SNES Listening Project Part 1: #-B DONE.

[Less Ashamed Of Self]

Some of you may remember, nearly 2 years ago now, I d/led a torrent of all of the snes soundtracks from snesmusic.org and started a thread proclaiming I was going to listen to all of them and bring forward my reviews and remarks.

Well, it's still a massive, daunting task and I've been going through them at a very slow and inconsistent rate. I dropped the project for nearly 10 months at one point.

Nonetheless, I hit a checkpoint tonight and thought I'd share my first installment in the on-going series of LAOS' SNES Listening Project.

As of tonight I've listened through RSNs #-B; approx:

60 hours, 31 minutes, and 10 seconds.

2,614 Tracks out of 24,703. ~10%

DISCLAIMER 1: Before I start I want to mention that I'm AWARE that this is going to take forever if I don't pick up the pace, I don't CARE if you can do it faster, and I KNOW that they continually update the site making my list ALREADY 2 years obsolete.

DISCLAIMER 2: The following responses are my OPINIONS. I tend to favour music that's unusual or unique (you would too after some mundane soundtracks) as WELL as skillful. If you're pissed I skipped over a favourite game of yours or you think a track I included sucks that's fine. You can listen to all the SNES music too and post YOUR thoughts.

All music mentioned below I highlighted because I felt it was: 'worth mentioning'. I like it, I think it shows of the craft of snes composition, and there's currently no rhyme or reason to HOW MANY songs/soundtracks get mentioned. For your convenience, I have d/led and assembled every track mentioned below into the following zip files:

RSNS

SPCS

RSNS ( 14 / 118 )

7th Saga - Covers a lot of styles, sticks with a pretty plain organ-centered, lo-fi instrument base. Some dissonance issues but overall, a great message. Cute, plucky, heartfelt, rich, poor, and frequently epic. An RPG soundtrack for sure but one that stands apart.

Tracks of note: Beginning of a Tale, Lux Tizer, The Farthest Reaches

Aero the Acro-Bat 2 - Much better than it's prequel for sound quality, lots of variation, chill vibe throughout, a few slick solos.

Tracks of note: Disco Fever (Act 2), Performer's Dungeon (Act 1), Performer's Dungeon (Act 3)

Arabian Nights - Not every song is a winner, not award winning... but lots of character and variation. Absolutely worth a listen. Lots of make-shift sounds/instruments here that I suspect were made by accident and left in.

Tracks of note: Cave, Ancient Temple, Flying Carpet

Axelay - A pretty impressive little opus, lots of tempo, time signature variation. Incredible drumming concepts. Very epic. Many trends of the sci-fi style of that time are sneaking in here (listen for Super Metroid, Star Fox). Study and remix.

Tracks of note: Silence, Cosmic Dance, The Moment Of Rest

Bugs Bunny: Rabbit Rampage - Incredible instrumental comprehension. It's not one I'd listen to over and over, and it's impossible to tell what's borrowing from Loony Toons, classical music, standard anthems, or a clean slate. Still, a lot of material here shows seamless blending, a ridiculous amount of change-ups, and impresive complexity.

Tracks of note: Elmer's Crew, Sheer Genius, Things That Go Bugs In The Night

Battle Clash - Very full chords, satisfying progressions, and very fast unique phrasing.

Tracks of note: Garam, Small Talk, Schneider

Brandish 2 - There are a lot of cool instruments and ideas in here. A broad range of upbeat character-filled pieces. Very realistic banjo and accordian for it's time.

Tracks of note: Battle Point Version B, Wood, Laboratory

Bobby's World - No I'm not kidding. There's some great sounding poppy material here which you can tell was written by a skilled ear. Nothing incredibly lengthy or intricate, but very catchy melodies (yes sometimes to the point of nausea), and skilled instrumentation & notation. Incredible considering with looping it's just shy of 12 minutes to listen to it in it's entirety. You'll thank me.

Tracks of note: Space, Fish Tank, Haunted Closet

The Brainies - What to say about the Brainies? This is a really weird soundtrack. That's saying something. An obscure puzzle game literally means anything goes, and they could've gotten away with absolutely NO effort here and left everything in simple syncing 4/4. That would've been easiest, but for some reason that almost never happens here. There seems to be a lot of volume issues and peaking with the kick sample which makes one think this soundtrack is sloppy; hell, maybe that's all it is: sloppy. There's a strange trend here where phrases seem to have notes taken away upon repetition... sometimes note length is cut short awkwardly. Some of this soundtrack is god awful... but some I just can't leave alone. It's just too strange. I can't shake the feeling the composer was really inspired, just misguided. TERRIBLE game too.

Tracks of note: Title Screen, Let's Start!, Out in the Arctic

Brainlord - A very smart soundtrack with a love of a heavy bassline, present, loud, and groovy beats and a simple moving melodic narrative. No stranger to more foreign instrumentation, instruments are chosen and used very effectively. Pacing changes a lot, mood changes a lot... you know it's an action RPG before even looking the game up.

Tracks of note: Romus's Ice Castle, Town of Toronto, Site of Civilization

Big Sky Trooper - Interesting. Creepy & (if you look at game graphics) cute. A dichotomy reminiscent of Earthbound. I'm reminded of the soundtracks of the Dig or Super Metroid. If that appeals to you DEFINITELY give this a listen. This is a very neat, mostly atmospheric, space themed soundtrack full of equal parts rich subtle textures and adventurous anthems.

Tracks of note: Quantum Machine, Dungeon, Black Hole

Burai - There's a lot of genesis-esque synths used but the arrangement skill is pretty high. For better or worse, there's lots of very well constructed songs here. I don't know why, but sentai shows a la kamen rider/ultraman come to mind here.

Tracks of note: Burai Theme, Time For A Rest, Peace

Battle Zeque Den - Some really interesting material in here. Very traditional Japanese and similar in style throughout but each track has it's own unique groove. If you love grace notes, fusion remixing, or are looking for spcs with traditional Japanese composition; Battle Zeque Den serves as a very helpful template.

Tracks of note: Genbu, Dunes, Forest

Uchuu Race Astro Go Go - Think F-Zero meets Kirby. Very surprising, couragous, and energetic.

Tracks of note: Sweetcat Lake, Satellie Q, Air Station

SPCS ( 36 / 2614 )

3 Ninjas Kick Back - Secret Cave - Lo-fi, killer beat, great gated sound to the chords, plenty of changeups.

4 Nin Shogi - Explanation of the Rules - Really catchy/pretty rock balade. Very enjoyable flute.

7th Saga - Beginning of a Tale - Mentioning this one twice. Very atypical track, filled with intimacy and character. The cutoff at the end is nice too.

Acrobat Mission - Hidden Song 2 - Very plain, but delightfully dark. Love the arpeggio halfway through. Wish it looped though. Please tell me someone else hears how much this song is BEGGING for a kick-ass re-interpretation.

Aero The Acro-Bat - Funpark 1 - Very skillful progression. No seriously; let it play out.

Uchuu Race Astro Go Go - Jet's Course Replay - 5/4 time baby! A quicky but a smooth, catchy little piece for sure.

Ardy Lightfoot - Island Of Ruins - Subdued, but an unusual progression and a slick bassline.

Ardy Lightfoot - The Tower - Very very very unique & progressive piece; way too emotive for such a cutesy game. I don't know HOW it's possible to listen to something like this and not feel it.

Alice's Paint Adventure - Bakery - Charming, nice harmonies + a key change. Ok, don't hurt me.

Albert Odyssey - Hometown Tibelis - Great intro; alike a Disney-esque theme, well written. Very pretty. Better than Kakariko IMO.

Arabian Nights - Dungeon - Hello 9/8. Very full and tranquil. Love the waving pitch on the synths.

Arabian Nights - Mountain - Nice direction. Weird and intricate percussive elements in 6/8. Hard to miss.

Apocalypse II - Main Theme - For a 13 minute plus song it manages to maintain interest. Very good use of SNES sounds/effects. There's moments here you'll be surprised were from a SNES.

Aretha 2 - Aretha Ring - Engaging loopless song; excellent transitions, harmonies, expressive arpeggios, varied pace... and you gotta love the last 40 seconds. Very pretty.

Aretha 2 - Land Ho! - Exciting.

Aretha - The Fortress - Avante garde dynamic orchestra punches. Odd.

Asterix & Obelix - The Bank - Not quite sure why I like it, but I do. Sounds like a courtroom scene.

Bazooka Blitzkrieg - Hunting For Robots - Orch hit heavy, (boss theme has SO many), a nice chords at the halfway point, and it's in 7/8, 4/4, and 6/8.

Beavis & Butt-Head - Hehe, Change It! - Despite sounding like midi-metal; a notable arrangement, unique progression, triplets & soloing.

Beavis & Butt-Head - Hospital Level - Wow! Didn't see this one coming from this soundtrack. A well-arranged organ lounge piece. Honourable Mention.

Bubsy 2 - Title - Obnoxious, but A.D.D. friendly. Not an easy piece to write.

Bubsy 2 - Armadillo Mini Game - What the heck is this? Catchy, plucky drums with unapologetic clashing chords?

Those poor armadillos. I don't even wanna know.

Battle Cars - Fuji - Wow. Nothing too special, but for some reason, the unique key and octave play makes for something that reminds me of Toto's Africa or other 80's pop structures. Neat.

Brandish 2 - Laboratory - I'm taking the time to mention this twice. Some things feel synthetic but my god... so good. Everything is good here.

Brandish - Alexis - Catchy, disjunct, and effective. Great triplets at the end.

Bahamut Lagoon - Friendship - Disguised as a simple ballade, the second half of the melody will surprise you with great harmonies and a HUGE accidental. The whole soundtrack is good but IMO the excellence of this song trumped the rest.

Biker Mice From Mars - Staff - Don't get me wrong, I like the soundtrack... but this track came out of nowhere. 1 minute of sexy smooth lounge ballade.

Bounty Sword - Campfire - Really nice piece here. Intimate and beautiful. Every instrument expressive in it's own way.

Bounty Sword - Staff Roll - Referencing a lot of pieces from itself in one nearly 11 minute long highly detailed piece. Enormous effort in this piece. Respect.

Breath Of Fire - Lively Mood - One of the only Breath Of Fire tracks that appeals to me. Very expressive and dynamic for it's length.

Super Bonk - Shoot the Smiley! - Full of change ups, bright verse and theme, great name.

Super Bonk - Zero Gravity - Gotta give a character track it's due. Cute little waltz with amazing whiny harmony in the melody.

Bushi Seiryuden - Battle With Spider - The rest of the soundtrack pretty much sounds like this. Very bland poorly mixed horns and timpani. This is in here for one reason and one reason only. What the HELL is that time signature? I believe it's 3 bars of 5 then one of 6... so... 21/8?

Baseball Simulator 1000 - Team Performance - Wow. Out of nowhere on an obnoxious organ lead soundtrack comes an unexpected little pop beauty. The very reason I'm looking for gems. If you find it too grating you're not gonna like the rest of the soundtrack.

Battle Tycoon - Map - Listen to this one twice and then switch to silence and I guaranTEE it will be stuck in your head. Amazing switch-ups, soloing & instrument work here.

Barbie Vacation Adventure - Scuba Diving - WTF!? This is really really pretty! Barbie? Scu-... Bar... WTF!? Well done. No low end to speak of but very easy to listen to.

Current Track - Cacoma Knight - Knight's Fanfare

WHEW. So. My eventual goal is to put together the 'must hear list'; the top 1000 spc's you must hear before you die. In hind sight I should have numbered these if I was going to take the time to re-title them all anyway... but I've spent a good 2 hours just reading over this stupid post. I'm going to bed.

ENJOY! Let me know what you think.

[LuketheXjesse]

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers is the best SNES soundtrack ever.

[ella guro]

Nice thread! I've had thoughts of doing this sort of thing before, so it's nice to know someone's doing it. I love SNES music so much. I love the 7th Saga music ("Kamil Dowanna" is another great track from it) and Axelay is one of the better game soundtracks I've heard, btw. I should look at some of those others.

[LuketheXjesse]

Axelay

Tracks of note: Silence, Cosmic Dance, The Moment Of Rest

What, no Colony?

[Less Ashamed Of Self]

What, no Colony?

I tried to narrow it down to 3 tracks each time. Usually showing off the variety of the type of songs in the soundtrack over my personal favourites.

Also; Power Rangers is coming up, wait for it.

[Dj Mokram]

Now that's what I call a one-man infiltration mission! Props for taking on this gigantic task all by yourself.

Good luck on your project LAOS.

[The Biznut]

LAOS you just gotta do everything bigtime hey? Good Luck man, thanks for the reviews

[K.B.]

Aretha 2 - Land Ho! - Exciting.

Clearly.

Heh.

And he compiles them for download. LAOS, you are a champ.

I'll be tracking the progress on this for the next decade.

[Broadcast Bowsette]

Fight on brave warrior. Also epic thread + plan IMO.

[Less Ashamed Of Self]

I think one of the cooler things I'm picking up along the way is researching games that I've never heard of. I keep hitting soundtracks where I have to stop and say: 'huh... what kind of game IS this anyway' Usually the screenshots tell enough.

[Chernabogue]

Wow, never saw this before! Great idea, looking forward your top list! Good luck!

[Mirby]

And now he's on K... when's the next checkpoint, LAOS?

[Less Ashamed Of Self]

I'm not REALLY on K. It's alphabetical by rsn initials, not by game title.

Kidou Senshi Gundam: Cross Dimension 0079 was titled something like 'cd.rsn' meaning it came shortly after Crystal Bean 'cb.rsn'...

To be more accurate than that I would've needed to completely disassemble and reassemble the rsns which would've been WAY to much work.

Next check point will be either the end of D, E, F, or even G depending on where each is in relation to the 20% mark in terms of total time. I figure I'll make an installment at roughly each 10% mark.

[Mirby]

Okay, just wondering.

I hope the music's been good so far. ^.^