Opinions on Pieces of Music

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Here's my contribution.

Not really Dragon Ball to me, but still pretty neat for what it is.

Next, another piece that's not really Dragon Ball to me, but I enjoy for what it is: Creature of Marvel, by the master of plagiarism... uh, I mean, Kenji Yamamoto.

[Lord Exor]

I appreciate what Yamamoto was endeavoring to accomplish with this piece, employing a copious amount of industrial samples into the music to convey the mechanized nature of these villains. It isn't nearly as aggressive or creepy as Scott's Gero's Theme, however.

Faulconer Productions - Androids Steal Truck

[cRookie_Monster]

...It isn't nearly as aggressive or creepy as Scott's Gero's Theme, however.

Faulconer Productions - Androids Steal Truck

Thanks man

Review:
Classic Mike Smith arrangement. I think he told me he was going for a "Four Seasons" kinda sound because of the snowy environment this scene took place in. Very pretty actually, though I don't think it sounds like Vivaldi honestly. Still it works for me, maybe even better than Vivaldi, that would have been kinda cheesy. Interesting that the music took the point of view of the snow rather than the evil intent of the androids (cyborgs). Makes sense I guess since the crime was fairly petty. Go for something cool sounding, the snow was good to play off of. Evil might have just been weak I guess since they weren't doing anything that bad.

The banjo section, I understand what he was going for representing the townsfolk but I dunno if that's my cup of tea...even if the crappy MIDI was replaced by a real banjo (though that would help). Remember...these were truckers (I think)...and most townspeople in the Funi version had ridiculous southern accents.

I like the distorted\effected drum sounds and echos. Mike was always good with that kinda thing...well at least since the appearance of Trunks he seemed to nail that sound. While it's not my favorite of Mike's work, it's definitely a good one. I give it a 4/5.

Ok I'll post the obvious:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J-YpDHsYps

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Ok I'll post the obvious:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J-YpDHsYps

Ah yes, the awesomeness of CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA.

Here's a little story from when I was about 15 and still only knew the dub. I had just beaten the first Budokai game and was captivated by the awesome music that played during the credits (an instrumental C-L H-C-L), and thought to myself "boy, I wish this awesome music could've been used in the show". Fast forward to early 2006, when I started collecting the DBZ single DVDs. I wanted to check out the Japanese version, and when I hit "play all", I was so surprised (and delighted to no end) that the awesome music from the end credits of the first Budokai game really was from the show (and is its theme song, no less).

Okay, enough stories. Next up: Yôkai Shutsubotsu.

EDIT: There, I removed all instances of the word "epic". Are you happy now, Lord Exor?

[Lord Exor]

Initially energetic, lively, and dance-worthy. The 70s synth drums impart upon it a gratuitous corny disco vibe, however. I just do not understand Kikuchi--was he intentionally setting out to cheese up the score? That exorbitant vibra-slap usage really grates on the nerves too. When in doubt, disseminate a healthy dosage of cowbell and vibra-slap throughout the score! Automatic musical genius.

To be fair, I was partial to the conclusion of the piece, as it was a good bit dark.

Ah yes, the epicness of CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA.

I do not mean to come across as conceited or confrontational, but it irks me when people misapprehend the meaning of the word epic. Epic is meant to refer to a distinctly elevated magnitude of gravitas, struggle, and achievement. In music, this descriptor would theoretically refer to a piece reflective of this grandiose notion. What constitutes as grandiloquent, dramatic, or important may vary subjectively, but I'm fairly confident that most individuals would not consider CHA-LA- HEAD-CHA-LA to be particularly majestic. Eh, I'm going too far off tangent.

Faulconer Productions - Energy Disc Music

[cRookie_Monster]

I do not mean to come across as conceited or confrontational, but it irks me when people misapprehend the meaning of the word epic. Epic is meant to refer to a distinctly elevated magnitude of gravitas, struggle, and achievement. In music, this descriptor would theoretically refer to a piece reflective of this grandiose notion. What constitutes as grandiloquent, dramatic, or important may vary subjectively, but I'm fairly confident that most individuals would not consider CHA-LA- HEAD-CHA-LA to be particularly majestic. Eh, I'm going too far off tangent.

I'll let someone else review the Faulconer Productions tune, even though I didn't work on it.


Just wanted to point out the usage of "epic" these days is messed up completely, even the definition you gave. An "epic" is a really long story like Homer's Odyssey. Something of "epic proportions" is something really long huge like an epic tale, which simply means its long. I remember using "epic" the way kids do now 13 years ago or so to my Mom and she told me I didn't make any sense, so I abandoned it (for a while). Anyway, words change meaning all the time because people misuse them. "Terrific" was a term used to describe King Kong originally as terrifying, now it means good. Epic has changed meaning I guess to depict what you said...but it's certainly not a formal definition, its social. I think "Epic" is starting to mean just "cool" (even that meant, "aloof", more like the temperature originally). It's really losing any specific meaning, but its fun to use that way ^^ especially now that it's kinda an accepted usage. I feel the same way about music style designations too btw. "Metal" in 1985 had a totally different meaning than it does now.

[Lord Exor]

–adjective Also, ep·i·cal.
1.
noting or pertaining to a long poetic composition, usually centered upon a hero, in which a series of great achievements or events is narrated in elevated style: Homer's Iliad is an epic poem.
2.
resembling or suggesting such poetry: an epic novel on the founding of the country.
3.
heroic; majestic; impressively great: the epic events of the war.
4.
of unusually great size or extent: a crime wave of epic proportions.

Note that these are all valid definitions, and that they all follow the same thread of logic. An epic poem is not merely defined by its length, but also by the scope of the subject material. The erroneous colloquial definition of epic to mean cool is not technically valid.

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Okay, back to the topic...

Faulconer Productions - Energy Disc Music

Not bad, I guess. Definitely would work in a video game. In the show, though, not so much, in my opinion.

Next up, Creature of Marvel ~Slow Version~ (ends at 3:22).

[cRookie_Monster]

Okay, back to the topic...

Faulconer Productions - Energy Disc Music

Not bad, I guess. Definitely would work in a video game. In the show, though, not so much, in my opinion.

Next up, Creature of Marvel ~Slow Version~ (ends at 3:22).

(all those definitions of "epic" reference the original meaning. Which is a long poem. For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_poetry . I bet eventually "Epic" gets another "official" definition of "cool" Language evolves. It just happens, live with it ^^ )

I like this track. The high marcato strings on top of the menacing bass line are more my style of composition. At about 4:10 some sustains come in with nice harmony. The brass punctuations are nice. That's how I like to use Trombones. They have a great fat raspy hit sound down low. Trumpets can work well the same way in the high register. Then we go to a nice pop song which has that wonderment sound to it which is good for the adventuresome nature of DB.

Next up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8YQReK ... re=related

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Next up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA8YQReK ... re=related

One of my favorite insert songs from Dragon Ball. The beginning almost sounds like a James Bond song really, as do some of the Red Ribbon Army BGM themes by Shunsuke Kikuchi. I love how the music solo in the middle sounds like marching troops. Awesome stuff, there.

Next, Dai-kōya.

[Ringworm128]

Next, Dai-kōya.

Sounds very triumphant but at the same time has a relaxing fell to it. Next. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_4JJ3DW ... re=related

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Next. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_4JJ3DW ... re=related

Hmm, sounded kinda bizarre. Not sure what else to say about it, though.

Next: M-912.

[DragonBoxZTheMovies]

Wai, this piece wasn't released? Unless it's a slight variation on the other theme I was thinking of. Anyway, I absolutely love this piece and I think it goes great with Ryusei Nakao's Freeza. I especially love it in 'A Final Solitary Battle'.

Next, from the Budokai 3 Soundtrack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUeuMEIN ... re=related

[Ringworm128]

Wai, this piece wasn't released? Unless it's a slight variation on the other theme I was thinking of. Anyway, I absolutely love this piece and I think it goes great with Ryusei Nakao's Freeza. I especially love it in 'A Final Solitary Battle'.

Next, from the Budokai 3 Soundtrack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUeuMEIN ... re=related

Pretty catchy. Next. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Hjf43k3Cs

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Next. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-Hjf43k3Cs

OMG, MY EARS!!!

Sorry, but that's all I've got to say about it.

Next up, We Were Angels.

[DragonBoxZTheMovies]

One of my favourite vocal songs and one of the reasons I started watching the Japanese version (although I still watch the dub the majority of the time).

Next, again from the Budokai 3 Soundtrack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCaqgx4O53g

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Next, again from the Budokai 3 Soundtrack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCaqgx4O53g

Catchy tune.

Next, M-1614.

[VegettoEX]

Folks, can we try to add a little something more than three words in response to a song? I'm genuinely interested in what people have to say about stuff, but if you have nothing to say... well... it's not particularly interesting to read.

[cRookie_Monster]

Catchy tune.

Next, M-1614.

The lone bass note at the beginning is really ominous.
Love the dissonant tritones. Not a big fan of the guitar tone when it's picked louder though. The muted trumpets are once again a sign of the jazz influence, but in this case they actually remind me of what John Williams would do in Tatooine or something. He uses muted trumpets to represent weird stuff sometimes and when you play those dissonant harmonies quietly like that it comes off as really distant and creepy sounding. I dig the overall brooding slow quality to the track. The plodding melody is nice. The high string melody that comes in a bit later is a little too schmaltzy and chromatic for me. Very old fashioned thing to do, putting in descending chromatic lines like that (basically notes right next each other, black then white, then black, etc)

At 8:32...it sounds like the bass comes in early...off playing or interesting time sig change? Haha, before that you know they are at 60bpm because the little youtube seconds timer is right with the beat (8:25-8:32) then it goes off.

Anyway, overall like. Could see it working well for some villains talking about doing some evil.

Next, how about some Menza?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crs9su18p5Q
(hopefully wasn't posted before...but if it was someone else can review besides the original person)

[jpdbzrulz4sure]

Next, how about some Menza?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crs9su18p5Q

Hmm, that one was fairly interesting. Definitely has some ominous atmosphere to it, similar to the last piece I gave as an example. Not sure what else to say about it though. Overall, good from a music standpoint, but for Dragon Ball... Eh, you've all probably heard my general opinions about the dub scores enough times, so I'll end it there.

Next up, A Light's Journey.