Music Review - Bastion Original Soundtrack

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Tomenaki
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Music Review - Bastion Original Soundtrack

Post by Tomenaki » 27 Jan 2012, 16:03

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I do hope this is the right place for this.

Bastion, as many know, is an indie Action RPG developed by Supergiant games, and is their debut breakout game. It gained amazing acclaim thanks to the art style, gameplay, story, presentation, and music. I played the game on Steam a while back and enjoyed every minute of it, even when it made me want to pull my hair out. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, but I wanted to give more attention to the music of the game and focus in on that. Each track of this was composed by a pretty unknown (at least to me) composer by the name of Darren Korb. for his first big success, I’d say he did a top-notch job. I hope you all enjoy.

Bastion Original Soundtrack

1 - Get Used To It: 3.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s1F523S2lw
- As far as opening tracks go, this is pretty straightforward. It’s a simple track with the Narrator of the game talking to you. It’s a small bit of the story, and outside of the game, it can seem a bit odd, but otherwise it’s a nice opening.

2 - A Proper Story: 4.8/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzGEiER7mkc
- A great opening track that really speaks to the somewhat chaotic nature of the opening section of the game. I don’t remember if this actually plays in the game or not, my memory is a bit fuzzy on this particular track.

3 - In Case of Trouble: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jU9EFTMhbY
- It starts out softly, but soon grows into a layered mix of musical tastes.

4 - Bynn the Breaker: 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrndRM9thzg
- I adore this song, I can’t say much else. The style, flow, and amazing rhythms within it just make me smile each time I listen. This is also a very very layered piece of music which speaks to the composer’s ability to blend various elements together.

5 - The Sole Regret: 4.7/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKf5Cc2EGv0
- A slower track, which speaks of a sadder tone throughout. The introduction is just a small part of the full experience, though.

6 - Twisted Streets: 4.8/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqQzvuUmf4s
- Another harder-hitting track and in the game it plays at rather appropriate spots.

7 - Terminal March: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-aexLJKwME
- This one can seem somewhat “noisy”, but overall it fits the feel of the whole game and soundtrack. I like it a bit more when the melodic-based parts play, but I do like the track as a whole. I see what the composer was going for, and it fits where it plays in the game.

8 - Percy’s Escape: 4.2/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QaGGSiA3yI
- Run run run! This song just speaks of having to get out of the area quickly, and that’s exactly what it’s for. It works quite well.

9 - Faith of Jevel: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_CRopcnFeY
- You may recognize this if you’ve played the game. I know I’ve heard it over and over. It’s a haunting piece that really brings along the sense of loneliness and longing.

10 - Mine, Windbag, Mine: 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOXSDh_Lswc
- Much like Bynn the Breaker, this song sticks with me as one of the finest on the soundtrack. The power and drive behind it just make it stand out as one of the best.

11 - Slingers Song: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mDWzu5yxLg
- This song is a little too plodding for where it plays, and while I do like it, it’s not the best. Still a nice track though.

12 - Build That Wall (Zia’s Theme): 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8cELTdtw6U
- If you want a great vocal track, look no further. It’s just vocals and a guitar, which fits perfectly in the style of the game.

13 - Spike in a Rail: 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQWAcgefsQQ
- Another great track on this soundtrack that stands out. I really just love the complex beats and styles that are being thrown in here.

14 - What’s Left Undone: 2.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kJKZKj7OBI
- You get to hear the Narrator sing here for like… a few seconds. It seems kind of a filler track, honestly.

15 - Brusher Patrol: 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYaFbFLAQlQ
- Another great track following the style of the album and the feel of the game. It stands out more to me because of the harder rock attributes woven into the somewhat country feel.

16 - The Mancer’s Dilemma: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HHqdLrTBwQ
- Before talking about this song, I have to bring something to light. The first time I heard this I immediately went “this sounds familiar” and I can tell you why. Now I don’t want to label anyone as a thief, especially not when the rest of this soundtrack is as amazing as it is, but this track sounds stolen to me. I’ll give my example below.
This song, while good, sounds an awful lot like a song done by Xavier Naidoo from his 2009 album, Alles Kann Besser Werden. The song in question is, Meine Muse (linked below). The similarities of the songs both worry me and pique my curiosity into just how the composer came about to making this very track.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnajugmHhYc

17 - Mother, I’m Here (Zulf’s Theme): 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlfUcnSbKDA
- Another great, yet simple, vocal track. It really is rather melancholy.

18 - Pale Watchers: 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96s07TeFTkg
- A somewhat more ethereal track that flows with a smoothness that makes me just relax for some reason. It does have its share of sad moments, though.

19 - The Bottom Feeders: 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4w6sgxBQE
- A very floaty, more ethereal piece that makes me feel like I’m fighting something in my dreams. It has an oppressive tone about it that really just hits hard.

20 - From Wharf to Wilds: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di45CbaAHek
- A different feel of sorts compared to the other tracks. It’s a bit short though.

21 - Setting Sail, Coming Home (End Theme): 5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDflVhOpS4E
- If you thought Zia and Zulf’s themes were great, then you will adore this song. It’s a beautiful mix of both tracks with a great background track. It really flows amazingly well.

22 - The Pantheon (Ain’t Gonna Catch You): 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s3b5OR2YhE
- Another short track from the Narrator, longer than the previous one and better. I happen to like it. The simple style works very well.

Overall: 4.7/5
The soundtrack, as a whole is great, even with any lacking tracks throughout. I still take issue with The Mancer’s Dilemma, but other than that, I am quite pleased with the work Darren Korb has done with this. I have enjoyed a great deal of it, and that’s not always the case with these.
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Lord_Mountbatten
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Re: Music Review - Bastion Original Soundtrack

Post by Lord_Mountbatten » 27 Jan 2012, 16:43

14 - What’s Left Undone: 2.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kJKZKj7OBI
- You get to hear the Narrator sing here for like… a few seconds. It seems kind of a filler track, honestly.
Outside of the game, yes, but it definitely works better for where you're supposed to be. And as far as I know they put everything into the OST.
16 - The Mancer’s Dilemma: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HHqdLrTBwQ
- Before talking about this song, I have to bring something to light. The first time I heard this I immediately went “this sounds familiar” and I can tell you why. Now I don’t want to label anyone as a thief, especially not when the rest of this soundtrack is as amazing as it is, but this track sounds stolen to me. I’ll give my example below.
This song, while good, sounds an awful lot like a song done by Xavier Naidoo from his 2009 album, Alles Kann Besser Werden. The song in question is, Meine Muse (linked below). The similarities of the songs both worry me and pique my curiosity into just how the composer came about to making this very track.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnajugmHhYc
Does sound very similar. However, how likely is it that Darren Korb has heard of Xavier Naidoo? I certainly never have. In fact, I'm usually surprised so many original tracks can continue to be produced without clashes.

I do agree that in general the soundtrack is excellent. I think I bought it very quickly after the game, before I'd even finished the game in fact (I simply had to buy "In Case of Trouble" and "Built That Wall").
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Tomenaki
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Re: Music Review - Bastion Original Soundtrack

Post by Tomenaki » 27 Jan 2012, 17:09

Lord_Mountbatten wrote:
16 - The Mancer’s Dilemma: 4.5/5
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HHqdLrTBwQ
- Before talking about this song, I have to bring something to light. The first time I heard this I immediately went “this sounds familiar” and I can tell you why. Now I don’t want to label anyone as a thief, especially not when the rest of this soundtrack is as amazing as it is, but this track sounds stolen to me. I’ll give my example below.
This song, while good, sounds an awful lot like a song done by Xavier Naidoo from his 2009 album, Alles Kann Besser Werden. The song in question is, Meine Muse (linked below). The similarities of the songs both worry me and pique my curiosity into just how the composer came about to making this very track.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnajugmHhYc
Does sound very similar. However, how likely is it that Darren Korb has heard of Xavier Naidoo? I certainly never have. In fact, I'm usually surprised so many original tracks can continue to be produced without clashes.
The thing is, Xavier isn't an amazingly unknown artist, especially in Germany and Germanic-speaking countries (or in most of Europe for that matter). Plus, just because you may not know of him, doesn't mean that it's possible Darren took that little melodic line from the artist. Two years between Xavier's album and the Bastion soundtrack is a good deal of time, so it makes it somewhat suspicious to me.

I do agree though, the soundtrack, as a whole, is great. I just wish there were some explanation about that one track or if anyone else has brought the odd similarity up to anyone/the composer himself.
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