That Sweet Story Inspiration /// Music Monday #104

Well, well, well. If it isn't time for another Music Monday post!

Our special song of the day just so happens to be . . .

"Red October" from the Audiomachine album Magnus

Composed by Danail Getz

Over the past week or so, I've had a sudden, huge burst of inspiration for writing one of my stories. It's called Maelstrom (stylized as ₼ÆⱠςƬⱤΩӍ), and I honestly have no idea why this story in particular has been like, "HEY! YOU SHOULD WRITE ME!" That's not to say that I didn't want to write it. I've got a lot of great ideas for it. It simply seemed very random, since I'd started it back in late 2016 and hadn't worked on it since early to mid-2017.

Of course, I had to act on this inspiration while it was fresh. I can't recall the last time I've really wanted to work on one of my stories (and trust me, I've got plenty of projects to choose from). So to keep the fire lit and stoke its flames, I did what any writer would've done: I looked at what I already had. I'd written only a few chapters so far, but I was pleasantly surprised by their quality. I also looked at what kind of worldbuilding info I'd gathered. It's not a lot, but it also helped put me on the path of, "I've gotta do this!"

There is, however, one thing that always pumps up my story inspiration to the max, and it boils down to a single, simple word: playlist. I'd already begun gathering songs to use/potentially use for my story. In fact, I've added to the document of music possibilities for the story, and it's become eight full pages of song ideas. I know, it's crazy and over-the-top. But better to have too many ideas than too few, especially since I'm still figuring out what overall direction I want the playlist to take. (Yes, I actually try my best to keep my playlists--especially the more recent ones--consistent in tone and instrumentation.)

Now, while it's all fine and good to add songs to a doc of potential playlist additions, I have no clue where most of them will be used in the story. Here's an insight into how my writer brain works. I'll find several songs ahead of time, usually randomly, and get ideas for certain scenes and how they'll play out based on the music. These tend to be for the beginning and the end of a story, with some middle stuff--but the plot points that get the story from that beginning to that ending are often fuzzy. I generally figure them out as I'm actually writing the story, although it can sometimes change depending on the project.

Enter this song (yes, we're finally getting to the point of this post). It's one of those that I stumbled upon in the beginning. It shot some kind of amazing idea right into my brain, and I was like, "Yes, this is perfect!" I knew that this would make the perfect villain theme. You see, the big bad of this particular story is actually two separate entities that are connected. There's the wild, raging Maelstrom that threatens to wipe out the entire kingdom/empire/still-settling-on-the-best-word-here. Then there's its master, Maalen. He's the captain of a cursed ship and its crew (very Pirates of the Caribbean-like, y'know?).

His first scene involves his ship rising from the depths of the ocean as a storm brews overhead, and he begins making his way toward the capital. I think the track does a lot to show that ominous progression of a ship surrounded by a storm slowly sailing toward the heart of the land, unleashing chaos in its approach and leaving destruction in its wake. The strings, percussion, and electronic elements all add to the sense that what's coming is to be feared. I also love how it ends so quietly, as if the malice in the villain's theme still hangs in the air among the ruins . . . and the dead.

So I know this ended up being me talking more about my story than the actual song, but seriously, I'm just so hyped for this. Yes, I know the story will have some challenges in writing it, from simply using the right sailing terminology to creating a main character who has to start off being a mix of unlikable and likeable before progressing more toward the unlikeable side while the reader still holds on to hope that he'll become more likeable again. But! Those potential concerns are outweighed by my passion for this project, which is partially fueled by songs like this one. It also helps to talk and rave and ramble with you, so thanks for allowing me to do that! I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I love that Music Monday is not only a time to share great music, but it's also a free space to chat about whatever's on my heart and mind.

What did you think of the song? Do you have songs that you go to when you need story inspiration? Do you want to see updates on my journey of writing Maelstrom? What about character art that I draw?

That Confrontational Groove! /// Music Monday #103

So May is one of those somewhat rare months where it ends up getting three Music Mondays instead of just two. How cool is that, eh???

Our track today is none other than . . .

"Confrontation ~ Presto 2011" from Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth - Prosecutor's Path

Composed by Noriyuki Iwadare

If there is one thing that never ceases to amaze me when it comes to Ace Attorney games, it's their soundtracks. They've each got their own unique spin on the same musical style, even as it changes from an older chiptune sort of style to full-blown orchestral. There are so, so many memorable songs for every mood. You've got happy ones, wacky ones, ones that are surprisingly sad . . . and every OST has at least a few foot-tappers or head-boppers. This is one of those songs.

From the moment that organ (it is an organ, right?) starts to play an upbeat melody, you know this is one song that you can't sit completely still through. Combined with the constant percussion and the electric guitar riffs and everything in between, this is one powerhouse theme--especially considering that one loop doesn't even last one full minute. It does what it needs to do in a short amount of time, and it does it exceptionally well.

Someone pointed out in the comments that they nailed what the difference is between the soundtracks for the defense attorneys' games and the prosecutor's games. Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice both are on the defensive, protecting their clients from accusations and turning the tables around to find the truth. Miles Edgeworth, on the other hand, relentlessly pursues the truth and is therefore always on the attack. That's why this particular piece is such a punchy one.

As the title suggests, this plays when you're in the middle of a confrontation. However, these are not mere confrontations. You most often hear this when going toe-to-toe with criminals and murderers at critical points in the arguments and rebuttals segments of cases. Thus, this track is far from overused, so I always get excited and jam out when it comes on. It's just that good.

Man . . . this makes me want to a) share more Ace Attorney songs and b) write more posts where I dissect the games or just rave about them. (Though I really should post more in general. Let's be honest, I haven't been the greatest at that for a while now.)

Anyway, there you have it! Your thoughts on the track? Was I correct in saying that was an organ playing at the beginning? (I have no idea what it could be if it's not.) Does this make you want to groove, too???

Time for Action /// Music Monday #102

Well, it's everyone's favorite time of the week: Music Monday! (At least, I think it's everyone's favorite; if it's not, we need to chat.)

The song we're listening to today is . . .

"Stairs and Rooftops" from Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Composed by Lorne Balfe

I was recently raving about how good of a movie Fallout is, and how it surpassed Rogue Nation in my books. One way it does this is through its score. That's not to say that Rogue Nation's soundtrack wasn't good, but it's not as good of a soundtrack to listen to outside of the movie. It's not as memorable--at least, not consistently. Fallout, on the other hand, has an absolutely incredible score.

Lorne Balfe studied under Hans Zimmer and worked with him in a lot of projects, and I think that Zimmer's fingerprints have been left on Balfe's musical style. You can definitely hear the similarities in this piece. However, that's not a bad thing. On top of that, Lorne has also found his own identity, so he doesn't sound like a carbon copy of Hans.

Now, if you've seen Fallout, you should probably know the exact scene that this plays in by the track title alone. Just to give you an idea of what's happening if you haven't watched the movie, Ethan Hunt is chasing one of the villains, who's casually making his getaway. Hunt is pursuing him without knowing his exact location, so that means the hero is traversing--you got it--stairs and rooftops as he tries his hardest to catch up, while fleeing armed henchmen. It's one of the coolest chase sequences--then again, this movie had a lot of those.

I love how adaptive the music is to what's happening in the scene. For example, you know how there was a bit of choir closer to the beginning? Mission: Impossible movies rarely use choral parts, but Lorne included one in this case because for the duration of that part, Ethan Hunt is running through a church. When the music and the events onscreen work together like this, I think it makes both a lot more memorable.

Another part I love is the piano bits. Piano is an instrument that's rarely used during intense scenes. Lorne has done this before, in Assassin's Creed III. It makes for an incredible piece of music because heavy piano adds a new level of ominousness in action tracks. In this case, the piano is used for the antagonist's motif, and the fact that it's a mix of both lighter and darker notes just elevates the whole piece that much more. That on top of all the rest of the instrumentation and the way the track winds down to the conclusion of the chase makes "Stairs and Rooftops" one of my favorite songs from the Fallout OST.

What did you think of the song? Did you have a favorite part? Have you seen Fallout yet, and if not, why haven't you???

Another Springy Melody /// Music Monday #101

Hey, look at your calendar. Trust me, just go find the nearest one and look at it. (If you stand up to look for one instead of checking it out on your computer or phone, I'm going to be so embarrassed for you.) What day is it today? If you said May 3rd, you're correct! Now look at how many weeks there are in May. Do you see what I'm getting at? If not . . .

May is a very special month because there are going to be three Music Monday posts instead of just two!

Our song today is . . .

"Breezy Mushrise Park" from Mario & Luigi: Dream Team

Composed by Yoko Shimomura

I know I already did one spring sort of song back in March, but it's finally feeling like spring where I live, so I figured, "Eh, why not?" Also Yoko Shimomura. She is one of the best game composers of all time, and one of my personal favorites. Love her work, and I won't tolerate any slander toward her!

Have I ever talked about how much I love the Mario & Luigi series? Because I love it--like, a LOT. It has some of the best RPGs in existence with some of the best humor and music. I've thoroughly enjoyed each game that I've played, and I recommend them to anyone I can. It's really such a shame that the developers, a company called AlphaDream, had to file for bankruptcy. I would've loved to see another entry. The series would be great on the Switch.

When it comes down to OSTs, they all excel. It's hard to pick which game has my favorite score. I'm thinking it might be Dream Team, though. This track in particular was one that made me fall very much in love with the soundtrack. It's hard to describe exactly what feelings it conveys. There's definitely a chipper happiness to it, but the instrumentation does so much more than that. It's really hard to explain. Maybe it's just the nostalgia I'm feeling.

Whatever the case, I think it has a certain springy sort of vibe to it. I honestly don't know how songs can sound like specific seasons and locations, but they can. I wonder if it's just the instrument choice? Like, you'll hear a few instruments frequently in winter locales, or desert worlds, or a multitude of other places. So is it just hearing those specific instruments that causes your brain to associate them with a season or whatever? What would happen if the associations didn't exist? Could a song used for a desert level in a video game suddenly make you think of exploring a sunken pirate ship? Right now, I'm not entirely sure, but that's because of the associations that have been established in my mind. It's weird to think of not having them.

Wow, that was a ramble. But that's the nice things about these posts, right? They allow me to not only share good music, but also whatever thoughts come to mind when I listen to said music. I think it makes for a decent variety of content on Music Monday.

So that's that! What did you think of the song? What impressions did it give you? Do you have any thoughts to add to my ramblings?

The Hundredth Post! /// Music Monday #100

I never really thought that when I started my blog a few years back, I'd end up sharing 100 songs with you. Like, it's a super crazy thought . . . but also not, somehow? I wonder if I'll wind up reaching 200 Music Monday posts.

When I was trying to decide what song I should choose to commemorate this momentous occasion, I figured it had to be one that was special to me in some way. Well, extra special, perhaps. As I wracked my brain, one song came to mind, and it has a very special place in my heart. I give to you . . .

"Guren no Yumiya" from the album Jiyuu e no Shingeki

Performed by Linked Horizon

(Yes, I know I just did an anime song, but bear with me.)

When I thought about this particular song, I tried to recall just how I discovered it. It was one of two ways: I either first heard it in a meme video and ended up listening to the whole thing (which I'm 99% certain was how I found it), or I randomly wanted to check out anime music (which is definitely not sounding right the more I think about it). The important thing is that I found it and listened. It was in that moment that my life was changed.

You see, I liked the song so much that it made me want to watch the show. Who would've thought that hearing a single song would light such a strong interest in me? That interest was enough to buy the first two and a half seasons off of eBay without having watched a single episode. On the fateful day of September 15, 2019, I began my journey both into Attack on Titan and anime in general, and I haven't looked back.

I'm sure you're very well aware by this point that I absolutely love Attack on Titan and am maybe, kinda, just a little obsessed with it. But who knows what would've happened if I hadn't heard the song first? How much longer would it have taken me to watch the show? Would I have ever seen it? (The answer is yes, I think I would've gotten around to it eventually. But that's easy to say now, 'cuz I don't actually know.)

What is it about the song that I love so much? Well, there's that amazing choir that starts the song off with an angelic bang. Then the rest of the instruments kick in, with all the drums and strings and guitars and who-knows-what else. Honestly, "Guren no Yumiya" is a perfect example of just how well "regular" rock instruments can work with an orchestra and a choir. The combination is almost deadly. And let's not forget Revo's voice and how awesome it is too. There's something very . . . likeable about it. I couldn't tell you what exactly, but considering that this song got me into Japanese music, he obviously did something right.

Can I also say that it's cool to hear a Japanese person speak German? Works really well considering that the show is very European-based. Fun side note: the main character, Eren, has the last name Jaeger. In German, that translates to "hunter." So the very first line in the song approximately translates as, "We aren't the prey, we are the hunters!" It fits very well as one of the major themes of the show, not to mention the fact that the song is kind of considered to be Eren's theme.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now. As you can tell, this song is one of my favorites (and is very popular with fans, as they often are referring to this one if they talk about the theme song for Attack on Titan), and it means a lot to me in a few different ways. Seemed like a very appropriate thing to share in celebration of 100 Mondays of music.

So what're your thoughts on "Guren no Yumiya?" Does it make you want to watch Attack on Titan as well? Any thoughts on the last 100 Music Monday posts? I say we raise a glass to the next 100--cheers and huzzah, I say!

The First Anime Opening /// Music Monday #99

Wow, it's time for another one of these? Maybe it just feels like that because of the all the Music Monday Awards posts I've written, especially since there was an extra round.

Our song for today is . . .

"Kiri" from the album Turbulence

Performed by Monoral

I realized that I had yet to showcase any anime opening or ending theme yet. In case you weren't aware, virtually every anime (that I know of) has a song that plays at the beginning of an episode and another for the end. They often have cool visuals that show off both aspects of the current plot and the characters therein without making it obvious that they're spoiling stuff. You tend to notice only after the fact.

Anyway, this one is a bit unusual because openings tend to be more upbeat or intense--at least, in the anime I'm watching--whereas this one is more mellow. That, however, doesn't make it any less good. Not only does it fit its show, Ergo Proxy, really well, but it's also just a nice song to listen to. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was listening to an early 2000s hit, or maybe even a bit of an older Christian song. But nope, it's a Japanese alternative rock band. I have to say, I'm impressed by the lead singer's English. Some Japanese singers have some difficulty pronouncing English words, but this guy doesn't seem to have that issue.

I decided to pick this because it was recently Easter, and this somehow felt like an appropriate song to choose? I dunno, some of the lyrics could be interpreted from a Christian perspective. The main chorus is simply crying out, "Come and save me." And then there's stuff like "You refill my place" and "Believe in me and drink the wine and take my hand and fill me up." It even ends by saying, "Take my hand and let me follow." Could just be me, but it felt like it has some Easter themes to it.

Anyway, I'm not sure what else to say. I'm pretty tired as of my writing this, so I apologize if it's not as interesting as usual. Seeing as the next one will be the 100th addition to this series, I'll have to do something really special for it!

What're your thoughts on the song? Do you agree that it could be seen from the viewpoint of a Christian? How do you feel about there being nearly 100 Music Monday posts?

The Music Monday 2020 Awards - Results Announcement

And thus, the curtain closes on what was undoubtedly the wildest Awards show yet. We all sit on the edge of our seats, wondering which song will come out on top.

Normally, this is where we mention the four songs that ended up duking each other for the victory, but if you recall the update from two weeks ago, there was an unprecedented twist of fate. Two songs were left in the dust--"Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" and "In Hushed Whispers"--while two other songs crossed the finish line with an equal number of votes--"Cherish" and "Attack on Titan." Thus, a round 3.5 was called to break that tie.

The weeks flew by, and 10 people voted. Once again, both songs were neck and neck with each other. I was prepared to once again do something that had never been done before; in this case, that would've been to have a joint victory for the two. But then, the balance was lost. One song received a single extra vote, and thus, a winner was determined. I'll get to that in a minute, though I first want to give the other song a moment of fame too.

When I originally talked about this song, I said that "cherish" was a word not oft used these days. But to me, it was one of the most fitting for 2020. I came to realize just how much I love and need my family and friends. I think the line "I'm gonna cherish you" has kind of become my silent motto now--though perhaps I should voice it more. I do indeed cherish those important people in my family and want do it even more.

And let's be honest: a peppy, upbeat love song with a heartfelt message is going to be liked a lot of people, as evidenced by how many votes it received along the way. I definitely understand why the competition was so close for the last four weeks. It's such an impressive feat, I couldn't not give it some recognition. The song and its achievements in the Awards deserve that much.

But don't just take it from me! Let's hear what some other people had to say about this one . . .

"It's such a peppy, summery song. Cotton candy sweet, yet with a heartfelt warmth to the lyrics of the chorus. It makes me happy every time I hear it. Plus, I love the blend of CBX's voices." -Tracey Dyck

"I love their energy and incredible talent!" -Mom

". . . EXO has had my heart for a long time and the song never ever fails to make me smile and feel good. The whole vibe of the song is very feel-good and I love it!" -lostfairyart (AKA Kaitlyn Dyck)

". . . it's a comfort song for me. I love the meaningful lyrics. The word cherish isn't used often enough. It means a lot to me." -chloegraceartist (AKA Chloe Dyck)

". . . I liked the sound better." -megandrawsportraits (AKA Megan Hiew)

Looks like everyone had some similar thoughts about that song! To me, that says the message came across right. Good show!

Hope. Dreams. Failure. Regret. Death. Sacrifice. Love. Friendship. Terror. Betrayal. Power. Trust.

Those words are just a few subject matters that Attack on Titan, and honestly, that doesn't do it justice. The show epitomizes, in my mind, what a perfect story should be. It gives you well-developed characters that you love (or love to hate, in some cases), an intriguing and engaging storyline with shocking twists that foreshadowed extremely well, intense battle sequences as Titans converge on what remains of humanity, and raw emotions through the various means, including some heartbreaking deaths. And then when it's all said and done, you're left with some food for thought and messages that stick with you long after the story is over.

How does one convey this through the means of music? You might not think it's possible, but trust me, Hiroyuki Sawano's epic and stirring score for the anime more than does the job. He combines things you wouldn't necessarily expect go together: soaring choirs, German vocals, Zimmer-like orchestration, gritty electronic elements, intense electric guitar riffs, and Asian instrumentation to create a sweeping set of songs and leitmotifs. From the horror of the oncoming Titan scourge, to the wrenching dirges for the deceased, to the breathers and moments of quiet, he sets the mood for any scene perfectly.

This particular song is one of the first you hear in the show, as the enemy destroys the peace the people had for a hundred years and devours the fleeing humans. It really sets the mood of the show and makes you take the storyworld and the threat therein very seriously. And the vocals! I know I talked about this when I posted the song for the first time, but I just have to bring it up again. The main female vocalist, a lady by the name of Mika Kobayashi, is singing these lyrics:

Die Erde dröhnt und wird rot

Die Leute erinnern sich an diese Tragödie

Ist das der Zerstörer oder der Schöpfer?

Mit der Glut des Hasses schwenken wir die Schwerter

Ist das unser Schicksal oder unser Wille?

Wir werden kämpfen, bis dieser heiße Wind unsere Flügel nimmt

Was finden wir jenseits dieses Horizontes?

When translated from German to English, we find that she's saying this:

The earth roars and turns red

The people remember that tragedy

Is this the destroyer or the creator?

With the blaze of hate we swing the swords

Is that our fate or our will?

We will fight until this hot wind takes our wings

What will we find beyond this horizon?

This perfectly describes the overall tone and message of the show. When the show was being made, there are at least three individuals who worked very closely together: the writer of the manga, the director, and the composer. Attack on Titan's story is complex and detailed enough that if one thing was messed up, the whole plot could fall to pieces. That's why the key players were on the same page at all times, and I think it's also a huge reason why the show has been so successful. All of the music, both lyrical and instrumental, have added so much to the story and its impact on me.

And of course, we had people in the comments section letting us know why they voted for this song! Let's see what they had to say . . .

". . . the instrumentals in ["Attack on Titan"] are legendarily chilling." -angelarwattsauthor (AKA Angela R. Watts)

"It's just SUCH a good OST." -Nicole Dust

"Though I've yet to watch the show, the piece alone portrays such a BIGNESS to it. I love the drama of it and the wide array of emotions the song pulls you through. It has a sort of end-of-the-world vibe, but a sense of hope, as well--that the heroes will stand against all odds and never give up. It's a really good song and makes me want to watch the show that much more!" -Christine Smith

"Oh man... I guess I'm actually gonna have to think of a valid reason why I chose this song other that the simple fact that AoT is just that epic.

"Well, the song really captures the dark, intense, and sometimes scary theme of AoT. I love the complexity of the track but at the same time I also like the way the vocals that repeat themselves get stuck in your head (definitely isn't a bad thing in this case).

"I hoped at least some of you enjoyed reading my fake, I mean, totally honest and in-depth review of the 'Attack on Titan' song!

"I definitely did NOT choose this song just because AoT is awesome and you should totally watch it. Watch it tho. Please. Just watch it." -Preston Hiew

And there you have it! That finally concludes the 2020 Awards. Congratulations to the both the winner and the honorary winner for getting so far! And thank you to everyone who participated! Without you and your efforts, this wouldn't have been nearly as interesting as it was. What are your thoughts on the winners and the whole show? Any constructive feedback, or have we found our footing pretty good? My thanks go out to EXO-CBX and Hiroyuki Sawano for giving us music that helped get us through 2020!

A Song for Spring /// Music Monday #98

I swear, every time I'm scheduled to do a Music Monday post, I'm like, "Oh, it's that time already!" Don't really know why.

Today's track just so happens to be . . .

"12PM" from Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Composed by Nintendo

Seeing as Saturday was the first day of spring--unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case it's now autumn--I decided that I should choose an appropriate song for the occasion. And let's be real, what fits that bill better than an Animal Crossing tune?

What's kind of funny about this particular choice is that I tend to just play New Horizons on Saturdays, and I'm often on at 12pm. So not only is this one of the few tracks I actually hear in-game, but it also works perfectly as a spring song. But it's so good! I love the folksy feel of it. The guitar and the percussion (I can't tell if it's someone using some kind of hand drum or if they're just tapping the body of the guitar with their hand for the beat) work really well together to create that quaint feeling that's a staple of the Animal Crossing series. I couldn't tell you what the other instruments (or is it just one?) is, but it adds a nice melody to the track.

What I love about this game is how you can just take it at your own pace. I know there are people who blazed through a lot of it because that's all they played when it came out, or because they used time traveling to speed stuff up. Meanwhile, I'm here and have only set up my campsite for visitors in one of my last play sessions. I've really appreciated just enjoying every moment and not moving things along too quickly. If you have a Switch, this game is a must-buy. While it's not my favorite AC title, it's still super fun and relaxing, and looks so pretty too.

And now that spring is here and it's starting to warm up, it's giving me more incentive to spend some time outside, especially with going on walks. That's always been one of my favorite physical activities for a few reasons. 1: walking consistently is apparently a good way to stay fit and healthy. 2: it gives me some time to listen to music and just think about stuff and spend one-on-one time with God. 3: it's also fun to go on walks with my sisters or friends and just chat about all sorts of stuff. So yeah, I'm looking forward to doing more of that!

So that's that! What'd you think of the song? Do you play New Horizons, and if you don't, what're you going to do to change that? (I kid . . . maybe.) What're some of your favorite outdoor activities?

The Music Monday 2020 Awards - An Unexpected Twist

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Hey, wouldn't this post normally be titled 'The Music Monday 2020 Awards - Results Announcement?' This show is supposed to be over by now." Normally, you'd be correct, but it seems we've experienced an unprecedented event--ironically fitting for 2020, wouldn't you say?

Let's first go over what we know for certain. Four songs made it to the final round, and they are as follows:

"Cherish" by EXO-CBX

"Attack on Titan" from Attack on Titan

"Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" from A Hat in Time

"In Hushed Whispers" from Dragon Age: Inquisition

We had 11 people who voted in the last round, 6 on here and 5 on Instagram. 1 person voted for "Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts," and 2 people chose to give their votes to "In Hushed Whispers." While both songs are undoubtedly good, we see now that these votes had no bearing on the end result.

Here's where things took a twist. What we can't figure out is how "Cherish" and "Attack on Titan" received 4 votes each. Never before in the long and grand history of the Awards, spanning from this point in time all the way to its humble beginnings in 2018, with the '17 Awards. The obvious question here is simply this: how do we proceed?

In previous rounds, we've just used a random decision maker to see which song comes up 2 out of 3 times. But this is the conclusion, the grand finale, the endgame! After some deliberation, it was elected that using such methods this time would cheapen the experience and make the sweet victory a little more sour. That is why we must now do something we never thought we'd have to do. It's time for a tiebreaker, a round 3.5, if you will. It's time for . . .

The ULTIMATE Final Round

"Cherish" by EXO-CBX

versus "Attack on Titan" from Attack on Titan

The gripping climax to the 2020 Awards begins now! You have until Sunday, March 28th to vote, and no later. If you vote for a song that you already voted for in round 3, you are not required to restate your reasoning behind it. However, if you voted for neither one of these before, please give your new thoughts as to why you picked it. And please, try not to make this another tie, or we really will have to use a random decision maker.

We will see this legendary battle through to the very end!

One of My Favorite Game OSTs /// Music Monday #97

All right, seems like it's time for another regular Music Monday post!

Our song for today just so happens to be . . .

"The Ronin of Forbidden Valley" from LEGO Universe

Composed by Brian Tyler

I don't know if you ever experienced the awesomeness that was LU, but man, that game was something else. Probably one of the best MMOGs--nay, one of the best video games--I've ever played. It was pretty short-lived due to a lack of enough financial gain, but it was very well-loved while it was around. Actually, there are fans who are recreating the game, and LEGO has basically told them it's okay. The company may have even "unofficially" helped out in some way? I don't recall all the details, but I'm very excited for its release!

This particular track has always been one of my favorites from the OST, and I'm sure you can see why. The instrumentation, the epicness, the intensity, and the use of the main theme about a minute in is nothing short of perfection. I think Brian put a lot of love into this soundtrack, and it really shows. (It might be his best work???) I don't exactly remember hearing the music in game, though I do recall fighting off the ronin on Cavalry Hill and that it was a fairly challenging the fight, so I'm sure the song did a lot to add to that atmosphere.

I think this song is also special to me because I used in my playlist for one of my LEGO Message Boards stories, An Old Face, a New Game. In this particular scene, one of the characters--a somewhat clumsy ninja--has to protect two of the others from an enchanted statue that's attacking them. It winds up being a chase to the top of a watchtower, where the guy tricks the statue into running off the edge. This particular fight, as well as the whole segment of the story with these character (the plot is very episodic), were some of my favorite things to write. I think that whole story holds a special place in my heart, and the music brings back some very fond memories of it too.

Before I close this post, just wanted to mention that, because it was LU's tenth anniversary the other day, the game's OST was officially released to celebrate. I'm not sure where you can all stream or buy it at the moment, but I know for sure you can listen to the whole thing on YouTube and buy it on Bandcamp. If nothing else, I highly recommend that you at least listen to the whole thing.

So that's that! What're your thoughts on the song? Did you play LEGO Universe back in the day? Do you have any fond memories of story scenes you've written?

The Music Monday 2020 Awards - Round 3

Would you look at that? The last matchup of the 2020 Awards has arrived at last, and boy, will it be a doozy!

But before we can begin the last phase of voting, we must first take a look at the results from the previous round. We had 11 people participating this time around, so let's see what they cast their votes for!

January, February, and March: "You Say Run" was said only 2 times. 3 people heard the "Echoes" of what was said. In the end, though, 6 people decided to "Cherish" the moment.

April, May, and June: There were 0 "Trials" in this particular matchup. 4 people were still loving that "Main Theme," but 7 others elected to watch the epic "Attack on Titan."

July, August, and September: 3 people felt the "Magic" in the air, but it was short-lived. 3 more people vacationed in the "Starshine Beach Galaxy," but it cost a lot due to a lack of popularity. However, 5 people enjoyed the thrills of being by blown away by the "Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" while bopping their heads like crazy.

October, November, and December: There were a mere 3 people who relaxed while listening to "Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai." In yet another twist of fate, 4 people said "Goodbye" while 4 more heard it "In Hushed Whispers." So out comes the random decision maker with the best two out of three, and we get . . . "In Hushed Whispers" as the winner.

It's time for you to make the most difficult decision yet! Gather your courage, for it is now time for . . .

The Final Round

"Cherish" by EXO-CBX

versus "Attack on Titan" from Attack on Titan

versus "Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" from A Hat in Time

versus "In Hushed Whispers" from Dragon Age: Inquisition

I leave this up to you, one last time. You have two weeks to deliberate over your final answer, which means that you have until Sunday, March 14th. As has always been with this part of the Awards, I ask that when you vote for your favorite song, you also give your reason as to why you chose it. If that song becomes the ultimate champion, your comments will be featured on the victory post.

The end waits for no one.

Celebrating Zelda's Anniversary /// Music Monday #96

It's time for yet another Music Monday post, and we've got a real special one today! You're about to find out why . . . unless you read the title, in which case you already know.

Our song happens to be none other than the lovely . . .

"Zelda's Lullaby" from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

Composed by Koji Kondo

In case you somehow missed it, yesterday (February 21st) was the 35th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda. I knew I just had to pick a song to celebrate the occasion, as the franchise is one that I hold very dear to my heart. Seeing as how I've already shared a song from Spirit Tracks, A Link Between Worlds, The Wind Waker HD, and the fan album Zelda Cinematica, I figured it was high time to pick something from Skyward Sword.

Choosing a specific song, however, wasn't nearly as easy. Do I pick "Ballad of the Goddess?" Or maybe the one from the opening story, of which most--if not all--Zelda games have. Perhaps I should just pick one of my favorite world, dungeon, or boss themes as a way to represent what the series is. In the end, I went with the old classic and instantly recognizable "Zelda's Lullaby." Not only is it one of the most iconic video game themes in the world, but it also happens to show up in many titles in the series-- or again, perhaps all of them. It felt like a good track to celebrate the anniversary, and Skyward Sword's rendition is probably the best one.

Usually this is where I talk about the music, but I wanna rather focus a bit more on the games rather than the specific song. (Which is absolutely gorgeous, by the way. Never fails to stir some deep emotion within me.) Nintendo had a direct a few days ago, and in it they announced that Skyward Sword HD is coming to the Switch. My reaction to when they showed the first frame of the trailer, a simple shot of the sky, was basically, "Let's go! Let's FREAKING GO!" I couldn't be happier with the announcement, because that game was made to be brought to the Switch.

As it just so happens, this particular Zelda title is one of my top five favorites (in no particular order, it falls in with Breath of the Wild, A Link Between Worlds, Spirit Tracks, and The Wind Waker HD). I have never and will never understand why people hate it or just can't get behind it. I never had issues with the motion controls, and now that the HD version is coming with an option to use "regular" controls, that really can't be anyone's complaint anymore. The story is solid, and the character development is some of the best in the series. The art style is a unique one and very pleasing to me. And the score! My goodness, the orchestral music alone makes this game a masterpiece. Meanwhile, people praise games like Twilight Princess to high degrees, and I'm just like:

I understand that not every game is made for everyone, because if that were the case, no game would ever receive bad reviews or ratings. Just like Twilight Princess HD was in no way my cup of tea, I understand that that might be the case for some with Skyward Sword. I think the important thing is that you actually give said game a fair shot. I played Twilight Princess all the way through, and because of that, I think my opinion and criticism of the game has merit and are justified. You can critique a game fairly and not just hate on it without giving reasons why--but this is a whole other topic, so let me get back on track.

At the end of the day, if you're a Zelda fan, that's awesome. Whether you prefer Skyward Sword or Twilight Princess, or if you still think that Ocarina of Time or A Link to the Past are still the best games ever, or if you only enjoy the 3D or the 2D titles, or if you think Breath of the Wild is overrated, or if you like getting deep into the Zelda lore or the Linked Universe, or if you just enjoy casually playing the games from time to time or simply enjoy the soundtracks--it doesn't matter. We're all part of the Zelda community, and we have a connection because the franchise means something special to each and every one of us. We should start celebrating our differences and appreciating the fact that we don't all have the same tastes, that there's something for everyone. (Preaching to myself here too, because I can get pretty opinionated.)

As of my writing this, Nintendo has yet to announce any specific way they're celebrating the anniversary. Considering how big the series is, I doubt that they'll just let it pass by. But even if SSHD is the only thing they're doing in honor of the past 35 years, I hope that you'll find some way to celebrate in your own way and show your love for the boy in green who never fails to rouse from his slumber in time of need, companions at his side, to face overwhelming darkness and restore peace to the world.

That's that! Do you enjoy the Zelda franchise in some way? What're some of your favorite games or soundtracks? How did you, or will you, celebrate the 35th anniversary? And also, what'd you think of the song?

The Music Monday 2020 Awards - Round 2

Ah, the time has finally come! Round 1 is now officially over, which means the decisions are about to get a lot more difficult. That's right, it's time for round 2!

But before we can properly move on, we need to examine the results of the last four matchups! We had a total of 11 voters, though one person chose not to vote for September while another person didn't submit a vote for November. That's why the numbers will be slightly different. But enough chitchat, let's hear how things went down!

September: A rare occurrence in the Awards, both "The Simulation" and "Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" received 5 votes each. You know what that means: time to bring out the random decision maker and see which one gets best 2 out of 3. All right, don't hold your breath . . . because you're gonna need it when the "Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" coming blowing through!

October: 2 brave souls decided to traverse the depths of the underworld as a "Hellwalker." But 9 people chose to stay back and talk about them "In Hushed Whispers." Quite the victory for the song, but who can blame them? Quiet, eerie strings are just *chef's kiss.*

November: 1 person moved into the "Shifty Boo Mansion" as their new home--I wonder how that's working out for them? 3 people preferred to watch "Aveline's Escape" from said mansion, which must've been quite intense. In the end, 6 people said "Goodbye," because they liked haunting lyrics more than they did haunted homes or the hunted fleeing.

December: "Snowy" would be more aptly titled if it were called "Melty in the Face of Overwhelming victory." While 1 person cast their vote for it, the other 10 were unanimous in their love for "Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai"--which makes sense because the song is certainly a thing of beauty in a cruel world.

Now comes the hard part. Round 2 has you voting for the best song of three months. Are you ready? Will you be able to make a choice in the end? Time will tell, so let's not waste any of it!

January, February, and March

"Echoes" from Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

versus "Cherish" by EXO-CBX

versus "You Say Run" from My Hero Academia

April, May, and June

"Attack on Titan" from Attack on Titan

versus "Main Theme" from Ori and the Will of the Wisps

versus "Trials" by Starset

July, August, and September

"Magic" by Gabriel Brown

versus "Starshine Beach Galaxy" from Super Mario Galaxy 2

versus "Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" from A Hat in Time

October, November, and December

"In Hushed Whispers" from Dragon Age: Inquisition

versus "Goodbye" by Taemin

versus "Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai" by Yoko Hikasa

Now it's time for you to act. The matchups are tough, but I know your will and determination are tougher! Don't forget, you have two weeks to vote, which means Sunday the 28th will be the last day that any submissions are accepted.

Try not to have an existential crisis!

A Favorite Battle Theme /// Music Monday #95

Today we have your regularly scheduled Music Monday post!

Our song for today just so happens to be . . .

"Boss Battle" from SteamWorld Heist

Composed by Image & Form

I've talked some about the SteamWorld series, mostly in my post I did about my top ten 3DS games of 2020. It's a steampunk series about robots in various settings, from the Western deserts to outer space, even to medieval lands! I haven't played all of the games yet (I've finished Dig and Heist, and am now working on Tower Defense), but my favorite so far has to be Heist. Come on, what's there not to love about hand-picking a team of space pirates to invade enemy ships and engage in turn-based shootouts? Might sound crazy written out, but it works really well.

One of the best things about the game is, of course, its soundtrack--which is probably obvious knowing me and the fact that I'm talking about a video game in a music-related post series. If you see anyone talking about the score, it always is about the part that the band Steam Powered Giraffe played in it. Considering that their vibe is a steampunk one, it makes sense that they'd eventually collab with the developers at Image & Form Games. And while their songs are good, no one says anything about the actual score. I couldn't even find the name of this game's actual composer.

What makes the soundtrack great is that it does exactly what it needs to: provide the perfect backdrop to a heist mission, which means you're getting some intense pieces of music when battles start happening, which they do frequently. Each of the three worlds has a unique song for its combat, fitting the tone of the enemy you're facing. It never gets bombastic or crazy, but it fits the heist tone so well.

Then there's the boss battle theme, which plays on three separate occasions in the game. While it worked for each one, it was especially good for the final foe. It's become what I would probably consider one of my favorite video game boss battle tracks. I can't put my finger on exactly what makes it land so perfectly for me. Maybe it's because of the constant drumbeat that never lets up. Maybe it's because of that tune (can't tell if it's guitar or something electronic or what) that keeps cropping up and reminds me of the Divergent OST. Whatever the case, I absolutely love this song and the tone it created during the final moments of the game, which was so much fun. If you own a 3DS, a PC, a Switch, a Wii U, a Mac, a Linux, a PS4, a PS Vita, an Xbox One, an iOS phone, or even a hecking Stadia, you have no excuse to not pick up this game. It's a real gem that's offered at a really solid price and supports a fantastic indie development team to keep making wonderful projects.

Well, there's my rave for the day! What're your thoughts on the music? Have you ever played any of the SteamWorld titles?

The Music Monday 2020 Awards - Round 1.3

Well, well, look at the clock! It's Music Monday Awards time again!

The last round had . . . well, the number of voters went a bit interesting this time. What happened was 6 people voted for every month on my blog, and 4 people voted for every month on Instagram. But this is where things got funky, because on Instagram, we had 1 extra person vote for May and 2 extra people vote for August. So that's why the result numbers are going to differ a bit. But the people have spoken! I give to you what they felt were the top-tier songs of the second third of 2020 . . . behold!

May: This was such a close one. 5 people would've rather wanted to live in a "Tranquility Base," but 6 people preferred "Main Theme"-- main themes are popular these days, are they not? And it's Ori music, which everyone seems to love.

June: Becoming the most divided of the four months, the numbers were split unevenly over the three songs. 2 people wanted to cruise the streets while blasting "Driving Force: Neon Fog," 3 people decided summer was "Too Hot for Pants," and 5 people wanted to face the "Trials" ahead. Can't say these results are surprising, as we have seen the pattern of voters going for a lyrical song when given the option in previous awards shows.

July: "Always Running?" More like "always never stood a chance." While 2 people gave their votes to that opening song, "Magic" gathered a whopping 8 votes in total! That's a 300% increase, for those of you who like stats. Now that truly is magical! Or maybe it's just Gabriel Brown.

August: A rare event happened in this matchup, where each song got an equal number of votes. (This happened 3 times in the 2018 Awards and 1 time in the 2019 Awards.) That means that "Summer (Tropicala)" and "Starshine Beach Galaxy" are being thrown into a random decision maker for best 2 out of 3. And the victor is . . . "Starshine Beach Galaxy!"

Now we proceed to the final four months and their songs. Will this round prove to be even more difficult than its predecessor? Only one way to find out!

September

"The Simulation" from OneShot

versus "Sand 'n Sails Heatgusts" from A Hat in Time

October

"Hellwalker" from Doom

versus "In Hushed Whispers" from Dragon Age: Inquisition

November

"Shifty Boo Mansion" from Super Mario 3D World

versus "Goodbye" by Taemin

versus "Aveline's Escape" from Assassin's Creed III: Liberation

December

"Snowy" from Undertale

versus "Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai" by Yoko Hikasa

You know what you need to do now: vote for your favorites in the comments below! If your favorite songs haven't won in previous rounds, maybe they will this time. As always, you have two weeks, which means that the 14th is the last day that you can vote in this particular round.

Enjoy making tough choices yet again!

Expelling the Cold /// Music Monday #94

So I discovered that my other two wintery Music Monday posts were called "Embracing the Cold" and "Enjoying the Cold." Figured I might as well keep up the accidental pattern for the final chilly tune.

Our song today happens to be . . .

"White Palace" from Hollow Knight

Composed by Christopher Larkin

Hollow Knight is one of those indie games that managed to get super popular and is well-loved by seemingly everyone who plays it. Known for its extreme difficulty and recognized by its beautiful art style, it's a strong testament to what an independent studio can do. I have yet to properly play the game, but what little I have played has proven to be challenging already. What I do know for a fact is that I love the OST.

Christopher's score captures so many moods, from the blood-pumping intensity of a boss fight to the gentle exploration of calmer areas. Judging by the tone of this song, I'm assuming the White Palace falls under the latter, but I'm not sure. The screenshots I saw of it look very pretty, and the music really adds to its solemn, pristine appearance.

I could totally hear this playing on a winter day, sky overcast and snow swirling all around. But what is the exact mood of the song and the scene that it paints in my mind? Is it simply serene, or does it carry sorrow to it? Maybe both, maybe neither. Whatever the case, the instrument choices work well for both that of an elegant palace and a snowy day.

Not really sure what else to say because I'm really tired as of when I'm writing this (Saturday). If you guys think of it, I could use a bit of prayer. I slipped and fell on some ice at work the other day, and on my way down I twisted my leg. I may have sprained some muscles, and it's been giving me some pain and draining me of energy. I'd appreciate any thoughts and prayers.

What'd you think of the song? What mood do you think it captures best? Have you played Hollow Knight, or have you even heard of it before?

The Music Monday 2020 Awards - Round 1.2

And we're back, one and all, to the greatest music awards show ever since the real ones became trash!

In our previous round, 10 people voted for what they thought was the best song for each month in the first third of 2020. We have the results for you now, and they are as follows!

January: Though 3 people who enjoyed the festive spirit of "Toy Day," 7 others preferred the emotional "Echoes" over it. I mean, those hauntingly beautiful vocals, man! How do they not stir up deep emotions within you?

February: 6 people relived the lovey-dovey mood of Valentine's Day through "Cherish." It's really fun and upbeat, but at the same time, it's laden with absolute sweetness. Being cherished by someone else is pretty powerful.

March: "You Say Run," said 7 people, which nailed this track the victory. The song gets your blood pumping and may have even make you want to punch someone in the face--though we don't recommend this unless said person is a villain.

April: 4 people held on to the hope that "Hope (Xavier's Theme)" would win, but those hopes were broken down by "Attack on Titan," much like the Colossal Titan broke through Wall Maria. 6 votes went to that heavy-hitting track in the end!

Now it's time to move on to the next four months and vote for our favorites. Will the decisions be easier or harder for you, you wonder? Well, you're about to find out!

May

"Tranquility Base" from Starbound

versus "Main Theme" from Ori and the Will of the Wisps

June

"Trials" by Starset

versus "Too Hot for Pants" by MDK

versus "Driving Force: Neon Fog" from Katana Zero

July

"Magic" by Gabriel Brown

versus "Always Running" from Meta Runner: Season 1

August

"Summer (Tropicala)" from Stardew Valley

versus "Starshine Beach Galaxy" from Super Mario Galaxy 2

All right, it's up to you now! Submit your votes in the comments and cross your fingers in the hopes that your favorite songs will end up moving on to round 2! Don't forget, you have until the end of the 31st to vote, so try not to spend the entire two weeks despairing over which ones you should choose.

Have fun, and do tell me how this round compares to the last one in terms of difficulty!

Enjoying the Cold /// Music Monday #93

So I reminded myself when the weekend began that I needed to write up a Music Monday post. But then what did I proceed to do? Completely forget about it. So here we are.

Our song for today is . . .

"In Wonderment of Winter" from Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Composed by Gareth Coker

If you listened to the Blind Forest soundtrack back when the first Ori game came out, you know that Gareth Coker is a master at making music that is absolutely beautiful. Give me a game soundtrack with a prettier score. I'll wait. So when Will of the Wisps was announced with Gareth at the helm of the music department again, we all knew we were in for another treat. This song is but a small taste of that gorgeousness.

Seeing as I'm still playing the first game and haven't gotten to the second one yet, I'm not sure where this plays in the context of the game. However, I can definitely say it has some wonderful winter vibes to it. I'm not sure what kind of instrument is making that tinkling sort of noise--I'm bad at instrument names--but it adds a lot to the track overall. It brings to mind images of sparkling snowflakes drifting to the ground. The vocals that start off being a female choir before switching to a male one also work really effectively. It's like their voices represent a gentle wind blowing through and stirring up the snow. And obviously the piano, strings, and flute fill the rest of the snowy tones.

I really don't know what else to say today. I normally get deep and meaningful here, or write some interesting tidbits, but not today. I'm kinda rushing to get this out for you, and it's almost my dinnertime, so . . . there's that. Sorry for this being so short!

I hope you enjoyed the song, and that you're still enjoying winter!