ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 'A Rose For Zelda'
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- Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Nintendo, 1991, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Tepid
- Composer(s): Koji Kondo
- Song(s): Princess Zelda's Rescue, The Elemental Stars
- Posted: 2005-11-12, evaluated by the judges
So, after one of OCR's longest posting droughts in our fairly continuous, contiguous five years, which I thank ye kindly for bearing with us through, I'm back from Sin City, also known outside the realm of Frank Miller as Las Vegas. Stayed at the Luxor but spent most of my time at Mandalay for Devconnections. Met up with some truly superlative people and... well, as they say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but there's a certain tax accountant from Connecticut whose tattoos I'm having an amazingly hard time getting out of my mind... yes... Back on track, though, and ready to roll: it's hard to be lukewarm about newcomer Tepid's Zelda submission, which has a tropical, strawberry daiquiri feel to it most of the time, but mixes in some shimmering, icier, verb-drenched electrics to create a soundscape that's both mellow and striking. Acoustic picked and strummed dominate the first two minutes, after the ocean fx intro, but Coldplay-ish background textures are employed at the two-minute mark, evoking a sort of "laid-back guitar ensemble with Brian Eno cameo". Some of the textures, especially the really quick strumming that fades in at 3'37" overtop reversed electrics, are particularly edible. Primary concerns from panelists centered around simplification of the source material (not necessarily an issue - it's better than using it verbatim, at least) and repetition. Brandon addresses aspects of this critique:
"Compositionally, I understand the claims that this is repetitive. The simple recurring strumming patterns and melodies team up with the waltz-time and limited number of instruments to make for a very static feel at times. There’s a lot going on though that makes up for compositional simplicity. The performance is absolutely nailed in the sense that the off-tempo strumming and picking add complexity rather than clutter, human variety rather than human mistakes."
Gray adds:
"The source material was short and basic, but this mix really captures the spirit of the original, yet takes it into new uncharted territory at the same time. The vibe and the texture of the mix is wonderful and like a rose, as it goes on the mix continues to bloom. The section especially at around the 2 minute mark was wonderful as the textures continued to evolve and expand."
I think the simplification suits the enhanced dynamics, textural work, production, and performance perfectly; had this been much more complicated, it would have lost the serenity and lullabyeish nature it possesses. There's a childlike sense of exploration and vastness that well serves the source material and the Zelda universe itself; a truly unique piece that's helping me come back down from cloud 9, Nevada, and will remain a go-to track for moments of reflection and chillin'. A cool mix from Tepid.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the This is amazing; I can't believe I haven't heard this yet.
Hearing Zelda's theme on guitar is astoundingly beautiful.
If you haven't heard this yet, shame on you. Go download it now.
Mournful, longing, love-filled, saddening, remembering the happy times.
This is the kind of mix that can soften anyone up inside.
- 42 on March 2, 2009
The melody shines brighter than ever in the initial portion of the mix. When the sound gets bigger and the electric elements come into it, I was a little thrown. The transition isn't 100%, although I didn't really notice it at all on my second listen. And I felt the narrative of the piece was a little disjointed. Zelda's Lullaby is a peaceful, reflective song after all, and I didn't really get the full connection between the acoustic and electric sections. With big sounds come a lot of different emotions: sadness, elation, love, hope, defeat. I can extract all of those from the music, but I'm confused as to which, if any, fit with the song. A stronger establishment of concept may have helped here.
That's a minor gripe though. The samples were irrelevant but I liked that they were there anyway. Overall, strong work on a track that deserves a lot of love.
- Marmiduke on February 23, 2009
- Ryu2Wolf on January 6, 2009
- XiaoXiaoNeo on October 28, 2008
Nonetheless, despite how much I love this piece, the quality seems mildly lacking in a couple parts. No big deal to me, but it is there.
- Duo on May 3, 2007
At times in the music, there seems potential for a celtic arrangement. I could almost hear a celtic flute like in Lord of the Rings or something. Maybe even a lone bagpipe... :-P
Great work!
- KogeJoe on February 1, 2007
This has always been one of my favorites. One of the few five-starred mixes on my playlist. It has that dreamy and relaxing feel to it. Like other posters have mentioned, I envision someone sitting on a beach, with miles of sand and ocean as far as the eye can see. I get the feeling that something isn't quite right, but whatever it is, life will go on.
Great piece, heh.
- SoC on September 22, 2006
Maybe... The potential is sweet, and so are the memories, but things have changed, and maybe that won't happen. Is the dream of the future as important as the future itself? Is it more important if you'll hope for something wonderful when the future looks so dim? To motivate you, keep you pushing forward when you really want to sleep.
A sigh and a dream at the edge of the sea. A prayer and a hope while cutting the rope. Dangling, dangling, then falling from me; and into a newness still yet undreamed.
Everything changes. And nothing will ever be the same.
- Ventrex on March 3, 2006
- lady zelda on February 6, 2006
Props to Tepid!
- stang on February 6, 2006
Nevertheless, how in the world could I not have seen this when it was first debuted, I'll never know. What a great picture it gives me. Excellent, Excellent, Excellent. 10/10.
P.S. sound effect lol.
- Burger Deluxe on December 19, 2005
The giggle in the beginning just sold me. Haha I don't know why, I just loved it when I heard it.
The part at 2:01 with the electronic elements, it turned the song from a "thinking on the beach while watching the stars" kind of tone to a "why am i alive, what must i do?" kind of tone. I loved it, it added a sort of melancholy feel to the song.
Every bit of this song I loved. Bravo man.
- SynthesizedStampede on December 18, 2005
[i]Truly[/i] an intoxicating song that had me closing my eyes and getting all romantic. *chuckle* Great job!
- triumvir on December 10, 2005
I'll be going to your website now, thanks.
[b]Edit:[/b] Ooo. Apparently, I have to be a member to get me some of that. Well, nevermind that then. I'll still play slip this piece into my rotation, though.
- Fusilliban on November 22, 2005
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