[E] First Round #7 (Ghosts of the Knights vs. ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION)

Listen to both songs and select the one you prefer.

Download Links:

Wild Arms 4 -Ghosts of the Knights
Moonlit Shadow - ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION

Streaming:

Ghosts of the Knights: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:
ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:

Wild Arms 4 -Ghosts of the Knights
I listened to the WA4 OST for the first time recently. Some quality stuff, but as with the rest of the series I liked the Morricone pastiche Western stuff the best. I had hoped that this might be an arrangement of the terrific "Knight's Quarters" song from the original, but alas, no. This tune has a hint of the mesquite flavor I'm looking for, and is pretty propulsive, so it gets a pass.

Moonlit Shadow - ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION
With a name like that, I expected some heavily stereotypical ching-chongy stuff. Instead, I got what sounds like MC Chris with a broken mike and overmixed brass. Might be worth something for lawls or memes, but it's pretty worthless as music.

Hmm, red vs. sweet sweet lime. I wonder which of those I voted for?

Oh great. First one of my noms has to face some good Ace Combat. Now another has to face Wild Arms? No chance, no chance at all. =/

I usually don't do the ol' thing of "hey this song is opposing my nom so I'll list as many negatives as I can", but this one's asking for it. I don't see what all the fuss is about here (and I usually love WA battle tracks). Messy structure, blaring and unappealing sounds and minimal (+ far-from-engaging) melody. "Ghosts of the Knights" is .

"ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION", to me, is the perfect blend of rock, hip-hop, jazz and a tiny ounce of funk. It's got some awesome, melodic electric guitar riffs, brilliant brass sections and some bitchin' bongo percussion. (that's right people, BONGO!) The sporadic "oooh-YEAH!"'s are pure excellence no matter what way you look at it, too. Catchy, entertainingly progressive and heavily experimental; I think this certain experiment is a huge success~ (<3 for Miki Higashino)

"Ghosts of the Knights" - 3/10
"ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION" - 10/10 "oooh-YEAH!"

(People voting based on song titles, don't be fooled. The Asian track is actually not very Asian. Yes, you may rest easy.)

I remember disliking Ghosts of the Knights very much when playing the game. It just comes off as a bit too brash and I prefer many other Wild Arms battle themes over it. The piano part is the only part I can stand. Asian Kung-Fu Foundation is certainly out there and I can see why it would be hated. I don't mind it actually and think it's an interesting and strange fusion of sounds.

ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION has a pretty awesome name, truly. This also marks the 5th time or something that I've heard that exact same rap in something VGM related; credit must be given for muffling it enough that I didn't catch it until the second listen. Also I don't think this is experimental at all, really Muzza? Very cool though.

Nice ORCHESTRAL HITS, Ghosts of the Knights. Don't people get arrested for stuff like this? Even if you didn't think the other track, anyone with a working synapse should realize an easy vote when they see it.

EDIT: I listened to Ghosts again and 1:37-1:58 is the best part of any song in this contest, can someone change my vote

Originally Posted by Darkcomet72

Also I don't think this is experimental at all, really Muzza?

I guess my perception of experimentalism has been shrouded by the plethora of standard tracks in the contest so far. This one kind of seems "out there" in comparison!

Oh my god Ghosts of the Knights has me HOLY SHIT HAHAAHAHAHAHAHA. It's like the theme from Commando in the BCC last year. Like, I can only take so much I'M CRYING BUCKETS OF LAUGHTER TEARS This is horrible and I love it so goddamn much.

It's JapRap. Enjoyable in buckets, but not as enjoyable as my "horrible is good" bias.

Could the phrase 'shit just got serious' be conveyed entirely in sound form? Yes, Ghosts of the Knights just did it.

ASIAN KUNG-FU rocks, but it's like with Mass Destruction (Persona 3) last year, people just don't appreciate this kind of music. However, I can understand it in this particular pairing since the WA4 track pretty much kicks ass, like most of the Wild Arms songs. Very good pairing, I think ASIAN KUNG-FU is going to lose it, though.

: Wild Arms 4 - Ghosts of the Knights
: Moonlit Shadow - ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION

Holy shit, the orchestra exploded in Ghosts of the Knights. Repeatedly. While on top of a bullet train. Which was also exploding.

ASIAN KUNG-FU FOUNDATION is pretty cool, but for every ass it kicks, Ghosts of the Knights kicks seventy-five. With an exploding boot. Guitar and trumpets are no match for the most orchestra hits per second in any song ever.

Ryuta Suzuki is a master of orchestral hits. I'm amazed at what he can accomplish with them. The song has a very dissonant feel to it, but when it resolves to a harmony in certain places, you can tell that he knows what he's doing. The whole thing is an off-the-wall cacophony, but I love it.

For more orchestral hits, check out:
Beckoning Bewitching Princess Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:
Manifestation From Hell Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:

For an awesome "normal" Suzuki track, check out:
Howling At An Unstoppable Fate Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:

Will they make me ?

Originally Posted by wvlfpvp

Will they make me ?

Maybe. Just click play and find out. I think it's a similar style.