ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 'Clash at the Mountains'
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- Game: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Nintendo, 1993, GB)
- ReMixer(s): zircon
- Composer(s): Kazumi Totaka, Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano
- Song(s): Tal Tal Mountain Range
- Posted: 2005-11-04, evaluated by djpretzel
I still think "Tal Tal Bachman" is funny. STILL. But I digress; Mr. Aversa sends in his own take on the Tal Tal Heights theme that small wonder and former judge Mr. Cabrera braved back in August of '03. If you're not adverse to Aversa, even though this is a little over-the-top compared to his usual style, I think you'll dig it. Sir writes:
"It's a break from what I normally do, but I think this is still a fun little ReMix; an upbeat groove with lots of synths and a smattering of orchestral elements. Relatively conservative in regards to arrangement, but I did play with the progression and add my own material to spice things up. I hope people have as much fun listening to it as I had making it. Enjoy!"
Where Dan employed a solo violin, Andy goes electric guitar, and overall the feel is a bit more electronic. I did call zirc out on his conspicuous use of the "MW Boost" preset from NI's FM7 softsynth, but I loved his response, which is the same line I use whenever I employ an easily identifiable preset: "but it sounds good!" Ultimately, whatever's right for the song is right for the song, and presets are there to be used. I usually end up tweaking things, esp. on electronica mixes, but often there's patches that just plain work, right out of the box, and in this case the shoe fits, and if it ain't broke, why fix it? Vacuum-packed hackneyed expressions aside, I think this mix will seem "familiar" to most listeners of electronica, but only because it's put together competently and utilizes proven techniques. Andy layers meaty, compressed beats (love the tom fills) with a smorgasbord of synth ackshunz, acoustic piano, and the afforementioned electric, which while synthetic does a great job of sounding full well into the upper registers and thus gracefully sidesteps misgivings I'd usually have about such a lead. The tom fills and flams are really key here - they fill out the mix, keep it moving, and pepper the vaguely big-beatish groove with highlights. The chord progression break at 1'32" is a great touch and quite striking. Basically, this is a great, highly accessible take on a theme that's already got mass appeal, so it's hard not to like. One thing I'll say that can be taken both positively and negatively - it doesn't particularly have a lot of depth to it. However, I don't think zircon intended it to, so it's not something that's indicative of a fresh direction for the artist, or that breaks into new territory in general, but is rather just a damn solid take on a classic theme, which embraces the appeal of pattern-based electronica and its vices, but does so competently and with heapin' helpins of groove and lovin' spoonfuls of know-how. Good stuff.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the it's an oldie yes, but it definitly takes that "epic" from the source and blows it all the way to koholint 8O
- Platonist on March 7, 2009
As for the mix, I really love how it doesn't bother messing around. There could have been a long buildup, a drawn out intro or something and it would have been fine. But less is oftentimes more, as we all know, and the intro that is present here is BETTER than what would have been acceptable.
The synthed up instrumentation is... well it's zircon so it's above stellar. I also really loved the Metroid Prime-ish goings-on in the middle of the song. Awesome. If I had paid for it, it would have given me value for money without a doubt.
- Marmiduke on March 6, 2009
I really liked the mix as well, a bit slower than the original, but fun nonetheless.
I almost get a Metriod feel from this peace. Seems like it might make a nice theme for Samus gunning down those stupid hopping spiders from that cursed mountain.
- AmazinJason on December 17, 2008
- gandalf0987 on June 16, 2007
You know what this piece really reminds me of? The way the style and patches were chosen? The Chrome Gadget Zone from Sonic 3. (One of the 2 player sprint matches...) I like to hear different layers of music. This re-mix really does that.
- KogeJoe on January 31, 2007
- lady zelda on January 15, 2006
The electric guitar, for some reason, impressed me. I don't know why, but I really felt it for some reason. Loved it through and through.
Favorite part? 1:46, don't ask why, it's 12:11 AM and my mind isn't quite up to par as it should be haha. This song just rocks.
Pick it up IF you are a fan of Link's Awakening. Definitely something you need if you love the Tal Tal Heights song. However, I WILL say that this is closer to the original than Disco Dan's. So if you're just looking for a MP3 version of the original, this is the closest you'll get...I think. But even as a remix this is an awesome tune. Good job!
- SynthesizedStampede on December 18, 2005
- Keiseth on December 6, 2005
I'll always have a safe place in my heart for this mix and Disco Dans version Braving TalTal Heights.
100/100
- Flare4War on November 27, 2005
- DahisDream on November 23, 2005
I have yet to play Link's Awakening, but if y'all keep coming up with fantastic mixes for it, I may be forced to.
- Fusilliban on November 22, 2005
I have been waiting SO LONG for a remix this sweet of Zelda.......
I have an entire video of it in my head, and I replay it every time I listen.
here's a simple version of the show going on up there.
Zircon shoud get paid to do this sort of thing, and even if not, keep his skill high, and on good games like the Zelda series.
As for Bobwillis's review, he's short about 460 +'s!
In short, Zircon is my new god. :)
EDIT: I just went and listened to his other stuff, and the only reason I didn't immediately save them is that I didn't know the originals. I believe in that, although I'm sure they are just as faithful. (Listening to the TMNT one now--it rocks! I may save it!) :)
- Gaeamil on November 20, 2005
As others have said, it is a pity about the shortness of this piece, but the source material was pretty damn catchy to begin with, so it's all good. The electronic coverage is like a sexy new suit for it.
Repeat mode activated!
- LFyda on November 16, 2005
The synth samples are somewhat similar in style to those used in some of the F-Zero GX race tracks, which i really liked. As others mentioned ,it's a pity about the far too abrupt ending. But generally the song goes around in repeat all the time so perhaps won't matter much.
Good job, zircon !
- RimFrost the Tourianist on November 11, 2005
- Apollo Drauka on November 9, 2005
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