[VGMC] Day 10! feat. Going, Shopping, Whistling, Coming, Karting, and Knighting

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Board 8 » [VGMC] Day 10! feat. Going, Shopping, Whistling, Coming, Karting, and Knighting
banshiryuu
05/19/2024
10:59 PM
#1
Welcome to Video Game Music Contest 18, an annual celebration of the best of the best video game music according to the voters!

Important Links:
Bracket: https://www.bracketmaker.com/tlist.cfm?tid=478494
Contest info sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HBxgL9woiCMFKNOPuN_qdxmzjStJXSpC3Ocalfsavdk
Contest discussion thread: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/8-gamefaqs-contests/80763291
Main bracket playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT3m7iohpL0y-5OyCrkgprWtXARkEJzh_
Compatibility sheet: ?!?!?!
Last years spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SAJKYJmYhccLvbf_H-5uSA7-eMwXfW8k1q74Qho1bLU
VGMC total stats sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K1XdLWiUKB2kX99qYBgnRbLU_sCz4dvZSByKKJHCT6o
Discord: https://discord.gg/7FVXqWj

Rules:
- Listen to both songs in a given match, at least through the loop time provided (to make sure you don't skip before you've heard the whole thing!)
- Please consider the loop point listed when judging the song; if a video loops one minute 5 times, don't treat it as if it's a repetitive 5 minute song
- If it's a match between your favorite song ever and a song you despise, still LISTEN TO BOTH! Votes can and will be disqualified if there is suspicion songs are not being listened to, and you may be discounted for the rest of the contest for repeat offenses.
- No alt accounts, no rallying or begging, etc., etc.... You only get one vote! Swapping votes is alright, just make clear that you've already made a vote and are swapping.
- Make clear what your voting options are! Please keep votes separate from any comments, and use the titles given in the topic post.
- Voting in all matches is not mandatory, feel free to skip matches you do not wish to vote in.
- Vote based on the links provided, and not other sources of audio. Links are specifically chosen for best quality and the like.
- Don't discuss vote tallies in this thread, or in other threads, as they may influence votes. Likewise, please refrain from looking at the running tally before voting.

Voting Period:
- Today's matches will last 24 hours from the time of posting, or 24 hours from 11pm Eastern, whichever is the later time.
- Please note this may mean that two topics will be active at the same time!
- If you anticipate being unable to vote in a given day, please send an absentee vote to @banshiryuu, or post your absentee vote in the discussion thread!

.

Match 1

Persona 3 Reload - Its Going Down Now
Composer: Atsushi Kitajoh
Loop Point: 2:52
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KuWjZD6PBA

Grounseed - Shop Demo
Composer: Ryu Umemoto
Loop Point: 3:54
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOvfINPELDg?si=u-OfZQF3l5clNaYs

.

Match 2

Temtem - Arbury Whistles
Composer: Damian Sanchez
Loop Point: 2:24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GAa4xxt44Q?si=IHHE5Cbr5JESVPO7

Unicorn Overlord - Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Composer: Mitsuhiro Kaneda
Loop Point: 5:09
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj3q_b0o3h4

.

Match 3

Mario Kart 8 - Mario Kart 8
Composer: Atsuko Asahi, Soyo Oka arr. Atsuko Asahi
Loop Point: 1:28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2U5GoX4dew

Knights of the Crystallion - side A
Composer: Bill Williams
Loop Point: 12:50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX_3J5E_GJQ

.

Easy vote form:
Its Going Down Now / Shop Demo
Arbury Whistles / Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8 / side A
th3l3fty
05/19/2024
11:01 PM
#2
Grounseed - Shop Demo
Temtem - Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8 - Mario Kart 8
thelefty for analysis crew 2008 imo -transience
I have a third degree burn in flame-o-nomics -Sir Chris
azuarc
05/19/2024
11:03 PM
#3
Its Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8

I'm not voting for it, but I appreciate that Crystallion was included.
Only the exceptions can be exceptional.
DireKrow
05/19/2024
11:06 PM
#4
Its Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
tgs2
05/19/2024
11:16 PM
#5
Going Down
Farde Mal Diavolo
side A

I don't know how to explain why I like side A this much. I'll just say cool ass percussion/synth noises go brr and that somehow the song doesn't feel like it is dragging on at all despite the 13 minute length.

1. Enthusia Professional Racing - Awakening ~ Nrburgring Suite
2. ???
3. ???
4. RINNE - b10
5. ???
6. ???
7. ???
8. ???
9. ???
10. ???
11. ???
12. Sonic Adventure 2 - Live and Learn
13. ???
14. ???
15. ???
16. ???
17. ???
18. ???
19. ???
20. ???
21. ???
22. Knights of the Crystallion - side A
23. ???
24. ???
25. ???
26. ???
27. ???
28. ???
29. ???
30. ???
DanKirby
05/19/2024
11:33 PM
#6
Shop Demo
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
(>'.')>
"The problem with the future is that it keeps turning into the present." -Hobbes
TeamRocketElite
05/19/2024
11:39 PM
#7
Persona 3 Reload - Its Going Down Now
Unicorn Overlord - Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8 - Mario Kart 8
My bracket looked like random picks compared to his.
Congrats to azuarc for winning the GotD 2020 Guru Contest!
Eggert
05/19/2024
11:41 PM
#8
Its Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
dowolf
05/19/2024
11:46 PM
#9
Going
WHistling
Karting
Nonsense. "Testing" is for when you're still guessing--and now, I have no need to guess. -- Agatha, Girl Genius
kamakazikila
05/19/2024
11:52 PM
#10
DISTURBING THE PEACE!!!
Unicorn Overlord (Berengaria best girl)
MK8
Puff Stuff
KCF0107
05/20/2024
12:16 AM
#11
Now
Whistles
Mario
KCF can't actually be a real person but he is - greengravy
Hbthebattle
05/20/2024
12:45 AM
#12
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8

:)
junglegirl
05/20/2024
12:52 AM
#13
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A

side a favorite discovery
skulltrumpets
05/20/2024
12:57 AM
#14
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8

Persona music sometimes ends up that kind of thing where I drag my feet and ho hum about listening to bit it turns out I always have a decent time. Shop Demo is just so much cooler though.

Arbury Whistles is still charming though.

I love the Mario Kart leitmoif. I think I would like this other song more if it felt more cohesive. I know that's like not the point and all but -
HidekuniHorita
05/20/2024
01:00 AM
#15
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A
Omniscience lies beyond the void, beyond decay!
I am one with the Akashic Records!
UF8
05/20/2024
01:33 AM
#16
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/e/ebbf9ecf.png

Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A

more like side B cause that's where all my votes went to

Berengaria great but Amalia still best girl
Tked
05/20/2024
01:53 AM
#17
Shop
Whistles
side A
Janus5k
05/20/2024
02:14 AM
#18
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8

man the second half of shop demo goes hard
A hero cannot be defeated simply by making him die.
HBJDubs
05/20/2024
02:44 AM
#19
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A
Save in the name of true love
FL81
05/20/2024
03:39 AM
#20
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8
https://i.imgur.com/TGkNCva.gif https://i.imgur.com/8mWCvA4.gif
-Chaos-Zero-
05/20/2024
04:22 AM
#21
Shop Demo
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
The Pizza Formerly Known as CalzoneB
Mihark
05/20/2024
05:22 AM
#22
Its Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
Collen
05/20/2024
05:24 AM
#23
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8
Sunshine. Lunchbox. Playground. Raincoat. Hot Dog. Oatmeal. Railroad. Ice Cream. Bathtub. Pancake. Eardrum.
Paratroopa1
05/20/2024
05:25 AM
#24
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A

Ah, Persona music. What is it with this vgmc like, *extremely* lame rap verses? I know we have another one coming up soon! The rest of the song is competent but I don't really care about it that much. 4.5/10

I was previously under the mistaken impression that Shop Demo would play in like, a shop in-game, and I was like wow this is REALLY intense shopping music! It's so moody and exciting and it goes on for like four minutes! But no, it's a demo for the game that plays in a real-life store. Anyway, it's fantastic. Ryu Umemoto was a wizard with this kind of 90's japanese PC FM synth shit and really is one of the great underrated or lesser-known vgm composers of all time (that YU-NO track a couple vgmcs ago was another one of my faves). 9/10

Arbury Whistles is... yeah, I get it. It's going for a celtic vibe and it sure does achieve it. There isn't much to say, it's competently written but it could be stock music for all I care. 5/10

Farde Mal Diavolo is another one of these tracks. I feel like I've heard a million things with this exact same choir of women chanting. It's all very epic and such. For what it is I think this one's pretty solid. It's competently written and doesn't annoy me! I'd probably like it more if I associated it with a game I've played (I haven't gotten around to it yet) but as it is I won't remember it. 6.5/10

The Mario Kart 8 theme sure is the Mario Kart 8 theme! It's almost a little hard to judge it as a piece of music because I'm so used to just hearing it when I boot up MK8 and passing by it without much of a thought, or it just being in the background when I'm waiting for friends. It's just kind of like, oh yeah, this exists. It's... very MK8, for better or worse. I do really like the transition into the SMK theme, it's classy. 7/10

I put MK8 in my faves bracket and I'll probably keep it that way but honestly I feel like giving Knights of the Crystallion the nod here just because I feel like I'm one of the only people who will even kind of appreciate what it's trying to do. What is it trying to do? I have no fucking idea! It sounds like a series of tracks rather than one track and the name kind of implies that it is indeed something that like... plays on a literal cassette tape?? Especially given the awful recording quality which I won't hold against it. This has to be about as obscure as it gets this contest (and this is on the same day as a PC-98 game) but whatever it is, I think it's neat, I probably won't want to listen to it that many times but the novelty alone is worth something to me. This was a tough vote. 7/10
sergiocornaga
05/20/2024
07:12 AM
#25
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A
andylt
05/20/2024
07:50 AM
#26
Its Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
side A
Place
05/20/2024
09:00 AM
#27
Grounseed - Shop Demo
Unicorn Overlord - Frde Ml Divolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Knights of the Crystllion - side

[10] side A
[8.0] Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
[8.0] Shop Demo
[ 8 .0] Mario Kart 8
[7.0] Its Going Down Now
[6.5] Arbury Whistles

Guarantee you are not the 'only one' who appreciates Crystallion, Para. This game is the self-declared masterpiece of Bill Williams, who developed nearly all of his Amiga output as a purely solo endeavor. This includes everything from artwork, programming, and yes even the music. While listening, keep an ear out for Yes-esque chord structure-- Bill cites the band as being a major influence for both the musical score and the visual design for the city of Orodrid, which is to evoke a Roger Dean illustration come to life.
Hi. I wanna play you something.
MaxGalactica
05/20/2024
09:35 AM
#28
It's Going Down Now: A lot of the post-Persona 5 vocal songs have been just "fine" to me. This one is an exception though. Really great song with great vocals and instrumental.

Shop Demo: It takes a while to pick up, but once it does, it's really cool. Cool FM song, which is kind of a rarity for me.

Arbury Whistles: I really like this one. Lovely recorder and the melody is great. Just a solid song all-around.

Farde Mal Diavolo: This is my favorite song from the Unicorn Overlord soundtrack, but I found the soundtrack as a whole to be a pretty disappointing output from Basiscape, especially when compared to the likes of Caravan Stories and 13 Sentinels that preceded it. Close match.

Mario Kart 8: Classic song. The sax is awesome and it's just a great big band sound. Good way to work in the classic Mario Kart theme as well. Solid, well-composed piece.

side A: I definitely hear the Yes influence in this one. Some really cool prog-like rhythms and passages. I do wish it used actual instruments and more modern production. But it's cool what Williams was able to do on the limited hardware.

Everything is good today. Great day.

Votes:
It's Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
Don't trust everything that you read on the Internet.
-Abraham Lincoln
rwlh
05/20/2024
09:48 AM
#29
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A
Prince46
05/20/2024
10:20 AM
#30
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A

Huh, Mass Destruction B-Side. I don't know how to feel about this vocalists, they feel weird for what I'm used to hear on Persona (I want Lotus Juice to shout Jet Set Radio this much). This instrumental is super gooood though, specially the drums. Yeah, this might grow on me. Groundseed time... Nice mysterious intro. Is it doing anything el- ohhh. Really love how this drums shows up, then it gets funky for the rest of the song. And great way to go, too. Okay, it's a close vote for the SEES, but good effort to both, I'm looking forward to the next round.

Why does the little guy from the soundtrack look like the Tokyo 2020 mascot? Haha. Well, this is whistles alright. I can't tell if this is trying to be Irish or not, but it's nice and the melody is catchy. Unicorn isn't the type of JRPG piece that gets me going, but it does quite well at being a epic song. I like this later sections the most. I guess I'm not terribly hot on either, but I'm going Unicorn.

Mario Kart 8 fan here. I find this title screen song... good, but it's like, not even the best song of the game, it's one of the weakest. The SMK tribute is fine and all (it actually kinda disturbs the pace) and the bass intro is cool but it feels like a one trick pony. I don't know, I wasn't too savory on seeing this, but it's also not bad if I have to vote it further down. Oh boy, 12 minutes Amiga! I am sickened but curious. Immediately starts with a Mining Melancholy-like combo and The Lick, nice way to attract me. Those distorted voices fit to the atmosphere too. Oh man, this is cool. Constant bells resounding, the guitar part was great too. Oh, those pauses were kinda weird. Now we're going into some more loosey directions... Yeah, I think the song just keeps going strong despite it's weird technicalities, despite having highs and lows. Oh, a nice little string part for the end here. I don't know, I understand if this sounds like a pile of mumbling noise to someone, but I quite enjoyed this. This DKC-esque percussion kinda drags me in and the atmosphere is right. Well done.
Sceptilesolar
05/20/2024
10:50 AM
#31
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8
Just killing time until the world ends.
Haste_2
05/20/2024
11:12 AM
#32
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A
"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?"
"You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."
AcireExists
05/20/2024
11:30 AM
#33
Shop Demo
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8

Mario Kart 8 > Arbury Whistles > Shop Demo > Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come- > It's Going Down Now > Side A

It's Going Down Now - 6
why are the cymbals the loudest thing in this song. anyways it's ffffffffffffine but I cannot understand the rap for the life of me and the mixing is generally fucky

Shop Demo - 7.5
huh that was pretty neat

Arbury Whistles - 8
apparently I didn't like the lead instrument the last time I listened to this, odd. anyways nice song I like

Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come- - 7
eh it's fine, not my thing. was more invested in the footage than the song, though it did reinforce that this does not seem to be a game for me in terms of gameplay lmao

Mario Kart 8 - 9
I swear this was nommed with the OST link I gave Fox (never mind, I misremembered, but if anyone wants to change it for better quality then here it is https://youtu.be/PHKK9MWQZcI). anyways fucking banger, not sure if I like this or Mount Wario more but they're definitely the two best compositions in the game

Side A - 2.5
why. I knew this would be a bad idea 20 seconds in, and yet I kept listening - and I regret it. if you like this, good for you! I don't, and would like to never have to listen to this again.
Erica, she/her. Subscribe to GaMetal.
NFUN
05/20/2024
11:36 AM
#34
Shop
Evil
A
List the ominous stern whisper from the delphic cave within:
They enslave their children's children who make compromise with sin
TheArkOfTurus
05/20/2024
12:16 PM
#35
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A
Our eyes were removed
For our own safety
OrangeCrush980
05/20/2024
12:29 PM
#36
Shop Demo
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8

First 2 matches were hard. Last match was hard in the sense that getting through Side A is difficult.
"Foolishness, Dante. Foolishness... Might controls everything. And without strength, you cannot protect anything. Let alone yourself."
- Vergil, DMC3
xx521xx
05/20/2024
12:34 PM
#37
Shop Demo
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
Optimism is the first step to disappointment.
xx521xx
Isquen
05/20/2024
12:53 PM
#38
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8
[Rock and Stone] <o/
SlinkyNeko
05/20/2024
02:37 PM
#39
It's Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
failgirlema
05/20/2024
04:36 PM
#40
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
side A

very very very easy decisions today
god mario kart 8's main theme is SO ANNOYING HELP ME
Be formless, shapeless... like water.
DoctorJimmy133
05/20/2024
04:52 PM
#41
Demo > Download Now
Evil > Whistling
8 > A
azuarc is quite good at predicting GameFAQs bracket battles.
PIayer_0
05/20/2024
05:02 PM
#42
Its Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
-Abraham Lincoln
Fluttershy_Pony
05/20/2024
05:48 PM
#43
Shop Demo
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
Currently in the mood to have a signature, though unsure of what.
MacArrowny
05/20/2024
06:17 PM
#44
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8

Despite P3 having a mostly great OST, its ordinary battle music was never my favorite. This style's a bit more my thing than Mass Destruction's, but its not the best example of a Persona song in this style, IMO. Shop Demo's pretty middling though, so it gets the easy win.

Oh god Arbury is so grating. 10 seconds and it feels like it's been going on for hours. Diavolo isn't perfect, but I absolutely love the first few minutes. Feels like what I love about 13 Sentinels music.

MK8 theme is fine I guess. It's solid background music when I boot the game up and am just chatting for a few minutes before we actually start playing. Listening to it on its own is weird though. Fortunately for it, it's up against a stupid 12 minute song I would actively mute if I was chatting without playing the game.
All the stars in the sky are waiting for you.
DanShux
05/20/2024
06:23 PM
#45
Shop Demo

Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-

Mario Kart 8
W1ndzs
05/20/2024
06:50 PM
#46
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8
slykirby
05/20/2024
06:52 PM
#47
Its Going Down Now
Arbury Whistles
Mario Kart 8
https://i.imgur.com/c3jEuPS.jpg
Waveshine_2001
05/20/2024
07:04 PM
#48
I will get to matches 1-2 later today hopefully when I get more time.

Mario Kart 8: Just an absolute banger. I especially love the Super Mario Kart reference towards the end of the loop. It's not even my favorite MK title theme which goes to show just how consistently good the title themes have been throughout the series.

side A: this song has NO business being nearly 13 minutes long. I don't even hate longer video game songs necessarily; I love prime #4507 and Dancing Mad just as a couple of examples. Herald of Darkness, which is also around 13 minutes long, was one of my top 20ish favorite songs from Supra's 2023 contest. Long songs CAN work if they actually have a clear progression and flow to them, but this song is anything but that.

The first several minutes are literal noise and that's it. The rest of the song vaguely sounds like music but seems very disorganized. Maybe that's the point of the song, but it's not doing it any favors for me. The percussion is cool and one of the few positives I can say about this song. It's not absolutely terrible, but this is one of the worst longer video game songs I've ever heard.

VOTE:
Mario Kart 8
Fox Only, Final Destination.
Gall
05/20/2024
07:12 PM
#49
Its Going Down Now
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8

This must be the year of adventure games because the first minute and a half of Shop Demo sounds like old Sierra music. Rich synths deep and high both saying adventure awaits. The energetic part after doesnt appeal to me as much, but it does have a cool melody.

Astral - Prison is the easy winner, unlike Burger King which was a difficult winner.
Tune in to over a decade of VGM history with the VGMC playlists! (Work in progress, currently VGMC1-12)
https://pastebin.com/JUNkGWQ4
GhostyMega
05/20/2024
08:55 PM
#50
Shop Demo
Farde Mal Diavolo -Destroy Evil, then Come-
Mario Kart 8
The art of quirky SNES games no one cares about
Board 8 » [VGMC] Day 10! feat. Going, Shopping, Whistling, Coming, Karting, and Knighting
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