ReMix: EarthBound 'Snowbound'

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While it may not be particularly spooky, Halloween is as good an occassion as any to debut an Earthbound arrangement project, which is exactly what Joe Cammisa and a group of talented artists from all over the place have done, unveiling Bound Together - An EarthBound Remix Project today to anxious fans. BT's status as an independent project has probably helped it to attract remixer talent from multiple sites and communities, thus representing some voices you may or may not hear in an official OCR site project. I still think there's room for both approaches, but there's no arguing the list of contributing artists to Joe's project is both impressive and varied. Joe writes:

"The only thing to say about this project is that I got the best musicians around to make the best music for the best cause. For that I thank all of them from the bottom of my heart. They love this community and support what this project stands for. We are all truely 'Bound Together' here. Now, let the music speak for itself from here on out..."

That's a whole lot of "bests" in that first sentence, there, but I think you can take that as a sign that Joe's proud of the results, as well he should be. You can check out the rest of the project at earthbound.joecam.net or just download the torrent straight away. Now, before going into the juicy details on Jordan's (excellent) mix, I'd be more than a little dishonest in not mentioning that up until very recently, I myself was on this project, and the fashion in which I dissociated from it wasn't exactly 'amicable'. You'd get ten different stories from ten different people, but my own take is that because I was uninformed up until the last minute of someone on the project that I'd rather not collaborate with, even in a symbolic sense, I withdrew my contribution. I still question the goal of "unifying" the community by an invitation-only mixer selection process that keeps some people, namely me, in the dark BUT... forget all that for a second, and remember this: EarthBound has an amazing, peculiar soundtrack, and everyone involved has done a great job arranging its many quirky gems. You don't NEED an agenda or a loftier goal (or me for that matter) to justify this project, because - sans drama - the end result works on a musical level. The game's music and these artists' interpretations are both strong enough to stand on their own without any sort of higher ideological theme; while my part in things didn't work out, it don't much matter.

On to greener pastures... or, rather, snowier tundras, as the case may be. Jordan writes:

"This is a euortrance style remix of snow woods from the snes earthbound. Its pretty high quality pumpy dance music, and its a liberal approach to the original. You can still identify the melodies for the most part. I wrote a lot of extra parts and decided to use the tent music as the ending."

The last time we saw bLiNd on OCR it was March of '04, with his Extreme-G work, but he's clearly been keeping himself busy and hasn't lost one iota of the sheen and class he brings to the trance thing. Things get started pretty quickly, with a wide, expansive groove laid down lickety-split as verb-drenched synths percolate and things build towards the four-on-the-floor at 0'42". The thematic introduction at 1'22" is what really sets the mix out, as it's far more chromatic and varied than the typical melody you'd transplant into the middle of a trance track, but Jordan handles it well. Things go back into traditional territory for awhile, but there's a few more tricks up the mix's sleeve, with a nice ambient oasis at 3'14", followed by that rarest of beasts, the trance ritardando. The last minute is a very hypnotic rendition of the tent music that reminds me of some of the very hypnotic musics off the generally excellent Robot Carnival soundtrack. I've somewhat inevitably spent more time talking about logistics than bLiNd's mix, but it's everything you'd expect from him, which speaks tomes, and makes the often-challenging EarthBound soundtrack familiar, welcoming, and ice cold.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

Well I suppose there's not much new to say here, 'cuz to me, and to so many other people that agree, this mix is definitely one of those that can be set on repeat for a week and I'd still not be tired of it.
While I can't figure out exactly where each part is from (I've played it, it's familiar, but it's been awhile), that won't make me skip this track anytime soon.

- Opterion on January 16, 2009

Awesome awesome song we have here! The opening was a humungous attention getter that kept me tapping throughout the entire song. I love the effective wintery sound of it without the use of those standard jingle bells. Don't get me wrong. The bells are baller, but they shouldn't be in every winter-themed song.
The more "down to earthbound" finisher was a nice way to tap it out.
Pro skills going on here.

- Duokun on November 5, 2008

Easily one of the top three remixes on the site. Such high quality work.

- Effef on October 20, 2008

MisterBiggler;82346 wrote: Damn I really like this song. Doesn't really remind me of Earthbound, but I thought it was a really cool take on a song I did like from the game. It sounds like something that could have been in SSBM on the Earthbound stages. I had been wanting to hear some trance lately too. I think my favorite part of this song is how it ends with the bells and the "post-wake up" Hotel song. V. good stuff, Mr. bLiNd.

I agree. This is a great music, even great to listen over and over. I can't get tired of it ^^ <3 O.o A+ a must listen!

- RavenCloud on January 21, 2007

Damn I really like this song. Doesn't really remind me of Earthbound, but I thought it was a really cool take on a song I did like from the game. It sounds like something that could have been in SSBM on the Earthbound stages. I had been wanting to hear some trance lately too. I think my favorite part of this song is how it ends with the bells and the "post-wake up" Hotel song. V. good stuff, Mr. bLiNd.

- MisterBiggler on January 6, 2006

Extremely beaty. This is just really fun to listen to and totally danceable. But then, what bLiNd tracks arent? ;) I loved the melody, the bass did it's job and the beat was constant. Kudos on the ultra-smooth loss of tempo near the end. The ending itself is what left me wondering though, as the track could have ended at 3:56 and it would have been just fine. The dragging synth kind of threw me off after the infernal beat, kinda feels like the music has to stretch itself for the sake of lasting a little longer. Great track nonetheless. 9/10

- Meliarune on December 7, 2005

This is not terribly Earthboundy and that makes me sad.
It is, however, professional quality eurotrance. I'll have to point the guys I know at etn.fm at it.

- Fusilliban on November 19, 2005

blind's stuff makes everyone else's music sound like electric poo.

- bLanKer on November 8, 2005

The original tune is one of my favorite pieces of game music ever and this just rapes it. I like it but I just cry over the lost potential to do something a lot better than just a generic dance music with the original melody over it like sprinkles over a cake.
Not bad, but :cry:

- Master Spram on November 7, 2005

Let me just say that I listened to this song pretty much constantly for the two days after I first heard it. I haven't heard something so deserving of the title "trance" in a long time; you've reminded me how good it can be.

- Linearity on November 6, 2005

This is probably your best ever work for the remixing scene blind. It all comes together very well, the energy peaks are very invigorating and the breakdown is superbly done.

- Sega. on November 4, 2005

MedHead wrote:

arias wrote: This IS his website.

I never said it wasn't. My point is, if one wishes to present the site as professional, then keep it that way. Mixing in unnecessary personal comments can cause problems. Believe me, I know.

This is an amateur site. And when you run the site, you run it the way you want.
Sticking with the mix itself, I was looking forward to it since Jordan let me check out one of the VERY early WIPs. I was really impressed buy the arrangement here, which sounded so natural here and downplays some nice liberties taken with the original melody. Great energy per the usual, and a great addition to an otherwise strong project. Looking forward to White Skies later for the huge smash! Judges hate club music!

- Liontamer on November 3, 2005

YAY! More bLiNd! It's been a while... I love it! *Goes to listen to it again

- Adun The Untouchable on November 2, 2005

arias wrote: This IS his website.

I never said it wasn't. My point is, if one wishes to present the site as professional, then keep it that way. Mixing in unnecessary personal comments can cause problems. Believe me, I know.

- MedHead on November 2, 2005

Finally another excellent bLiNd remix hits OCR :D
Don't have much to comment about this one, other than ..GO AND LISTEN NOW !!

- RimFrost the Tourianist on November 2, 2005

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