OCR00046 - Spy vs. Spy (C64) "Ambient Antiques"

[Joe Redifer]

Spy vs. Spy 'Ambient Antiques'

I like this one. Never heard the original. Doesn't remind me of Mad Magazine in any way, shape or form. Just cool music that has some NES type sounds as one of the main instruments. Although it is under 4 minutes it still seems a teeny tiny bit too long for me. Not quite enough variety but still decent.

[m68030]

I recently heard this being played on Nectarine Demoscene radio

www.scenemusic.net

I had almost forgotten about it. It's an old remix, but it's a nice light take

on the theme. Neat.

[FrozenSun]

HANDS DOWN one of my top 5 remixes here... provokes nostalgia, AND does it with class! good work my friend!

[Shwenky]

This remix has such a unique sound... It sounds so grainy. Zyron needs to make another remix!

[OceansAndrew]

This is a great example of taking a source tune and really playing to it's strengths. By taking an old 8bit theme and giving it a driving beat with some sonar sounding synth and several other filters, it sounds like it would be at home in a more modern stealth action game.

Though the original theme is repetitive, the way the melody fades in and out with a few breaks into other melody lines keeps it interesting throughout.

Of the two Spy VS Spy remixes, I think this one is the best.

[Liontamer]

I'm a big fan of the source tune, which has a simple but great hook. Like Andrew mentioned above me, this arrangement really does play to the original's strengths. Good fusion of synthwork, beats and chiptune, and a very loopable track. Look for more of Zyron's stuff in the Commodore arrangement scene.

[DragonAvenger]

This is a great example of taking a source tune and really playing to it's strengths. By taking an old 8bit theme and giving it a driving beat with some sonar sounding synth and several other filters, it sounds like it would be at home in a more modern stealth action game.

It's hard to say it better than that. I very vaguely remember the source, but I'm trusting OA's opinion on this, and my vague recollection.

This really adds to the original, in such a good way. Awesome.

[Eino Keskitalo]

Ahhh, gotta love those oldschool sounds. Very pleasant, if a bit backgroundish. I'm going to keep this, I have a feeling it might grow on me more.

--Eino

[Master_Yoshi]

The sounds in this seem deceptively simple... It's cool how everything is layered really nicely; it sets up quite the mood indeed.

There were a couple patches where it sounded like it might be dragging on a bit, but then the song took a new direction which I really appreciate. Good listen!

[42]

This mix is smooth, subtle, coldly industrial, and very espionage-like.

It evokes images of cold war era Soviet spies, which is very appropriate considering the game

The introduction reminds me of a factory theme, sorta, and then at 0:20, the two spies in the room become aware of each other and their deadly game of cat and mouse begins.

I like it; it feels whoally contained and polished.

[Marmiduke]

Dark sounding material for what I'm assuming was a game infused with the ultra-violent slapstick of Spy vs Spy. This is far removed from music that evokes a sense of comedy, and all the better for it, I think.

It's adequate techno that is even more impressive considering how early on this was submitted. I like the dark and mysterious layers in this, and I get a lot more feeling out of this than most of the other pieces out of the first 100 mixes. Surprising, seeings as I overlook this one all the time.

[Bahamut]

I thought it said it was by zircon at first .

This is too repetitive though. There's only minor variations from the looped melody, which gets stale pretty quickly.

That said, the take does use the appeal of melody and create a soundscape that fits it with its more desolate sound.

[Crulex]

Not bad. It sets up the atmosphere fairly well as the ReMix progresses and has a good beat layered over some decent techno. A bit industrial and mysterious, and one of the better early mixes. Very nice.

[Necrox]

It's too repetitive, but it has some nice sounds. Ambience + fat kick drum = win

[Tables]

Re: repetitive melody - the source was very repetitive so it's hard to get away from that... just think of this as a proto-Jingle All The Way song, maybe.

 

For what they had to work with Zyron made a really interesting mix to listen to! I love this atmosphere and the additional little elements lifting up the chords and such. So many interesting things going on. Really gives it that push away from the C64 original in a compelling and original way. I'd even say this is one of the old-OCR great greats in my opinion

[Dyluck]

This ReMix is one of the gems of very early OCR, and has been on my playlist for over 15 years at time of writing. Yes, the source has a short, simple melody, but what Zyron did with it by putting it on that lead synth and having that delayed final four notes of its rhythm is give it such an air of mystery and intrigue that is way beyond its comedic source. Take the time to listen everything else going on in the background, and let the atmosphere sink in with all of the instrumentation far beyond what the NES could give. Substantially transformative, yes, despite its repetition. In fact, I would say that the repetition adds to its character, rather than detracts. This is great music to drive to, especially after sunset.