Reviews by LaLa |
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Displaying Reviews 61 - 90 out of 717 |
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Barbarian The king - arranged by Tollis offlineReview by LaLa, 28/04/2025 Starts out very promising, very grandiose. Unfortunately, when the choir first comes in there's a very sharp drop in the volume levels for all the other instruments and the choir is a bit washed out, too, making it hard to understand. Some more attention to mixing would've been welcome here. Personally, I don't actually have a problem with the AI choir - after all, other remixers also use, for example, sampled orchestral sounds, since not every can afford to hire the London Symphonic Orchestra… I am much more disappointed by how little of Barbarian I hear in this remix. It's a fantastic, epic soundtrack and so little of it is present here. The AI lead singer, though, sounds really weird. Not very clear, maybe due to too much post-processing, or the AI generator just wasn't very good to begin with - I don't know, but it's definitely on the wrong side of the And then the tune just cuts off suddenly at the end - next time, let the reverbs all die out before you end your recording. All in all, I do admire the effort you put into this, but again, I wish it contained more Barbarian. |
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Zoom (2025 live) - arranged by NecroPoloReview by LaLa, 14/04/2025 Loved the Hypercharger version when you published that 7 years ago (where did the time go?…), love this one even more. Somehow it's both more raw and more refined at the same time. No clue how you do it, but it's fantastic! |
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Wings of Fury - arranged by Tollis offlineReview by LaLa, 14/04/2025 Shows a lot of promise. Seems to try to imitate the 'fighting hero' style Hollywood orchestral score, and while it suceeds in some aspects, it's not quite there, yet. Also: the MP3 download cuts off abruptly at 2:53, while the video continues for another 40 seconds. |
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Gordian Tomb - arranged by Tollis offlineReview by LaLa, 12/04/2025 Welcome to the remix community! This is a promising arrangement, although several of the orchestral instruments sound somewhat flat to me (esp the woodwinds). The percussion sounds powerful, though, and you made great use of it. Also, in the MP3 file it cuts off the tail end of the last reverbs - next time let them all ring out before ending the recording. All in all, not bad! |
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Yie Ar Kung-fu II Live Performance - arranged by Tony Fluke73 WirenReview by LaLa, 22/03/2025 I quite enjoy this! With these reverberated drums it sounds like an 1980s pop ballad, the only thing missing is a vocal with some sappy lyrics. 😁And that arpeggiated sound coming in at 2:10 - perfecto👌! |
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Heaven - arranged by protonReview by LaLa, 09/03/2025 Flat and lifeless instruments: where are the signature slides from the original? How about some variations to make this feel less robotic? The arrangement is also boring - just repeating the exact same patterns a few times does not make for interesting listening. On top of it the entire remix is too low on volume. This classic SID deserves a lot better. |
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Hi Fi Sky - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 04/03/2025 I've been a big fan of Hi Fi Sky, both as a piece of music, but especially after I learned about the technical wizardry that created it. Here you've captured the atmosphere and spirit of the original so well, and you even managed to embellish it (those lush reverbs: my gosh, so wonderful!). I just can't stop listening to it. Really well done! |
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Aspar Grand Prix (Highscore) - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 19/02/2025 Beautiful arrangement, really well done. I really like the emotional arc from the soft piano to the full orchestra.The reason it's not a red smilie from me is that the string section does not sound articulated well, especially during the climax (2:36 and on). I hear no legato whatsoever, the repeated notes of the same pitch blend together completely - it all sounds a bit artificial, breaking the illusion that was built up by all the other, relatively well shaped and emotionally charged instruments. |
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Beroot Olejuuri - arranged by Dr FutureReview by LaLa, 02/02/2025 I was really vacillating between red and orange smilie for this one. Ultimately, I went with orange. I just feel like some of the funkiness of the original is a bit lost here for some reason. Otherwise, it's technically an excellent production (must be if it's from Dr Future, right?), it's just missing that extra spicing that made the original memorable. And yeah, I agree with kwed: that fadeout came too abrupt, and it feels too fast. |
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Scratching Zwaantjes Returns - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 31/01/2025 There's just something about this remix that really appeals to me. Maybe it's those SID toms (in 20CC's signature style), maybe it's that strong hitting, subwoofer shattering bass line that kicks in at 0:56, maybe it's those occasional sax licks, maybe it's the staccato line at 1:49 that seems straight out of Vangelis' Dervish D - it's all one great package! |
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Trap in the War of the Simulations (Instrumental) - arranged by 7DD9Review by LaLa, 15/01/2025
(By the way, you could've kept some of the voiceover, say, as an intro… 😉) |
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Pooyan - Medieval remix - arranged by TottaReview by LaLa, 02/12/2024 What a fantastic idea! And it's done so well! So much fun! When this plays I imagine a bunch of people in a tavern dancing to it. Or shipmates dancing on a ship in the middle of the ocean. Pure joy! |
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Compleeto [feat. Romeo Knight] (Encore64 V2) - arranged by LManReview by LaLa, 24/11/2024 It took no less than 3 legendary members of the scene, but we finally have a remix of Compleeto that is worthy of a red smilie! Romeo's lead guitar improvs over the bed are just out of this world. But the entire arrangement is top notch, I especially like the instrumentation which is totally spot-on. Absolutely smashing! |
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Illumination (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by LaLa, 24/11/2024 What a lovely soundscape! In style it's bending towards fantasy-cinematic, but it's far from being as cheesy as some of those tunes can be. In fact, it's quite touching. It's also majestic and dreamy… Also, thank you for introducing me to this SID, I did not know about it before. |
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Green Beret (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Bass CadetReview by LaLa, 24/11/2024 The vocals, the Theremin… Wow.I think it's unfortunate that the Theremin got typecast as a 'spooky' instrument only for horror movie soundtracks, because in the right hands it can be very expressive and emotional. Like here. And then we also got a nice sax improv out of this remix, too. Pretty cool! Welcome to the remix community, Bass Cadet! 🙂 |
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Warhawk [feat. Bass Cadet] (Encore64 V2) - arranged by Romeo KnightReview by LaLa, 24/11/2024 I am in absolute awe. I've listened to this remix so many times now and I still discover new details in it! That wonderful intro with the SID-sounding Theremin sets the stage already. But whenever Bass Cadet plays the lead on her Theremin here, it just sounds so delicate, so beautiful, so - perfect. Even when the lead switches to a sax here and there, it still sounds amazing. All accompanied by Romeo's guitar and that retro bossa nova drum track. The slowed down tempo (as compared to the original SID) totally works with this style. Just wonderful musicianship all along! |
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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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