Preliminary Match #7

Listen to all four songs and select the one you like best.

Okami - "Reset" ~"Thank You" Version~
Berserk ~Millennium Falcon Arc - Record of the Holy Demon War~ - Sign
Driver - Motel
Eternal Sonata - Pyroxene of the heart

"Reset" ~"Thank You" Version~: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:
Sign: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:
Motel: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:
Pyroxene of the heart: Get the Flash Player to play this audio file:

Okami - "Reset" ~"Thank You" Version~
I've never really bought into the Okami hype; both the game and the music have always been far too alien for my taste. The main melody is quite nice, but the supporting instruments and most of the musical color have a certain Asian Classical flair that I find irritating.

Berserk ~Millennium Falcon Arc - Record of the Holy Demon War~ - Sign
Interesting if nothing else. The juxtaposition of the pastoral opening with apocalyptic percussion and choral chants is hamstrung a bit by tinny synth and more than a bit of repetition. Sometimes the voices sound awesome; sometimes they sound chintzy. A little more consistency on all fronts, and this'd be a keeper.

Driver - Motel
I didn't even know Driver had any original music; I thought it was all licensed crap. Unfortunately, while the former adjective doesn't apply, the latter does: this jazz melange is deadly dull and uninspired.

Eternal Sonata - Pyroxene of the heart
Eternal Sonata's OST is by far the most introspective work Motoi's ever done, a very complex and textured album that has moments of really heartbreaking beauty. This tune is one of them: a simple, affecting melody accompanied by a terrific singer. Potent stuff!

Even if I hadn't boosted one of these tracks, the decision would still be pretty easy.

1: Eternal Sonata
2: Berserk
3: Okami
4: Driver

I love the Asian-inspired soundtrack to Okami. It's very fitting, charming, and beautiful. "Reset" is no exception. The instrumentation helps to create a lush soundscape that transports me back to the game. Absolutely stunning.

"Sign" was interesting. I wasn't expecting the choir in the piece. It's got a nice dramatic atmosphere and some interesting harmonies with the brass. It's a nice piece, but something that seems a bit generic at times.

"Motel" definitely has the percussion going for it, but aside from that, I don't find this piece that entertaining.

"Pyroxene of the Heart" is absolutely beautiful as well. I honestly don't care if Sakuraba uses similar styles between games (this being similar to "Le ali del principio" from Baten Kaitos 2) as long as its done right. He has a hankering for these emotional pieces and when his daughter enters into the fray, her voice adds something to the piece. Beautiful work on a fairly decent soundtrack. The piano is lovely.

Man, "Pyroxene of the Heart" or "Reset." This is a toughie...

Both produce excellent soundscapes, have beautiful melodies, but there's just something about "Pyroxene of the Heart" that entertains me more. Such a tough decision. As long as this or "Reset" advances, I'll be happy.

Hmm, okay I'll bite on Sign...I have no issues with this type of aggressive orchestral stuff and it was fun overall. The rest here was weaksauce.

"Motel" is OK by me. Then again, I'm not voting for it.

"Reset" and "Pyroxene of the heart" are very well composed tracks, but they never caught my attention when I originally heard their respective soundtracks, and they can't quite do so now either.

"Sign" is where it's at. Likely the best track from the soundtrack as well. However, the Berserk (anime) OST has some great stuff too.

I am going to say this once, and only once. Sakuraba couldn't compose his way out of a paper bag.

Originally Posted by Mo0

I am going to say this once, and only once. Sakuraba couldn't compose his way out of a paper bag.

He can. He'll just do it very much the same each time.

I like the ethnic flair that Reset exhibits. And its EPICness.

I am in the same boat as ZiggyGo in deciding between Reset and Pyroxene. Pyroxene is just absolutely beautiful. Very tough decision. ehh I finally went with Reset.

Definitely both keepers.

"''Reset'' ~''Thank You'' Version~" is a pretty little piece of Asian fluff. It's not stunning, but the performance here is top-notch. The composition itself, even though its awfully gentle and accessible, didn't do much for me whatsoever. Pleasant, but fleeting.

"Sign" is huge. And epic. Usually I see right through pieces like that and end up finding little to no redeemable qualities, though this one's sort of different. The vocals are used to great effect, and the backing "action" orchestration is just as intimidating as it is fitting. As far as epic openers go, this one's a good'un.

Hay I remember this. ^__^ Last time I played Driver was a few years ago, so this "Motel" piece is positively bundled with nostalgia. Not much going on here musically, but it's got a cool attitude and a certain humble quality that I really appreciate~

"Pyroxene of the heart" is a wonderful vocal performance, with a lovely Sakuraba melody. Just as pleasant as the Okami track, but this one's melody affects me much more.

"''Reset'' ~''Thank You'' Version~" - 7/10
"Sign" - 8/10
"Motel" - 7.5/10
"Pyroxene of the heart" - 8/10

Originally Posted by Mo0

I am going to say this once, and only once. Sakuraba couldn't compose his way out of a paper bag.

Well said.

Reset has a nice tune but that flute begins to irritate me once it gets past half way; Motel... I like jazz when it's done well, this isn't done especially well; Pyroxene... I can count the number of pieces by Sakuraba I like on one hand, this doesn't make it, the melody is soporific at best. Maybe if it was Kyoutenka it might get a vote.

Sign is not subtle but the main tune is catchy and I have a soft spot for pieces that just go all out, the vocals sound a bit Eurovision but that's not necessarily a bad thing... it'll get the vote.

I love Okami's music, and Reset is a great track, but in the end I have to give it to Sign for being so deliciously over the top. Pyroxene and Motel aren't in the same league (I still love you though Allister ).

"Reset" ~ "Thank You" Version: Absolutely gorgeous. This was one of my noms and I'm glad to see it's sticking in contention a bit.

Sign: Does next to nothing for me. Somewhat hollow and unengaging.

Motel: Not bad! Jazzy and varied. It's no Reset, but I'm keeping this one anyway.

Pyroxene of the Heart: Just as I was losing interest, this song kicked it up a notch with some old-fashioned Sakuraba blaring instruments. Not bad, but it's still an easy decision.

VOTE: "Reset."

For me, this one is between Reset and Motel. Sign is a style of music that I just cannot stand, and Pyroxene of the Heart is Sakuraba doing a Sakuraba song.

Reset is a beautiful piece with a wonderful assortment of Asian sounds. I don't care for a good deal of the Okami soundtrack, but this is one I really enjoy. As for Motel, well, I'm a sucker for jazzy music. The bass and percussion are so smooth, and I absolutely love the piano sound. Screw you people who find over the top orchstration and vocals to be epic and amazing, Motel is my kind of epic music.

Reset- For some reason the flute really grated on me. Super piercing tone and not smooth. Ruins the track for me. :-(

Sign - weird mixing choices on this one reduce it's effectiveness, but it's decent.

Motel - Meh, it didn't really speak to me besides the hand percussion

Pyroxene - The singer sounds like she is having breathing issues early on, but sounds better doubled with the flute. Nice string beds. Of the tracks, this one is the strongest.

Sign really surprised me. I wasn't expecting anything out of a track from a game called "Berzerk," complete with a long subtitle, but... that is one sweet piece of music. It's a tough call between this and Reset, but I've got to give it to the track I've never heard before, in a style I've never heard before. Berzerk it is.

And Pyroxene was a pleasant surprise as well, although not a round winner. I'll save it.

"Reset" ~"Thank You" Version~ - Standard eastern Okami fare. I prefer the vocal version, and this is a best relegated to stereotypical background music at an Asian restaurant.

Sign - Brash and in charge! This song goes all in, risking explosive success or turning out to be a dud bomb. Intriguing, and will take my vote if the contenders are fairly weak, by merit of its aggressive nature.

Motel - The drums fooled me into thinking it would have went somewhere meaningful, but it remained stagnant.

Pyroxene of the Heart - Long and deceptive intro, it develops into a nice and epic sound piece. The simple piano builds up for a bit too long though in my opinion. The same goes for when the piece dies out towards the end.


Overall, a rather uneventful matchup.

The vocal version of Reset is already in the contest.

Oh god, Sign. I remember seeing the trailer for absolutely no particular reason way back with this music blaring. Definitely a guilty pleasure.

I take back everything bad I've said about Brimble. Motel is awesome, and going in my favorites.