ReMix: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time 'Turd Surfers'

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With a name like "Turd Surfers", it HAS to be good... right? I suppose, once butthole surfing got hot, fecal output wasn't far behind... at least this appears to have been the case for newcomer Marcellis Wentz, alias "chumble spuzz", who gives us this lighthearted, in-game sample-laden, tortoise rockin' arrangement from the fearsome foursome's most compelling video game adventure, imho. Fortunately the title describes the envisioned activity of said quartet and not the music itself, which segues playfully around, has a rather kickin' guitar solo towards the end, and isn't lacking at all in the energy department. Mr. Wentz writes:

"Finally. I can't even remember when I started this mix, but I'm finally at a point where I can call it done. I've always enjoyed the TMNT soundtracks, ever since the overworld theme from the first NES game, but this one stands out to me for some reason. Maybe because it's a bonus stage with tons of pizza in it. Maybe it's the "my toes!" reaction when one steps on a mine. I dunno. Suffice to say, this has been a long time coming."

As a side note to some of you youngsters out there, I was personally ensconced in the first, original wave of turtlemania, and did in fact wait in line - with my DAD - a couple hours to meet whichever four local actors they were paying to wear those goofy suits from the live action film that week, for an autograph. I think the turtlelphile in me died, however, when some sorry bastard decided it would be a good idea to incorporate Vanilla Ice into the second film. I was eleven at the time, and even I knew better. For shame. None of that crass, cross-market opportunism washed off on any of the games, however, or for that matter their soundtracks. I agree with spuzz that these games had some great tunes, and his appreciation of the theme shines through, as bgc notes:

"Well, right off the bat, this has some great energy, and in the spirit of "Sewerage" pretty darn fun to listen to. Just by the sound, I can guess that you probably had a lot of fun making this tune (I hope so anyway). Very TMNTish indeed. I'll admit the synthetic guitar bugged me a wee bit, but not to any substantial degree. I especially enjoyed the funky shuffle switch-up at :51. Solo at 2:06 showed good sequencing and definitely did a great job keeping the energy flowing. Drumwork was solid throughout. Haha, and then ending, with the cross-panned dialogue was amusing. I really think this is a great example of mix personalization. Though the theme isn't all that different from what the source conveys, there's plenty of expansion upon the original."

Pretty much; it's not wildishly adaptive, and I say that's my biggest beef, but what's added is good, and the usage of samples - particularly at the end - is consistent with both the tone of the arrangement of TMNT in general. At least, the games and initial cartoon; Eastman + Laird's original graphic novels were actually pretty dark... less cowabunga and more bloodshed. But the happier-go-luckier, pizzacentric incarnation that most know and love would love surfing turds that sounded this good, and you should too... just wash your hands afterwards.

― djpretzel