, I really love this. 3:16 is wonderful. It does what a remix should do - simultaneously take you back to the source material, and beyond it. I will be listening to this one a lot. The only bit I don't like is the use of the Deus Ex theme towards the beginning, it clutters up the song to my mind. But I'm probably wrong!
And BGC, Alex, if you collaborate again, please please consider http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX0hU7jQ5O4 . I would die.

- Miletus on October 19, 2009
I'd be so thrilled if Bt would remix something...:O

- Deathtank on October 17, 2009
This brings back so many memories. I spent at least a few hundred hours with this game.

- Thrull on October 16, 2009
Awesome song dudes! I really like the eclectic soundscape. The synth melody wankery was a highlight for me. Keep em coming!

- avaris on October 15, 2009
I almost forgot one very important thing:
[IMG]http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/2676/1546.jpg[/IMG]

- OverCoat on October 13, 2009
Yo Jimmy! What an opportunity man! Excellent crisp song, like fresh veggies snappin with that nice mist of water in your face. Way to go bro.
And to the master himself, Mr. Brandon, I'll admit I hadn't heard the OST before, but you better believe I'll be checking it out now. Thanks for officially joining the community and making the art of video game music even more recognizable!

- Souliarc on October 13, 2009
Dude, that has got to be the coolest review I have read ever. Thanks, man!

- big giant circles on October 13, 2009