ReMix: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 'Oil Ocean (WT-40 Mix)'
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- Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega, 1992, GEN)
- ReMixer(s): AE, Digimatic, PlanetSkill
- Composer(s): Izuho Takeuchi, Masato Nakamura
- Song(s): Oil Ocean Zone
- Posted: 2007-07-15, evaluated by djpretzel
The last time AE submitted anything was back in 2002, so in terms of veteran ReMixer comebacks, I think he might win some sort of award for longest hiatus. This time, however, he brought his peeps with him. While the band Wave Theory might be familiar to some of you (if not, check them out!), in this case this particular mix is being released by PlanetSkill, which is described on their site as:
"...a multitude of different artists of all different crafts, whether it be dancing, graphic design, screenplay writing, or music mastering. PlanetSkill was designed to showcase everyone involved in a non-pretentious way; we simply want to exhibit what we love to do best and would appreciate your feedback."
... I might comment that when trying to be non-pretentious, one might do best to avoid self-ascribing the word "skill" through one's moniker. These guys definitely have it though, in spades; AE's a formidable electronica artist by himself, but when part of a larger whole of similarly endowed musicians, things get downright ridiculous. Hence "PlanetSkill" is, at the very least, not misleading. It also beats the hell out of "PlanetHumble" in terms of marketability. I saw these fellas (AE, tumult, Ransom Rath, Digimatic) perform at MAGFest back in January, and it was an awesome set - in particular, they had a sweet narrative multimedia presentation that helped segue between songs, and followed the whole act up with some mad freestylin' action.
Prior to this ReMix, AE's repertoire on OCR at least was limited to Mega Man 2, but at M5 PlanetSkill covered multiple games, and this Sonic 2 ReMix also deviates from Blue Bomber territory. The "WT-40" in the mix title is both a reference to Wave Theory ("WT"), and WD-40, a well-known oil lubricant that does a whole bunch of things but which, in my youth, I primarily used along with a lighter to create a mini flamethrower, for the extremely important purpose of melting G.I. Joe action figures so as to assist Cobra in their plans for world domination. Don't try it at home. Or elsewhere. As another first, this mix features vocals, in the form of some very slick rapping that comes in after the first minute. The first minute feels like another kickass AE electronica mix: dominant synths, ph@t b33tz, and top-notch attention to detail are all present and accounted for. But at or around the minute marker a seriously mean shredded electric guitar joins the mix, and vocals enter soon afterwards. The eastern intonation makes this sound something like... Egyptian Hardcore Rap Rock Electronica? Trying to place this one in a genre would probably be a mistake, unless "awesome" can tentatively qualify as such. This is our first mix of the Oil Ocean Zone theme, and whatever genre this is, suffice to say it lends itself amazingly well to the source material. The rapping is similar to some of what I've heard from Wave Theory; quick, pretty witty, and very appropriate in style for what is essentially more electronica than hip-hop, musically. The combination of amazing electronica, heavy rock, rap, and an arrangement that turns an exotic eastern motif into one that really blows your hair back all adds up for an awesome ride; AE couldn't have picked a better way to return, and you should all check out his site(s) and see what he's been doing in the meantime. Fantastic.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - spankydude on May 31, 2008
Excellent work, really. Gotta love it. :-)
[b]Yhoko[/b]
- Yhoko on January 24, 2008
- zircon on December 21, 2007
I like the music, the mix, the arrangement. Very true to the source, I'd say.
But the vocals...don't get me wrong, they are good. Very slick. However, I am not a fan of rap and most hip-hop. Again, not to say they don't fit, or are bad in any way. I am just not into them as everyone else. Maybe it just takes a couple listens to get used to or something.
But overall, this is great. I wonder if AE will release an instrumental version, as the backing music sounds like it could stand on it's own without the vocals.
-Josh
- JTD121 on December 20, 2007
- Jaybell on October 23, 2007
Geoffrey Taucer;300648 wrote:
Now as for KogeJoe...
Koge, do yourself (and the rest of us as well) a favor and just stop posting in the reviews forum. Your reviews are consistently idiotic, and always based not on the merits of the individual song, but on your opinion of the composer, or the genre, or the game. It's annoying and unconstructive.
Not to mention pretentious.
I have been listening to this song constantly in the last few days and I find it pretty damn tasty. I also think that the first half of the rapping distinctively better then the second one (maybe it's because the tone he uses while saying the first "you know that oil and water don't mix" - particularly in the word "mix" - is awesome, and he doesn't say it quite the same in the second time :( )
Anyways, nitpicking aside, this is awesome!
Excellent work on all parts.
- Mr. Fox on August 26, 2007
First off, I've got to say that I really like the music itself. It's got a great flair and the perfect instrument set for the sound that the original BGM tried to convey. It kind of reminds me of the some of the Timesplitters songs, which I also like a lot.
That being said, I've got to say that the lyrics were not quite as impressive. It's got a lot of good lines ("Oil and Water don't mix", "Open the floodgates", "Oh my lord, what'cha gonna say next?"). But for all the good lines, there were also some that I thought were kind of cheesy ("But I guess you don't think", "lie more so", "everything you do comes back always").
Despite the lyrical content troubles, I really like listening to the song anyways and it's almost always on my playlist. I'd love to hear more from these guys.
One last thing, that sproing sound at 2:43 makes me chuckle every time I hear it.
- Darklink42 on August 26, 2007
Like everybody else has mentioned, that single line "You know that oil and water don't mix" is just FIRE. Man punch. But other than this the lyricrism was decent, nothing too special, but at the same time you were trying to make a statement, so props for that. Yeah, I guess I was just expecting more burns, but it's all good, nice mix.
My REAL only gripe about this mix? The way it ends. Man that was so abrupt and seemed unfinished. >_< Left me wanting more and had me checking to see if Winamp all of a sudden finished a download or something.
But yeah, good mix, I recommend it to be downloadable, HOWEVER, just keep working on your flow and lyricrism. Wanna hear more from you man!
- SynthesizedStampede on August 7, 2007
KogeJoe;300478 wrote: /me rolls his eyes... LYRICS???
I've said it time and time again. I hate it when people think they can just take a piece of music and completely ruin it by trying to use it as an opportunity to show off their "talent."
Well, I don't think you could be any more wrong. Lyrics can only add to a song, and if someone is good at creative lyric writing....or whatever....I say let them show it! And by the way, rap is actually a very good way of expressing feelings and a strong message.(I should know, I quite enjoy rapping. To videogame music for that matter!) And while it might not be your cuppa tea, I think you should at least consider the fact that universe does not conform to your musical taste.
That being said, I enjoyed this song. The blend of rap and Sonic the Hedgehog has always made sense to me, and I'm glad it made sense to PlanetSkill as well. Mad props for making a song that can fuse these two wonderful elements.
- XiaoXiaoNeo on August 4, 2007
Arrangementwise, this didn't really do anything for me. The music is there, but it doesn't grab my attention. I prefer Rayza/Gecko Yamori's remix of the theme.
- Martin Penwald on July 31, 2007
- Jabadoterry on July 30, 2007
Musically, I like the arrangement, but overall this strikes me as something that would work much better in a live setting where the audience can get in on the energy from the emcee, whereas that energy sort of falls flat in the recording.
Now as for KogeJoe...
KogeJoe;300478 wrote: /me rolls his eyes... LYRICS???
I've said it time and time again. I hate it when people think they can just take a piece of music and completely ruin it by trying to use it as an opportunity to show off their "talent."
And what's worse. RAP??? I can't think of any other genre that has been over-played enough.
If you feel you need to rap/sing, fine. Just do it to your OWN music. Don't take perfectly good game music and ruin it with your awful lyrics.
Defame yourself. Why do you have to take Masato Nakamura, Koji Kondo, etc. with you? Fight your own battles. Write your OWN music!!!
Koge, do yourself (and the rest of us as well) a favor and just stop posting in the reviews forum. Your reviews are consistently idiotic, and always based not on the merits of the individual song, but on your opinion of the composer, or the genre, or the game. It's annoying and unconstructive.
- Geoffrey Taucer on July 29, 2007
Rap is NOT something I like personally, but it fits pretty nice in this song. You did a good job on this one, especially like the beginning until 0:53. The lyrics are ok, I like the You know that oil and water don't mix sentence!!!
The best rapsong I heard in a long time, Good job!
- RenoDJ on July 29, 2007
KogeJoe;300478 wrote: Write your OWN music!!!
I'm sorry, what's the name of this site again?
You're not even criticizing the song itself, just bitching that it falls under a genre that doesn't appeal personally to you. Grow up.
- Kureejii Lea on July 29, 2007
I've said it time and time again. I hate it when people think they can just take a piece of music and completely ruin it by trying to use it as an opportunity to show off their "talent."
And what's worse. RAP??? I can't think of any other genre that has been over-played enough.
If you feel you need to rap/sing, fine. Just do it to your OWN music. Don't take perfectly good game music and ruin it with your awful lyrics.
Defame yourself. Why do you have to take Masato Nakamura, Koji Kondo, etc. with you? Fight your own battles. Write your OWN music!!!
- KogeJoe on July 28, 2007
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