Wednesday, 26 December 2012
Monday, 24 December 2012
Bounty Sword - Kohei Tanaka
Here is my review of Kohei Tanaka's SNES score to Bounty Sword. I wrote this quite a while ago. It's nice to read it again.
Hanakisou - Symphonic Album, Akiko Shikata
For my Christmas post, I thought I would skip any kind of Christmas reference to VGM. You have Deathsmiles Xii, SQEX Xmas collections, and 8-bit remixes of Christmas songs. I have also made it made mission to avoid christmas pop songs this year. I am by no means a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas. But Shopping Centre/Mall radio stations do tend to grate on the ears.
Today I want to talk about an album that is very close to my heart. It has a very wintry feel to it, so not all that inappropriate to discuss at this time of the year. Akiko Shikata is a japanese vocalist with a very distinctive style. Operatic, harmonious, melodious, sometimes discordant; her music is simply divine. She is probably best know for her works in Ar Tonelico (Hymnos albums in particular), vocals in Shadow Hearts: From the New World, and a doujin game called Hanakisou (japanese for flower funeral). Like most scores I admire, Hanakisou is yet another game I have played. With good reason as it is a Japan exclusive. The original score is Shikata's only full solo score to date. But here I want to discuss the orchestral album. I have to admit, getting a physical copy of this CD was stressful. I waited years to find it, and finally had to use a middle man to order the CD from Amazon.co.jp, as the it was not liscened for release outside of its native country.
This CD is unique for it is a overhall of Shikata's music performed by the Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Konstantin D. Krimets. Shikata orchestrated three tracks herself, while the remainder of the music was handled by Kousuke Suzuki.
The cd is lavishly orchestrated, strong melodies and often bombastic passages make this an extra ordinary listening experience, the imagination runs riot as you listen to it.
The above track is one of Shikata's own orchestrations, based on the games original vocal theme. The majority of the CD is instrumental, and this is my favourite on the CD. I can only describe the music as 'carnivalesque,' as it feels like a gargantuan aurial parade, that leaps and soars.
I can only wish that more of Shikata's music received more of this treatment, otherwise this stands to be an orchestral gemstone in the artist's unique discography.
Today I want to talk about an album that is very close to my heart. It has a very wintry feel to it, so not all that inappropriate to discuss at this time of the year. Akiko Shikata is a japanese vocalist with a very distinctive style. Operatic, harmonious, melodious, sometimes discordant; her music is simply divine. She is probably best know for her works in Ar Tonelico (Hymnos albums in particular), vocals in Shadow Hearts: From the New World, and a doujin game called Hanakisou (japanese for flower funeral). Like most scores I admire, Hanakisou is yet another game I have played. With good reason as it is a Japan exclusive. The original score is Shikata's only full solo score to date. But here I want to discuss the orchestral album. I have to admit, getting a physical copy of this CD was stressful. I waited years to find it, and finally had to use a middle man to order the CD from Amazon.co.jp, as the it was not liscened for release outside of its native country.
This CD is unique for it is a overhall of Shikata's music performed by the Moscow International Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Konstantin D. Krimets. Shikata orchestrated three tracks herself, while the remainder of the music was handled by Kousuke Suzuki.
The cd is lavishly orchestrated, strong melodies and often bombastic passages make this an extra ordinary listening experience, the imagination runs riot as you listen to it.
The above track is one of Shikata's own orchestrations, based on the games original vocal theme. The majority of the CD is instrumental, and this is my favourite on the CD. I can only describe the music as 'carnivalesque,' as it feels like a gargantuan aurial parade, that leaps and soars.
I can only wish that more of Shikata's music received more of this treatment, otherwise this stands to be an orchestral gemstone in the artist's unique discography.
Friday, 21 December 2012
Zircon feat Jeff Ball - Globulous
So I have posted and drafted quite a few posts on orchestral music, so I will share a bit of techno here. Three things I love about this post; I love Tetris, I love the violin and I love these guys! Zircon and violinist Jeff Ball compose for indie game Globulous and the results contain some mesmerising moments.
Globulous can be purchased on iTunes. As for the score - check it out in full on Bandcamp
Globulous can be purchased on iTunes. As for the score - check it out in full on Bandcamp
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Michiru Oshima revisits Beethoven
Bones' latest anime Zetsuen no Tempest is also due a soundtrack release early next year. The anime follows two teenage boys as they attempt to find the murderer of their friend Aika, in a story heavilly inpired by Shakespeare's plays Hamlet and The Tempest. For the Music, one particularlly noteworthy mention is composer Michiru Oshima is orchestrating Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 17 "Tempest".
Oshima previously arranged the 5th Symphony for the climactic episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist back in 2003/4.
Oshima previously arranged the 5th Symphony for the climactic episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist back in 2003/4.
Soul Sacrifice
Yasunori Mitsuda and Wataru Hokoyama are collaborating on Keiji Inafune's PSVita title 'Soul Sacrifice.' A soundtrack release is due on March 13th 2013 from Team Entertainment.
Mitsuda does not need much introduction, his previous efforts this year include the orchestration of Kid Icarus Uprising alongside Motoi Sakuraba [Star Ocean, Baten Kaitos], Yuzo Koshiro [Streets of Rage, Etrian Odyssey], Noriyuki Iwadare [Grandia, Phoenix Wright series], Masafumi Takada [killer 7, No More Heroes] and Takahiro Nishi. Last year Mitsuda released his orchestral album to Xenogears, and we still await his Chrono Cross Arrange Album. Wataru Hokoyama orchestrated film scores including Dungeons & Dragons, he scored the game Afrika, and orchestrated a handful of themes for Resident Evil 5.
A sample of Soul Sacrifice's score can be heard here. A more recent demo has been released for Japan, and the music samples so far set for some promising production values.
There is a Sound tab on the Gallery Page of the Game's Official Site. Keep your eye on it, as for the moment it is yet to have an update: Soul Sacrifice Gallery Page
Also here is a sample of the demo along with a few music examples
Mitsuda does not need much introduction, his previous efforts this year include the orchestration of Kid Icarus Uprising alongside Motoi Sakuraba [Star Ocean, Baten Kaitos], Yuzo Koshiro [Streets of Rage, Etrian Odyssey], Noriyuki Iwadare [Grandia, Phoenix Wright series], Masafumi Takada [killer 7, No More Heroes] and Takahiro Nishi. Last year Mitsuda released his orchestral album to Xenogears, and we still await his Chrono Cross Arrange Album. Wataru Hokoyama orchestrated film scores including Dungeons & Dragons, he scored the game Afrika, and orchestrated a handful of themes for Resident Evil 5.
A sample of Soul Sacrifice's score can be heard here. A more recent demo has been released for Japan, and the music samples so far set for some promising production values.
There is a Sound tab on the Gallery Page of the Game's Official Site. Keep your eye on it, as for the moment it is yet to have an update: Soul Sacrifice Gallery Page
Also here is a sample of the demo along with a few music examples
Lightning Returns
So the first trailer has been released for the third instalment of Final Fantasy XIII. Tempted by yet another variation of Blinded by Light [possible IMERUAT version on the website?]. The game score once again features Masashi Hamauzu, Naoshi Mitzuta and Mitsuto Suzuki.
UPDATE: Hamauzu has announced the name of the Trailer music; "Crimson Blitz - LIGHTNING RETURNS". The track will be available on iTunes on the 23rd December.
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