ReMix:F-Zero "The Freedom of Zero" 4:49

By Harmony

Arranging the music of 3 songs...

"Mute City", "Select Time Theme", "White Land I"

Primary Game: F-Zero (Nintendo , 1990, SNES), music by Naoto Ishida, Yumiko Kanki

Posted 2008-01-12, evaluated by djpretzel


Brandon Bush is, simply put, a superhero. Between his formidable academic background, laid back personality, wit, and multi-faceted musical abilities, one can't help feel that a little of that should have gone somewhere else, to someone else, simply in the interest of equity, but it all ended up in one dude; go figure. Perhaps we will eventually find out that he has a small midget living inside his spleen, from whence all his musical ability comes, or that he has subtle but important character flaws, and on one occasion in June of 1996 neglected to help an old lady cross the street. Seriously, ALL of his ReMixes are mini-opuses; he has no single magnum opus, because they're ALL of that caliber. Dragon Song comes to mind as his salient "piece"; I raved about it back then, and I still rave about it today. It's one of those mixes you can queue up for someone totally ignorant of OCR or video game music in general and knock their socks off with. And so it is with great pleasure that I give you his latest ReMix, from F-Zero. Harmony says:

"F-Zero is easily the game that I play most often these days with what little free time I have, so the soundtrack is absolutely burned into my head. That’s great though because it is truly a joy to hum along to. I was glad to hear JJT nailSilence” but there are some other awesome as yet uncovered tracks that need some love. “White Land” is definitely one of them, and I’ve tried my best to do it and the other tracks I mixed great justice. Thanks Dave, Larry, judges and OCR for listening. I hope you enjoy your ride!

This mix is brought to you by (in addition to my new PC!): SONAR 6 SE, FL Studio 5, Casio CTK-551 (controller), Fender DG-20CE, my sexy man voice and my lovely lady Melissa’s sexy woman voice."

F-Zero indeed retains much of its luster when you go back and play it; they really nailed the concept on the first try, and I hope the series sees a new next-gen entry soon. While a Wii version that did the controls RIGHT would be groovy, I have to admit that seeing something like GX upgraded to 1080 HD would be downright breathtaking. But I digress; this vocal mix features not only Brandon's voice but his girlfriend Melissa's as well, for a rockin' "I had the time of my life" male-female duet, although she's playing the role (quite believably) of "F-Zero shuttle transport attendant voice," for lack of a better phrase, and not singing herself. Harmony provides his own harmony, as well as counter-melody, as there are some rapid, Barenaked Ladies style vocal layerings here. The whole piece is conceptual, as Brandon and Melissa take us on a shuttle ride through the world of F-Zero. There's plenty of variety, instrumental flourishes, and lyrical game references, and production is consistent with the rest of Brandon's oeuvre, i.e. unblemished, rich, and warm. The vocal morph pitch bend slide into the upper stratosphere at 0'40" is not only an awesome effect, it avoids gimmickery by being relevant to the libretto - Brandon's voice literally "takes off"; extremely cool. Organ plays a huge part, but piano, guitar, and especially nice, dynamically adaptive drums are all core elements. The arrangement packs at least a triple punch, probably more, with stylistic variation for each destination on the ride, and the overall work is a ridiculously imaginative and well-constructed homage to the game and its soundtrack. Bottom line: this ReMix is awesome, you must download it now, and if by some cruel twist of fate you've not yet checked out Brandon's other work, ensure that the F-Zero shuttle takes detours to Mana and the Spring Yard Zone on your return trip. Superb.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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WesternZypher
on 2019-10-16 11:28:43

Frictionless listening, frictionless living. Glide on by.

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JagerBaBomb
on 2012-09-08 12:41:41

This is, hands down, one of my favorite remixes on the site. I'd listened to it probably ten or more times before I even realized it was a medley! Guess I hadn't played F-Zero in a long time, but there it is. It just blends so well. In particular, the post-race music fits in there so well and the way it goes into Mute City at the end is perfect. Normally not a fan of adding vocals, but this wouldn't be right without them. Also, your gf as the announcer is perfect.

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Marmiduke
on 2010-09-22 08:28:30

I love the amount of creativity that is bursting out of this. It's a big, tight bundle of ideas and odd-ends, and the real talent of the whole thing is that they were all brought together so consistently and convincingly. It's like a collage of fun and coolness, and my favourite thing is it isn't pretentious. It is so freaking easy to love this mix, because there is so much to love.

Had the vocals not been somewhat buried, I would have nothing to nitpick. Every quirk and concept attempted was a success, as far as I'm concerned, And by the end of it you don't get the sense you've just listened to a medley, but something much more inventive and seamless. This is top work.

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ZidaRose
on 2010-08-07 23:01:52

This is probably one of the better F-Zero remixes. I guess I enjoy the instrumentation a lot, but I know that I enjoy the announcer on the train. It balances things out pretty well. This is one remix I enjoy quite a bit.

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OA
on 2010-05-05 11:37:02

I think the vocals could have been brought up a little bit in the mix, but even as-is, this is a stellar track. Great vibe, excellent production, and some amazing character. The reverb applied to Melissa's voice is-spot on, and the arrangement was catchy and cool.

Transitions were amazing, the Mute City one especially was totally excellent. "Now approaching...Mute City.." *transition to theme* :-D

Highly recommended!

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KyleJCrb
on 2009-04-20 10:32:10

Never posted back in the day? Shame on me!

This track is awesome. Vocals well done, production immaculate, arrangement great fun. I still get chills when Mute City kicks in: It's just sweet. Come back and grace us with more great music, Harmony!

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Platonist
on 2008-04-09 05:45:09
Thanks for the comments KogeJoe, but don’t you think it’s kind of weird to throw out a blanket statement about not liking when things are added to a song that weren’t in the original when you’re on a remix site!? If remixers only used what was in the original song, then we would all do super-conservative covers (a.k.a exact copies) and this would be a very boring place.

I actually agree with you 100% Harmony.. BUT i have realised what makes me like some remixes that have lyrics and what doesn't.

if a remix contains lyrics that are printed down on the exact (or almost exact) melody in a song - it sometimes sounds odd, because the melody itself is not a melody that is "singable" .. some melodies weren't just meant for a human voice .. this happens alot in videogame music .. there are a few tracks on this site i could use as an example but i don't want to flame anyone

this remix uses a perfect "singing" melody, i don't know if you wrote it or if it's in the game..however, in this case it doesn't matter .. because the melody is "singable"

that's what i think

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Lancer
on 2008-04-08 23:55:22

I thought this was great. The vocals blended in rather well with the song and the announcer saying where they where going was a good idea, in my oppion. It made it more of like you where either on the track racing or going on a monorail to the race itself. It got the song into the mode and blended the multipule tracks rather well. This is one of my favorites of this game, and up there as one of my top favorites over all.

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CobaltDelta
on 2008-04-08 22:58:26

Curiously enough, I'm not 100% fond of lyrics in my remixes either, depending on the original source. But that's mostly because I'm a nit-picky bastard who changes his preferences in music like normal people change their socks. XD

All in all, I've got to say that although the lyrics felt a little superfluous to me, I will certainly concede that you did a positively kickass job with the lyrics, regardless of how I feel about them as a part of the song. Your girlfriend also provided the voice of the shuttle announcer very convincingly, so additional props are in order there.

Overall, this was an unexpected, but pleasantly so, direction for an F-Zero mix, and adding the fact that it was a medley makes it even better.

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Harmony
on 2008-03-30 18:58:14
I just, ME MYSELF, do not like to hear lyrics on tracks that were meant to be lyric-less

....

The back-ground voices are actually a nice addition.

Thanks for the comments KogeJoe, but don’t you think it’s kind of weird to throw out a blanket statement about not liking when things are added to a song that weren’t in the original when you’re on a remix site!? If remixers only used what was in the original song, then we would all do super-conservative covers (a.k.a exact copies) and this would be a very boring place. I find it even stranger that just about every time someone has given me a comment about never liking lyrics in songs, they qualify it with “but I liked your lyrics” or “I thought these lyrics were a cool addition.” What’s up with that?

In any case, I’m glad that I’ve had the chance to help a number of people re-examine their preconceptions about lyrics in songs (even if they don't know or admit as much). Hopefully, future remixers will hear a few less “I hate lyrics in remixes” comments as a result. In fact, tearing down all musical preconceptions is one of my favorite contributions of OCR to society at large. Gotta love this place :)

OverClocked ReMix -- Obliterating “I hate [blah] in music” comments since 1999.

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Liontamer
on 2008-03-28 11:30:49

Meanwhile, on planet Earth, the vocals were a pro. :lol:

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KogeJoe
on 2008-03-27 23:34:14

Pros and cons...

Music was nice and mellow... until the lyrics started.

Don't take this personally? I just, ME MYSELF, do not like to hear lyrics on tracks that were meant to be lyric-less. It ruins a piece when something that isn't supposed to be there is forced on there by aspiring artists that think they're embellishing something with their own lyrics that don't even appear in the game. And on top of that, I DIDN'T like the pitch bends in the vocals. Can't people sing without the need for electrical enhancements? SOMETIMES it's cool, but like, I thought that was too much, even for lyrics. :tomatoface::tomatoface:

Other than that, I liked to hear all the different variations of musical styles. Different instruments, esp. the jazz tremolo organ. My favorite part starts at about 2:05 when it kinda goes into rae-gae/ska and I hear a familiar melody. Mute City is one of my all-time favorite F-Zero tracks. Always brings back memories of playing my SNES after school. The back-ground voices are actually a nice addition. It was a SEXY voice. Mmm hm. 3:27 has a nice relaxing feel to it. Again, could do without the vocals. If there were less vocals, and the cool parts would be longer I'd like this piece more.::

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Martin Penwald
on 2008-02-03 05:54:12

I really love the source tunes used, so I was expecting a lot from the mix, and I wasn't let down. The arrangement of the tracks is good, as are your vocals, but what really makes this mix special to me is the announcer. This gives the ReMix a very unique feel and is simply a brilliant idea.

The only gripe I have is that your voice is drowned a little in the part from 1:36 on; it should be standing out more.

Great ideas, great work.

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Fritz the Cat
on 2008-02-01 03:23:34

Nice. It's hard to get used to remixes with lyrics; there aren't many of them, but they usually work.

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Blake
on 2008-01-31 18:58:32

The vocal sliding up into a synth was just badass.

Sources Arranged (3 Songs)


Primary Game:
F-Zero (Nintendo , 1990, SNES)
Music by Naoto Ishida,Yumiko Kanki
Songs:
"Mute City"
"Select Time Theme"
"White Land I"

Tags (7)


Genre:
Pop
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Acoustic Guitar,Piano,Singing,Vocals: Male,Vocals: Voice Acting
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original

File Information


Name:
F-Zero_The_Freedom_of_Zero_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,885,156 bytes
MD5:
562ad4a136a073e1590343a87e0eef86
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:49

~ Welcome aboard the F-Zero Shuttle: ~
~ The fastest way to get to the fastest races in the universe. ~
~ We hope you enjoy your ride. ~

I don't drive for the money.
I don't drive for that paycheck.
I don't do this for the ladies.
I've already got their respect.
~ Please remain seated while the shuttle comes to a complete stop. ~
I've got their respect...
~ Ladies and gentlemen, we are now approaching White Land. ~

I drive for the speed, whirlwind, I'm a tempest.
I'm addicted to the feel of being frictionless.
You can sit in the audience and watch me glide by,
but you'll never know the feeling I get when I drive!
Never hit the side 'cause I get electrified
and I'm doing 475 ten inches high in the sky
and there ain't no other way someone could feel so alive
and they wonder why I drive? I'll sing again...

I don't do this for the money.
~ We hope you enjoyed White Land. ~
I don't drive for that paycheck.
~ Now approaching Mute City. ~

~ Thank you again for choosing the F-Zero Shuttle. ~
~ We know that you have a choice for race-day transportation, and we are delighted to have been given the opportunity to serve you. ~
~ Don't forget to visit our souvenir shop where we have merchandise from all of your favorite racers, your favorite cars, and your favorite tracks. ~
~ Please make sure to collect all of your belongings, including stray children, and always remember to help keep our shuttles litter-free. ~
~ Doors will be opening on the left-hand side. ~
~ Please watch your step, and again, thank you for choosing the F-Zero Shuttle. ~

I drive to be free... I want to be free... I need to be free...

Don't need publicity, cover of a magazine,
paparazzi taking pictures of me as I walk the street.
All I need is the speed of the wind rushing by me.

Keep your publicity, face up on the TV screen,
posters on the walls of teens saying that they worship me.
All I need is the feel of the world rushing by me.

I drive to be free...

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