10 February 2011

Episode 15: A Romantic Mood

Brent and Rob present a special Valentine's Day episode featuring the best romantic/hot/lovey-dovey music from the 8-bit and 16-bit era.  These tracks are perfect to set the mood for you and your special someone.  Full track listing below.



Game - Composer - Song - Company - Console - Year (the version we played was released)

Final Fantasy II - Nobuo Uematsu - Rosa's Theme - Square - SNES - 1991

Coach K College Basketball - Jeff van Dyck - Menu 2 - Electronic Arts - Genesis - 1995

Kirby's Adventure - Hirokazu Ando - Starry Sky - HAL Laboratory - NES - 1993

Side Pocket - Masaaki Iwasaki (Koremasa), Emi Shimizu - Dinner For Two - Data East - Genesis - 1992

Sonic the Hedgehog - Masato Nakamura - Star Light Zone - Sega - Genesis - 1991

Ys III: Wanderers from Ys - Mieko Ishikawa - Morning of the Journey - Riot - Genesis - 1991

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - Koji Kondo - Princess Zelda's Rescue - Nintendo - SNES - 1992

Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend - Masaaki Iwasaki (Koremasa), Taihei, Seiji Momoi, Arma, Shogo Sakai - Until Tomorrow - Data East - Genesis - 1995

Little Nemo: The Dream Master - Junko Tamiya - Opening - Capcom - NES - 1990

Streets of Rage 2 - Yuzo Koshiro - Good Ending - Sega - Genesis - 1992

Hudson's Adventure Island - Jun Chikuma - Cliffs & Rocks - Hudson Soft - NES - 1988

Street Fighter II': Special Champion Edition - Yoko Shimomura - Guile's Ending - Capcom - Genesis - 1993

Star Fox - Hajime Hirasawa - Game Clear Demonstration - Nintendo - SNES - 1993

Out Run - Hiroshi Kawaguchi, Shinichiro Sato (arr.) - Magical Sound Shower - Sega - Genesis - 1991

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts - Mari Yamaguchi - Ending (part 1) - Capcom - SNES - 1991

Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend - Masaaki Iwasaki (Koremasa), Taihei, Seiji Momoi, Arma, Shogo Sakai - Set Me Free - Data East - Genesis - 1995

Chrono Trigger - Yasunori Mitsuda - Corridors of Time - Square - SNES - 1995

Street Fighter II': Special Champion Edition - Yoko Shimomura - Ken's Ending (part 1) - Capcom - Genesis - 1993

Alcahest - Jun Ishikawa - Title Screen - Square - Super Famicom - 1993

Streets of Rage - Yuzo Koshiro - Good Ending - Sega - Genesis - 1991

15 comments:

  1. Sorry guys, but this is going to be quite a negative post.

    I've been listening to the podcast for a while now and I haven't been too impressed, but this was the worst show so far.

    In general I feel you two have absolutely no chemistry together. Neither of you seem to know what the other is talking about. Neither of you seem to care about the music each other plays though I am sure this isn't the case in reality. In this show the lack of chemistry was embarrassing and very awkward when talking about romantic and sexual matters.

    I have found Rob's musical choices to be extremely limited and repetitive. It was just awful in this show. I don't know if he just chooses songs from games he's played or that other people have pointed out to him, but the same game gets repeated many times each episode, and even over several episodes. There are hundreds of games to choose from, yet it seems he has no interest in finding anything different or new.

    This is a real problem as the shows are themed. It's tiring to hear Brent humouring Rob about his choices and how they tenuously link to the show's theme. In my view, songs should be chosen that match the theme of the show, however I get the impression that Rob chooses songs he likes from his limited pool and attempts to shoehorn them into the show.

    Rob's bias towards the Genesis is also very tiring. There are other consoles to choose from! It seems that the Genesis was his console of choice when growing up and the songs chosen are mostly from the games he played. This is a real problem, both for lack of variety but also shown when the awful Street Fighter track was played. The SNES version fit the theme of the show much better, but Rob's lack of interest in finding new music (or even bothering to listen to what the SNES version might sound like) made his choice laughable. Literally. Brent laughed at this appalling choice.

    It doesn't matter if there is a preference for the Genesis or SNES version of a track, but when one version clearly better fits the show's theme then it just shows ignorance. Brent clearly has a good and wide knowledge of game music, but Rob's just along for the ride.

    If these issues could be addressed then the show would be vastly improved. I've already looked at the track listing for the next show and I see many Genesis tracks, and many from the same game. It's really tiring. Let's try to mix it up a bit more and let's try to find songs to fit the theme and not the other way around.

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  2. Hi Anonymous,

    Rob F. here. I'd like to thank you first for being a consistent listener. Next, I'd like to address a couple of your points:

    "In this show the lack of chemistry was embarrassing and very awkward when talking about romantic and sexual matters."

    Please don't feel embarrassed for me. Our conversation about romance and sexual matters during this episode was well done. Awkward in what sense? Do you feel there is an appropriate way to talk about video game music and romance? Pleas enlighten me.

    "I have found Rob's musical choices to be extremely limited and repetitive. It was just awful in this show...In my view, songs should be chosen that match the theme of the show, however I get the impression that Rob chooses songs he likes from his limited pool and attempts to shoehorn them into the show."

    Limited? In what sense? The theme was romantic music and I delivered. Every tune I picked out fits the theme. Are you complaining about the choices being Genesis tracks? There was nothing "awful" about my choices in this episode.

    "The SNES version fit the theme of the show much better, but Rob's lack of interest in finding new music (or even bothering to listen to what the SNES version might sound like) made his choice laughable. Literally. Brent laughed at this appalling choice."

    You have no idea what research I put in. You also assume I have no interest in finding new music. The purpose of this podcast is to expose new music and I do just that - many of the tracks I present are new to me as well. As for playing a "better" sounding SNES track, well, that is just subjective. If you really listened, you would have heard that Brent was laughing at the difference between songs. It doesn't necessarily make the choice "appalling". In fact, it offers a new perspective to listeners who may only be accustomed to one version.

    "Rob's bias towards the Genesis is also very tiring. There are other consoles to choose from! It seems that the Genesis was his console of choice when growing up and the songs chosen are mostly from the games he played."

    Look, my bias towards it is very tongue in cheek. One only need look at our archives to see that I have in fact presented several tracks from TG-16, SNES, Sega Master System, etc. and they all fall within the given theme of the show. Do I tend to play more Genesis tracks? Yes. But that's my choice - and kind of the point of the show. After reading your comment a few times, it sounds like you have a bias against the Sega Genesis. Are you upset that as a SNES gamer, you never got Lakers vs. Celtics? Are you bothered that the SNES Mortal Kombat featured gray sweat and modified fatalities while Genesis-heads were ripping each other's bloody hearts out? I know I'd still be huffy puffy.

    "Brent clearly has a good and wide knowledge of game music, but Rob's just along for the ride....Let's try to mix it up a bit more and let's try to find songs to fit the theme and not the other way around."

    Again, all my choices have fit the theme. I'm glad you enjoy Brent. I do too and I'm glad we've decided to collaborate on this project. You are very mistaken by saying I'm "just along for the ride." I am not a musician and I may not have a vast knowledge of game music as Brent, but I contribute a ton to this podcast as well. It sounds like you don't like my choices, my jokes, or my perspective. That is all right with me since it's just your opinion.

    In closing, I would like to offer an apology. I'm sorry that I will be playing many more Genesis tracks that you will probably hate because they RULE.

    Big Woop,
    Rob F.

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  3. Anonymous, you're way too critical of the podcast.

    Brent and Rob have a great rapport that has really developed since the first episode.

    Rob's obvious Genesis bias is part of the show's charm.
    Partly because it's reminiscent of so many kids I knew growing up who were quick to champion Sega over SNES.
    And because the Sega sound engine can be incredibly harsh as seen with that Guile theme. (If you didn't find that bit funny I would give up altogether on the podcast.)

    Brent and Rob are not video game music experts. They're learning as they go like you and I about the game systems they played growing up.

    There are actual collegiate courses on video game music that I think would be of benefit to you.
    This is an entertainment podcast. And a damned funny one.


    ps, the Valentine's Day opening music from Streets of Rage 2 had me laughing out loud at the library.

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    1. Well said. I think the boys are really blossoming into their rhythm by this episode. I started at episode 4 & there have been some bumps & awkwardness at times but I like hearing that. It's real & it's human & it's imperfect. It's enjoyable to see you both get better at this & I'm sure by the time I get to the current episodes you'll both be experts but even if your not that's cool. I'm in it for the long haul, guys!

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  4. I like to imagine that Anonymous's comment was written secretly by Brent!

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  5. Lap dance from Kareem Abdul Jabar! Ha!

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  6. LOL @ lyrics to starlight zone theme. Keep up the good job guys, this podcast isn't just about SNES music and so it shouldn't be.

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    1. LOL @ Genesis Guile, even though I did grow up with a Genesis.

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  7. I'm a new listener and making my long journey up to your 150th episode. I'm at episode 20 and I am loving it! I just wanted to say that around here at episode 14 and 15 is where I think you guys are getting into a pretty sweet groove. The chemistry is awesome and I strongly disagree with the above post. Brent's sarcastic and subdued comedy jabs fit in nicely with Rob's smooth and nonchalant demeanor. I'm starting to laugh out loud at your antics - and that's a-good!

    I've been into video game for as long as I can remember and I wonder if anyone's love for video game music surpasses mine. I mean - I'm sure there are but my playlists and MP3 players exclusively contain video game music. I listen to around 2 hours or video game music a day everyday and that's not including when I'm actually playing a game. I have a very extensive collection of thousands of video games from systems ranging from the NES up to the PS2. I compose my own original videogamie music with computer software. I live for this stuff...

    So finding a Podcast was very exciting - It really opened my mind to the possibility that others would care about in-depth discovery and analysis of old game music. And has also inspired me to look into creating my very own podcast at some point down the road. I've already started looking for a local co-host on the east coast. I would probably expand out into systems like N64 and PS1 however I cant help but take a lot of pages from your book that you have already established here.

    Hopefully you guys still read incoming comments from old episodes - otherwise this was a nice waste of time!

    Keep it up!

    -Coz

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    1. Not a waste of time at all, thanks for the comment, Coz!

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  8. Some nice, friendly digs at the Genesis. This sounds like if the super Nintendo was broken. Too good!

    In a round about way, Rob agreed that the super Nintendo sounded better, but his response was he would be paying more attention to the music then Guile's pain. Brent's response: you can feel the pain - the pain in the ears. :)

    Great work from both of you.

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  9. I'm new listening to the LMH

    Just got to this episode and I have to say the Coach K College Basketball song is kind off rhythm... do you agree?

    I'll keep going through the episodes!!

    Thanks

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  10. Reader beware the following post is turbo nerd status. I agree with Rob in that Ryu and Chun Li would never happen. Ryu has no interest in women or time for women. His only interest is fighting and finding stronger opponents. The only article of clothing he has is his gi. I also have the feeling he's probably a Japanese nationalist and would have no interest in anything other than a Japanese woman.
    Ken does dye his hair blonde. He is half American Japanese and is the son of an extremely wealth businessman.

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  11. I've heard Brent's anti-Valentine's Day argument for years from all kinds of people, and frankly it's a pretty ignorant and cynical view to have, and coincidentally, a view that carries bigger implications. If you hate Valentine's Day for singling out one day to celebrate love, then you also have to hate all other holidays for singling out one day to celebrate the things they celebrate. You must hate Mother's Day because you should show love to your mother all the time and not just on Mother's Day. You must hate Veteran's Day because we should celebrate veterans every day and not just on that one day. You must hate Thanksgiving because we should give thanks for what we have every day, and you must hate Christmas because we should spend time with our families and give gifts to our loved ones all the time and not just one that one day. As for your second reason to hate it (seeing couples celebrating the holiday) then you must also hate Mother's and Father's Day and Veteran's Day because you're not a mother, a father, or a veteran. Guess what, Brent. If a holiday has to include you in its celebration in order for you to respect and appreciate it, you're just a selfish bastard.

    The ignorance of this viewpoint stems from the fact that holidays aren't supposed to be the one day you celebrate these things, and there is no implication at all that you SHOULD only celebrate it on that day. We set aside certain days in REMINDER and HONOR of particular aspects of the human experience. Valentine's Day is to honor love and to remind us to appreciate it, Mother's Day is to honor mothers and to remind us to appreciate them, Christmas is to honor giving and to remind us to be giving people, thanksgiving is to honor the idea of thanks and to remind us to be thankful in our daily lives, and so on. Your hatred of Valentine's Day is misguided and narrow-minded, and I felt it was important to educate my fellow man by explaining these things to you.

    I'm a new fan of the show, starting from the beginning and just made it to this point. I'm loving it so far, so don't think this is a hate comment. I just couldn't let the ignorance slide on this particular issue, because it's a widespread idea that completely misses the point of what holidays are for.

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