Reviews by LaLa |
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Displaying Reviews 61 - 90 out of 701 |
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Bitter Sweet (Encore64 V2) - arranged by TomskReview by LaLa, 24/11/2024 We all have our own ways to grieve. This is your way, Tomsk, and I'm with you. Slowed down this piece is even more melancholic. Love the added choirs and vocals. The layers and layers of instruments in the climax. The vocal-driven coda. Thank you, Tomsk, thank you from the bottom of my heart. |
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Supremacy (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Peter ClarkeReview by LaLa, 23/11/2024 The intro is all Morricone, there's no question. It even features the watch chime from A Few Dollars More almost as is.Honestly, I was kinda hoping the entire piece would continue in the same spaghetti western vein, but then Peter used a bunch of big taiko drums at 1:40 to wake me up from that dream and take it in a more symphonic prog-rock direction. Then at around 4:15 (including the key change at 4:25) I am hearing more Rondo Veneziano vibes, probably because of the winds. After all that he masterfully finishes the remix where he started: with Morricone's chimes again. That downtempo outro - genius. Way to bring it full circle! Whew, Mr. Clarke always finds a way to bring us along on a lengthy and meaningful musical journey, and this one is no exception! What a trip! |
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Last Ninja 2 [Street Loader] (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Jogeir LiljedahlReview by LaLa, 23/11/2024 With 172 other remixes of LN2 it takes a lot to bring something fresh to this beloved tune. But leave it to Jogeir to spice it up in his own unique way! His 5 minute long piece demonstrates to me that a talented, creative person can breathe new life even into old classics that have been remixed a gazillion times already. Just superb, well done, Jogeir! |
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Fist II [Song 2] (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Mattias BrianReview by LaLa, 23/11/2024 Honestly, the first time I listened to this remix, I thought it sounded fine, but didn't think much more of it. Then I found myself humming it at various times. So, I listened to it a few more times and I came to appreciate it even more. Like that repeat of the main theme at around 2:00 - just perfect. Just great stuff overall! |
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Nemesis (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Mattias BrianReview by LaLa, 22/11/2024 What I like about this remix so much is that it retains all the spirit of the original arcade tune, while bringing it into the 21st century. The entire arrangement is just so bubbly and bright (complete with game sound effects!), even the way it starts in medias res - just wonderful! |
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Ocean Loader III (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Jogeir LiljedahlReview by LaLa, 22/11/2024 Sure, it's sounds pretty good from the start with crisp instrumentation and great styling, but where it really becomes outstanding is from 2:13 when it veers away from the original and into Jogeir puts his own spin on this territory. Yet, it all fits in seamlessly, like it was always there. |
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TLI Intro 1 (it's kaos) - arranged by Tim ForsythReview by LaLa, 22/11/2024 This remix has everything: a poignant prolonged intro, a more uptempo, rockier middle, and a quiet, introspective outro. Arrangement-wise, I wish the introduction of middle part was given more of a 'story' arc (with a gradual crescendo), and I feel the very end is just way too abrupt. But what really gets me, what really tugs at my heartstrings is the first 2 and half minutes - absolutely stunning, and that alone was worthy of the admission price. |
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Yie Ar Kung Fu II - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 30/09/2024 This is sooo nice, Eivind! The soft intro with the piano and the strings, then the cello - just wonderful to listen to. And when the choir comes in at the ~2 minute mark with the lead singer - wow, just lovely.I think the string legatos could be better, at times they are almost non-existent, making the strings sound a bit robotic, but that is such a minor technical gripe. What's important here is that this tune is full of emotions - I was actually sad and surprised that it ended so early, somewhat abruptly. Maybe could've used a nice decrescendo outro…Well done, I quite enjoyed this, thanks for sharing it with us! |
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Zoids - arranged by AnthrolReview by LaLa, 17/09/2024 The heaviness of the original comes through nicely with the instrumentation, however, more attention should've been paid to the drums (which are weak). Some pads could've filled the currently empty space of the sound spectrum, too. The overall mix sounds a bit too dry to me, could've used more delay or reverb. |
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Aztec Challenge (the Dark Days) [Cinematic 64] - arranged by SlaygonReview by LaLa, 16/09/2024 The original SID of Aztec Challenge is pretty dark by itself - it's even darker here. Not pure evil dark, but the slowed down tempo and the raspy, shattering bass would definitely make me run away from this track in a dark alley. A woodwind-dominated break provides some reprieve before we are pulled back into Beelzebub's simmering lava for the conclusion of this track. |
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Den Indre Kilde - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 16/09/2024 Excellent arrangement and full of emotions, especially when considering that Kjell apparently released this the same year he took his own life… But the reason I didn't vote red on this is because the lead instruments are too in-your-face. They need to be softer and gentler in the mix, especially for a deeply moving piece like this. |
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Cybernoid II (Had to Regulate) - arranged by MakkeReview by LaLa, 19/08/2024 Another amazing mashup or in the style of remix from Makke! As usual, the style and the arrangement is spot-on, and the lyrics is just 👌. I do not know how much time Makke spends on getting the lyrics just right, but not only it pays homage to the original Warren G track, it also ties to the backstory of the C64 game. I am just floored… And then Makke also brings it home with his perfect vocal delivery. Massive respects to a massive talent! |
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80s Supremacy - arranged by MakkeReview by LaLa, 03/08/2024 Superb idea - but where is the singing, and the grunts, the ow's, the hoo's, and the hee-hees? Makke, are you okay? 😉I feel that the arrangement in the first minute or so is a bit awkward as you are trying to force Supremacy down the throat of this smooth criminal. But the instrumentation and the style is almost spot-on. Great smashup! |
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BMX Kidz (New Jack Swingish) - arranged by MakkeReview by LaLa, 11/07/2024 Wow, where should I begin?The production is top-notch, it nails that 90s style to the T. The lyrics is sooo clever while it also ties back to the original C64 game. And it's performed flawlessly.This is an amazingly polished remix through and through. |
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Cooperation Demo (GURO Remix) - arranged by GUROГАГАReview by LaLa, 10/07/2024 The total lack of proper mixing is what kills this remix for me. For example, when at 0:48 the bass floats in, it just overpowers everything else. The instruments sound very dry, too, a bit more reverb would've helped. There's also a total lack of dynamics, every track just shouts at the same level throughout. |
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Lethargic - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 08/07/2024 Sometimes there's a tune that stays with you for days and days, and it doesn't let you go for whatever reason. I've been listening to this one for days now, and it's not letting me go. I don't know why. Maybe because it has the perfect combination of oldsk00l charm and a melancholic theme. And the flute-based break in the middle reminds me of 1970s whodunnit TV series… I can't explain why, but I am captivated by this remix. |
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The Stationary Ark - arranged by amoonReview by LaLa, 09/06/2024 Excellent concept done really well. From the whale songs to the Earth-based factoids (with a big nod towards Vangelis) it's just a really good, cohesive piece that also pays homage to the original TV series of the same title. And on top of it the tune would totally stand on its own even without the voiceovers. A wonderful piece, thanks for sharing it with us!
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Cauldron (Haunted Orchestra Remix) - arranged by amoonReview by LaLa, 22/05/2024 The creepiness factor in your instrument selection is definitely there, it creates the intended atmosphere. Problem is, this tune (and your arrangement of it) has lots of repetitive notes in it, and to make it sound less robotic, you either need instruments with several round-robin samples, or you need to introduce some subtle variations yourself (filtering, or other effects with an LFO). The thumps were also a good idea, but I find the sidechaining on it too strong, as it overpowers everything else. The strings give out a certain Stranger Things vibe to me, but again, they sound a bit too robotic. Overall, an ambitious endeavor, but I think this gem of an idea wasn't polished well enough. But I'm looking forward to more remixes from you! |
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Miami Vice - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 08/05/2024 The parts I like the best is where the vocal is added to the mix - I wish there was more of that! It sounds really deep with that female singer.As Eivind also mentioned it, this may not be a 1:1 cover, but it definitely conveys the spirit and the feeling of the original SID tune, and it does it really well.Also, just like the STIL mentions it, too, this is not exactly an original Martin Galway composition. The arpeggiated chord sequence that is the backbone of this tune, plus some other parts are covering Jan Hammer's tune for the Evan episode of Miami Vice ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3YIz84thzY Jan Hammer - Evan (YouTube link)]). But of course, Mr. Galway took Mr. Hammer's original idea and ran with it quite a bit further… |
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Shades - arranged by Tim ForsythReview by LaLa, 16/04/2024 For me it'll always be hard to top Hülsbeck's own 1991 remake of this tune from his same-named album, or Detert's slower paced version from the R64 v2 album, but this comes really darn close to those, especially since Tim put his own spin on this tune. So many nice touches here with carefully chosen instruments, and a wonderful arrangement to boot. Very nicely done, Tim! |
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Dignified - arranged by Rock & JLDReview by LaLa, 05/04/2024 How the heck has this classic Reyn tune never been remixed before?!? This is just great, lots of energy, excellent guitar work, perfect choice of style for the remix. |
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Ninja in a V8 (Last Ninja + Last V8, Fusion Remix) - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 19/03/2024 I give you lots of plus points for your creativity: this is a fun mashup of those famous game tunes! Unfortunately, this remix also suffers from some pain points: the mix sounds mostly mono; and there are some 'odd' choices of chord/bass selection here and there (e.g. @1:16 and @2:10); the instruments also sound a bit 'dated' (admittedly, it's hard to explain this one). But that Last Ninja return to base immediately vocoded speech cracks me up every time I listen to it! 😁 |
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Robocop 3 - Main Theme - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 03/03/2024 I think it's a well-arranged remix, especially for a newcomer. Although sounds like you've been remixing for quite a while now. 🙂Your choice of instrumentation sounds pretty solid. I think the mix lacks some punchiness, though. It also sounds rather mono, with most instruments crowding in the center, and only some reverb/echo spreading into the side channels. |
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Ala Gal - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 01/03/2024 The solo violin and cello (?) in the intro both sound very nice, I think you did the best you could with the sample libraries you have. The operatic singer in the last section also sounds wonderful. But I do have an issue with the electric guitar lead in the middle (from about 2:10): it just sounds a bit too thin and too soft. Otherwise, it's a beautiful arrangement with beautiful mixing, well done! |
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Bruce Lee - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 28/02/2024 Another simplistic arrangement from Vandahlia, this time with a more Asian leaning instrumentation. But the instruments sound rather flat - they need more dynamism, more articulation, more expression - they need a human touch. The remix sounds too much like it was done by the numbers. |
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Ballblazer - Song of the Grid - arranged by VandahliaReview by LaLa, 27/02/2024 The instrumentation is pointedly simple, but it works. The arpeggios sound a bit too sharp, I wish they were more subdued. The problem with the simplistic and relatively unvaried instrumentation is that there's only so much a listener could take of it. I think that's the main reason why I feel this tune is 'too long'. But kudos for extending this short SID into a 7 minute piece, I think your arranging skills show a lot of promise. |
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The Magic Writer - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 07/02/2024 I am in total awe. Both by the quantity, but especially by the quality of your remixes. How you managed to create this wonderfully emotional piece out of a 1:22 long SID tune is beyond me. Just amazing. That opening with the muted trumpet - so delicate, so gentle. And when the singer comes in - wow. And it just builds up from there. I really do enjoy this, and pretty much all the rest of your work, too. Thank you for sharing your art with us! The world is richer now because of you. |
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X98 - arranged by BeeZerkReview by LaLa, 21/01/2024 It takes guts to even attempt to remix this SID tune, which is one of the best composed tunes ever (not just among SIDs, but in general). You managed to lift it up and 'modernize' it with a sonic landscape that's piercing yet melancholic, just like the original. The arrangement is easily recognizable, yet fresh and uniquely yours. The more I listen to this, the more I like it. |
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Battle Squadron - HiScore (Encore500) - arranged by TomskReview by LaLa, 19/01/2024 A uniquely elegiac remix that is becoming Tomsk's signature style. Absolutely wonderful and so full of emotions! The instrumentation is a skillful combination of violins, strings, guitars, and drums (and probably a bunch of other instruments, too), and the overall arrangement has a wonderful arc to it. So well done, I really enjoy it! |
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Occ-San-Geen (Encore500) - arranged by FirefoxReview by LaLa, 17/01/2024 Occ-my-god! What a great uptempo, dancey, staccato-heavy remix! It sounds like a modern chiptune mixed with heavy Italo disco and it really takes me back. Fantastic! |
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