Dog Ear Records

Game Music, Reviews

Not Odd at All: Symphonic Odysseys Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu (Review)

January 20, 2012 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this

It goes without saying (although I’m saying it now) that the Symphonic series is probably the best concert production in the world focusing on game music. Not only are they impressive feats of arrangement and orchestral performance, but Thomas Boecker and crew managed to pull off two such shows in 2011: Symphonic Legends focusing on the music of Nintendo and Symphonic Odysseys, a concert dedicated to Nobuo Uematsu, not to mention a repeat production of Symphonic Fantasies in Japan that just took place a couple weeks back.

While it’s unlikely that we’re see Symphonic Legends on CD given Nintendo’s track record with licensing music (a real shame), we do have Symphonic Odysseys courtesy of Dog Ear Records, and it’s just as good if not better than previous Symphonic efforts.

Hit the jump for more. (more…)
Game Music

MAGFest X: The Earthbound Papas Cometh

November 8, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this MAGFest X: The Earthbound Papas Cometh

As if MAGFest wasn’t cool enough already, they just let loose on a huge announcement at the end of last week: Nobuo Uematsu and the Eartbound Papas are attending and headlining the event. If you haven’t checked out MAGFest in the past, this may be all the prompting you’ll need, although event staples including The OneUps, Metroid Metal, And ARM CANNON will also be performing at the event.

We’ve already reviewed Octave Theory, the Eartbound Papas’s debut album, and I’m excited about getting to meet the young and talented Tsutomu Narita who recently scored UnchainBlades ReXX. This combined with the awesome games and friends that are sure to turn up will make for an event that’s not to miss.

MAGFest X is taking place on January 5-8, 2012 this year at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. Hit up the official website for more details regarding who all will be there.
Game Music, Reviews

Uematsu+: UnchainBlades ReXX (Review)

November 2, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Uematsu+: UnchainBlades ReXX (Review) Share this Uematsu+: UnchainBlades ReXX (Review)

Alright, so maybe it’s a bit unfair to composer Tsutomu Narita to put Uematsu’s name on this post title, but in actuality, Uematsu does provide the main theme, and Narita’s work does admittedly sound similar in style to Uematsu at times.

Just who is Narita, though, and what is this UnchainBlades ReXX soundtrack from Dog Ear Records? The answer to the first question is a young and upcoming arranger, composer, and performer who has worked with Uematsu and Dog Ear Records a lot (he’s a member of the Earthbound Papas) and is making his composition debut with UnchainBlades ReXX. As far as the game, I knew nothing about it before listening to this soundtrack, but it turns out it has a pretty interesting story, following a powerful protagonist who has lost favor with the Gods for his arrogance and must quest to regain his former glory.

Does Narita’s score capture the essence of the game’s interesting plot? Find out after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Symphonic Odysseys Coming to CD Via Dog Ear Records

November 1, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

Yes, if you were one of the lucky people in attendance or somebody like me who was able to watch the live feed of this concert back in July then you know how special this announcement is. I guess it’s no surprise given that previous “Symphonic” concerts have received CD releases, but it’s been some time since the concert took place, so I was starting to worry. Have no fear, however, as it turns out Dog Ear Records will be publishing the two-disc album just a few days after Christmas on December 28, 2011.

The concert featured music from Final Fantasy, King’s Knight, Chrono Trigger, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, and The Last Story. Watch for coverage of the album as the release date approaches!

Are you excited about this announcement? Are you surprised that it’s coming via Dog Ear Records?
Game Music, Reviews

New PiA-COMs Have Joined Your Party: PiA-COM II (Review)

July 6, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on New PiA-COMs Have Joined Your Party: PiA-COM II (Review) Share this

Yeah, it was almost a year ago that we let you know that Hiroyuki Nakayama and Masato Kouda were joining original ‘PiA-COMer’ Keita Egusa for the follow-up album. PiA-COM II features not only more performers, but more music from a more diverse set of games, and having been a fan of the first album, I couldn’t be more excited by this prospect.

So, how did this experiment pay off? Did the addition of new members affect the cohesiveness of the album, and did they pick music from games that you actually want to hear?

Find out the answers to all of this and more in our review after the jump! (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Uematsu’s New Beginning: The Last Story Original Soundtrack (Review)

June 6, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

A lot of people have been watching this game very closely. Created by Hironobu Sakaguchi at Mistwalker, people immediately drew comparisons to Final Fantasy, at least in game title. What we were most interested in, however, was Nobuo Uematsu’s involvement, which is almost always a sure thing when Sakaguchi is making a new game.

The game was released in Japan in January, and from what I saw on my trip there, it was being heavily promoted. The 3-disc soundtrack was released in February, and while there isn’t even a release date for regions outside of Japan, many picked up the soundtrack and were surprised by what they heard.

What was so surprising about The Last Story’s soundtrack? Read our review after the jump to find out. (more…)
Experimental, Game Music, Reviews

The Boys Are Back in Town: EARTHBOUND PAPAS Unleash Octave Theory (Review)

May 23, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 5 Comments Share this

It was some time ago that Nobuo Uematsu announced that he had formed a new band called EARTHBOUND PAPAS. What was the band all about, and was it at all related to Nintendo’s Mother 2, which is known as Earthbound in West? Well, with the release of their debut album, Octave Theory, a couple months back, all speculation was laid to rest. This is Nobuo Uematsu’s new band.

But wait, what about The Black Mages, you ask? Well, The Black Mages belong to Square Enix, whereas the EARTHBOUND PAPAS are an independent group. Does it make a difference? As you’ll see from the track listing, a number of Final Fantasy tracks appear on the album, but the EARTHBOUND PAPAS really offer a distinct sound of their own.

Find out what we think of their debut offering and what other game arrangements are featured in our review after the jump. (more…)