ReMix:Linus Spacehead "Space Drifter" 4:33

By DarkeSword

Arranging the music of one song...

"Title"

Primary Game: Linus Spacehead (Camerica , 1993, NES), music by Allister Brimble

Posted 2004-04-08, evaluated by the judges panel


Yes, you read that right: Linus Spacehead. Slightly less famous than a certain Finnish OS developer by the same first name, Mr. Spacehead didn't really make huge waves or encroach on the well-staked territory of Mario, Luigi, or about a zillion other better-known platformer heroes, when he made his debut. Perhaps it was because of his spacehead, the size of which reportedly frightened young children and made bashful ladies avert their eyes. But enough of that - regardless of its goofy title or relative obscurity, Linus did have a half-decent soundtrack, which resident OCR Judge DarkeSword has taken and ReMixed into a catchy sort of high-tech light-jazz affair. Now, I sorta had to agree with a couple of the judges, who did cite Mr. Ansari for overusing a certain saxophone patch, the ubiquity of which isn't necessarily a problem save that there are better, more deserving lead patches out there that could spice up Shariq's musical curry. You'll have to forget I ever used that metaphor or you'll hate me for life. At any rate, GrayLightning was the most positive voice evaluating the mix, and what GrayLightning thinks is:

"Kenny DarkeSword G is back with another sax mix? Very fitting with the title you've given it. I think this may be my favorite of yours so far. Only slight complaint is the sax sounds slightly mechanical at times, but sax is one of the hardest to sequence. I love the vibe of this whole piece. Groovy bass line. I always like hearing unique mixes, and this is no exception. This also reminds me of Gradius music. Very chill and completely capable work DarkeSword. "

Personally, I didn't feel this was quite up to the standard of Shariq's other pieces on the site. Jesse puts it well, as some of my beef may in fact be with the original:

"this is strong work, and a solid arrangement of a less than breathtaking piece."

It's enjoyable, pleasant, but it's not very risky outside of covering esoteric source material, and an alternate lead timbre would have helped with variety as, even if you allow for the sax if evaluating the piece in a vacuum, it still became overused even within the same song. Regardless, it's a testament to the high level of proficiency and creativity that Shariq's attained that a mix that isn't necessarily up to his own standards is still quite a worthwhile endeavour and still represents some good tunage.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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DarkSim
on 2020-06-08 18:08:50

Just now discovering this! I played this game as a kid - it was released as "Cosmic Spacehead" in the UK, which is why it's flown under my radar so long.

Really nice flow to the song, and a big nostalgia trip for me.

1/10 not techno enough

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evktalo
on 2014-05-08 05:04:29

I quite like this tune. The spacey soundscape reminds me of some awesome space games, such as Star Control 2. The arrangement is structured and paced quite well, it takes its time without hurrying, giving a nice, laidback feel while having a deliberate forward momentum. Quite a nice surprise.

--Eino

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Skinner3D
on 2010-10-15 19:12:57

I played this song three times in a row when I first heard it. :) I don't remember the original score from this game (its been a long time), so I don't know how well this holds to the original. Regardless this song is amazing and it feels like the start of a grand adventure.

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Nutritious
on 2009-12-05 01:32:31

Ahh, I love this song. It pops up on my mp3 player every once in a while and I always stop and listen in. Darkesax is very effectively used here as the lead and duet parts. This really does feel like it should be a remix from a spacegame (I haven't played it, so I'm making assumptions). Great key change at 1:55 as well. The guitar sample underneath is probably the weakest point, production wise, but it's pretty low in the soundfield and not a major player, so no big deal. Good stuff as usual from Darke.

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OA
on 2009-11-20 16:47:07

hi2u obscure game! Sortof decent track on it's own, if a bit vanilla, and the arrangement does feature some cool ideas, but some of the samples haven't held up so well, and the second half doesn't expand enough on the ideas set forth in the first half. The sax patch is a little shaky in some spots, and sounds very mechanical, but it works. The synths sounded really nice though, and were a strong point.

Probably one of my least favorite DS mixes, but still pretty competent.

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Polo
on 2008-11-20 02:59:44

I like how the mood transitions from relaxing to bouncy and back again without dropping the space drifting vibe it has going for it. The synth fade-ins, fade-outs, and reverb are all lovingly polished. Add the percussion sprinkles and choir icing to the mix and this takes the cake. No lie.

Also, I don't care if DS has used it before; that's one sexy sax.

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Flare4War
on 2005-02-16 00:53:44

I have already posted how much I enjoy this arrangment but since it was brought back to the board, I'll say again how much I like it.

"I like this mix, I like-it-alot"

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remline
on 2005-02-15 22:13:40

I would have to agree that this remix ROCKS! Probably either my favorite or second favorite on the site. And, as the person above mentioned, way too much techno gets posted to this site. :)

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DarkeSword
on 2004-08-20 09:57:06
I think this is one of the best mixes ever posted. The reason is that it's DIFFERENT. it follows a different style than the same old tired cliche techno crap that gets posted time and time again. people struggle with difference because it's harder to understand. oh well, i dont credit many people for being as smart as me.

great work.

Thanks but DON'T BASH TECHNO :|

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jorgandar
on 2004-08-20 04:46:27

I think this is one of the best mixes ever posted. The reason is that it's DIFFERENT. it follows a different style than the same old tired cliche techno crap that gets posted time and time again. people struggle with difference because it's harder to understand. oh well, i dont credit many people for being as smart as me.

great work.

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Kaleb.G
on 2004-06-04 19:14:43
can EMA (eat my ass).
What the heck, that makes about as much sense as "Eat my shorts" but is far more unsettling.

Yeah, it's probably the equivelent of a "tossed salad" (even though this latter term makes even less sense).

Erm. :?

Anyway, I don't see why one saxaphone sample makes this sound the same as Angel. With that reasoning, I guess every rock or metal song sounds the same too, as they all use guitars. :roll:

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Kodeir`
on 2004-05-10 20:13:20

I already said I liked this song :D

As for Angel, I'll sum up some will and go over and reveiw it one day... but yeah Linus Spacehead =Kickass remix = Highly recommended o.O

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DarkeSword
on 2004-05-09 23:16:31
...I just listened to Angel and I'm sorry - what the hells wrong? Nothing. Just because their both jazzy doesn't mean they're the same song. I mean I hear the same guitar in most songs of most bands... just because an instruments the same doesn't mean that the song sounds the same.

I mean look at Techno, Country, Rap... their all using variants of an instrument widely used in the genre and mostly ALL the songs sound similar - yet that doesn't mean they are the same song - or really that much alike.

Thanks. ^_^

but what did you think of the song? :(

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Kodeir`
on 2004-05-09 22:48:45

...I just listened to Angel and I'm sorry - what the hells wrong? Nothing. Just because their both jazzy doesn't mean they're the same song. I mean I hear the same guitar in most songs of most bands... just because an instruments the same doesn't mean that the song sounds the same.

I mean look at Techno, Country, Rap... their all using variants of an instrument widely used in the genre and mostly ALL the songs sound similar - yet that doesn't mean they are the same song - or really that much alike.

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Gren-Lohart
on 2004-05-07 03:27:06
can EMA (eat my ass).
What the heck, that makes about as much sense as "Eat my shorts" but is far more unsettling. Anyway, The flow of this song reminds me alot of his sonic remix. It's gotta a good groove to it, and the samples don't stike me as bad or unhumanly. Atlest not to where as i'd notice it right off. It's made it on my hard drive and i think it's here to stay. Something seems missing though, i'm not sure but that might be sleep deprivation talking or something. Yeah, probly that. Anyway nice job.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Linus Spacehead (Camerica , 1993, NES)
Music by Allister Brimble
Songs:
"Title"

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File Information


Name:
Linus_Spacehead_Space_Drifter_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,542,603 bytes
MD5:
7056cbe21723d52f9c4d67e36e078872
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:33

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