iTunes

Miscellaneous

Brian Setzer Tracks Down OSV, Demands We Tell You About His New Album

August 19, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Brian Setzer Tracks Down OSV, Demands We Tell You About His New Album Share this

This is downright bizarre. Remember a few months ago when we posted about Retro Remix Revue drummer Adam Alesi submitting a Sonic the Hedgehog demo to join the Brian Setzer Orchestra? Apparently the Setzer crew over at Surfdog Records is looking for every instance of “Brian Setzer” on the web and contacting sites about his new album. We only mentioned him once, but we’ve been graciously sent his two latest singles which hit iTunes yesterday from his upcoming studio album, Songs From Lonely Avenue.

While this is an interesting tale, I am actually a fan of Brian Setzer, so I figured I’d tell you my thoughts about the two singles. The first is “Trouble Train,” your standard Setzer rock/swing (I guess they call this “rockabilly?”) blend with some aggressive guitar licks and lyrics. There’s even a nice guitar breakdown in the middle of the track as a jazz bass plods along at an upbeat tempo. “Lonely Avenue,” however, is more my style with its slow big band ballad approach. The brass and string sections are so smooth, and I really dig the xylophone work that comes in about midway through.

They’re definitely worth checking out on iTunes if you’re a fan of Brian Setzer. You can check out the official press release with more details about both of these tracks as well as his upcoming album after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Nobuo Uematsu’s 10 Stories: It’s The Beginning of Some New and Excitingly Different Stories

May 29, 2009 | Don Kotowski | 2 Comments Share this

Did you know that 2009 marks Nobuo Uematsu’s 50th year on the planet? Well, in honor of his 50th birthday, he’s decided to publish a solo album entitled 10 Stories. However, unlike a traditional release, he’ll be releasing songs from the album every two to three months until Spring 2010 arrives. At this time, the full album will be available for purchase, with an English version as well. So what will this album be about? Well, all the music and lyrics are written by Uematsu himself and is performed by NOBIYO and the Dog Ears and it aims to bring happiness to a wide range of ages via experimental ways.

Check out details about the first single after the break! (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

The Sims 3 Soundtrack: It Doesn’t Surprise Much, But It Sure Goes Down Smooth (Review)

May 25, 2009 | Robert Halvarsson | 3 Comments Share this

I’ve played the first installment of The Sims twice. Both times I failed miserably and managed to get my character so depressed that they eventually could not afford food to eat. In the background there was this MIDI-ish soundtrack that can best be classified as easy listening, and while I never found it to be overly impressive, it did the job. I’m pretty sure that if I had continued playing that some of the tunes would have stuck.

When the second installment came along, it definitely had a lot more polish while still staying true to its roots. Now that The Sims 3 is upon us, however, what will composer Steve Jablonsky unleash upon the unsuspecting world?

Find out more about this simtastic offering after the jump! (more…)
Anime, Japanese

The US Debut of Kalafina, Yuki Kajiura’s Songstress Project: Album Release and Live Performance

May 15, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 8 Comments Share this

I am a huge fan of Yuki Kajiura’s work on the Xenosaga series, although I admit I’m not overly familiar with her expansive credits in the anime industry. Back in 2007, Kajiura went on a hunt for some talented singers for her projects, creating Kalafina. Since then, the group has gone on to release a number of charting singles, and back in March, they released their first studio album in Japan, Seventh Heaven.

Well, we have some good news for Kalafina’s US fans, as Seventh Heaven is now available on iTunes, Napster, and other digital outlets. Even more, Kalafina will be performing and taking part in an autograph session at the Anime Boston convention later this month, so we’ll be sure to have more coverage of the group in the coming weeks. While there hasn’t been an announcement regarding a physical release of Seventh Heaven in the United States, it’s great that Sony is thinking of Kalafina’s Western audience.

Have you been following Yuki Kajiura’s Kalafina project? Do you have a favorite single from the group, and are you interested in seeing them live in Boston later this month?
Game Music, Reviews

Norihiko Hibino Meets Ron Burgundy On XBLA/PSN… Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 (Review)

April 17, 2009 | Patrick Gann | 4 Comments Share this

One of Capcom’s latest forays into the world of retro-style downloadable content features some of the downright funkiest music we’ve heard in ages. And it comes from our pal, Norihiko Hibino!

There’s a touch of Hibino’s old Metal Gear Solid espionage-friendly tunes on this shortie-but-goodie. But Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is no Metal Gear Solid in terms of gameplay. The developer, Backbone Entertainment, created a familiar top-down shooter (like the other games in the Commando series).

How this type of gameplay manages to involve a soundtrack that sounds like it’s performed by Will Ferrell’s fictional character Ron Burgundy (from the film Anchorman) is beyond my comprehension. But if you’re ready for some funky, dirty, almost industrial jazz (complete with jazz flute!), then take the jump to read our full review of the Commando 3 soundtrack.

(more…)
Game Music

Interview with Deadly Creatures Composer Dave Lowmiller

April 14, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

Deadly Creatures is one of those Wii casualties that deserved more attention than it received. While it appeared to be your typical 3D action platformer on the surface, there were a number of innovations that made it a worthwhile experience for those looking to get more out of their Wii. What I found particularly interesting was the game’s sound, both in terms of music and sound design.

The world of Deadly Creatures is experienced through the perspective of the a tarantula or scorpion, but the story is told through overheard conversations of humans that appear throughout the game. A pretty unique concept. And the music? It’s not what you’d expect, as it blends indistinctly into the sound effects and dark atmosphere generated by the visuals. Fortunately we’ve been able to catch up with Dave Lowmiller at Rainbow Studios to discuss his “music” for the game, which is an interesting discussion about blurring the lines between soundtrack and sound design. I highly recommend checking this one out on iTunes to get an idea of what it’s all about if you didn’t play the game.

Hit the jump for our interview with Deadly Creatures audio lead, Dave Lowmiller. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

One Deadly Orchestra: The Sounds of Dead Space (Review)

April 6, 2009 | Robert Halvarsson | 2 Comments Share this

The horror shooter Dead Space made quite a splash when it made its appearance in 2008, and went on to win the G.A.N.G. Award for “Audio of the Year” just two weeks ago. Following a mature trend in the gaming industry it tickled gamers in the right way. Playing the protagonist Isaac Clarke, you are out on a routine space mission where things go, unsurprisingly, hella wrong.

Fans of easy listening or soft sensual RNB will surely be disappointed. These are not songs for lovemaking or a replacement for your new age cassette Songs of the Whales Vol 3. This is an uncompromising and extremely dark and vivid orchestral score. If that is what grinds your gears then look no further.

Are you scared yet? Hit the jump and read more, and I bet you will be. (more…)