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This took too long, ~45 seconds, to get to the good stuff in my opinion. And even then it's just an Eastern instrument (Koto?) carrying the melody over some beats. Granted, I do like the Eastern instrumentation, but that alone just isn't really enough to make this interesting. Ultimately overall, it's just o.k. There are definitely better things here on OCR but also worse things, too.

I like the dark beats going on here; they give it a very primal feel, especially with the guitar parts later on. I keep expecting it to turn into a power rock ballad, but it focuses a lot more on atmosphere and soundscape than melody. Which makes sense to me in some weird cosmic sort of way. I mean an anthem originating from the subject of dinosaurs would focus more on atmosphere/where you're at as opposed to the melody/what's happening, least you'd get eaten. Anyway, this is something different and worth a listen. Just don't go into it expecting wailing guitars and tons of energy.

I can't believe I haven't really sat down and listened to this song until just now. And the more I listen to it the more I realize there's a heck of a lot more happening here. On the surface, it's light, airy electronica, BUT there's just a lot of odd work going on underneath everything. It's like looking through a frozen lake; sure there's the surface, but you can see all kinds of currents and eddies and fishes swimming underneath. This track has a unique distinction as being able to be something I can put on repeat and listen to while studying or something like that or just sit down and devote my full attention to it and listen. This is absolutely worth checking out.

Finally! We have the lyrics to this! Yay! But this is totally rad and bombin' mad cool, yo! I really like the influences from Hey, Mickey, and how the sources are layered with the minimal techno beats plus Starla's vocals. It just works well. There's also just a cute charming kitsch value to it all, especially in the 80's teen girl-esque pining over Mario in the lyrics. While I definitely wouldn't describe this as serious, it doesn't really need to be. It's just pure, happy-go-lucky fun times.

I like this a lot. And the action movie OST influence is spot on. Also I keep getting a Metal Gear Solid vibe from this. I keep wanting to directly compare it to a specific track off an OST, but I can't really match it up with anything. So, I dunno. It also has this tidal aspect that reminds me a lot of Davy Jones's theme off of Dead Man's Chest OST. But I suppose that's what I really like about this track: it tickles that odd part of your brain that just wants to try and recognize where you've heard something similar.

As much as I like this mix, I still have some mixed feelings about it though. For some reason the source isn't quite clear cut until the transition at ~1:30. Before then, the source feels really buried and not that recognizable. Also, the transition and ending feel slightly jarring. The ending especially feels abrupt. Despite what I just said, I still really like the acoustic rendition of the theme though; it's a very fresh take on the theme. It just has this sense of finality/completeness to it and that it's ready to start the next chapter. I definitely recommend this if you're looking for something different.

OMG, this could have came straight off the Okami soundtrack. <3<3<3 I'm in love.... I'm not picking up the "training montage" vibe from it. I suppose its cause I've always associated training montage with You're the Best Around or Eye of the Tiger. But definitely this just feels just so right for the Theme of Monk. One can just feel the power and strength of the melody. The word that keeps coming to my mind is "unbreakable". There's strong, powerful moments in it, but it's never up in you're face about it. It just feels so calming yet vibrant; like I mentioned before it's like a slice off the Okami soundtrack. I can definitely hear this being played as Amaterasu races across the land.

OMG, The intro is sheer amazing. DJP describes it as Mongolian throat singing-esque. It reminds me a lot of what the background music would be for a nature documentary panning across some sun blasted salt flat. Either way, it's absolutely stunning and captivating. Yeah, I know this was taken from the "Gears" album, but I really love the choir. It really gives this track a human feel to it, and there's probably something to be said for that. But this mix is dripping with personality, and it does a lot of just unconventional things, like mixing ethnic/choral aspects with a dark industrial feel. And the transition and melding between the two is flawless. This is such a wonderful track because there is nothing else out there like it.

There's just a lingering sense of doom/finality/fate in this mix that is so tasty from an aural sense. I also like the soloist that comes in, almost like she's singing the song that ends the earth. Ok, yeah, when direct side by side comparing this to Omen, this mix does play it safe and conservatively but it's still a treat. I still like this a lot largely because it's a lot more subtle in its intentions than Omen is. Specifically, there are a few instances where Omen has some orchestral crescendos, but this has much more milder moments. I definitely recommend checking this out.

This reminds me a lot of what might play over the credits for an anime film specifically Hayao Miyazaki's. But I don't think I ever noticed just how emotion is packed into the the Xenogears soundtrack, and this mix seems to just highlight that. This is definitely nostalgia made into song. Bittersweet nostalgia. Heh, I have an entire playlist of mixes that I listen as I go to sleep. I hadn't really considered this track for my playlist because of how it was also emotional in addition to mellowly soothing, but I will now. Huh, also apparently there's supposed to be a bunch of background sfx. Until I started listening specifically for them, I didn't hear them. Still, this is incredibly well done, and I feel like Avaris and Level 99 have accomplished what they've set out to do do with this mix.

The word that comes to my mind on this one is "Gothic". It has these very dark, haunting overtones that really cause one to pause and just dwell on life for a while. Everything is executed just so perfectly here. Abadoss described this as a lullaby that a mother might knowingly sing to her child who might not survive the night, and its the fact that even if he hadn't told that, it still would have been clear that would have been the vibe that they were going for. The fact that this is so rooted in those notions that it accomplishes what it sets out to do is what makes this so awe worthy in my opinion. If what I just said made any sense ._. Everything here though just works together so well, especially DA's vocals and the slow methodological orchestration. Definitely an amazing song.

Ok, so I know BGC states that there isn't an intro on this one =p but what I'm calling the intro (the first ~30 secods) I really like a lot. It has an airy, as if being blown through a canyon feel to it, which really carries momentum throughout the track. Also, once it really breaks down it flows really nicely, like fine tuned circuitry. I do agree that the tempo shift around ~2:40 feels a little bumpy, but it does it's purpose of making you slow down and focus on what you're listening and in a not to jarring manor at that too. This is a track definitely worth listening to.

For some reason, this reason this mix reminds me a lot of this mix. I don't know why. But anyway the guitar work here is drop dead gorgeous, and the whole thing feels so mellow in a so sizzling hot it's cool kind of way. This is an absolute must listen to and is by far my favorite (as of now) Animal Crossing mix on the site. Also, just ending with K.K. Slider whistling is brilliant.

You have absolutely no idea how much I was looking forward to this. Definitely going to try to beat my record for last year, but it'll be after finals before I can kick it into high gear. *cracks knuckles and dives in headfirst* [Edit] Whew, 1/8 of the way there... Anyway, to prevent a double post, I'll just edit this one. Firstly, don't forget about the songs that haven't been reviewed in a while. There's only two and a half pages of mixes that haven't been reviewed since 2008, too. Secondly, Ignore the naysayers! They only want to stop us from reaching our goals! Never give up! Trust your instincts! Use bombs wisely! wait....

OMG! About time, too.

boo-yah, this is going to be awesome! I'm going to have a new album to listen to whilst I study for finals.

In related news, Super Meat Boy has headcrabs. qft&e

Foremost, this: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01980/ needs lyrics. Also this: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01114/ And several songs from the Thieves of Fate album need lyrics too. Edit: And this: http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR00028/

I just wanted to make sure because I didn't see it anywhere: voting is open to the public, right? Thanks. ._.;

Intro stage design is now complete!

Thank you for pointing this out; I thought it was bizarre that I couldn't even use the Java chat. Well, it turns out that I currently can't have both irc and McAfee Virus Scan Console. ; But, hey, at least the problems been identified now.

^ This. Absolutely this. It's drop dead gorgeous and now my new favorite jazz piece.

*Bump* Help! ^ This is really annoying. T_T

Make that three of us. Methinks I've missed a memo somewhere. I will be sending out memos of my own tomorrow. Still, there's one pressing question: who exactly is doing the actual level designs themselves?

Hey, I saw that this topic was already here, so... I'm having trouble connecting to irc. It doesn't matter if I use the java clients or mirc or if I'm using my home wi-fi or public, it won't connect. It keeps saying "connection refused" or similar things. And it's driving me nuts.