ReMix:Cool Spot "OverClocked Spot" 4:12

By Big Giant Circles

electronic orchestral synth

Arranging the music of one song...

"Bonus Levels"

Primary Game: Cool Spot (Virgin , 1994, SNES), music by Tommy Tallarico

Posted 2007-11-20, evaluated by djpretzel

Tommy Tallarico's been doing tons for video game music his whole life, but recently with Video Games Live he's found a way to reference back to all the work he and other game composers have done while incorporating contemporary themes and - perhaps most importantly - reaching out to others in the game music scene and involving them in the event as well. Jimmy made this Cool Spot mix as sort of a tribute, as he mentions in his sub email:

"A while ago, there was a remix for this track on the panel. I thought the source was catchy, and plus, as the VGL DC show drew near, I thought it would be a cool project, as I thought Tommy Tallarico could use some more love. Thus, I began what is now called Over Clocked Spot. Name might seem generic, but as you listen to the track, hopefully it should be fitting. It's kind of one of those "pushed beyond the limits" type songs. Per my usual style, I try to mix things up a bit without becoming purely "experimental", while keeping cohesiveness intact. Hopefully the outcome is enjoyable to most. Also, the title gives clear reference to the site, because, really, in some small way, I'm paying homage to both Tommy AND Dave, who both provided me with one of the greatest experiences thus far in my life last June at the VGL show, where you and I got to stand before a crowd of VGM fans and represent OCR. So thanks, Tommy and Dave."

Awwww - you're more than welcome, bro. I'm a huge fan of Mazedude's previous CS mix, which has a really happy-go-lucky feel to it, but this is good stuff, too - not so lighthearted, more emphasis on the outright electronica jam with synth hero lead and phat BGC beats. Jimmy actually emailed Tommy to let him know about the mix he was doing, Tommy checked it out, and digged it, which is as high an honor a ReMixer can get, really. Jimmy seems to be favoring a lusher sound with heavily processed percussion, lately, and this mix fits that description, with a wide stereo spread, numerous layered parts, reverbed string and choral elements, multiple complimentary synth patterns, and some cool transitions - my favorite's from 1'53" to 2'00"; very slick. Following that is an interesting break with cool chord progression that goes into less orthodox territory for an electronica mix (even one with choral/orchestral elements); honestly, you wouldn't have expected a licensed game based on a 7UP beverage mascot to have a great soundtrack, but Tommy came through, and Jimmy's done excellent things with his source material. I guess you could say this mix really... hits the spot!

...!!!

...yeah. Great work from Jimmy and a great tribute to a composer that's doing great things for the art and the industry.

― djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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OA
on 2009-03-19 10:21:38

It even sortof sounds like it's carbonated with all that fizzy filtered highend going on! Now that's dedication! :-)

I love how this keeps adding more and more layers without getting overly packed. Just when you think there's no room for anything else, another layer of percussion or a synth solo gets packed in.

Great stuff overall; I wish the source was a little less repetitive melodically, but it's still a good track.

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BlackPhantom
on 2008-12-06 14:59:40

Sweet awesomness! This should be 7 Up's theme song!

For some reason, this song reminds me of Megaman Zero. Either way, still cool.

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cobaltstarfire
on 2007-12-14 17:57:37

I enjoy the build up and the way this piece is put together. The layering of all the different parts seems particularly nice to me.

It's got a sort of "wall of sound" feel to me, and does a really good job with it.

The song also vaguely reminds me of music from the DKC games, although I might just be a bit crazy...

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yellowcrunvky
on 2007-12-12 11:30:06

I love a lot of the music here, heck...remixes are ALL I listen to (boring, aren't I?), but MAN do I love this one. This Cool Spot remix is one of a special catagory of remixes that I call "sonic floods": remixes that start out great and then build and build into AWESOME. Remixes that just wrap you in sound and give you chills from start to finish. Some of the remixes I include in this catagory are SGX's "Drift", R3FORGED's "Thirty-plus Mix", chthonic's "Linear Groove", "Scrambled Eggman" by Braincells and Snappleman, GaMeBoX's "iMushroom, and Big Giant Circle's own "Eastern Ice Field"...among several others that escape my mind at the moment.

Anyway, back to Spot! This is perfect from start to finish. I always loved the music from the special stage in Cool Spot, and had alway's hoped that someone would do something with it. It starts off light and airy, but than builds up nicely with the soft base and the drums complimenting the melody nicely. Then the little electronica bits come in and start messing with my ears...I love rapid panning that makes it feel like your brain just shifted to the other side of your head. Nice tone down at about the 2:00 minute mark, but it doesn't stay down for long building up again to the rapid synth and electric guitar near the end...Shiver inducing from beginning to end...crank the volume and base for this one.

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MetaBlack
on 2007-12-10 21:18:47

Seriously awesome. I may even go as far as calling it legendary.

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Belthesar
on 2007-12-01 20:11:49

I'm really jealous. This is far better than the WIP in my very, very, very large bins of WIPs. :-)

I've always been a big fan of BGC's stuff though, so I really shouldn't be that surprised.

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Dafydd
on 2007-11-25 08:16:27

Very interesting stuff. I like!

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OMGitsDarkMatter
on 2007-11-24 01:45:54

This Bonus Stage theme was the best track in Cool Spot, and this mix is amazing. I've been waiting for someone to mix this song since I first heard it, and I'm glad that one is finally here and it kicks so much ass.

Excellent work.

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Harmony
on 2007-11-23 00:28:34

Mmmm, ever so rich and creamy. That combination makes for a disgusting carbonated beverage, but an awesome mix :)

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MykeXero
on 2007-11-22 15:22:52

After years of lurking, i finally registered, just to comment on this song.

Ive been waiting for someone to remix this bad ass song for... well 13 years.

This certainly didn't disappoint, great job!

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Geoffrey Taucer
on 2007-11-21 08:44:32

Awesome mix.

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Mazedude
on 2007-11-21 02:11:08

Ooh, another Cool Spot mix. Nice. Tallarico will be pleased. :)

Cool grooves, nice effects, and I agree that a certain Christmasy feeling does come across. I like it. Well done.

Mazedude

PS - I'm quite amused that people are comparing this to the ultra-silly very-short Cool Spot remix I posted so long ago. Of course this is better. :)

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Neonlare
on 2007-11-20 15:45:13

Wow, Epic Cool Spot. This is a damn awesome job at remixing this theme, the bells seem to do justice to the melody, and the backing synths add to it, awesome in a can :).

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anosou
on 2007-11-20 12:57:14
Two words: HELL YEAH!

This is far better than the other cool spot mix the put up.

11/10

Congratulations BGC, you just surpassed Mazedude in the eyes of a fan

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Ness757
on 2007-11-20 12:37:36

Two words: HELL YEAH!

This is far better than the other cool spot mix the put up.

11/10

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Cool Spot (Virgin , 1994, SNES)
Music by Tommy Tallarico
Songs:
"Bonus Levels"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Orchestral,Synth
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Cool_Spot_OverClocked_Spot_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,131,029 bytes
MD5:
15997190c4fc481727cc093f1263aca1
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
4:12

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