Reviews by LaLa |
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Displaying Reviews 151 - 180 out of 717 |
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Mutants (Encore64) - arranged by Fred Gray & Peter ClarkeReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 While the overall style of the remix has Peter's fingerprints all over it, it has a refreshing mix of raw synths and acoustic instruments playing the leads. Welcome back to music production, Fred! |
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Tintin on the Moon (Encore64) - arranged by Fred Gray & Tomas DankoReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 Legends remixing a legend! While there's a lot to like about this track - the piano runs, the brass hits, the electric piano chords - I just wish it took the jazzy theme and ran with it even further. |
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Eskimonika (Encore64) - arranged by DankoReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 I was not familiar with this SID before I heard this remix on Encore64. Reworked by Danko in a way only Danko can. Twisting and distorting sounds to his will, but still keeping the original melodies intact results in a pretty hard electronic piece that remains hugely listenable. It's not really unz-unz music, though, because its rhythm is genre-defying, but it's still unmistakably Danko-esque with memorable melody lines played with crystal-clear synths backed by complex arpeggiated rhythms. Also, thank you, Tomas, for introducing me to this hidden gem of a SID! |
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Opus III (Encore64) - arranged by DankoReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 It's always so great to hear a SID musician re-interpret his own work with different instruments. I really like the second half of this remix where pastiches of '90s mellow electronica abound: creamy, lush pads supported by a simple, but strong staccato bass line. Quite a delight! In fact, I wish that part was extended - it ends a bit abruptly just when I was getting into it. More of the same, please! 😋 |
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Ocean Loader III (Encore64) - arranged by Peter ClarkeReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 This remix sits solidly in the symphonic prog-rock style with the original's arrangement reworked very cleverly to fit into this genre. Luckily, it retains the original's uptempo backbone, enhanced with guitars no doubt all played by Peter himself, resulting in a wonderful track that really brings back memories: ah, back when we didn't mind the several minute long load times because we got music like this in return!… |
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Stationary Ark (Encore64) - arranged by Peter ClarkeReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 Layers and layers of soothing sequences of guitar licks highlight the catchy melody, done in a style that many progressive albums of the 1970s would've been proud to include. |
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Immortal Flash 02 (Encore64) - arranged by VincenzoReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 A great synth-heavy remix. This one made me smile, because I am a fan of the synthwave style (or retrowave or whatever you want to call it) represented by his piece. It's not as heavy- handed as to be dripping with '80s nostalgia, but the source of inspiration is certainly unmistakable. If you are not familiar with the original SID by Zardax, don't fret: I wasn't, either. It's a good SID, but Vincenzo really brought it to life with his modern-yet-retro instrumentation. |
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Shadowfire (Encore64) - arranged by Romeo KnightReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 A legend remixes another legend. Totally rocks, literally and figuratively. Romeo Knight is demonstrating complete mastery of his instruments on this track, which is an absolute tour de force, a headbanger, and now I have trouble imagining this Fred Gray classic in any other way - a sure sign that he managed to create a superb remix of it. |
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Bubble Bobble (Encore64) - arranged by Peter ClarkeReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 Hold onto your cowboy hats, folks, we are entering brand new stylistic territory here! I absolutely loves this! 🤠👍 It totally fits in with the fun nature of the original SID. Fiddles 🎻, banjos 🪕, and pedal-steels 🎸 all make an appearance within this carefully assembled arrangement by Peter. Even if you are not a fan of this style, you must admit that it's been put together superbly. Y'all, this is one helluva remix, yee-haw! 🐄🐄🐄 |
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Fourth Protocol (Encore64) - arranged by TomskReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 A melancholic, almost elegiac rendition of Fourth Protocol with a symphonic instrumentation that harkens back to the era of romanticism. The real power of this piece is undoubtedly the choir, which lends evocative emotional undertones to this track. The echoes of this remix will stay with you long after the final note fades away… |
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Denarius (Encore64) - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 This is what Glyn is best known for: epic orchestral cinematic style. I am getting very strong vibes of recent Hans Zimmer soundtracks in this piece where Glyn is not afraid to flex his artistic muscles by mixing choir-embellished symphonic soundscapes with electronic sounds. The original SID was composed by Peter Clarke, but in Glyn's hands it's elevated to heights I don't think Peter could even dream of back in 1987. This track is an adventure all by itself and immensely satisfying to listen to - an instant classic. |
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Yes Comment - arranged by FZNReview by LaLa, 17/04/2023 The first minute of it sounds absolutely fabulous, then it seems to fall apart a bit. Too bad, because the instrumentation sounds pretty good. It's mostly the arrangement that somehow doesn't gel with me. Can't quite put my finger on why that's so. |
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Ocean Loader 2 (Year of the Analogue Horn) - arranged by Dan TootillReview by LaLa, 04/04/2023 Interesting choice of instruments, but the arrangement is not exactly captivating. That analogue horn mentioned in the subtitle should've been more prominent, more powerful, too. The sound level of the lead @ 2:49 is way too low (I think it was supposed to be a lead instrument), which brings down that entire section. Starting @ 4:11 it gets a bit more interesting again. Then the tune ends a bit abruptly. Overall, good ideas, but it sounds half-cooked. |
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Boneless (Remix 3) - arranged by Dr FutureReview by LaLa, 31/03/2023 I like the alternating sax and guitar on the leads. The sax sounds pretty convincing to me. And yeah, Makke, I agree: that fadeout came out of nowhere and went too fast. Also, it would be nice if the drumtrack had more excitement to it throughout the tune. |
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Last Ninja The Wastelands Loader - arranged by CZ TunesReview by LaLa, 13/03/2023 Oh, so close to a red smilie! I really admire the effort of using mostly Asian (Chinese, Japanese) instruments, and they sound beautiful - but I'm bothered by the fact that you didn't go all-in and you left the arpeggios intact in several sections. The arrangement also sounds 'off' at places (for example, @2:10). All in all, very enjoyable, but I think there's more that could've been done here with a bit more attention to detail. |
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Lightforce Live Performance - arranged by Tony Fluke73 WirenReview by LaLa, 14/02/2023 You need to loosen up. The instrumentation is fine, but this remix feels stiff and robotic. You need to change your playing style, and/or you need to create lead instruments that allow for more dynamic range when played. |
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Delta Multi Genre - arranged by 0supereg0Review by LaLa, 14/02/2023 Those guitars in the intro - superb. I wish you didn't switch them out with synthy sounds. Really like your guitar noodling in the second half, too. |
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Led Storm Ambient Cover - arranged by moonoveReview by LaLa, 07/02/2023 That intro is so chillax and buttery smooth, it made me meld into my chair. I wish it continued in that fashion, but the appearance of the trance beat yanked me out of my meditative state. I still like it, though, because it's crafted in such a satisfying way. |
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Ghosts'n Goblins Live Performance - arranged by Tony Fluke73 WirenReview by LaLa, 01/02/2023 I'm starting to think your artistic expression is limited by your gear. What you produce is not bad at all, but it could sound so much better. In this particular remix the arrangement is hampered by too much repetition in the rhythm sections - need some more variation there. Your lead and the changes in the lead instruments are good, it's the rest of it that needs a bit more love. |
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Wizball - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 01/02/2023 The arrangement is clever, weaving together many of the subtunes of the game's soundtrack. I think the instrumentation is probably the weakest point of this massive remix, it's a bit all over the place. Still, quite an impressive feat overall. |
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Thrust - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 01/02/2023 This remix seems to follow an everything but the kitchen sink approach in its arrangement. Synth-heavy intro? Check. Electric guitar? Check. Big choir? Check. Original SID sounds? Check. Ultimately, I find this more confusing than purposeful. There's nothing deeply wrong with the arrangement here, I just have trouble connecting with it due to its wandering nature. |
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Lightforce - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 31/01/2023 This remix is trying to sound bigger than it really is. Some good ideas in there with the choir and the strings, and the Jarre-like growling synth at the end - but overall, it's just not a very exciting arrangement. Plus points for covering Lightforce in its entirety, though. |
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Bangkok Knights Loader - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 31/01/2023 What's there sounds pretty good, but I think the instrumentation is a bit on the thin side, and it would've benefited from some fattening up - whether by layering instruments or with some additional effects. The electric guitars are my favorites in this remix, but those could've used some additional sonic treatment, too. |
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Mission A.D. gameplay theme (orchestral rock mix) - arranged by Skaven252Review by LaLa, 22/01/2023 The first half of this remix leaves me rather cold. I think it's desperately trying to sound more bombastic than how it actually does: the instrumentation sounds fairly thin, the percussion doesn't have the expected gravitas. Things change dramatically at the half-point: that electric guitar changes [i]everything[/i]. The entire arrangement suddenly wakes up and this remix becomes larger than life. If that's how this entire remix sounded, I would've given it an orange smilie easy, maybe even a red one. |
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Arkanoid - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 18/01/2023 Fun-kay! Congrats, you made an excellent piece of 70s psychedelica out of Arkanoid! Pretty vocals, too. And nailed the ending, too. Well, nailed it all! |
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Delta - At your humble service - arranged by 0supereg0Review by LaLa, 12/01/2023 OK, this starts out the same as your Delta Multi Genre remix. Excellent guitar work and nicely mixed. Of the two I like this one more. |
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Metal Warrior Ultra - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by LaLa, 10/01/2023 Whoa! Glyn doing guitars!?!… As usual, pro-level remix. And when the choir comes in, too… Whew!My only complaint about it is the relatively soft volume level throughout the track (average -17.0 LUFS - that's low). |
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DNA Warrior (Nobody wants to be my friend) - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 19/12/2022 Pretty funky, I like the groovy vibes going on here. Personally, I feel the vocals are forced on this tune, they don't seem to fit 'naturally' with the rest of the arrangement. By which I mean if you dropped the sections with the vocals, this remix would be just as good - they don't seem to add anything of value (at least, not to me). Otherwise, excellent job. |
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Sweet (ft Gibs) - arranged by MordiReview by LaLa, 08/12/2022 Wow, wow, wow!Be impressed by my triple-wow, because this being my all-time favorite SID, I am especially picky about remixes that attempt to re-interpret it. At first I found the intro a bit too slow, but it's growing on me. The silk-soft lead instrument and the overall softness of the entire production is impressive. It would be hard to top the expressive Yamaha CS-80 lead that Marcel Donne put into his remix, but you've done a great job here, Mordi. When the guitar lead kicks in, it really tickles my heart, makes my legs tremble, tears form in my eyes, and gives me goosebumps - just like it does when I listen to the original SID. Which means that this remix manages to evoke the same emotions in me, and that's no small feat. Also kudos for the beautiful coda you've added to the end, it's such attention to the detail in the arrangement that makes this remix truly outstanding. Thank you, Mordi, for this remix! I'll carry it in my heart forever. |
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Camel Riders Inc - arranged by Glyn R BrownReview by LaLa, 08/12/2022 Leave it to Mr. Brown to pluck out an obscure Bjerregaard tune and turn it into remix gold. If this is what's laying around in your unfinished folder, I wonder what other treasures it might hide?!?…The Arabian feeling is totally there, the vocals, the strings - exceptionally well done.One gripe I have with this: I think it could've used some additional mastering, as the overall volume is pretty low. A simple compressor on the master track could've solved much of this problem (Maximus to the rescue…), but I think it could've used some boost in the low-end, too. |
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