Sonic Soundtrack

This is how I feel about it... The music in the original games reflected what was popular on the charts to appeal to a teen and college audience. Therefore, J-Pop, Pop, New Jack Swing and RnB were all very clearly reflected in the game's soundtracks. I would have assumed this trend would have evolved with the popularity of electronic music and eventually you'd have artists like Daft Punk or The Prodigy working on a Sonic soundtrack. However, they sort of just stuck with WHATEVER was popular at the time even if it broke with the style of games. That Offspring sound and skaterboy culture was popular in the early 00s and Sonic Adventure reflected that even though it sort of takes me out of the game. It's a bit annoying listening to that 00's punk after hearing a great track like the Casinopolis level to be honest. Sonic Rush is an improvement and I do find myself saying "BACK 2 BACK" from time to time - that's definitely the route I would go. Fast and melodic; people should be bopping their heads as they're racing through a level.

 

They should sound like the JAP Sonic CD soundtrack. Funky tunes screaming of the neon T-shirt days of the nineties.

I have Stardust Speedway (present) on my iPod at all times. The production on that track is incredible.

 

I think there are two sides to any Sonic soundtrack. The loud side should sound like authentic YM2612 - FM synthesizer music. The genesis had arguably the best lineup of game soundtracks out of any console. The synths available for it were very conducive to a sci-fi action-heavy atmosphere. It's perfect for boss fights and mechanical levels.

Thunder Force

Sparkster

Dynamite Headdy

Gunstar Heroes

Street Fighter II


The Sonic games for the Genesis could fill a whole page by themselves




The other side of the coin is the quieter, trippier, more eclectic side. My favorite soundtrack in any Sonic game was the japanese version of Sonic CD.

 

If we're going to quote a shitload of awesome Genesis music, let's have some Tim Follin. His only Genesis tune:

God, what a shame the Genesis version of that game was cancelled. The SNES soundtrack was pathetic in comparison.

Actually, having Tim Follin compose a Sonic soundtrack would be amazing. Except he retired, so fat chance!

But yeah, I'm actually cool with whatever Sonic music. It's had a way of being good no matter how shitty the game, so!

 

Sonic 4 needs a word with you.

As for my choices?

http://stanleyclarke.com/

Stanley Clarke. Listen to that groove. Listen to the sweet melody. And then he cranks it up to eleven with wet funky groove and goes as fast as his fingers can fly. Don't believe me? Listen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXsZVs1EEfw...8T&index=12

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCIshmOWz18...8T&index=23

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Daft Punk. Oh most certainly... Though, I feel they fit a tone of robot empires and technological wizardry. Steam Machine, Primetime Of Your Life, and Brainwasher.... Beautiful but sinister... One More Time, Digital Love... Serene, peaceful tunes... And Da Funk and Daftendirekt... So hard on.

Prince. His recent work has been real funky, and I want more of that in my Sonic Soundtrack.

But if I were to pick who out of the original Sonic composers I want to see make a comeback in today's Sonic Scene, those men would be Howard Drossin and Spencer Nielson. I don't care who prefers which when it comes to Sonic CD, I thought Drossin's soundtrack was gorgeous, (though the electrifying, energy pumped work of Naofumi Hataya is pleasant on ears as well) but once again, opinions opinions.

In other words, I want Sonic music to be more wet, melodic, and funky. I want to feel the high levels of machinery in Robotnik's levels through automated sirens of a roboticized Stanley Clarke or Prince. I want to feel the hard driving essence that is Sonic. Any objections?

Note: Shadow Hog, that title screen music is fantastic. Certainly a mood setter.

 

I think I could probably just make a whole thread dedicated to awesome genesis music. I was really trying to hold back in that post...


and yeah, as Greg said, Sonic 4. Sonic Chaos is another hiccup.

 

Sonic 4's music's only problem was the instrumentation. It was fine otherwise.

 

production is everything though

you could take the worst songs on earth, remix them with clever instrument choices, and they would sound awesome

you could take Bach's toccata and fugue in D minor, set it to the synths they chose for Sonic 4, and it would probably sound like ass too

 

I would say the composition doesn't help. One Boss Theme sounds like something you'd hear at a circus attraction, the other sounds like a 10 second synth lick on repeat and most of the Zone levels sound like inferior imitations of their counterparts on previous Sonic games (most noticeable in Casino Street Zone). Jun Senoue can be better than that.

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