Posted 2004-03-29, evaluated by djpretzel


Star Salzman is the business. He did it with Chrono Trigger and now he's done it with Mega Man X - created a totally new song with original lyrics that builds a whole universe and story with amazing production, great writing, great singing (which is clearer here than with Robot), an excellent guitar solo that Protricity stepped in for a bit of an assist on, and, well.... this just kicks ass. There's nothing quite like an original song, complete with original lyrics, being built up in the way these tracks have been, and the way Game Over's classic Punch-Out! mix was - they achieve something different from non-vocal arrangements, go somewhere else. That's not to say they're better - I like to avoid quantitative analyses almost always in these write-ups, but it's not a question of preference, just the observation that these types of mixes are different and have a different effect. If done wrong, they have the potential to fail far more miserably, but when done right they're truly some kickass business. This ReMix joins that crowd with an 80's/90's synth/alterna rock aesthetic that's reminiscent again of E.L.O. with perhaps some late The Who/Pete Townsend similarities. There's a strong acoustic kit, Daft Punk style analog lead riffs, excellent and polished vocal processing with doubling, harmonies, and very meticulous panning and delays, a great piano progression intro, Ari's afforementioned ass-whooping solo circa 2'04", and much, much more. Star actually sent his submission email in the form of a Viagra spam mailing; lucky for ALL of us it wasn't filtered by Outlook (though I still prolly woulda caught it) - whether it can endow male listeners with larger members I would expect depends on who you are and how you listen to music, but it's damn great regardless. When at 0'49" there's the Nirvana-style "WELL" and it picks up, there's just some resplendent joy going on in a major way. Star Salzman, talented bastard that he is, even incorporates the Capcom logo sound right after contextually appropriate lyrics. I hate him. This is another stellar submission from a stellar ReMixer, one of the most conspicuous and superb Mega Man X mixes you'll hear, and will be permanently on my playlist as a I cruise in ma convertible this summer. In fact, if you live in the Northern Virginia area or vacation in Rehoboth Beach, you'll probably end up hearing it one way or the other :) Like its predecessor in spirit and partly execution, this mix comes very highly recommended. Appropriate title - a classic.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
LeonMillan
on 2022-07-23 03:40:03

I love this remix. It truly means a lot for me. Ten years ago, I used to listen to this all the time during commuting to college and work. I think it gave some meaning to all that stress and struggle I was going through at the time. Like the lyrics says, "Let's make our dreams come true / It's up to me and it may be up to you".

Listening to this again today now brings me back to those days. I have to hold back my tears when the Capcom logo sound plays, because that sound brings back all the feelings I had. It brings me back to my childhood, when I used to play Megaman X in the SNES with my dad. All those dreams I had and things I wanted to achieve.

Awesome song. Thanks for motivating me all those years, Star

avatar
Geoffrey Taucer
on 2015-11-04 15:09:23

Have I really not left a review for this mix yet?

Top notch, one of the best mixes on the site.

avatar
Warren
on 2013-12-13 11:10:13

I listened to this song anew while walking to work this morning and really paid attention to the lyrics. These lyrics really feel like a metaphor for anything you endeavor to do in your life, and a reminder that failures are not the ends of life, and that you can start over again.

Lose all your continues in one game? Start another game. Come back to this one from the beginning at a later date; maybe it will go better. Same goes for other aspects of life. Lose your job? There are other jobs. Maybe you'll have a chance to do this one again; maybe you'll find a better one. Life did not end with it.

Think about this and listen to this song again sometime.

avatar
Marmiduke
on 2012-10-06 09:30:41

Reading through this massive review thread, I never knew there were so many poetry radicals in the videogame remixing community. Who would have thought?

I for one really enjoyed the lyrics and always feel relieved when lyrics aren't too heavy or overly cryptic. This is tonally light, comic stuff that definitely doesn't diminish my enjoyment of the mix; if anything it enhances it.

As with the lyrics, the music is a pretty light, poppy affair, but with deceptively robust production values. While I wouldn't say it would fool me into thinking it was at professional level, it does sound BORDERLINE professional. Star's voice is always dependable, and Protricity's Midas touch doesn't go unnoticed.

I really enjoy this mix. Lots of creativity and attention to detail; it's cheeky, fun and an effortless showcase of mixing/singing talent. Love it.

avatar
Lyrai
on 2011-12-27 01:23:53

A wonderful track that you can come back to every so often when things get you down to give you a reminder that you can pick up the controller and start again.

The lyrics get stuck in your head, and the feel of it is perfect.

avatar
MechaFone
on 2010-12-19 16:25:18

I have but one gripe on this remix, and it's that the drums didn't sound right to me. The rest was fantastic. The vocals, the lyrics, and arrangement. Top form!

avatar
OA
on 2010-09-01 18:04:44

Seems to be missing a little low end in the production, but otherwise pretty good. Nice piano sound starts it out, and nerdy but clever lyrics. :-)

avatar
Crulex
on 2010-02-10 16:19:48
:lol: I love the lyrics! "Remember it's not the end of the world when you lose all your continues, you can start all over again." ......or you can save the passwords so you DON'T spend an hour starting over agin. Anyone else find it odd that one of the lyrics is about being player 2 and this isn't a two-player game? Just too funny. Unlike a lot of vocal covers, this one finally seems to have one with someone with a decent voice. Great job on this one.
avatar
Jabberbox
on 2008-05-08 00:54:24

This is the antidote to what poisons the site.

From the sea of mediocre half finished songs that got through somehow, through the sludge of rearranged midi files that utterly lack origionality, through the songs that use the sound of a big production to mask the fact that it sucks.

THIS song stands among the true ReMixes. It dares to be less than serious.It doesn't try to be the song that is extra philisophical, or about some serious thing. It is above that, it shows passion even in the small things of life. It doesnt sound big, it IS big, a true salute to the lieks of JAXX, kLuTz, and Dale North.

And now my rant is over. *****

avatar
Goten X
on 2006-11-02 10:13:50

When I first heard this, I thought it was utter crap. Then after a while, the lyrics started to put a smile on my face. :) It's really a creative piece, anyone that enjoyed the game or Mega Man in general will enjoy the song.

|GX

avatar
Brim
on 2006-06-27 23:32:44

Wow, I must have been stupid when I reviewed this long ago, but this song is freakin' sweet. I like it more than ever.

avatar
MisterBiggler
on 2006-03-17 12:35:14

Jeebus. This is fuckin' dope. I love the source tune, always have. Never did I think it could be ever be reborn into something this fantastic. Reminds me of crazy love ballads from the 80's I'm so fond of. I am too a fan of the piano arrangement with which the song starts. Damn good vocal work; two thumbs for how you sang "9.99". Lovin' the drums as well. Fantastic joint.

avatar
Kozmo
on 2006-03-16 19:28:36

very well done. I was also really fond of the opening piano as well as the instrumental interlude at about 2:00. The lyrics are very well written and the harmony is great. I think that the TH's and the S's need to be articulated more in the singing-- they sounded kind of lisped. Very unique and adds a great new flavor to OCR. I'm liking the pop sound-- for some reason reminded me of the mighty mighty bosstones. Voice? Who knows. Great work Salzman. Keep away from the guides, kids. Stay in school.

avatar
Bummer
on 2006-01-07 07:21:31
Star Salzman never ceases to amaze me. Just when I think he's outdone himself, he goes and does it again. This is a very good mix. In fact, it's one of the best here as far as originality goes. Top-notch work yet again by Star.

Mostly my opinion too. The Incredible Singing Robot was one of the hilarious lyricremix I've ever heard of, but it's also interesting when Star decides to do something more serious. It's just too bad I haven't discovered this gem sooner, something like this cannot just slip out of your hands.

Although I'm not the biggest fan of pop-music since the majority are boys singing about love, girls and....girls, I'm still not thinking about it when I'm listening to this. Star has picked up a very caring subject for us, the challenge to save the world in only 2 dimensional places. Although the lyrics are supposed to be about the importance of not needing to finish the game, Salzman also manages to throw in some humor in it too. I laughed so hard about the 9.99 part.

Then the music, it's popppish as popcorn alright, but the opening with the piano is niiiice. Star's voice is an important instrument, he actually has some real good talent, if were to play it on my school, they would NEVER think that this melody is from MegaMan. If they pay more attention to the lyrics maybe, but this is as many already said professional sounding popmusic. Indeed excellent work. The addings of electric guitar and Capcom preludes was sweeeeet, and this arrangement has just leaped up to my absolute greatest remix list.

Excellent...no....Marvelous....no.....Outstandingly well done Salzman!!!!

avatar
MSL
on 2006-01-01 21:07:33

so you made this awesome remix dude. I just commented on your Cid/undersea palace remix. I didn't know you made this awesome remix, but then again wouldn't surprise me. You have taken my favorite Megaman melody of all time into something AMAZING, I love it!! The break in this I dig the most dude! The vocals I really don't care for, but the lyrics I find a bit funny. Great work here dude!!

Sources Arranged (2 Songs)


Primary Game:
Mega Man X (Capcom , 1993, SNES)
Music by Makoto Tomozawa,Setsuo Yamamoto,Toshihiko Horiyama,Yuki Iwai,Yuko Takehara
Songs:
"Capcom Logo"
"Cast Roll"

Tags (5)


Genre:
Rock
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Singing,Synth,Vocals: Male
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original

File Information


Name:
Mega_Man_X_Dreams_Come_True_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,756,045 bytes
MD5:
e8730856f98973579d3db11cbb159a12
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:43

It's time to stop running from
all the things that make the world so glum
Let's make our dreams come true
It's up to me and it may be up to you

WELL

I traveled for too much time
to see you spend one more dime
on stupid strategy guides
when the answer wasn't inside

Just figure it out, you dummy
then you wont have to spend 9.99

You can always stop and take a breath
when the game is just too hard for you
You'll never ever have to fear your death
when I'm with you

Remember it's not the end of the world when
you lose all your continues
you can start all over again

It's time to stop running
It's time to make our dreams come true
It's time to get started
I'll be player one and you be player two

...

WELL

I traveled for too much time
to see you spend one more dime
on stupid strategy guides
when the answer wasn't inside

Just figure it out, you dummy
then you wont have to spend 9.99
then you wont have to spend 9.99

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes