ReMix:Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest "Brambles Open Minds Like Bubbles" 4:07

By Ross Kmet

Arranging the music of one song...

"Stickerbush Symphony (Bramble Blast)"

Primary Game: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Nintendo , 1995, SNES), music by David Wise

Posted 2010-05-04, evaluated by the judges panel


A DKC2 mix that's NOT from Serious Monkey Business? Yes! Well, kind of... ReMixer Ross Kmet explains:

"So, when I jumped on the DKC2 project, this track was open for like a day before JM nabbed it, so I started a WIP. Well, JM got the claim first, but I really liked my sketch, finished it, and sent it here. I had been listening to alot of dubstep as I wrote this, so this is my way of blending dubstep and VGM, although I wouldn't go so far as to call this song in it's entirity "dubstep". Acceptance or no, at least enjoy it.:)"

We did, and we did. As a side note, Mr. Kmet wasn't the only one put out when Morse snatched up 'Stickerbush' - I've had a WIP floating around in my noggin for a couple years, now, and was excited about finally realizing it, but the track was already claimed. Such is the way of the world, although I still plan on doing my own take at some point, and I'm certainly glad Ross finished his. This downbeat electronica mix has some REALLY cool sound design going on, and more flavors of synth than Baskin-Robbins got ice cream. Arrangement is fairly straightforward, but it truly excels in allowing the myriad textures Ross has come up with to shine in their own right - AnSo writes:

"So hey, this is a pretty damn cool remix. You definitely have your own style when it comes to sound. The instruments are warm, fat and slightly distorted for that extra edge. The sound keeps evolving and changing throughout the track which is great for variation."

Jesse also added. In short sentences. Saying:

"I'm pretty solidly with the majority here. Distinctive sounding, personalized and interesting. Some of the bell synths are reminiscent of Arc Lab. Moody. I have no problem with the ending."

Jimmy called this source tune 'the Ice Cap of the DK series,' which is probably a fair statement since it's a track that attracts a lot of attention. Nothing wrong with that, but I think it does add some pressure to try something new and differentiate your mix a bit more, and I think Ross definitely did that here: solid arrangement with some really unique, varied textures that extend & embellish the mood of the original.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Necrox
on 2015-12-18 22:44:22

I found the hi-hat in the intro quite groovy for some reason. Nice buildup; it keeps things interesting for a while. Can't say I really felt the "dubstep" in this. Not that you have to slam the speakers with FM bass, but the synths in question felt a bit weak. However, they work fine in the downtempo context of the song. Pretty good mix overall.

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Black_Doom
on 2015-12-09 12:27:40

Man, those bass swirls! They're totally amazing! And the percusiive textures are very cool too - so much energy there. Gotta love this edgy stuff a lot - so good! :) Nice job, RK!

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Syncr0
on 2015-05-02 01:49:10

Hi all, I'm Paul, long time fan, 1st time posting.

Why is it that everyone thinks this thing is called 'Stickerbrush Symphony'? :???:

I can answer this one. It's the official title of this song via tracklist in "A Smashing Soundtrack"

Have a listen.

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Blaze Moonspear
on 2015-01-16 16:37:41

Why is it that everyone thinks this thing is called 'Stickerbrush Symphony'? :-?

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urdailywater
on 2013-04-12 20:34:05

Ahh why haven't I commented on this yet? It's so good.

If I remember correctly, this song was my first encounter with dubstep of any kind, so I thought those wubs were the coolest thing ever when I first heard them. They still are. The sound design in this song is what sells in my opinion. The arrangement is great, but the synths and all the detailed automation put in really put this over the top.

This song sounds so trippy and cool, and it takes my imagination to some craaazy places while listening to it. You know you've made a good song when you can do that without a lot of words (or none at all).

Thanks for making this song. This is a super cool song and I recommend it to everyone right now : D

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scatterbrain
on 2011-02-21 09:05:37

Quite a good interpretation of the source melody. I liked the use of legato instead of staccato - very nice.

Unfortunately as far as dubstep is concerned, it doesn't bring anything special to the table; the LFO bass is mundane and the drums in the breakdown are robotic.

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mjwes
on 2011-01-28 00:31:47

I really enjoyed this mix. The beginning was really smooth with just enough added at each stage that it never felt slow. At 1:52 it began to sound like a piece of Flamin Lips music, and I mean that in the best possible way. Nice job.

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Crulex
on 2010-12-30 11:18:05

I love the source tune. It really is almost the Ice Cap of the DKC games (even though I like the factories and Mines better). This ReMix did good at giving the tune justice and gives us yet another way to listen to it. Nice and mellow, but at least it has some energy to it. The only thing I didn't like was it sounded like one of the keys or bells or something was a bit to high and came off as harshly sharp. Didn't like it, but it didn't detract from the song that much and still lent to the electric feel of it. Aside from that, awesome ReMix.

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Bahamut
on 2010-06-02 23:54:29
Pretty good mix. I don't see why it could'nt have gotten on the album. Well, you could have sent it in anyway just to try!

I wasn't even aware this was even around - Taucer had most of the contact with Ross. I would've been happy to take it as a bonus track.

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DuskyFerret
on 2010-06-02 22:05:39
I remember when this was on the WIP board. I went ahead and downloaded it because I already liked it

Same here. Really enjoyed this one. Even though it is a heavily remixed source, this track manages to take yet another direction on the Brambles tune. It's weird, it's quirky, I like it. Loving all the different elements combined within the track, especially the hint of dubstep. But overall, there's this sort of calming sense to it all, and that's exactly what the Brambles source is all about. Great work!

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Soul Splint
on 2010-06-02 21:23:41

I remember when this was on the WIP board. I went ahead and downloaded it because I already liked it, and after leaving it on repeat for a while you start to realize it is just as "transporting" as the original was, though the original transported you to a sunny bramble patch and this one transports you to the bottom of a pool while thinking about a sunny bramble patch.

Nice work:smile:

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MechaFone
on 2010-06-02 16:56:46

I enjoyed this song, and I think the background sounds were some good original additions. While it wasn't my favorite Bramble song, it certainly wasn't the worst. Good job :)

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Giga Bowser
on 2010-05-24 10:28:19

I really enjoyed it and as long as dkc remixes go on I can live on hoping for new ones.

sorry if i am a bit greedy but dkc must live on anyway I didn't get the title what do you mean by "Like Bubbles"?

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Martin Penwald
on 2010-05-23 13:11:48
if no one can say ANYTHING mean

Criticising someone is fine, "being mean" is pointless.

Anyway, I like the choice of sounds in the remix at hand. Nice soundscape that invites you to kick back, relax, and let all the different sounds and layers take you away.

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Anorax
on 2010-05-17 17:17:51

Pretty good mix. I don't see why it could'nt have gotten on the album. Well, you could have sent it in anyway just to try!

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest (Nintendo , 1995, SNES)
Music by David Wise
Songs:
"Stickerbush Symphony (Bramble Blast)"

Tags (3)


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

File Information


Name:
Donkey_Kong_Country_2_Brambles_Open_Minds_Like_Bubbles_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,010,941 bytes
MD5:
a74a02ad2ac89d3f9229348e770c0849
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
4:07

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