ReMix: Sonic the Hedgehog 'Absolution Comes in Dreams'
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- Game: Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega, 2006, XB360)
- ReMixer(s): Cyril the Wolf, M-One
- Composer(s): Hideaki Kobayashi, Jun Senoue, Mariko Nanba, Seirou Okamoto, Taihei Sato, Takahito Eguchi, Tomoya Ohtani, Yasutaka Kume
- Song(s): 'Dreams of an Absolution ~Theme of Silver the Hedgehog~'
- Posted: 2010-01-19, evaluated by the judges
VERY cool debut ReMix from Cyril the Wolf & M-One, aka Connor Pelkey and Matthew Dunne - also our first mix from Sonic's next-gen HD debut! While the game itself received what I'll call "mixed" reviews, the music was pretty hot. Actually, the original source track being ReMixed here had vocals that were written and sung by Lee Brotherton, alias Bentley Jones, and ALSO known as LeeBro - the very same ReMixer from OCR days of yore! So the chronology there goes something like:
- LeeBro gets mixes posted on OCR (2001-2002)
- He then goes on to work in the VGM industry and records the vocals to this track from Sonic (2006)
- The very same track gets ReMixed by Cyril & M-One (2009-2010)
Pretty cool, eh? We actually got in touch with Lee to see what he thought about the mix:
"As soon as I heard there was going to be a cover of DOAA I was curious as to what style it would be done in… especially since it’s been done already so many times on YouTube and such. But this was a very pleasant breath of fresh air. The combination of Connor’s acoustic elements and Matthew’s vocals are well matched, and considering this is the result of a long-running experiment I’m truly glad they followed through and finished it. Matthew’s vocals are warm, relaxed and despite having a few filters on still have a rich quality that allows me to indulge in one of my own songs and not feel so narcissistic about it!! (^^) Connor’s mixing is great and helps the song swell from one section to the next; building and dropping in just the right places without getting too muddy.
I’m very happy (and honoured) with this reworking and I think the guys should be too!"
I'll ditto that as well. Bentley Jones actually JUST released (as in TODAY) "So Much More...," his new single from Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing - you can buy it online and/or check out the YouTube preview & competition info; great stuff!
Connor & Matthew's mix is a departure from the electronica roots of the original, steering the melody & vocal into more Peter Gabriel territory. That's territory that I'm bound to love, since I'm a big PG fan, and territory that it is pretty unique here on OCR. They've made several revisions to the mix based on panel feedback, and all of them have been improvements; I feel like the final version does Connor's original concept justice. He writes:
"Back in July 2008, I was being plagued by Dreams of an Absolution being stuck in my head. A few days later, though I was talking to Matthew about the fact that he owed me a song, and I instantly thought of a doing this, because this song could really benefit from both his voice and his amazing wealth of instruments. So, I showed him the original song and he was hooked, soon enough I had a nice live percussion part on my computer. The vocals took awhile, 4 months to be exact, but I finally got them, and placed them in the mix. Then, someone suggested that it may be fit for OverClocked ReMix with the proper editing and mastering. So, I did so. And then Matt took the liberty of mastering it as well. Very polished for something that just started as a selfish little way to get a song out of my head."
Matt adds:
"This collaboration is the result of days after days of hard work. Though I must admit, we did have a near 4 month period of doing nothing, due to me being overly critical about my voice and not actually sending them to Connor until I re-did it. Though once that was out of the way, I gradually started to really love this version. All the acoustic-ness and groove sets me going and singing along. I would have more to say about this song, but I am currently speechless. I just hope that you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed performing and collaborating with Connor."
I'm really glad the artists took the time to remaster and produce a polished version, because it's an excellent take on an excellent theme, in a distinct style that we just don't see very often. And hey, bonus, the original vocalist - also a posted ReMixer - digs the mix, too! Looking forward to hearing more arrangements from Connor, who we hung out with at MAG, in the future. In the meantime, check out Bentley Jones' new single, and enjoy this Sonic ReMix from Cyril the Wolf and M-One!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - Crulex on July 19, 2012
If you liked this, that's great, more power to you, but IMO, I was expecting better, especially since this is OCRemix we're talking about, and LeeBro, a remixer on this site, did an amazing job on the original song, and "Dreams of an Absolution" is, itself, a fantastic song. I apologize if I sound like an ass, but this is my honest-to-God opinion, and hopefully, constructive criticism. 4/10.
- The Zomelean on July 7, 2012
- DrewGourley on April 20, 2012
Aside for all that, I love this mix. One of the first I found, and the first one that really got me interested in remixing for a site like this. I was about to record an original track (my first ever full composition, so I was looking forward to it) only for my headset to die, which is a shame - I promised myself that track first, and possibly a Sonic Adventure or Sonic '06 remix after that. Oh well, maybe next time.
Just a little note on the lyrics, which most people know already, but I thought I'd have to say it - 'there's a furball with one last chance'? Seriously? Was that the ONLY thing you could have thought of?
- StreetFlare on March 11, 2012
I love the intro, it felt like a Santana song. Awesome.
With a more laidback tone, its still a fun tune.
- Kadosho on March 3, 2010
The main vocals are by Matthew Dunne, or M-One. He doesn't do too much in the community around here, so I can understand the confusion, but still.
Thank you for the compliments. :)
Although I can say that my vocals don't generally suck as bad as they did on the Megaman comp. That was definitely due to time and because it was a friggin hard melody.
- Cyril the Wolf on March 3, 2010
- Doni on March 3, 2010
Really, really loving this mix. You guys did a kick ass job! Looking forward to more in the future!
- XiaoXiaoNeo on February 14, 2010
Some of the vocals are a bit hard to understand, but overall, they're simply great, as is the acoustic guitar.
Amazing mix; best one to be posted in a while.
- Martin Penwald on February 6, 2010
Upthorn;638662 wrote: Haha, it was just a few weeks ago, during magfest, Cyril was telling me about how he had a remix of Dreams of an Absolution that wasn't posted yet, and I was asking him if he knew whether LeeBro from OCR was the same Lee Brotherton. Nice to see it confirmed.
Incidentally, I'm noticing that Lee Brotherton is missing from this remix's "original composer" field, and his artist profile only lists the Remixer role.
That would be because Tomoya Ohtani is the actual composer of the song; Lee simply did the vocals, and perhaps an unconfirmed amount of actual music production. A quick look at the credits of the song and a few associated interviews will confirm this.
As for the mix itself, I'm very pleased with how it turned out! I love the more subdued acoustic vibe; it contrasts pretty heavily with the strong electronica that was the original song, but not in a bad way. In fact, I'd say the acoustics are more appropriate given the lyrics of the song! Very solid interpretation. Enjoying it loads. :)
- SonicTweaker on February 4, 2010
I still want to cry about it. This song intensified the emotion even from the novel. It is so full of feeling, and a song like this isn't made very often. I don't think I have ever had such a rush while reading any other book, while listening to any other song.
So well done to the remixer! And know that you brought a woman to tears with it-a woman who doesn't cry very often, and was even prepared before hand! :P
- Lovablelink on January 28, 2010
It's nice to be on board.
And while I have ram doing flooring at my house, and I would love to have each of you drop in and put on some Rush and eat Gouda cheese. I think it would be easier for me to just say a big.
THANKS!
Also, for some reason people think I sing on this... NO! I have one small harmony line at the end, but other than that, its all multiple versions of M-One. :) I'm glad to see my guitar playing is appreciated, it was some intense recording sessions. SO MANY BARRE CHORDS!
Upthorn, I dunno why this is but a possible reason could be the fact the Mr. Bentley Jones only provided vocals and lyrics to DOAA. It was really composed by Minako Nanba.
Once again, thank you all. :)
- Cyril the Wolf on January 26, 2010
Incidentally, I'm noticing that Lee Brotherton is missing from this remix's "original composer" field, and his artist profile only lists the Remixer role.
- Upthorn on January 26, 2010
- LuckyXIII on January 24, 2010
