Lurker > rwlh

new page, new songs

We are 1/3 of the way through the list!

I have updated the spreadsheet fully. There is now an additional tab for nominator stats, for the 59 people who gave me 5 songs. Only one poor person is there for now, but expect that to fill up fast!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HdQJbfqMqrZnEBNZyxyZAg3ZKWJ1_rvKyoCmFJhRAaY/edit#gid=0

I have also updated the Youtube playlist. I'll probably update this every 25 songs.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FyX-bNcVjNDqgefrKF0BsrsFvAIzVp1

If you've been following along even a little, has the list gone to your expectations? Have there been any songs you're shocked I didn't like more, or maybe songs you didn't expect me to like as much? Do you have any predictions for your remaining songs?

As you wish! Though I can't promise there won't be future days we'll be at x5 and not x0.

-

205/4224
@PIayer_0
Tchia - Song IV "Chez nous a Weliwele"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2io1swz5DUk

Ooh, is this in French? An interesting style, very tropical and soothing but also energetic. I love the harmony on those ohhhhhs. This feels like a party around a campfire, or maybe a campfire around a party; it feels very alive in a way that I find difficult to capture outside of a live performance. Neat!

204/4219
@Mihark
Pocky & Rocky 2 - October Fields
https://youtu.be/BQ3MwEy3L0Q

Aww yeah, some classic SNES. Some of my favorite SNES songs are the ones that have this traditional Japanese flair, like Legend of the Mystical Ninja or Chaos Seed. Theres a lot to like here, the overall effect is mesmerizing. I especially like the little flutters around 1:10 with what sounds like the equivalent of an SNES woodblock in the background.

203/4214
@banshiryuu
DanceRail3 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF3rElkk9xc

Evil chimes, evil xylophone, evil glitchy shitjust an evil song all around. I like the nice long pauses, triggering an anticipatory sense of dread. I especially enjoy the glitchy/static stuff near the end. The knocking is creepy too. I do think maybe this song tries a little too hard though? Like you could be just as effective with like half of these evil things. I dont know.

202/4205
@cakophon
NOISZ STRLIVHT - halved halved halved
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAioeZ3gmHg

The aggressive wubbing reminds me of DOOM 2016. But there are also more melodic parts which were a nice surprise. This is probably a little too aggro for me? Songs like this can be real hits but sometimes they miss the mark. I do love how it builds in the second half in a nice synthesis of wub and melody. A very unique song, one I certainly enjoyed revisiting.

201/4202
@Bitto
No More Heroes 2 - Titanium Batt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq8Q9Lyc38w

My note for this says I cant tell if I like this I think I do? The sound design is interesting, sort of like a Wall of Sound production with warbly guitars and some glitchiness. Parts of this sound like that garage band aesthetic I mentioned in another writeup (and this wasnt even the song I was referring to!). Its short but sweet, full of musical ideas and a sense of playfulness and sarcasm. If a song can be sarcastic, its Titanium Batt.

ELIMINATION: DragonGargoyle
Average rating: 6.25
Average ranking: 4338
Your lucky song:
Muramasa: The Demon Blade - Natural Life A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqbKBg9NEjQ

Thank you for nominating!

(DragonGargoyle only nominated two songs, so they're not factored into the overall nominator ranking.)

At the very least here's the second batch of five for tonight.

210/4269
Revolver
Halo 3: ODST - Neon Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDwxjlrE9tY

Quiet and unnerving. I love that Halo has songs like this, the quiet, introspective songs that contrast with the bombast that I normally associate the series with. Neon Night builds subtly and carries the air of mystery. At 1:30, when you think its going to do a big grandiose thing, it turns into a drum circle instead.

209/4267
@pyresword
Hollow Knight - Nosk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wfAVkXxhEw

This was a good idea to give me. Creepy ambience with sounds that simulate the feeling of being watched by, like, evil clockwork spiders or some shit. I honestly dont know why this one isnt higher. It has all the elements in place to be a hit. Theres something missing for me and I cant pinpoint what it is. Ah well. It was a good shot!

208/4261
@Tked
Inferno (PC) - Happy Tune
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPX6JRa4I2U

A very disorienting song. I feel not so much happiness from this as much as a euphoria that exists at the intersection of content and disoriented. In the soundtrack of my life, I could see this playing as I walk down the street after getting a mixture of good and bad news, or waiting on an important decision thats out of my hands.

6.5/10

207/4251
@DanKirby
Revolter - Midnight Chaser
https://youtu.be/Djx8F1j2tWE

Hey, its FM synth, we all love that. Okay but what if we took normal FM synth and made it FM synthier? The result is Midnight Chaser. I find this song physically painful to listen to at times, so FM synthy is its FM synth. But that pain is outweighed by the intensity of the emotion, and the power of the composition. Ive said in some writeups that Im curious to hear what the song sounds like with a different soundchip or with different instruments or something, but I cant imagine Midnight Chaser played back on anything other than a PC-88, at full FM synth blast.

As an aside: we are now in the 6.5s. There are a lot of these. When I clicked on Midnight Chaser just now, I felt compelled to let the whole thing play, despite being 6+ minutes in length. This is a very good sign for the rest of the list.

206/4239
@DragonGargoyle
Tribal Hunter - Shadow of a Dream
https://youtube.com/watch?v=aPrV24B2UNk

This is a goofy song with a lot of heart. Theres what sounds like a harpsichord mixed in with a poppy beat, and then some trumpet sample comes in. It feels exuberant, a celebration of possibility. I could kind of see this as an instrumental on a modern pop or dance song. Very cool!

I kind of want to post 15 today to get us to an even 200 left. Would anyone object to that? I know some of you are trying to listen to everything.

215/4313
@Isquen
Warframe - Cetus
https://youtu.be/E4AETR5X0ig

This was originally a 4.5 but I upped it to a 6 on relisten. The percussion does the heavy lifting for me, a winning combination of industrial and tribal. Theres also some nice acoustic guitar. Pretty neat!

214/4303
@paulg235
Civilization VI - Georgia Theme (The Atomic Era)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPGLgjdWm2Q

Another this is cool but isnt really for me song. I appreciate the layered singing and the bombastic symphony mixed with softer, more melodic passages. Its not normally my kind of music but I found it somewhat pleasantly unpredictable. According to the description the song is based on two hymns, but its clear the composer made the song their own.

213/4298
@-hotdogturtle--
Hypnospace Outlaw - Confuzed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ7uouRHH3U

I cant get into this soundtrack. Every song Ive heard has fallen flat for me. I get what its going for but I just dont find it engaging. Confuzed is almost certainly my favorite song Ive heard from it; I like the synth groove and the beat is great and the bubbles effects are trippy, but it doesnt really do much other than that for four minutes. Theres stuff to like here but it still misses the mark, which is a shame because I love when songs take risks like Hypnospace does.

212/4291
paulg235
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - It Has To Be This Way
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYAPgPH9hsI

Oops double drop, sorry. On paper this seems like a song I would normally despise: an energetic, guitar-heavy rock song with earnest lyrics. However, I kind of like it! The muddy production actually works in its favor as all the elements of the song blur together in a fast-paced audio slurry. I dont think Id like this as much with clearer audio quality. (I know, I probably criticized a few songs earlier for having poor production. I am large; I contain multitudes.) This is so cheesy and over the top but I actually kind of like it.

211/4279
@Xtlm
Bottom of the 9th (PC) - Credits and Theme Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdePEXhRzKk

Oh hey I didnt know Morrissey recorded VGM. (Its not just me, right?) Some nice barbershop harmony here. This is one of the nominations thats so unlike everything else nommed. I didnt know I needed barbershop baseball VGM, but here we are. Sadly I dont rank it any higher because I dont actually want to ever listen to it again, but its a really neat find!

220/4425
@-Chaos-Zero-
Bzzzt! - Jump!
https://youtu.be/1BOZiwKpUQA?si=6IMFbUKKefLuNXk5

Fun with Commodore 64 retraux. I dont normally see this specific style of fake chip too often; usually its like weird chiptune adjacent stuff, or chiptune mixed with rock or something. This shifts away from the C64 style into a fuller sound, but I wish it wouldve stayed with the chip. Just a personal preference. Its a fun song, but I didnt find it especially engaging.

219/4417
@sergiocornaga
Double Dragon Neon - Mixtape - Weapons Up (Full Version)
https://youtu.be/FuzMk3-0W5w

This is like N.W.A., but less aggressive and more cartoony. The rapping feels a little, uh, amateurish? Maybe thats the production, not sure. The real draw for me is the lyrics. They rhyme with constable with obstacle and irresponsible, that takes a lot of poetic clout. I find this charming.

218/4354
@cakophon
Taiko no Tatsujin 12 - Dun Aonghasa no Fuefuki
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJNNjy7L8vE

In my notes I have this song down as music to listen to while skipping in an anime field. It would probably be higher if some of these notes werent so high-pitched. Like, pitch this down a little and Im sure Id like it a lot more. Shoutout to the odd time section halfway through.

217/4332
@GameBopAdv
Tower of Druaga (Wonder Eggs) - Risolute ~ Dragon Castle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdt86_i-OAY

An inscrutable song. I love the percussion and how it seems to build throughout. The meter is fun to try and follow too. This is a very unique nomination that I had trouble figuring out how to process, but I think I settled on this placement due to the fact that my focus waned a few times and also I just wasnt connecting with it all that much? One of those objectively this is cool, subjectively this isnt for me songs.

216/4319
@handsomeboy2012
Return of the Obra Dinn - Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0asI8EoYy-E

My note for this one just says BELLS

BELLS

That is my takeaway for this song. I like the old-timey Eastern European immigrant feel it has, but those BELLS are my favorite part. There are actually a number of bell-adjacent songs in this ranking; in this one, the bell samples feel very rich and add to the song.

225/4546
@tgs2
SOUND VOLTEX IV HEAVENLY HAVEN - Dreadnought
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucVROW6MOow

Big open EDM. I generally like this style. This ones pretty okay. I like the part at 0:45. Not much to say about this one!

224/4529
@tazzyboyishere
Sonic Rush - Right There, Ride On
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkD7ee0Qz64

A rare Naganuma miss? Sad to say Ive always found this one kind of annoying. Its the combination of the grungy guitar and the vocal samples not cutting it for me. Naganuma is still my boy but hey nobodys perfect

223/4521
@Mihark
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom - Frozen Rito Village
https://youtu.be/SOjlFcZkR30?si=cckQDmMoXkXtHzLn

I love the overwhelmingness of this soundscape. It really makes me feel like Im in the middle of a blizzard, or in some icy terrain. Like I can practically see my breath in front of me as I type this, which is very impressive! It just once again wasnt really my thing. I dont love it but I appreciate it.

I dont love it but count = 4

222/4461
@DanKirby
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time - Cutting Edge of Notion
https://youtu.be/cAAqqGjymCM

This is probably meant to be a really intense battle theme but it sounds silly to me. Like its a battle, but its against like a troupe of clowns, and they juggle status effects. I dont know. This is not my favorite shanty Sakuraba has composed on his endless prog organ, but it gets the job done. Please convince me this isn't the same fucking song as The True Mirror.

221/4436
@DragonGargoyle
BROK the InvestiGator - Graff's Second Exam
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zFBhctFfZXc

Nice moody atmospheric piece. Im sure this is great at setting a mood for whenever it plays in the game (during an exam, apparently). I like the sad Chrono Cross-esque sample that carries the melody around. A very 6/10 song, possibly the most 6/10 in the whole ranking.

Hi friends! As has been pointed out, we are 25% of the way through the ranking. If you've been wanting to listen to the songs so far but haven't felt like clicking on a bunch of links, have I got the treat for you - a shiny playlist!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FyX-bNcVjNDqgefrKF0BsrsFvAIzVp1

I'll try to keep this updated periodically. Enjoy!

230/4628
@Bitto
Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice - Courtroom Rvolutionnaire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WhZInUkekQ

This is the most Noriyuki Iwadare song he ever composed. I assume its Iwadare. I dont think it can be anyone else! This is very much his style: the big epic grandiosity that still sounds like youre some small town kid going off on a grand adventure. It feels like the theme of a superhero, or a JRPG protagonist, which fits this series, lol.

229/4622
@Haste_2
Silent Hill - Harry Is Gone!
https://youtu.be/_OuFFdZS2gk?si=0pPUTJEBgcgl85QM

LOL at this song. This is funny to listen to but unpleasant (or maybe that should be unpleasant but funny to listen to?). It gets points for weird but weird can only get you so far! I think the context of this makes it funnier than just listening to the song.

228/4615
@bebr117
Grand Poo World 2 - House of the Undying
https://youtu.be/EVVVogFGwfc?si=E-kLgJuJlb9YpK3d

Im always bummed when I find an SNES song Im not into, particularly if its from a fangame or romhack, as the SNES is one of my favorite systems for music. House of the Undying has some cool bits I especially enjoy the 7/4 interlude near the loop point but I think Im just not as into the melody. I do like the heavy drums though.

227/4599
@GavsEvans123
Nickelodeon All Star Brawl - Glove World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kiv7dJVtkXU

What a goofy ass song. Its charmingly goofy though I struggle to think of a stage or character in this game that this would fit? Its got this old-timey vibe, weird silent cartoon/1920s thing going.

226/4583
GavsEvans123
Psychonauts - The Meat Circus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEfcgr9cQWk

Double drop, sorry File this one under songs that are cool but that I have no desire to listen to again. The 6/10 tier is full of songs like this. I like the way this builds and the cascading cymbals and the variety of instruments on display, its brimming with personalityits just not for me. Sorry!

235/4671
@Tked
POD Planet of Death - Mix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdGncGOj4GA

Speaking of ALL PHASE MIX this is one of the longer nominations in the ranking, clocking in at just over fourteen and a half minutes. I counted five distinct phases, all of which consistently have nice drumbeats and space effects. The mix doesnt pick up for me until part 3, with a faster beat and a very distinct sense of running through a forest (though this is apparently a racing game?). Part 4 is intense, with a stronger, pulsating beat and some "breathing" in the background; the whole thing paints a vivid picture of a hostile, foreign environment. Notable here is the weird meter. Part 5, the last part (at least that I counted), is more spooky than intense, like Im being stalked by a predator. I think this is more a medley of a bunch of songs than a consistent piece, but everything works together very nicely and builds off each other.

234/4668
@andylt
Sonic Heroes - Casino Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZfFI8F7XSY

Bouncy bouncy wheee wheee. I hear this and I dont think Casino, but I do think Park, like a kids park with slides and sandboxes. Maybe thats what Casino Park is, like you gamble on seesaws. The song would be higher if it wasnt as repetitive and didnt replay the same measure over and over. Ah well!

233/4666
@Fluttershy_Pony
Impossible Pixel and the Fate of Destiny - The Evil Pixel
https://youtu.be/PnkHY1em_No

Really nice EVIL atmosphere in this one. I love a good grungy, messy chiptune aesthetic, and The Evil Pixel really nails that. For something as short as it is though, I found my focus waning a bit throughout, which is why its as low as it is.

232/4661
@Snake5555555555
Slay the Princess - Fragmentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyCaGte56ms

Im not a huge fan of the lo-fi samples here, but they do work to convey a pervasive sense of melancholy. This seems like horror music but its more like, existential horror, like the monster is inside of you all along (I dont know what the game is about). Its a deceptively simple song that manages to still be very evocative.

231/4647
bea
Zubo - Team Pop Party
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gu7pkrIar4

This feels like music for, like, two generations after mine, haha. The energetic melody and sample-infused rock hearken back to childhood. The heee-yaaahhs give it a nice sense of playfulness. Incidentally, this got the same score as another heee-yaaahh song, Celestes Confronting Myself, though the songs are separated by about two hundred places.

Hbthebattle posted...

Well part of it is because this isn't a boss theme, merely the regular battle theme for Deep Space. Kingdom Hearts tends to change its style in sci-fi themed areas, you can see this a lot with the themes for the various Tron worlds.

Maybe you'd like the KH3 version of the song more, it's a bit higher energy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT831QJuTV8

Oh interesting. I like the KH3 version's energy. I actually like the calmer breakdown halfway through too. Not sure where I'd rank the song in comparison, but probably around the same level.

Fluttershy_Pony posted...

The mod is based on the NES Godzilla creepypasta. Said creepypasta had an alternate gag ending where the final boss was revealed to be John Madden all along; so the mod added Madden in an update as part of the joke. I kinda split the difference and nominated both a "serious vocal song" and a "non-serious instrumental song" from the mod since I was having trouble choosing between them.

I was linked to the vocal version on Discord and it's even more ridiculous, though the MADDEN MADDEN MADDEN MADDEN gets drowned out, losing its impact. I don't know anything about creepypasta so all of that stuff is lost on me; I was very confused, but along for the ride.

240/4706
@Chaeix
Danganronpa 2 - Homicide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCfpmW6s37U

Oh hey its Kill Command, sort of. I dont really like Kill Command very much and this doesnt feel different enough for me to have a different opinion! Its a weird song so I give it points for that, with all kinds of swishy effects and warbly trumpets, its just not for me.

239/4705
@Hbthebattle
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep - Mkaukau?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B28HvWb8bkU

For an intense boss-type theme, this feels sort of weirdly lacking in energy? I really like when the synthy strings come in at 0:45, thats a nice moment. This feelsnot like Shimomuras usual style, though I struggle to pinpoint why that is. Could it be the instruments?

238/4697
@Fluttershy_Pony
Friday Night: Monster of Monsters: MADDEN ATTACK!! - QU4RTERB4CK
https://youtu.be/uve0d2eg-QM

I was given weirder songs than this, but I think this is the weirdest song source in the ranking. From what I can tell its a Friday Night Funkin modabout Godzillabut this song is about John Madden? And not only that, its an instrumental version! Good gravy. I suppose the most accurate thing I can say about QU4RTERB4CK is it sounds like a Homestuck song. I dont know if thats a compliment. Its unique enough to hold my interest, between the intense drumbeat and the MMX guitar, and MADDEN MADDEN MADDEN MADDEN. What a weird and wonderful addition to the ranking; though I ranked it comparatively low, I still got such a kick out of it. Thanks Fluttershy_Pony!

237/4695
@tazzyboyishere
Shadow Hearts - Imbroglio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJfhsgsVaTo

Another song with prominent bells. I actually used this in my very first guessing game, but Ive soured on it a little, if only for those bellsthey just wont shut up. Theyre very loud and throw off the rest of the song for me. But the rest of it is super cool! Like a lot of Shadow Hearts music, its very ominous and oppressive.

236/4687
@pyresword
Honkai Star Rail - Pedujara (All Phase Mix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zma7bOGA1oM

ALL PHASE MIX lets go. Another objectively cool song but it doesnt really click with me that much. Its cool to hear the different phases. Phase 1 is probably the least engaging, which probably makes sense in-game as its the beginning of the fight. Phase 2, however, is super cool! Its got a nice flair to it, with catchy beats and what sounds like some Indian inspiration mixed with more symphonic sensibilities. Phase 3 takes phase 2 and kicks it up for tempo and intensity, with more Indian flair. This wasnt for me but I really appreciate the ambition and scope. I imagine this is a killer fight.

Sixth nomination:
- Super Bomberman 3 - Battle Theme Mash-UP MIX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWJUIZqiGBU

Nina Simone | Sinnerman (10:19)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IACZdwwJI4
@rwlh

Spoilers for why I'm giving you this, you may want to hold off on reading this until after you've listened:
I know you have a strong aversion to religious music, but this song is quite the experience. It's ranked #2 on Rate Your Music's all-time singles chart. It does things I've never heard in other music, so I think even if you wind up hating the religious themes, maybe you can take something from it all the same. If you hate it, well then maybe my other nom (so far) will make up for it!

-Chaos-Zero- posted...

This is the best Bomberman Battle rendition I've heard, incorporating all the different aspects of each of the versions (but I could hardly submit an unofficial remix).

https://youtu.be/YWJUIZqiGBU?si=VKj4AIkun4Tk1RdB

Ooh I really really like this.

245/4739
@MacArrowny
Beatmania IIDX 28 Bistrover - Ignis Irae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnENxFJs_4Y

I like the denseness of the sound here, like theres a lot packed into every second, but it doesnt feel overwhelming in a bad way. I also appreciate how it uses OMINOUS CHORUS to more interesting effect than your standard final boss theme. Its not really my kind of jam though.

244/4733
@-Chaos-Zero- -
Bomberman Tournament - Battle Mode
https://youtu.be/11NA3_p6eyY?si=Yi_tmkqBVH268kFe

In my notes I have not my favorite version of this theme. That about sums it up. Its a little too abrasive for me. I can take or leave GBA crunch but this has a little too much of it for my liking.

243/4727
Revolver
Alan Wake 2 - No One Left to Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1H4LNC3KlA

I really dig the unclear meter at the start of this song, where it seems to stumble over itself. Then we have this extended note and it changes up significantly, becomingI dont know what genre this is, it feels pop adjacent but its like intimate, stripped-down vocals. Then it explodes into something fuller. A genuinely cool song! This is the first placement that, were I to rerank everything today, would probably be higher; its landing for me a lot today. Sorry Rev! To those of you (us) who arent in love with the Old Gods of Asgard songs, dont shy away from No One Left to Live its very different.

242/4726
@Disillusion
One Step From Eden - Battle of Ice I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9BFYpGqCQI

This is another song I always think Im going to enjoy more than I do. Its got fun crystally bits and a very poppy melody, but the total package is less engaging for me than I think its going to be. Ive had that reaction to other songs from this soundtrack too maybe its just not for me?

6/10

241/4709
@Arti
Yakuza 0 - Friday Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaNmV7Sx5_M

Somebody nominated a song from Hypnospace Outlaw for this. If you gave me all 300 songs and didnt tell where any of them came from, but I knew there was a Hypnospace Outlaw in there, I would assume it was this. Theres so much 80s cheese in this. Its kind of delightful. Very interesting to compare with Kamurocho Lullaby, which is much more serious, whereas Friday Night is super goofy, the perfect song to kick back and dance to on a Wednesday afternoon.

250/4766
@andylt
Octopath Traveler II - Partitio, the Merchant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23F7lA8jbTE

This is just a goddamn Paradise Killer song. The sax sounds identical to Paradise Killer, and the other instruments sort of do too. This is more of a funny aside than a bad thing. The song is soothing but doesnt grab me beyond a general sense of ooh, sax!

249/4764
@FL81
Dragon Poker - Psycho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv4nlNBXx7E

Psycho is a song with a lot of buildup and minimal payoff. I wouldnt normally mind that but it feels like theres meant to be something there, and then there isnt. I do like the melody and production. Despite it being ranked comparatively low, I think this would add a lot to any VGMC field.

248/4757
@NBIceman
Paradise Killer - End of the World
https://youtu.be/v6KVvApCCak?si=g33epTzXV3khM19_

This is just a goddamn Octopath Traveler II son-uh, never mind, lol. This is funky. I dig the clapping at 2:15. Clapping is good. 5.5s, everybody!

247/4748
@Bitto
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Puzzle Plank Galaxy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sJijxXt_d4

I do not in fact love the Mario Galaxy soundtracks! I know, heresy. I never really have. This song at least is an attempt to cater to things I said I liked by giving me squeaky-sounding lead instruments. I enjoy the interplay between the real-sounding strings and the fake-sounding electronic stuff. This is, objectively, a very cool song. As with most of the other music from the duology, however, its just not really my thing. Still, points to you for the squeaky instruments!

246/4745
@NFUN
Power DoLLs FX - Alternative Walls
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOtB4fHdTT4

Theres a song I like in here but its buried under samples that give me a headache. I like the methodical drumbeat and the lighthearted intensity (theres a phrase) of the melody, but I cant get behind the lead instruments. In case you havent noticed, thats very important to me in music. I would be interested in hearing a redone version of this with a different sample pack and seeing if my opinion changes.

Nominate Nicktoons. We did Cartoon Network shows, it's only fair!

I have been informed that my math is bad and there are in fact 59 nominators, not 29. Math is hard.

There are two additional folks who nominated two and three songs respectively, so I'm leaving them out of the tally.

ELIMINATION 29/29: TheArkOfTurus
Average rating: 4
Average ranking: 5306
Your lucky song: Poly Bridge 2 - Taking Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb_nMrZzZZM

Thank you for nominating!

255/4892
@dowolf
Arknights - Cinders and Ashes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkY9MqeT4qU

There are certain words I try to never use when talking about music: boring, generic, and the dreaded bad. Here I have to fight to not use the g word. Cinders and Ashes feels like a song Ive heard before, like, a lot. All the hallmarks are here. Its fine, slightly above average, but I find it pretty uninspiring. Like I said in earlier writeups though, typical music isnt inherently bad. I dont need every song I listen to to break new ground. But yeah.

254/4885
@NFUN
Phantasy Star Portable 2 - Aire Iglesia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ2ASC4IAYA

I like the spacy stuff. Do I need a counter for that? Im going to be saying it a lot. Aire Iglesia is a weird song because I love the start, but then it falls off pretty hard for me. Most of the instruments seem to be a bitshrill? Like theyre pitched a little too high. And theres some buzzing going on with the lead instrument. The end result is that I feel lost, unsure of what to take from the song. Which is a shame, because it starts out so strong.

253/4881
@TheArkOfTurus
SANABI - The Execution the King's Order
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ8FaHbom4M

Poor TheArkOfTurus. I hope youre not discouraged from nominating something from this for VGMC Im just one person, with one take on these songs. That take has stayed the same for all five noms, so I wont repeat it. Instead Ill say that there are, upon closer inspection, child vocals in this! Creepy child vocals to boot, a bonus I didnt even mention that I liked. So you got closer to my taste here.

252/4805
@Prince46
Brawl Stars - Starr Force Battle Music 2
https://youtu.be/lA44zYvgCWA

This feels a little low budget but kind of a charming way, like its wearing the label with pride. Its goofy and fun. I kind of liked it. Not much else to say!

251/4799
@DeadTaffer
GunZ: The Duel - Lets Rock (Duel Theme 4)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Itxx_VVzpuk

Maybe its the title, but this sounds like its being played from deep underground, and I mean that both in terms of the tone of the song and the audio quality. The guitar does a lot of good work here, giving off this dreary feel that works for the song. Its got kind of a lo-fi garage band quality to it (not the last time Ill be saying that about a particular song!).

260/5051
@handsomeboy2012
Old School Runescape - Oh dear, you are dead!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43slqnHiHWs

Several songs in this ranking run over 10 minutes, including an all phase mix, a medley of other songs from its game, some deep ambient cuts, and other intriguing musical pieces. I honestly get excited whenever I see vgm with a longer than average runtime (assuming its not a shitty gamerip that loops ten times).

This song is the total opposite: its four seconds long.

Four seconds long!

Im not even sure if theres another nomination that runs under a minute, but this is four seconds long. handsomeboy2012 has given me quite the quandary, quite the navel-gazing dilemma. What is VGM? Can I truly judge this against songs with developed themes, more sophisticated execution? Is this something I could conceivably come back to again and again?

I dont know. What I do know is this little tune, five dissonant notes with reverb, placed higher than forty songs. I am able to recall it, almost perfectly, weeks after my first listen. What is VGM, after all, but music to score something, music to perform an action to, music to fill the void in an interactive experience? For me at least, these four seconds filled that void.

tl;dr: very funny !

5.5/10

259/5041
@Fluttershy_Pony
Chase H.Q. - My Name & Your Name (Name Entry)
https://youtu.be/htvpauM2Cb8

This song is forty seconds. I am proven wrong IMMEDIATELY. Oof.

I get the joke/vibe this is going for, but unfortunately its outclassed by this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzx_lVDvT-o

I love that we live in a world where both of these songs exist.

Also we are now officially in ABOVE AVERAGE ZONE. Very nicely done, everybody.

258/5029
@-Chaos-Zero-
Heavy Rain - Ethan Mars' Main Theme
https://youtu.be/o7-7-E-G270?si=qqnrLkvAA1A4ongr

This sort of reminds me of a Resident Evil theme in its majesty. I like how it swells and builds like VGM of its type do. Im just not really into VGM of its type! Not much to say here really; I appreciate that it commits to the mood fully. I definitely feel something strong when I listen to this, which is more than I can say for a lot of music.

257/4938
@TheArkOfTurus
SANABI - Digitalized Dreams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB6NATqisOI

This has the strongest start of the SANABI noms so far, with faded, distorted sounds straight out of an old gramophone. That lead synth Ive complained about in the previous writeups is still there, but because its not as prominent, this gets top ranks so far. One more SANABI to gohow will it do?

256/4903
@Bane_Of_Despair
Nier - Cold Steel Coffin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df4oPN2j4ig

If you made a bracket out of this ranking, this would be #256, the bottom seed. I think I like the idea of Nier music more than actually listening to it. Sometimes I enjoy it, but a lot of the time its just sort of there. Even a song like Shadowlord can go on and on for me. Cold Steel Coffin has a leg up because its so suffocating, one of the first noms I can say that about in a good way: the soundscape is crushing, squeezing me into a tiny cube. Im justnot into it other than that. But this was a good attempt!

PIayer_0 posted...

I'm happy I at least found some video game enka for you! It's a standard Japanese genre with sentimental lyrics and traditional influences, which makes for a cool sound when they use note scales that Western listeners aren't used to. It got really big some time after WW2, so you could consider it their version of blues or moody vocal jazz. The most widespread example is probably in Kill Bill 1, where a song plays after the snowy duel in Japan. In Yakuza 2's case, the overwhelming emotion convinces a yakuza boss to forgive the singer's debt and give up his gang life for the snowy countryside (it is very cute)

Oh interesting! I sincerely hope you give me such detailed info about all of your noms when they come up!

paulg235 posted...

There IS another arrangement in the game, but it's basically the same arrangement with one or two extra layers of instrumentation added in, and I preferred the track without those additions in, so that's the song I nommed. The arrangement in question (if you wish to judge for yourself);
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfbfKgt-GZI

Hm, that extra warbly layer sounds pretty odd. I think maybe I just want this song to be Fear Factory lol

Nominate:
Rachel Green (Friends)

These topics are fun, thanks for running them!

Circling back to an earlier idea of mine: "Mean Rushmore," where you have a restricted group of five things and we vote for which one to exclude. Somebody gave some good suggestions after I came up with the idea but I don't think it's come up since.

Arti posted...

There's only one Vocaloid in this song! The others are actual singers

I stand corrected! They still sound like they have head colds though lol

265/5117
@Arti
Hatsune Miku: Colorful Stage - Kashika
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka3AFz5Dx30

I think its funny that all of the Vocaloids in this song, particularly the main male one, sound like they have head colds. The mixing is also not great at parts; the vocals sound buried behind the instrumental. That said I really like the BIG CLAP ENERGY throughout, and the enthusiasm and happiness in the chorus is infectious.

264/5098
@paulg235
Donkey Kong Country Returns - Factory Friction (Life in the Mines Returns)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f8Ta-iv2zo

I dont love this soundtrack. Most of the arrangements feel like theyre too bland. Life in the Mines was primed for an exciting arrangement (maybe there is one on another level?) but this is justI dunno, a watered down version of the SNES original, with somehow even faker sounding samples. Its this high in the 5s because I do still really like the original!

263/5094
@NBIceman
The King's Bird - The Usurper
https://youtu.be/nHwZqf5odIY?si=n-wgz0itVuxN-2Wx

This is a nicely produced, very professional sounding song. Some cool flute-y type instrumentation. But nothing about it really sticks out to me. Just not my thing, I guess! (Hey, these are 5/10 songs. I cant write a novel on all of them.)

262/5093
@Waveshine_2001
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask - Keaton's Quiz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnQEwiQM7io

Okay I get why you thought your other songs were bad vgm, but why this one? Its mysterious and captivating. I would never have pegged this in a million years for something bad. Like I dont love it, but it does cool things. Its very good at capturing the mood of being out late at night and doing something forbidden.

I dont love it but count = 3

261/5069
@PIayer_0
Yakuza 2 - Kamurocho Lullaby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCJZBiLAcu8

File this one under this is neat, but I have no desire to listen to it again. For middle-aged Japanese man karaoke, its pretty good! His voice is packed with emotion, especially around the middle of the song. Even though I dont speak his language, I can feel his heartbreak. But yeah, not ever planning on coming back to that, so it loses most of its points.

mr. owl how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

ah-ONE
ah-TWO
ah-THRRRREEEE

Wow that is obnoxiously not even close to the format you wanted. My bad. Reposting:

Arianne (The End of Evangelion) | Komm, ssser Tod (7:52)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoKluzn07eQ
@rwlh

Nujabes - Horizon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XMQ_IkErYg

advantage Lucy - Metro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt0vUrwJ2Jg

Fishmans - Baby Blue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qLU1l2qXyo

Kusudo & Worth - Of Sun and Rain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6V7QZ7TF3I

USK - As Vivid as Possible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6V7QZ7TF3I

Enjoy!

Arianne (The End of Evangelion) - Komm, ssser Tod | 7:52
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoKluzn07eQ

Severely tempted to make this my only nomination, but I'll probably circle back when I have four more.

Acid Tetris - Tearing Up Spacetime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Midr-UTcy04

Not_an_Owl posted...

For character themes, the GBVS soundtrack primarily uses arranged, usually non-vocal versions of those character's songs from the Granblue Fantasy soundtrack. In this case, what you're listening to is an arrangement of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5tBdv2_h6s

So if you're hearing a void that you think ought to be filled with vocals, that's probably because there is!

Wow yeah this sounds more "complete" than the GBVS version, interesting!

270/5192
@tazzyboyishere
TamaTown V3 - Funky Loop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuB4Y91szAY

This is charming! The tinny sound quality and funky composition lend it a certain whimsy. I dont love it but I respect what its doing.

I dont love it but count = 2

269/5174
@skulltrumpets
Bullet Bill 3 - Ghost House
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoQtA5AOKPw

It's funny, I never thought anything of this song compared to others from this soundtrack, and yet two separate people wanted to nominate it. It's fine I guess? I can't really put my finger on why I don't like it more - on paper it's got a lot of things I normally like. Maybe the execution is off somehow? It exists at the intersection of spooky and calm, and I do like the crackly effects. This is a weird early drop but it makes sense to me to have it this low.

5/10

268/5157
@Hbthebattle
Cassette Beasts - Arrow of Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g3jBQvGJOk

When I think VGM rock, songs like Arrow of Time are the first to come to mind: mostly safe affairs with the occasional guitar solo. What I really like about this are the lyrics! Yes, I just said I dont normally pay attention to lyrics, but I do notice weird things like rhyme scheme and syllable accents, and there are some cool rhymes here. Also this uses the phrase entropic change which is a sort of badass thing to sing in a song.

267/5142
@xx521xx
Sonic Adventure 2 - Rumbling HWY ... for Mission Street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGWrY9wywzU

A lot of Sonic music from this time period is very hit or miss for me. Jun Senoue loves these guitar samples that make my skin crawl, and theyre all over this song. This is only not in the very bottom because I really like the melody.

266/5122
@pyresword
Tsukihime: A Piece of Blue Glass Moon - Icefield Waltz (Vlov:IV)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkZAPxdrOQQ

I dont have any problems with long vgm normally, but I can have a very short attention span, so with a song like this, which clocks in at seven and a half minutes, I really need to be grabbed early on. Ive thought about Icefield Waltz a few times since I first listened to it. I think the issue here is theres too much stuff going on. I said this in an earlier writeup, but theres a fine balance between being overwhelmed intentionally (like through intentional composition and mixing and such) and just having too much stuff in the song. If you took out the singing this probably goes up like 30, maybe even 50 spots. The singing is fine on its own but in tandem its the element that pushes the song over for me. The rest is pretty fine!

Waveshine_2001 posted...

You know, I was expecting another drop since I had a bunch of joke noms. What I wasn't expecting was this. I was fully confident the next drop would be within the next day or so but it would be Yoshi's New Island instead. To think you put the kazoo song over this is kind of funny.

Just to make this clear for other people: I asked Waveshine to give me a bunch of "joke noms." She isn't being disrespectful or anything, haha.

275/5344
@Not_an_Owl
Granblue Fantasy Versus Rising - Deathbound Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67TwG6uvFcs

This is a weird one. There are these Friday Night Funkin-esque vocals throughout but then other parts of the song sound like theyre missing a vocal component. Its like the song doesnt want to commit to being vocal, non-vocal, or weird Vocaloid hybrid. I had a hard time getting into this for that reason.

274/5286
@GameBopAdv
Putt-Putt Travels Through Time - Back in Cartown (Ending)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKry2pKGodc

A soothing little ditty that presumably plays at the end of a 90s PC adventure. The muffled audio quality is charming, as with other Humongous soundtrack rips. I guess it accomplishes its goal?

4.5/10

273/5271
@paulg235
Battletoads (Arcade) - Christmas Grotto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dhM-m43ems

Christmas Grotto has a lot of ATTITUDE. David Wise probably had a lot of fun with literally every Battletoads soundtrack, as theyre all brimming with this sort of cocky swagger. This song in particular has nice bass and drums. I dont love it, but I appreciate it for what it is.

272/5262
KecleonFan352
Friday Night Funkin' Lullaby - Death Toll
https://youtu.be/uN98dv98CZg

Not only am I a weirdo who likes FNF music, I more often than not like it for the vocals, not the beats. As a result, Death Toll doesnt do it for me. Boyfriend sounds really off, like hes swallowed some sort of throat poison (assuming this is even Boyfriend), and the opponent doesnt grab my interest either. This wont be the last FNF song on the ranking, so brace yourselves for more FNF goodness!

271/5207
@Chaeix
The Red Strings Club - The Red Strings Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GhSdqZi3NQ

This captures the feeling of being in a smoky jazz/lounge club pretty effectively, but to me the standout feature is the rain. I like rain effects in music. The rest of the song is fine but where is the raaaiiiinnn

Waveshine_2001 posted...

Also, why round 3 in VGMC?

Humor is in the specifics! (I don't actually know if it'll even get into the contest, but if it does, I suspect it will do well.)

280/5367
@Waveshine_2001
Pokemon Sword/Shield - Battle! Galarians Legendary Birds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDB5B__1Al8

This song is messy with a capital Mess. The mixing is all off and there are whole chunks that dont seem to fit together at all. But the second half is actually really cool! The flying effects (Pokemon cries?) are integrated better, and theres some nice fake guitar and percussion. If the first half were more like the second, this would be much higher.

279/5362
@MacArrowny
Sea of Stars - Guardian Gods: Horizons Unbound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEYBwRK2HXg

I guess this is a retro-inspired RPG so it makes sense to this sort of retro-inspired sound. I kind of wish they leaned in more with the influence though; these samples arent really doing it for me. I do like the fast drumbeat, fitting for what sounds like some sort of battle or boss theme.

278/5354
@MargaretAnnMid
Baldur's Gate 3 - Raphael Final Act
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMo7ugWudCA

Ooh, a villain song, nifty. From what I can glean from the song theres a main dude (Raphael?) but somebody else does half of the singing. I dont love Raphaels singing, its in that showtuney Broadway style that I generally can take or leave (Ill call it sing-speaking). The female singer has a more conventional style that resonates with me more. I bet this is killer in-game though!

277/5350
@Arti
Honkai: Star Rail - Wildfire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxlW79tDhCA

I will probably get a lot of shit for having this so low. But honestly its just not for me. It reminds me of #300, Breathing Underwater, in that feels like a typical modern pop/rock song, and I have a hard time with those. Its just likeI dunno, kind of there? The vocals are a big detriment for me, but couple them with this uninspiring instrumental and its likeI dunno, just not interesting to me. Its a perfectly fine song. Im sure I will come to like it less after repeated exposure when it gets to round 3 in VGMC.

276/5348
@OrangeCrush980
Yakuza 3 - Let's Produce a No.1 Hostess
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJQrlI1rqCE

Some 90s R&B b-side vibes here. Smooth groove, perfectly serviceable. Were at the point in the list where Im probably not going to have a lot to say about the songs for a while, so I apologize for that! Uh I like the piano in the back half, thats something.

Ohhh that makes sense. That didn't affect my opinion of the song (lyrics rarely do), it was more of a curiosity than anything.

Also re: earlier discussion, I love Late Goodbye.

4/10

285/5407
@pyresword
Honkai Impact 3rd - Rubia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIv5lFkBey0

I said to nominate The Sappy Vocal Ballad at your own risk. Well, this escaped the bottom 10, at least. Part of why I dislike this genre so much is they almost always follow this pattern: verse 1, chorus, verse 2 (now with drums!), chorus, bridge, then chorus with key change. I have nothing against predictable music inherently, but all of these songs just sound interchangeable to me. That said, theres a reason Rubia got a 4 and not a 2.5, and thats because the backing instrumentation is really quite lovely, and that made it more palatable for me. Also the vocalist is a nice singer.

284/5406
@Chaeix
Octogeddon - Didgeridoo I'm Comin' for You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8lVlofltec

This is a song. Its fairly inoffensive. It reminds me of the Full Metal Furies song back at #296, but livelier. (This one has an accordion!) This doesnt do much to stand out but it doesnt anything really egregious, so it goes in the 4/10 tier. Hooray!

283/5400
@GavsEvans123
NEO: The World Ends With You - The World is Yours
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82s2uFWFR1E

Some okaywhat is this, nu-metal? Rap rock? Genres arent my specialty. I sometimes have trouble identifying what I would change in a song to make it better for me to listen to, but here I think I would add a different vocalist (maybe not even a rapper) for the chorus. This guys rapid-fire, somewhat growly rapping is effective, but less so when contrasted with the peppier chorus. Im sure Ishimoto is taking notes. But the end WHOS THE ENEMY WHOS THE ENEMY is very strong. This would probably be higher if I liked the genre more, whatever it may be, lol.

282/5384
@Bitto
NEO: The World Ends With You - bird in the hand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZlNbHKvHik

I swear I didnt put these together on purpose. I listened to them on different days! This song is fine but has some curiosities. What is with the lyrics? Every woman likes it rough, is that actually applicable to the game? Also the rap sounds like its mixed in from a totally different song lmao. I like the yeah yeah yeahs and the trumpets. This song is kind of a Frankenstein, overflowing with musical ideas, not all of which land! But its interesting to listen to.

281/5369
@MaxGalactica
Omori - Come and See
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCTYy4I54d8

Okay so what is the deal with the Omori soundtrack? Ive heard multiple songs from it and literally none of them have stood out in any way, Come and See included. Is this the ultimate contextual video game score? This song is basically acoustic guitar with some breathing, which is fine I guess but doesnt grab me at all. There is an undercurrent of sadness throughout that kind of intrigues me though.

undercurrent of sadness count: 1

dowolf posted...

I am honestly sick of Alan Wake 2 music right now. That's not fair but like they have a style and they stick with it and it's all that style and i'm just "oh hey time to listen to another thing that sounds like Herald of Darkness but probably not as good."

I was given three Alan Wake 2 songs. The other two are actually pretty different - not Old Gods of Asgard at all.

3.5/10

290/5493
@loweffortmemes
Sakura no Uta - Dear My Friend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H04c1f48t4I

Shoegaze is a tough genre for me. I get overwhelmed a lot of the time with the wall of sound that covers me. I know I said I liked music that overwhelmed me, but shoegaze is more often than not overwhelming in an unpleasant way. I think its the guitars. At least thats the case in Dear My Friend, which would probably be a good hundred spots higher if not for that guitar. Ah, guitars. When will you learn?

289/5489
@TheArkOfTurus
SANABI - Great Escape
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0r2AF5iLbM

>_>

<_<

I like the beginning of this, with the big bass and EDM energybut then we have that synth again! Argh. Its frustrating because I want to like these songs. Great Escape was initially a 5.5. There are compelling ideas here. But that lead instrument spoils the whole package for me. Ah well. Maybe your other two songs will do better?

>____>

<____<

288/5481
kamakazikila
Fragile Dreams ~ Farewell Ruins of the Moon - Bother
https://youtu.be/3u64f09vRss

This strikes a difficult balance of intensity and sadness, like a weird storyline-heavy boss battle. Im reminded of Chrono Crosss People Seized With Fate. Bother does some neat things I like the sad piano and the progression between different ideas I just wasnt super into it. I get the sense that, like I said, its a fairly contextual song, and that its even more effective in-game, but theres a disconnect for me listening to it solo. Ah well.

287/5425
@Snake5555555555
Alan Wake 2 - Dark Ocean Summoning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5kb0nUoyqc

Can I just say I appreciate the restraint you all showed in not giving me 1) 15 Old Gods of Asgard songs and 2) Herald of Darkness specifically? The Old Gods songs arent really my favorite. Theyre just, like, 80s glam metal, which, hey, thats fine I guess but its not my favorite genre, and its a little baffling to me how they got so big (at least in this community). Dark Ocean Summoning is fine I guess. Its 80s glam metal. Thats basically all there is to say! (Oh also theres an evil laugh here. Maybe I should keep track of all the evil laughs)

286/5418
@MacArrowny
Turbo Overkill - Firestarter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz1NLqIjOMo

Firestarter has a lot of the same ideas and style as the SANABI songs, but the lead synth is much more tolerable to my ears. The problem with Firestarter is I feel like there just arent many of those ideas. Maybe its a problem I have with synthwave as a whole?

Wow, almost 50 posts and we're just leaving the bottom ten!

Always fascinating to see how many people like the bottom songs in a ranking, heh.

Fluttershy_Pony posted...

Woo, Name Entry officially not the worst vocal sample spamming song! ...Though now I'm curious how Trivial Pursuit's Credits theme compared to Ballz 3D's Title Theme since the spreadsheet didn't give scores (other than 9+).

...Okay, I know the answer is "not well", but as that song was my obscure and terrible barrage of arbitrary samples, I can't help but wonder.

I gave it a 6.5 but it's been a while.

That's it for tonight, feel free to poke around the bottom 10 if you want!

3/10

295/5600
@TheArkOfTurus
SANABI - Welcome to Mago City Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot0HonQdGVM

Another SANABI drop. This time it feels less repetitive but the buzzing synth is still there, wreaking havoc on my brain. I slightly prefer this one to A Vindication Opportunity, so make of that what you will!

294/5579
@Waveshine_2001
Ballz 3D - Title Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRPz-uG-qXM

Waveshine purposefully gave me several songs she thought of as bad VGM. How did this pan out for her? Stay tuned to find out! In lieu of a writeup, I will quote a comment on the video that I find very fitting: Grandpa just learned what samples are and hes gonna use them all! I mean, I love weird samples in music, but these samples arent doing the song any favors, especially coupled with a pretty bland backing track. Mission accomplished, Fox! (I think?)

293/5576
@NBIceman
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night - Silent Howling
https://youtu.be/iLHZcFCq1hA?si=dAJENxcUDJbOJN5e

As soon as I put the thing about violins and guitars as something musical I like, I regretted it, because I had a feeling it would lead to a bunch of songs like Silent Howling, really intense guitar/violin combos, often with muddy, ominous chanting. In a way, Ive misled you, because I almost never like these kinds of songs! I am sorry. This is an objectively fine song, its just not for me.

292/5514
@Anagram
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials & Tribulations - Cross Examination ~ Allegro 2004
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34kcrWLbGGo

I had to replace the 30-minute extended link you gave me lol. This is some Ace Attorney ass music alright. It soundsoff. Like the notes are too high-pitched. Sort of unpleasant to listen to. Its tense, Ill give it that.

291/5505
@GavsEvans123
Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links - Paradox Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JrUnsfcjcM

Im not a fan of the term overproduced but this feels like it fits the bill: a sort of over-the-top JRPG-ish boss theme. All the hallmarks are here: ominous strings, choir samples, a steady but serviceable drumbeat. This doesnt really bring anything new to the party. I dont inherently mind songs like that theres comfort in the familiar but this isnt comfortable. Paradox Theme is an old couch with a spring that juts into your hip.

I started doing a thing that I'm not sure I'll keep up with - in the Alphabetical and Nominator tabs of the sheet, my plan is to shade the eliminated songs in red, so you'll know at a glance what's already been eliminated. It's kind of a pain to do but it might make referencing the spreadsheet a bit easier.

Okay, let's kick things off with the bottom five.

2/10

300/5736
Xtlm
Rocket League - Breathing Underwater (Ether Remix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4bQdVS8WHg

This is not music for me. It feels irritatingly safe, it sounds identical to lots of other songs Ive heard, and it just sort of goes on and on without doing anything that excites me. I like the percussion at 1:25 but thats not enough to save this from last place. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but somebody had to take the bottom spot.

299/5713
@tgs2
Epic Battle Fantasy V - Return of the Snow Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VJvyWZgPWY

I dont know a lot of music from this series but Ive had the same reaction to the scant few things Ive heard from it. It just sort of plods along and does mostly the same stuff for four and a half minutes. Why is there this weird record scratch effect, what purpose does it serve? The record scratch could have been something. I dont know. On a different day, this might have gotten last place.

2.5/10

298/5667
OrangeCrush980
Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition - Shall Never Surrender (Intro)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4dCMZdU9KA

This one I feel a little bad about. (Only a little!) There might be a compelling song in here, but listen to this link. Can you hear the song? Because I couldnt. The volume is so low as to be incomprehensible. I tried raising it to 100% and got nowhere. I tried looking for an alternate link, but all the other versions of this song I found seemed to be for different versions; this one clearly specifies Intro. So I might enjoy this, but likewhat am I supposed to do here? Make up a song? Always make sure to check your links before you nominate, friends!

297/5630
TheArkOfTurus
SANABI - A Vindication Opportunity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8Sw2euNhBI

TheArkOfTurus nominated five songs from the same soundtrack. Was this a wise choice on their part? Stay tuned to find out! This song, at least, wasnt the wisest choice for me. The main synth really grates on me with its buzzing effects. Maybe Im a hypocrite because I love the Commodore 64 soundchip and A Vindication Opportunity reminds me of that, but theres also the added problem of how the song repeats the same main melody in a way that I find unpleasant. I would react much more favorably if that synth were replaced by almost anything else.

296/5621
@Mihark
Full Metal Furies - Cronus
https://youtu.be/TddRCvU11z8

This song sounds like its being played underwater, at 0.5x speed. I dont really like the choice of instruments, and the melody isnt too hot. The 2.5s are a nexus of songs with minimal redeeming qualities for me, but I dont actively dislike them, so even though Im down on Cronus, it doesnt go any lower. (Plus its short, so theres that.)

hello~

About six weeks ago I took nominations for video game songs to rank. They had to be eligible for VGMC. They had to be new to my big VGM spreadsheet. Those were basically the only requirements.

You gave me 300 songs! Jesus Christ. Yet somehow I have emerged from this auditory hallucination richer, stronger, and more vitamin D deficient. Most importantly, I have the ranking!

To say that I was very pleased with this haul would be a massive understatement. When I ran a VGM ranking five years ago, the average ranking was around 5.1/10. 5 is average to me, so collectively you did slightly above average. By contrast, the average ranking for this ranking is 6.74. And the median is 7! That is ridiculous. Maybe it helped that I gave a list of some things I liked in music. Some of you clearly tried to follow that. Some of you clearly didnt. Some of you played it safe. Some of you took risks. Some of you nominated whatever shit you felt like giving me, which is always a valid strategy.

Some trends I noticed: there was a plentiful amount of industrial noises, unique percussion, and ticking clocks. There were no child vocals instead, several songs had what Id call little girl music where a grown woman tries to sing in a high-pitched cutesy way. I guess that counts? Maybe? There were a lot of evil variants on things: evil jazz, evil ambience, evil guitars, evil sax, evil sound effects. Several songs had prominent evil laughter. There were two separate Godzilla-themed songs. What are the odds of that?

Before we start, heres an explanation of my rating system. I rate on a scale of 0 to 10 in increments of .5. 5 is average. 0 actively causes me pain. 10 isnt perfect, but is really really damn good. The lowest score any song got was a 2 (two songs). The highest score any song got was a 10 (three songs!). Anything higher than a 7 is something I consider playlist worthy. 7.5+ I would consider for use in Discord VGM guessing games. 9+ is VGMC nomination or support. You may be seeing some of these songs come VGMC season!

For the actual ranking, I have a pretty good idea of a songs rating value when I listen to it. Ive gotten to the point, 5000+ ratings later, where I can normally tell a 7 from a 7.5 from an 8. Then I look for a range: at what point do I start liking the songs, on average, more than the song Im trying to place? I get less precise the lower I get, because I dont remember lower songs on the sheet all that well. Its not an exact science. If it was, Id never do it!

Each song in the ranking will have its rank number for this ranking alongside its overall spreadsheet rank (out of 5834). I might, when we get higher, start showing other adjacent songs on the sheet (so like, the immediate songs above and below), if anyone would be interested in that. Not sure if Ill do that or not.

Heres the spreadsheet where you can view all the dropped songs, plus all the placements and ratings before theyre filled in. You can also see a list of all 300 noms, both sorted alphabetically and by nominator.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HdQJbfqMqrZnEBNZyxyZAg3ZKWJ1_rvKyoCmFJhRAaY/edit#gid=0

I think thats it. As always, Ive tried to not be too negative, even within the bottom tiers. I appreciate everyone who took the time to give me songs, even if I ranked them last place.

Hope you have a great time in the topic!