Reviews by LaLa |
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Displaying Reviews 421 - 450 out of 665 |
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Commando (Sound of SceneSat Edit) - arranged by FirestormReview by LaLa, 17/12/2009 Wow. This is quite a tour de force!In style it reminds me of Jesper Kyd's and Richard Jacques' symphonic-electronic game soundtracks, and it's absolutely brilliant at that. It has a great variety of moods all interwoven so that it actually tells a story. So, the arrangement is simply brilliant, but it also brings a very professional sounding virtual orchestra to the table coupled with some well-placed electronic sounds and drums. I really look forward to hearing this remix as-is performed by a real orchestra at a game music festival! |
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I Miss You(C64 Remix) - arranged by Suvak ZajosReview by LaLa, 23/10/2009 It is said that the borderline between genius and madness is pretty thin. Well, this self-remix is teetering on the very edge of both.Imagine the stereotypical mad scientist with unkempt white hair and all tinkering with a SID-based analog synthesizer. That lead is just absolutely crazy, which is especially amazing considering how tame the original SID sounds in comparison. I'm no fan of the arpeggios, I think they should always be turned into chords, but they work fine here to make it sound even more chaotic. But, but, BUT! The REAL icing on the cake to me is the ending: that crazy-ass speech declaring how it misses the Commodore 64 - that made me laugh out loud! So, I think people will either hate this tune or love it. I vote for it being the work of a genius. Or, to summarize it with a single Hungarian word: qrvajó!!! =) |
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Flimbo's Quest (Live at The Church) - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by LaLa, 22/09/2009 Arrrgh!! You know, Reyn, there's a reason this POS Optigan was forgotten: because it sounds like crap. Look at the shouts: this sound reminds people of the turn-of-the-century - but this instrument was created much later in the 1970s! It already sounded outdated at the time it came out! Youch! Give me a Hammond organ or even a Mellotron over this one any time.Your keyboard skills are impeccable, the arrangement is fun, the banjo backing from the Optigan is a nice touch, but dang, I just can't get over that crappy sound. 😊 |
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Warhawk (Don't Feed the Warhawk mix) - arranged by Mutherpluckin' BReview by LaLa, 01/07/2009 Awesome folk-rock intro (ZZ Top?), I wish the entire tune was kept in that style. I was fully expecting some vocals after that, but the sharp synth lead starting from 0:45 totally destroyed the feeling. I like the lead from 2:57 much better. Then from 3:35 the piano (which is too weak btw) is a welcome change that brings us back to folk-rock territory. The outro is amazing again, like the intro was.All in all, the basic idea is great, the backing tracks are arranged very well. Change or at least tone down that sharp synth lead, and it'll surely get some red smilies! |
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Nemesis The Warlock - arranged by CrazeReview by LaLa, 16/06/2009 I have a love-hate relationship with this remix. The intro until 1:11 - love it. The part between 1:11-1:45 - hate it. The bass guitar heavy arrangement between 3:05-3:57 - love it. The lead guitar arrangement between 4:02-4:31 - love it. The chaos of 5:04-5:35 - hate it. The ending from 5:35 - love it.This remix seems to suffer from too much variety. The symphonic Metallica (a la S&M) style really fits this tune. The purely symphonic parts are too simple and too dry to be enjoyable. The chaotic anarchist part sounds too much out of tune to my ears. All in all, kudos for daring to be different and for going for something completely different, but it's not really fleshed out here and stylistically it seems to go all over the map in a relatively short amount of time. There are some great gems of ideas in there, though - next time concentrate on those. |
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Liljedahl is God (Green Beret+Rambo) - arranged by MordiReview by LaLa, 14/03/2009 A remix of a remix (of a sort-of-remix!), hmm…It's tough for me to give you high praise for the arrangement because most of it comes from Liljedahl's brilliant remix and the part that never fails to give me goosebumps (even here) - the Green Beret part - is present in this remix almost unmodified (and it's even repeated several times, which I do like). The only big change here, of course, is the switcharoo between the Rambo and Green Beret sections. I'm also not too impressed by the relatively soft lead sounds which almost make the melody line disappear. They are drowned out by all the other stuff going on. Have a listen to the Galway is God 2000 version from the BIT II album which enhanced the original MOD/XM even further by making the lead sharp and pronounced, which to me sounds more appealing. But that's actually only a minor complaint of mine about the technical side of your piece, because all in all, it's a technically very impressive remix. Artistically it's also very impressive - but only because of Liljedahl's talents. BTW, somebody noted it's very Jarre-like. I laughed out loud - of course it is, since Galway's original Green Beret SID is inspired by Jarre's Night in Shanghai to begin with… PS: 9 years later and I still get goosebumps listening to it… An amazing piece of music! |
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Tintin On The Moon - arranged by BeeZerkReview by LaLa, 05/09/2008 This SID is near and dear to my heart, so maybe my expectations were too high, but this remix is just wandering left and right aimlessly and doesn't go anywhere. It holds so much promise until about 1:30 but then - nothing. We get simple piano instead. Sorry, that just doesn't do it for me. Then it builds up again and - nothing. It's frustrating to listen to! It has all the right elements to make it a great remix, it just seems to be afraid to go that far. Too bad. |
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Compleeto - arranged by SlaygonReview by LaLa, 15/07/2008 Finally! A remix of this wacky and weird Top 100 SID! Kudos for trying to remix this admittedly very hard tune.But drop the broken record intro. It's horrible, it pains my ears. What were you thinking, Slaygon? The groove of the remix is awesome, fits the tune well. I really like the fact that the original's arrangement was left fairly intact - it works, why bother with it? I even like the occasional SID sounds here and there from the original, enhanced by modern instruments. Overall, though, it's lacking something to make it really special. Somehow it doesn't feel as wacky as the SID, it's like a wild animal that got tamed in captivity. Massive respects for the effort, though. It's a unique remix of a unique piece of SID tune. |
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Green Beret Cosmix - arranged by cosmiqReview by LaLa, 13/06/2008 8 years on and it still sends chills down my spine. The opening with the birds chirping is a great counterpoint for all the synth pads, the drums appearing 2+ minutes into the tune are a subtle driving force, and the undertones present throughout the arrangement are just superb.As brilliant as Reyn's remix is - which is the one that provided the inspiration for this remix - sometimes I actually prefer to listen to this tune over Reyn's version. It feels more polished, more velvety, more comforting. And it never fails to make me wonder. |
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Green Beret (live at The Church) - arranged by Reyn OuwehandReview by LaLa, 05/12/2007 As I'm writing these words in 2016, I can't believe this remix is already 9 years old. Since its release I haven't stopped listening to it - it has a visceral staying power, it etches itself into your brain and it doesn't let go. This tune is a perfect example of Reyn's astonishing talent for the layer-by-layer improvisational style that he brilliantly demonstrated during every single Sunday Service broadcast on Slay Radio. It's melancholic, powerful, hopeful all at the same time. I consider myself very lucky to have experienced the creative force of Reyn, the creative force of Martin Galway on the C64, and this remix of his tune in particular as interpreted by Reyn. And don't forget to check out cosmiq's remix of this remix which transforms it into yet another amazing interpretation. |
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Dadelos - arranged by moog (Sebastian Bachliñski)Review by LaLa, 18/03/2006 I really like the original SID by Reyn, it's so emotional, so powerful. So, I was looking forward to this remix.In short: I really like it! The ethno-ambient mood is set from the first note, although I would've prefered a more washed-out piano in the intro. The pulsing, always moving base is lovely. I am a bit disappointed by the muffled lead, in fact, the only reason this remix is not getting the highest rating from me is because of that lead. A Yamaha CS-80 would work perfectly here, hint-hint.😉 But in every regard this remix is as close to perfection as possible, it really carries forward the emotional power of the original. And it's also of perfect length: it doesn't drag on, nor is it too short to get us in the mood. Or, shall I say, in the moog… |
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Spy vs Spy - arranged by KjetilnReview by LaLa, 28/06/2005 The fake vocals in the beginning sound awesome - keep'em! There are some great ideas in there, but it appears you fell in love with them and couldn't bring yourself to change them - therefore, this remix sounds repetitive. Either make it shorter or make it more varied to make it more appealing. Other than that, a very decent effort! |
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Impossible Mission (Impossible Vocal Experiment) - arranged by load_errorReview by LaLa, 27/06/2005 Very avantgarde, definitely different, a very original remix. But where's that Aaaah? And where are those electronic blip-blops of the robots? At least the feeling of the game is there: this would definitely work as background music for a PS2 version of Impossible Mission. =) |
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MOTR-HiScore (Garage Band Mix) - arranged by X-Klang offlineReview by LaLa, 27/06/2005 Those who say 80's music suxx obviously lived in the wrong 80's, right, SID fans?… … 😊Nice attempt at adding lyrics to MOTR, but unfortunately, the singing is completely drowned out - as far as mixing goes, this is a great example of how NOT to do it when there's singing, too. I am generally not fond of the garage band sound (there's just waaay too much of it out there and most of it its garbage), but as instrumentation goes, this is pretty decent. The MOTR tune melody is not always there, but that's okay with me. |
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Spy Vs Spy 3 (Arctic in the Space Frozen Mix SP) - arranged by Yamazaki KatoReview by LaLa, 27/06/2005 Very reminiscent of Antarctica Echoes by Vangelis, captures that stereotypical antarctic feeling very well. But it's too repetitive and thus, it feels drawn out. Successive repetitions of the theme should've been more varied to keep the listener interested. |
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The Human Race (Melodie Eine) - arranged by Das Karl Werk ProjektReview by LaLa, 27/06/2005 Very, very good electro cover of Hubbard's famous tune. The technical quality of it is just superb: it's well-balanced, the instruments are great, etc. I think it should've gone a bit further to bring out the Kraftwerk-feel, but it's a very good piece, regardless.Except for the piano at the end. I have no idea why that was needed there. I mean, it's nice piano playing by itself, but together with the electronic first half it's just out place. Thus my lower score for artistic impression. |
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Future Shock - arranged by Romeo KnightReview by LaLa, 23/05/2005 This is very cool! The original SID is a great piece of groovy, funky music and thankfully, this remix stays very true to that spirit. I think the instrument selection is spot on and the arrangement is excellent. Never fails to bring a smile to my face. |
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Savage (sub 2 from 80ies 2 now) - arranged by PutziReview by LaLa, 23/05/2005 Since it is one of my favorite SID tunes, here's a longer review of this tune instead of just a shout.The opening is kick-ass, the bass is really cool, but most of the lead instruments should've been selected more carefully. They sound tedious and they wear me down. Or they're simply thin and out of place. Although the remix tries to be in the 80's style, I don't feel a lot of 80's radiating from this one. A better groove would've probably helped there. All in all, a nice effort, but this tune deserves so much more. |
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Calling (MegaWarhawk Apocalypse mix) - arranged by Kent WalldénReview by LaLa, 03/10/2004 It's not really a fusion of the two tunes, it's more of a 90% being Warhawk, the remaining 10% being Mega Apocalypse. Personally, I would've prefered if it stayed on Warhawk exclusively, the Apocalypse portions sound totally out of place.It's pure dance-music that mindlessly repeats part of Warhawk's melody. At first it all sounded great, but as it just goes on and on it became tedious to me. That's too bad, because it sounded so promising. |
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Arkanoid (SID No More Mix) - arranged by MakkeReview by LaLa, 03/10/2004 Arkanoid - as techno-rap??? With some alternative rock mixed in??? I am scratching my head here, but one some level it seems to work okay. In a club setting this might set the place on fire, though, because it has really great rhythm. I doubt there's a single tune (C64 remix or not) out there that boasts more styles than this one… It's probably this eclectic mix of styles that distances me from it. |
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Human Race (Tune 4) Alternative Rock Mix - arranged by deVilhoODReview by LaLa, 03/10/2004 Yes, Human Race remixes are a dime a dozen, but this one stands out with its near-perfect mix, well thought-out production and carefully selected instrumentation. At first I was somewhat weary of the part where it digresses from the original a little (between 1:43 and 2:19), but now I think Pawel did a great job of applying his own touch to the tune. The pulsating bassline really rocks on my subwoofer. Verrrry good! |
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Sweet - arranged by Marcel DonnéReview by LaLa, 03/10/2004 First of all, let me state that my review of this tune is not entirely impartial. Marcel gave me the privilege of not only listening to the first two beta versions of his cover, but he was nice enough to incorporate some of my suggestions into it, too. Predictably, I am absolutely pleased with the result.Second, I have to admit that for personal reasons I hold Sweet very close to my heart (one could say it hit my sweetspot, heh-heh). From the first time I've heard it I thought that it is one of the (if not THE) most emotional original tunes ever created on the C64. Many times when I was depressed or just sad, I listened to this tune with my eyes closed and by the time the tune was over I had tears on my face… So, any cover of this tune has to pass my very high expectations. And I'm pleased to say that Marcel has done it. The previous two remixes of Sweet that I heard were both lacking the emotion and the sadness of the original. Marcel delivers both thanks to the soul of the famed Yamaha CS-80, the same synth that provided that signature Vangelis sound up until the 90's (and Vangelis happens to be one of my favorite composers, too). What do I like here: - The opening arpeggios and the entire opening itself. - The wonderfully emotional lead provided by the CS-80 (and Marcel's playing). - The introduction of the drums at 0:37. - The shadow lead starting at 1:17. What a nice touch! - Those a la Zoolook Jarre-esque noise-effects at 1:48 instead of the original's sweeping double-noise. What a great enhancement over the original! - The bridge being played on a guitar. (Or guitar-like sound.) - The introduction of the very Vangelis-like bell-like pad at 2:26 - it really enhances the melody! - The very cool ending. - The fact that not only Marcel sticks to the original closely, but he also managed to enhance it! What do I think could've been done better: - The trills in the lead do not quite come through with the CS-80 brass, they seem to disappear into the rest of the tune. This is basically due to the limitation of the sound itself, but I wonder if it could've been enhanced somehow. - The guitar could've used a lote more vibrato at 3:02, 3:10, 3:18 and 3:25 (i. e. on the low notes). In fact, short slides would've been better here than just a vibrato, because that's pretty much what the original SID does, too. But these are the relatively minor gripes of an obsessive perfectionist. Plus look at it: 9 pluses versus 2 not-so-pluses. That ain't bad at all! The bottom line is, I have a new tune to cry to… |
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Bombo (Tune 1) - arranged by Romeo KnightReview by LaLa, 03/10/2004 Nice touch with the opening: as people gather around a campfire, somebody starts playing Bombo tune 1 on the guitar. Then a sudden (too sudden) switch to studio production with wonderful, wonderful guitar playing. When the drums come in, it becomes an even better piece: it's groovy with the melodic chord structures of the original intact.The last 60 seconds of the tune… Well, let's chalk it up for artistic expression. 😊 But I think that ending it with the same around-the-campfire feeling would've been better. All in all, a very impressive piece, I really like it! |
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Rastan - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by LaLa, 03/10/2004 Very good Gladiator-esque movie soundtrack-style remix, great production, Hans Zimmer would be proud of it for sure - but it uses a bit too many musical cliches for my taste, thus my lower score for artistic impression. Other than that, it's a pleasure to listen to, it's definitely a work of love! |
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Aztec Challenge - arranged by IceXuickReview by LaLa, 05/04/2003 The mood created by this remix is dark, gothic 80's electro. Here and there it also contains hints of Kraftwerk and - strangely enough - exotic passages that try to tie it to the C64 game (but for me those sound more Arabic than Mid- American). The Aztec Challenge speech sample is a bit overused. The remix is somewhat lengthy, it lost my attention towards the end, possibly because of the relative lack of variation in the tonal frequencies. |
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Giana Sisters Hiscore (D-Flingern Mix) - arranged by ifadeo offlineReview by LaLa, 05/04/2003 Bringing a sort of 90's feel to it, this remix manages to mix soft pads with electronic ear-candy. I think the only thing missing here is some vocals on top of everything. Not as romantic as the original tune, but at times I could characterize it as cute. |
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Target Renegade - arranged by PetersReview by LaLa, 05/04/2003 A soft electronic piece with relaxational overtones. Not what you'd expect from a Target Renegade cover, but somehow it works. It's moody and groovy with just the right ingredients and a proper mix. Unfortunately, it appears to be a partial upload as it cuts off abruptly in the middle of the tune. |
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Thrust (Magnificent Worlds) - arranged by FeekZoidReview by LaLa, 05/04/2003 Quite an interesting piece. The human brain tries to categorize everything, but mine failed miserably with this one. It contains not only several different styles of music (like the ambient opening, the heavily electronic main part and the tranquil second part towards the end), but it also includes a remix of Arcade Classics in addition to Thrust. I like how the different pieces of Thrust are - excuse my pun - thrust together to form a very recognizable but rather different musical experience. The Arcade Classics remix would be great by itself, but since it's enclosed by Thrust, it feels a bit out of place. In summary, it's a technically impressive, but stylistically somewhat confusing piece. |
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Thanatos (In Love Mix) - arranged by DJ RETROGradeReview by LaLa, 05/04/2003 If somebody can explain to me why this remix starts with what sounds like a Japanese auctioneer speaking fast, please, let me know. Then it has a sort of minimalistic oriental feel to it with exotic drums and that sitar-like lead. Which would be okay with me, except that this goes on for over 5 minutes without much variation - and it makes this remix boring. Cut this remix in half or introduce some variations or add a climax or something. |
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Delta (Concert version) - arranged by Noviello PippoReview by LaLa, 05/04/2003 A -fake- concert version, shall I add. The piano also sounds fake (i. e. sampled), but it is played nicely, it has a Yanni-esque melancholic feeling to it. Unfortunately, the last minute of this remix leaves me completely confused. It suddenly switches from the piano to a rather poor electronic version with a cheering crowd providing the supposed concert feel - and then it ends just as abruptly. Puzzling, to say the least. It would've been a nice piano piece, but that horrible ending destroys it all. |
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