LONG BLOG
3 Game Scores to Recommend to Non-Gamers & Non-OST Listeners
There are plenty of us gamers that love and appreciate video game soundtracks. However, the majority of the public still prefer the verse/chorus pop format. I have been involved in the writing, performing, producing, and touring industry of music since I was 15 years old. This does not necessarily qualify me as an expert, but it certainly helps to have the breadth of experience to pull from. I have many friends that I (and they would probably as well) consider musical snobs. Here are 3 video game scores that you could recommend to anyone as quality albums, regardless if they either play video games or listen to musical scores at all.
*note these are original scores, not licensed soundtracks. Therefore Grand Theft Auto, Fallout 3, Alan Wake, etc. do not qualify.
Silent Hill 3:
The Silent Hill series is well know for the excellent compositions written by Akira Yamaoka. The 3rd entry in the series is his best work. The music ranges from trip hop to 70's rock influence, and even pulls in some noise industrial elements. The down-tempo songs are fantastic for those who appreciate melancholy music.
recommend to fans of: U.N.K.L.E., Portishead, DJ Shadow, Trip Hop
Mirror's Edge by Solar Fields:
Mirror's Edge was a game that took so many chances with their art direction and gameplay. The same can be said in the approach they took with the music by employing a Solar Fields to write the score. It is a beautiful mix of electronic melodies and sublime dance beats.
recommend to fans of: BT, Boards of Canada, Trance
NIER:
I confess that I have not played NIER. However, the score for this game may be the best I have ever heard from a video game. The melodies are haunting and evocative. Although there is a lot of orchestral instrumentation, the songs are mostly still structured in verse/chorus fashion. It's a shame the game fared so poorly, otherwise this score would have been winning the yearly awards over Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect 2, and the others (btw I love those scores too!).
recommend to fans of: Kate Bush, Sarah Brightman, Dead Can Dance
GATTACASTjesse
*note these are original scores, not licensed soundtracks. Therefore Grand Theft Auto, Fallout 3, Alan Wake, etc. do not qualify.
Silent Hill 3:
The Silent Hill series is well know for the excellent compositions written by Akira Yamaoka. The 3rd entry in the series is his best work. The music ranges from trip hop to 70's rock influence, and even pulls in some noise industrial elements. The down-tempo songs are fantastic for those who appreciate melancholy music.
recommend to fans of: U.N.K.L.E., Portishead, DJ Shadow, Trip Hop
Mirror's Edge by Solar Fields:
Mirror's Edge was a game that took so many chances with their art direction and gameplay. The same can be said in the approach they took with the music by employing a Solar Fields to write the score. It is a beautiful mix of electronic melodies and sublime dance beats.
recommend to fans of: BT, Boards of Canada, Trance
NIER:
I confess that I have not played NIER. However, the score for this game may be the best I have ever heard from a video game. The melodies are haunting and evocative. Although there is a lot of orchestral instrumentation, the songs are mostly still structured in verse/chorus fashion. It's a shame the game fared so poorly, otherwise this score would have been winning the yearly awards over Red Dead Redemption, Mass Effect 2, and the others (btw I love those scores too!).
recommend to fans of: Kate Bush, Sarah Brightman, Dead Can Dance
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About GATTACASTjesseone of us since 5:48 PM on 01.24.2011
Video Game Podcaster: www.GATTACAST.com - Intelligent Conversation for Mature Gamers
part time music composer. part time writer. part time student. full time husband.
long time gamer.
I am particularly interested in Video Games as the new frontier of story-telling.
Twitter: @jessedvorak
join the GATTACAST Facebook page: www.facebook.com/gattacast
GATTACAST is a friendly, intelligent, colorful, philosophical, and mostly awesome conversation about video games amongst friends. New video game music highlighted in each episode.
This podcast features conversations about games we are playing, video game music, and discussions regarding all things related to the culture, society, art, and politics of the video game world.
part time music composer. part time writer. part time student. full time husband.
long time gamer.
I am particularly interested in Video Games as the new frontier of story-telling.
Twitter: @jessedvorak
join the GATTACAST Facebook page: www.facebook.com/gattacast
GATTACAST is a friendly, intelligent, colorful, philosophical, and mostly awesome conversation about video games amongst friends. New video game music highlighted in each episode.
This podcast features conversations about games we are playing, video game music, and discussions regarding all things related to the culture, society, art, and politics of the video game world.