Now that the 2 Xmas releases are in...

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » 23/12/2003 - 11:13

Time to examine and give my verdict

First up is Remix 64 v2. Different to the first one by a long way, going orchestral on us and trying to make the tracks flow into one another, rather than individual 80s pop cover styles. And for the most part it works, the technical level is second-to-none and many of the tracks have not fallen on my ears in a long while. Disappointed the Stormlord track was heavily truncated (I want a full 9 minute version of it!

) as it is one of my favourites. Took a few plays to get it settled in my brain, gradually grows on you which is always better in the long run. Spellbound is especially mellow and intoxicating to the brain. A well deserved 8/10 mark from me here.

Secondly there is PPoT's second album release. 17 tracks of energy (and a quick 8 second guitar burst of the Wizball end rift), with many familiar names and some interesting new pieces covered. After their performance of it @ BIT Brighton, I was looking forward a lot to the opening track, Hypaball vs Mission AD, and it doesn't disappoint. Sure I wanted Mission AD to be heavier than it is here (and more like the live performance) but that has been getting much play so far. Crazy Comets is bouncy and catchy, Bionic Commando is definite funk and Nemesis the Warlock is a guitar anthem. Special mention must go to the new vocal tracks which had me laughing and appreciating the guys CAN do harmony well enough! Hits the 9/10 spot overall here.

merman · Post by **merman** » 23/12/2003 - 11:17

Remix 64 volume 2 - 9.9/10. Close to perfection. Review for this site coming soon...

Post by **tas** » 23/12/2003 - 12:37

Since the CD lasts nearly bang on 74 mins, it was impossible to extend the version of Stormlord.

Thanks for the feedback Mayhem.

Mayhem · Post by **Mayhem** » 23/12/2003 - 13:10

No problem. Whilst the technical level can't be faulted, a few of the tracks left me a little cold. Either a lack of emotional feeling (as it is supposed to be orchestral, and those sorts of performances are usually the most emotion laden) or the fact I was not as familiar with some of them as others. I think the same criticism has been levelled on these boards at other orchestral covers submitted to Kwed in the past though.

As for length, I've got audio CDs in my collection that go up to 78 minutes, so it must be possible. Presumably though R64v2 was burnt on the shorter discs rather than the longer ones then?

Personally if someone is up to the challenge of taking the Stormlord title track and then merging it into the in-game theme for a 16 minute piece of work, be my guest

Post by **tas** » 23/12/2003 - 13:18

It's possible to go even higher than 78 mins, but it starts getting very expensive and unreliable. 74 mins is the Standard length of most Cd's (tho you'll be pushed to find an album that actually last that long).

Post by **tas** » 23/12/2003 - 13:30

As for Emotion, well it's always a strange subject... I've found tunes that i feel are so Emotional yet others find other tunes to be more emotional. Emotion will never be the same with everyone.

One thing i have noticed is that Emotion is personal. You may think that a certain track isn't emotional, where other have found it to be. For me the track on the CD that really gives me goose pimples is Rubicon. Others have said Stormlord for it's evil lord of the rings type feel. Others have said FIST2. Butcher Hill is another one that for me is very Emotional.

It's all very personal i feel.

Chris Abbott · Post by **Chris Abbott** » 23/12/2003 - 13:54

Here's a technical explanation.

When a CD is being produced, it goes through a few steps:

1) Pre-master (which is actually what we give to the duplicators)
2) Glass master (a piece of glass)
3) Stamper (which is generated from the glass master. This stamps the CD with the music: a completely different process from CDR).

Basically, glass masters cost money, and the process of creating them is hit and miss. Normally when you're quoted a price for a CD job, the glass master is included. So obviously they don't want too many misfires, or they're out of pocket. CDs over 74 minutes increase the risk of a misfire, the risk rising as the CD gets longer. So most CD plants restrict it to 74 minutes so they can be consistent in their pricing.

If you REALLY want a 78 minute CD, then you have to compensate them for the glass master failures, which is an unknown cost, dependent on fate.

Chris

Post by **tas** » 23/12/2003 - 13:59

yeah, thats what i said LOL!

perfect explination Chris