Lurker > rwlh

Very well. I will nominate more than two songs. Let me think for a bit.

Just when I thought I was out...!

- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Credits | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8bNZboAPfc
+ Final Fantasy X | Challenge | https://youtu.be/1vxkGfKc_80?si=5RvyARhdlU240Sp6

Fifth and final double:

++ Path of the Abyss | Warcry | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14XoxaLVKIc

Have fun, everyone!

+ Animorphs (GBC)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FyX-bNcVjNVCgV1Nfh6XNloGzw8Gwtu

Composer: Randy Wilson

Fourth double:

++ Left 4 Dead 2 | Swamp Fever Horde Theme | https://youtu.be/nmLlxEqIpiM?si=5jmckZzQiZS3lJhH

chaos

Third double:

++ Lost Eden | The Magnificents | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFlviirSuUY

Second double:

++ Gimmick! | Strange Memories of Death | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knik6QqDJJ0

First of five doubles:
++ Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse | Battle - f8 One Who Stands Against God | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73sumMd3nQ

- Umineko: When They Cry - Answer Arcs | ridicule | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ENcDcDpNZw
+ Ultimate Card Games | Winter Morning | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5MsMxFWK5E

Hooray, I achieved my goal of nominating a Rushmore topic without an obvious winner. Now at last I can rest.

1. Space Lion
2. Piano Black
3. Cat Blues
4. Rush
5. Digging My Potato
6. Too Good Too Bad
7. Rain
8. Bad Dog No Biscuits
9. Pot City
10. Tank!
11. Spokey Dokey
12. Cosmos
13. Car 24
14. Walt for Zizi
15. Felt Tip Pen
16. The Egg and I
17. Memory

specific thoughts:
space lion - 10/10 song for me, an all-timer
piano black - lovely repetitive crunch
car 24 - sitcom music, a little too cheesy for me
the egg and i, memory - the only ones i don't like

overall thoughts:
I liked this a lot more on my first listen. There are some songs I really like here, particularly Space Lion, and there's a wide enough range of styles that I could see myself gravitating toward different songs on subsequent listens. That sax is pretty great.

Oh hey I nominated this one. Let's see...

A Hard Day's Night
Eleanor Rigby
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
Here Comes the Sun

Four distinct Beatles flavors.

Have you all picked new movies every time? Or has there been some overlap?

Neat list. I probably won't participate, but in case I do, do you know if any of the movies have a lot of gore?

- Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne | Late Goodbye | https://youtu.be/kdonCg8IjW4
+ Ano, Subarashii wo Mou Ichido | Sekai no Chishiki (Sogetsu) (FM Ver.) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQW1yWsv1fE

I've listened to everything through day 2. Here are my remaining nominations, to be spent on supporting other people's stuff. I'll probably still poke around with new music. Maybe.

+ Tribal Hunter | Dance of Wind | https://youtu.be/y5o1sJPR6sw
+ Iron Lung | It Wakes | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARVjaXkjdcM
+ Wiz 'n' Liz | Name Entry | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUrctxnLTkk
+ Mario Kart 64 | Staff Roll | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f8ckObOZCY
+ Path of the Abyss | Warcry | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14XoxaLVKIc
+ Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne | Late Goodbye | https://youtu.be/kdonCg8IjW4
+ Bomb Rush Cyberfunk | GET ENUF | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODy6rmrh4Og
+ Gimmick! | Strange Memories of Death | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knik6QqDJJ0
+ Donkey Kong Country 3 | Stilt Village | https://youtu.be/A1-Wln_AnpA?si=sWTjcV1KDuuR0Xos
+ Klonoa: Door to Phantomile | Untamed Heart | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W9RG4LvL0E
+ Left 4 Dead 2 | Swamp Fever Horde Theme | https://youtu.be/nmLlxEqIpiM?si=5jmckZzQiZS3lJhH
+ Mega Man Network Transmission | Zero Gravity Area | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bylo5iC6kkY/
+ Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles | Within the Dark Sorrow | https://youtu.be/QdInlV1aHok?si=Hr0BZqdzjeshWwkm

Listening through VGMC nominations right now but earlier I had Dolly Parton - Jolene in my head.

rwlh posted...

New nominations:

+ Umineko: When They Cry - Answer Arcs | ridicule | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ENcDcDpNZw
+ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Credits | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8bNZboAPfc

forgot loop points, sorry

ridicule: 1:54
Credits: 1:03

:)

Snake5555555555 posted...

:)

It's SO GOOD

David Szymanski - It Wakes (Iron Lung OST)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARVjaXkjdcM

up

Machinae Supremacy scored the soundtrack to Jets'n'Guns, which I love, but I'm not too familiar with their other work. I'll need to check them out sometime.

New nominations:

+ Umineko: When They Cry - Answer Arcs | ridicule | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ENcDcDpNZw
+ Sonic the Hedgehog 3 | Credits | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8bNZboAPfc

Nominate:
Fishmans - Uchu Nippon Setagaya
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_GjLs9YOrcLCgTdhrb4xr6DUA5cAuSmJ

Japanese psychedelic rock band beloved by Rate Your Music. I'm not familiar with most of their work. Their highest rated album, Long Season, is one continuous song, so I'm nominating this instead. Open to changing based on feedback.

+ Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse | Battle - f8 One Who Stands Against God | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73sumMd3nQ
+ Legend of Legaia | Young Nobleman of the Mist | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE3-9GiKi2E
+ Donk! The Samurai Duck | Main Title | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYIFQkVt2HY
+ Lost Eden | The Magnificents | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFlviirSuUY
+ Freedom Planet 2 | Dragon Valley | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49mVLN8OJSo

loop point of 2:58 for One Who Stands Against God, no loop for the other four

1. I'm the President
2. Nightmare
3. Do Hot Girls Like Chords?
4. Crash the Car
5. The Abyss
6. Knower Forever
7. Ride That Dolphin
8. It's All Nothing Until It's Everything
9. Real Nice Morning
10. It Will Get Real
11. Same Smile, Different Face

Fun album! Lots of variety, which made ranking individual songs easier for me than it normally is for these topics. There was one song above an 8 and one song below a 5. The variety actually makes for a cohesive album experience. This was my second time listening; this time the vocals didn't bother me like they did before and I think I appreciated more of the instrumentation.

edit: I also want to add that, despite everyone saying the lyrics are nonsense, Ride That Dolphin has an all-time great line in "Things are more real when they're hard to believe."

this is a post about my favorite video games

Super Benjamin Franklin Bros.
Harriet Tubman 64
Susan B. Anthony: Combat Evolved
Martin Luther King Jr. Craft

thank you for your time

I didn't nominate for this but I enjoyed reading along!

y

Another victory bump!

Fun fact about Bowser's Castle 2: if you listen closely, you can hear an arrangement of the Bowser fight theme from Super Mario Bros. 3.

Nominate snubs from Mount Rushmore topics (anything that didn't make the top four)

Justifying my Godzilla take: created (or maybe codified) an entire genre that stretches even beyond film, worldwide icon, representative of cultural and geopolitical attitudes that still resonate today, and also has the category of a non-human/oid villain, something missing from most of the other nominations so far.

Taking a different approach and not overthinking:

Wicked Witch of the West
Norman Bates
Darth Vader
Godzilla

I don't know if I'll get around to this today or not, so I'll just say my favorite track when I listened a few weeks ago was Higher Ground.

rwlh posted...

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Donkey Kong Country
Super Metroid
Chrono Trigger

swap Chrono Trigger for

Street Fighter II Turbo

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Donkey Kong Country
Super Metroid
Chrono Trigger

Victory bump!

Can One-Winged Angel stage a comeback???

There's also probably an argument for Bob and George for being the first big sprite comic. Plus there are other oddballs I'm sure I've never heard of. You might even be able to make an argument for something like Dinosaur Comics.

I thought of Penny Arcade but I can see some people not putting it on. I feel like the field is wide enough that you could get a variety of responses.

Trying to come up with a Rushmore idea that wouldn't have clear frontrunners, so I'm nominating:

Webcomics

Could be interesting maybe?

Playlist updated with all 300 songs.

Three nominators tied for highest average rating: azuarc, Collen, and FL81 all got 8. Collen had the best average ranking, at 1598. -Chaos-Zero-, despite nominating the winner, didn't break a 7 average rating; most of their songs were 6 or lower.

1/41
@-Chaos-Zero-
Left 4 Dead 2 - Swamp Fever Horde Theme
Mike Morasky
https://youtu.be/nmLlxEqIpiM?si=5jmckZzQiZS3lJhH

WARNING: LOUD

I have listened to a lot of vgm over the years. More than most people. So it is with the utmost care and weight that I make this statement:

This is the most unhinged video game song Ive ever heard.

Yes, more unhinged than EXSPHERE! EXSPHERE at least has a melody and a story. More unhinged than Crazybus and other randomly generated music, which tends to be tamer in sound. This is justgod. Where do I even begin with Swamp Fever Horde Theme?

First off, the comments cant seem to decide what the main instrument is. Is it a violin? A banjo? A fiddle played by a violin bow? I suspect the last one. Either way, its screechy and unpleasant. From the opening notes its designed to put you on edge. Youre supposed to be afraid when you listen to this. Its not spooky horror ambience; its the total opposite of that. This is maximum intensity for two minutes and forty-eight seconds. It does not abate. You are on Mike Moraskys Wild Ride, and you cant get off. This is a song, above all else, that commits.

This is not a song for everybody. I would argue, perhaps, that it is not a song for anybody (except me lol). You will surely hate this. Yet I cant think of a better song to give me than Swamp Fever Horde Theme. My reaction to this isintense. Immediately Im sucked in, immediately I experience intense emotions (although perhaps theyre not the intended ones). More than the other 299 nominations, this is a true experience. Thank you, -Chaos-Zero-, for this stellar nomination, and congrats on winning the ranking!

-

5TH PLACE: FL81
Average rating: 8
Average ranking: 1666
Your lucky song: Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island - Yoshi's Island (World 6)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4VFWXwW3lY

4TH PLACE: Prince46
Average rating: 7.5
Average ranking: 2477
Your lucky song: Mega Man X8 - Jakob Space Elevator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wefklTWaoic

3RD PLACE: JONA
Average rating: 7.8
Average ranking: 2369
Your lucky song: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity - Glacier Palace ~ Eastern Spire
https://youtu.be/I106TjiEsuw

2ND PLACE: skulltrumpets
Average rating: 7.8
Average ranking: 1752
Your lucky song: Billiard 2008 - Menu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWFaeqybQZo

1ST PLACE: -Chaos-Zero-
Average rating: 6.9
Average ranking: 3353
Your lucky song: Blast Corps - The Moon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIDIPigiWdk

Thank you all very much for nominating!

-

So weve come to the end of another ranking. Ive said this before and I dont like repeating myself, but thanks to everyone for giving me such great music. I had a blast doing this. See you next time!

5/95
@FL81
Path of the Abyss - Warcry - -
hasu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14XoxaLVKIc

Top 100 barrier breached!

I could be lazy and copy the writeup for Lightning Strike, the other Path of the Abyss nomination. So much applies to both songs, both moist FM synth delicacies. Warcry is actually a little intense than Lightning Strike, with more emphasis on cool-sounding percussion (bongos maybe?). Ive definitely listened to one over the other depending on what I wanted to get out of my listening. My favorite part is the melodic section at 1:15. Warcry is such a delight. I hope one or more of these songs gets VGMC exposure. If I support any, itll likely only be one (I try not to double dip for games), but really I just hope more people get to experience these terrific songs.

4/57
@Prince46
Kirby's Dream Land 3 - Pop Star
Jun Ishikawa
https://youtu.be/WFL7aIOPSWI

Theres a subcategory of music that I love that is exactly like this. Listen to this, and then listen to this song from Jimmy and the Pulsating Mass, and tell me they dont fit the same mold:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpM3yGLvhcw

Its a logical extension of the happy/wistful intersection. Unlike a lot of the other songs I love from that little microgenre, Pop Star is all instrumental, hence my comparison to An Open Window. Its a heartbreakingly beautiful and sad song. The wind effects in the background add to the mystery. Apparently this is, like, literally world map music, which is hilarious to me. Regardless of the source, its so powerful. There are times I listen to this and tears come to my eyes. Really great pick.

-

At last, we have arrived. Three songs remain. Only one can win. Lets do it.

~ * ~ 10/10 ~ * ~

3/50
@JONA
Donk! The Samurai Duck - Main Title
Fate!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYIFQkVt2HY

This is probably, out of 300 nominations, the song Ive listened to the most. This is literally just 90s dance music, a genre I have a real soft spot for. Its hard to believe a song like this could come from a game back then I dont know why I feel this way, games have historically had all sorts of music, but this could have legit been ripped from a dance compilation, slight crunchiness aside. Its so damn catchy. There were days Id be minding my own business and I think Ive touched heeeaveeeeen would pop into my head and all of a sudden Id be replaying the whole damn thing again.

Of the top contenders, this is probably the one that least fit my things I like categories. Theres no dissonance or crunchy percussion or factory noises. Its a pretty normal song. But hey, normal songs can be cool too.

2/47
@skulltrumpets
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk - GET ENUF
Hideki Naganuma
https://youtu.be/ODy6rmrh4Og?si=3VbFPd1bQ1ZKCiAc

Do not click this spoiler if you dont want this song ruined for you: Ive always heard the lyrics to this as JUST CANT GAY IT UP. Dont ask me why.

People have come up with bad takes that this is, like, Naganumas first song since Jet Set Radio or something. Thats simply not true. The mans been active and has done great work. GET ENUF might be his biggest work in a while. Its the master at his best: excellent samples, horns, breakbeat, all of the quality Ive come to expect from Naganuma. Its hard to really describe what sets GET ENUF apart from, say, the Sonic Rush nominations, but it really is just a terrific showcase of what makes him one of my favorites. If you want to find out why Hideki Naganuma was on my big list in the nomination topic, listen to GET ENUF.

Incidentally, this is my highest ranked Naganuma, at #20, from Hover: Revolt of Gamers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTzGvGDU2kk

10/230
@MaxGalactica
ICO - Castle in the Mist
Michiru Oshima
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW23zyx28OQ

Here is the other 9+ Id heard before. Castle in the Mist is an acoustic guitar-driven track (or at least e-guitar) thats so richly evocative. Its a masterpiece of minimal sound design. It conveys a sense of emptiness as well as a palpable feeling of loss. Despite having a 10 and now this, I dont really know much about this game, but this assessment seems to strike at the core of its presentation. I honestly struggle to imagine a part in gameplay where this could logically play, so Im guessing its cutscene music of some kind? Either way, very powerful song.

9/214
@skulltrumpets
Minecraft - The End
C418
https://youtu.be/ZKT5RO-C-jw?si=nkPt9fqBDpe4HhSR

You knew it had to show up sooner or later. The End is, I believe, the longest song in the entire ranking, clocking in at a whopping fifteen minutes and four seconds. Its a medley of some of C418s other Minecraft pieces, which I didnt realize at the time, but that doesnt dull its impact for me. Over its impressive runtime, the song mostly focuses on immersive, climactic, grandiose sound that still manages to feel simple. Theres some glitch, particularly at the beginning, but the first half of the song is big ambient energy, and the second half is more subdued ambient energy. Its hard to describe The End without being reductive. I know this type of music isnt everybodys thing, so I imagine most of you wont be interested in listening, but if you go into with then mindset of this song is an experience, I think you wont be disappointed.

8/172
@Not_an_Owl
Cyberpunk 2077 - You Shall Never Have To Forgive Me Again
P.T. Adamczyk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue3s-hNNFvo

Spooky horror ambience from a non-horror game! Although this song is more melodic than most spooky horror ambience. It starts out dark and moody, but then this killer beat kicks in and propels me across the rest of its runtime. Were three for three in the top ten for immersive music and I know Im repeating myself but its one of the best words I can think of for this track. Its gripping from the second I hit play, very dramatic music. Great pick!

~ 9.5/10 ~

7/146
bea
Pokmon Platinum - Battle Factory
Hitomi Sato
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4_VJ3wPkVs

A few years ago I realized I knew very little Pokmon music. I made a ranking topic with over 150 Pokmon songs. (The winner was Sky Tower.) It was fun and allbut where the hell was this? Holy crap. While Battle Factory is suitably lacking in, well, factory noises, it more than makes up for it with that overwhelming, crunchy bass. Holy hell. It sounds like someones tapping on a microphone. I didnt know I needed that particular sensation in my auditory life, but apparently I was ignorant to the truth. The rest of the song is catchy and quirky, with lots of personality. bea said she assumed this one would place the highest of her noms but I think shell be surprised to see this quite so high great, great pick.

6/106
@Disillusion
Mad Rat Dead - MAD RAT, DIE
Camellia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ3zTzglIlc

My note on this says, I see Dis came to play.

Mad Rat Dead is a soundtrack Ive historically been a bit lukewarm on. Breath of Forest doesnt do anything for me, and while Ive found some other songs I like, I remained immune to the hype.

Notice how remained is in past tense. Holy jesus. This songthis song broke me in the best possible ways. MAD RAT, DIE takes my love of intense final boss themes, my love of glitch, and my love of impossible to follow time signatures and combines them into this mess of a package. And it works! It all works. I get chills every time I listen to this. It blows every other MRD song Ive heard totally out of the water. Camellia is a composer Im vaguely familiar with, but I dont recall ever being as into their work as I am this. I listened to this early and it was genuinely a contender to win the whole thing (of course, then I listened to five songs I liked more). Thank you for this one. Hot damn!

-

9TH PLACE: MaxGalactica
Average rating: 7.1
Average ranking: 2666
Your lucky song: Deemo - Reincarnation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMCWuEZzBL4

8TH PLACE: Not_an_Owl
Average rating: 6.9
Average ranking: 2881
Your lucky song: Mad Rat Dead - Dark Fear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdYehwvgKVw

7TH PLACE: bea
Average rating: 7.4
Average ranking: 2810
Your lucky song: Super Kiwi 64 - Desert
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIG_W7WSc2I

6TH PLACE: Disillusion
Average rating: 7.7
Average ranking: 2185
Your lucky song: Mega Man Zero 3 - Cannon Ball
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9_KLdeaijs

Thank you all for nominating!

sergiocornaga posted...

Glad to have had a song make it this far! I should clarify what I meant by unlucky song, though I'm touched you remembered. In this instance it would be the song ranked at 332 in your list, because in a sense that's the song that thwarted my luckiest song.

Oh I see. In that case, the song directly above Tomorrow's Blood Pressure is:

EarthBound - Your Name, Please
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rAOhPF3Gog

14/352
@Collen
Hardcore Pinball - Retro Table
Arkadiusz Forstner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj7_-mpbSvU

Double drop This was one of the first nominations I listened to, and I immediately put it on repeat a bunch. Its so groovy and funky. I love the rhythm and the bass, theres a soaring, airy melody, and that vocal sample of JAMMIN TO THE PUNK DA FUNK or whatever the hell hes saying. Plus its a notably longer loop, over four minutes, and as Ive stated before I really gravitate toward those songs. Ive loved every 9 so far, but this feels like an obvious escalation in how much I love the songs.

13/333
@sergiocornaga
Wario Land 4 - Tomorrow's Blood Pressure
Ryoji Yoshitomi
https://youtu.be/XJNwFIMI_HY

Up next on Is This Even a Song?, we have Tomorrows Blood Pressure, a piece of audio which is literally nothing but industrial/factory noises. Pistons, buzzing, and a weird swirling effect. Like thats all it is.

or is it? Ive said it again and again but I like industrial noises in music, and you all really came through on that. Tomorrows Blood Pressure is the natural, maximum extension of that love. There is no melody, no notes. A clanking rhythm is permeates every second. Stuff happens there is certainly stuff happening, though whether there is progression in a traditional sense, that I cannot say. Whatever this is, I greatly enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the sheer audacity of giving this to me in the first place. Id expect nothing less from sergio

12/329
@FL81
Path of the Abyss - Lightning Strike - -
hasu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmIZdpzASOc

I dont know what this game is or where it came from, but it got two 9s and almost made the top ten twice. This is delicious FM synth. So tangibly moist and succulent, I can practically taste it. Where Tribal Hunter - Dance of Wind (#17) evoked a sense of physicality in me, Lightning Strikes evokes tactile sensations. I can perceive this song in an immediate and tangible way in a way I cant do with other music. The instrumentation is a huge part, but also the melody is very compelling too. The whole song brims with intensity. Its a rare thing to find in music

but of course, I found it again, with a different song from the same game O_O #ToBeContinued

11/250
@DanKirby
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards - Factory Inspection
Jun Ishikawa
https://youtu.be/HCIMHn5FEYQ

Factory Inspection is one of two 9+ nominations I already knew, but never added to the sheet. This was a great pick from DanKirby. Its got everything I could want in a song: clanking, offkey piano, weird trumpets, bells in the background, those Nintendo 64 sound sample hits. Despite its musical chops, I dont often think of the Kirby series (which also has one more song left! Jesus) in the same breath as other renowned vgm series, but Factory Inspection is an all-timer. Thanks for reminding me of how much I like it!

-

ELIMINATION 12/59: Collen
Average rating: 8
Average ranking: 1598
Your lucky song: Chroma Squad - Monster Jam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3V3j1cgEnQ

ELIMINATION 11/59: sergiocornaga
Average rating: 7.2
Average ranking: 2920
Your lucky song: Super Mario Odyssey - Bowser's Castle 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rbRYsv4jY4
The song directly above your lucky song: Final Fantasy XIII-2 - Yeul's Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdoE53_b5Fk

10th PLACE: DanKirby
Average rating: 7.2
Average ranking: 2947
Your lucky song: Where the Water Tastes Like Wine - Miles of Smiles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHg0qKpg5zU

Thank you all for nominating!

I like Piranha.exe too, but Judgment.exe is definitely superior to me.