Forgotten gems in Sonic soundtracks?

[Chaos Incarnate]

          This is the second installment of Forgotten Sonic music made by random instruments.

          As I said before, it was amazing how Sega did a lot of research to capture the music of the different cultures featured in Sonic Unleashed. When Sega was looking for the right kind of music for their American inspired Empire City, they turned to the most american sounding instrument. The harmonica! Nothing screams good ol' american folk music like this peppy country instrument. Ok, so technically the harmonica was not created in good ol' america. It was actually made by some dude from good ol' Europe named Christian Fredrich Ludwig  Buschmann (Wow, thats a long name.). Despite this the harmonica was a key instrument in American folk music. So grab your cowboy hats folks, if you don't have a cowboy hat then go out and buy one. For its time to listen to the glorious harmonica music featured in Empire City! What I like about the Empire City music is how Sega also put the saxophone in it. The saxophone was also instrumental in American Jazz music (forgive the pun). So this song is kind of a mashup of instruments important to american musical history. Its easy to imagine your in the big apple itself when you hear this song.

 

I love both of Empire City's hub themes, but I still slightly prefer the night theme. The Day theme is a lot more upbeat, but I just think of Empire City going to sleep(doesn't make sense, I know) when I hear the Night version. Come to think of it, I actually prefer every night hub theme, even though all the day themes are great too. Nice pick, a lot of tracks from Unleashed that aren't day stage themes are forgotten gems.

Edited August 21, 2013 by Chaos Incarnate

[Neon The Hedgehog]

I love both of Empire City's hub themes, but I still slightly prefer the night theme. The Day theme is a lot more upbeat, but I just think of Empire City going to sleep(doesn't make sense, I know) when I hear the Night version. Come to think of it, I actually prefer every night hub theme, even though all the day themes are great too. Nice pick, a lot of tracks from Unleashed that aren't day stage themes are forgotten gems.

        Yeah, a lot of the Night themes are better in my opinion as well. Except I like the Dragon road day better than Dragon Road night. I think my only problem with Sonic Unleashed is that when you play the night levels the werehog battle theme interrupts the night music every time you see a foe. I especially enjoy the night music for holoska (Im not sure if I spelled it right, but you know what I mean).

        My favorite sonic album is a tie between Generations and Unleashed. My least favorite is Sonic Battle (the gameboy advanced game) since the melody is rather hard on the ears. What is your favorite album?

Edited August 22, 2013 by Neon The Hedgehog

[Chaos Incarnate]

        Yeah, a lot of the Night themes are better in my opinion as well. Except I like the Dragon road day better than Dragon Road night. I think my only problem with Sonic Unleashed is that when you play the night levels the werehog battle theme interrupts the night music every time you see a foe. I especially enjoy the night music for holoska (Im not sure if I spelled it right, but you know what I mean).

        My favorite sonic album is a tie between Generations and Unleashed. My least favorite is Sonic Battle (the gameboy advanced game) since the melody is rather hard on the ears. What is your favorite album?

Right now, Unleashed is my favorite album, but Cd's JP soundtrack and Generations are on the verge of becoming my favorite. Cd's is really catchy and enjoyable, while Generations is an entire album consisting of the best Sonic songs known to man remixed. But with Unleashed, I get an incredible feeling of diversity from each world location, as they draw from what they're inspired by(Empire City is Jazz, inspired by NYC, and Chun Nan is oriental for being based on china.) Plus, the cutscene tracks and orchestral theme feel booming and cinematic, although I slightly prefer the Colors orchestral theme.

[a mystery]

Forgotten gem? Ooooh, boy...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko6gQvqRvt0

 

I ADORE Apotos' hub theme - it's easily one of my favorite hub themes from Sonic. The instrumentation of guitar tapping, acoustic strumming and flute really works for me, and the composition is just phenomenal - it really gets me in the mood of a brand new morning, ready to wake up and have some fun adventures! The night theme also manages to give a very satisfactory night feeling - it's like looking back on the fun day you had, ready to settle down and go to bed, to get awoken by the Day theme the next morning.

 

Yeah, I really love this tune~

[Neon The Hedgehog]

         Summer is winding down and soon the weather outside will be colder. So what better way to wait for the upcoming holiday season than by listening to some of Sonics best frozen zone songs? So sit back, grab a peppermint hot cocoa and listen to these tunes. For the weather outside will soon be frightful. And the fire so delightful. 

                  I'll start off with a random instrument found in the music of Holoska in Sonic Unleashed. Holoska was inspired by Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland and also the Inuit villages of the Arctic. Sega worked hard to give the music for it the sound of falling snow and they were very successful. To achieve this they used a very random instrument called Jingle Bells! Also known as the sleigh bell, this instrument is not only good for toe tappin' holiday music, it also creates a unique sound for a video game level.  Jingle bells are several bells placed on a maraca like stick so that when you shake it a harmony of bells chime. No one knows for sure who first invented the bell. The earliest we have seen bells is 3rd millennium BC in the Yangshao culture of neolithic China. Ive always enjoyed how Sega combined the bells and harps in this song with the saxophone. Its an amazing melody sadly long forgotten.

                          

              My favorite snow level featured in Sonic has to be Ice Mountain act 1 from Sonic Advanced. Not only is the scenery gorgeous, but the song is so amazing that you don't mind if it gets stuck in your head. I really don't know how else to describe my love for this song. So instead of words I'll just throw in some emotocons.      

Edited August 23, 2013 by Neon The Hedgehog

[mikeblastdude]

Just thought of something else that I had to share.

 

 

No one else seems to know this song at all. It's not even included in the sound test! D: I've never seen any mention of this song before, ever (I was barely able to find it on YouTube, as "Unknown Theme 2").

 

Anyway, this is the music that plays during the single-pak "Collect the Rings" multiplayer game. I just love this song so much. It's so upbeat. The perfect music for collecting rings in a Green Hill-type setting.

[Cyclone T-301]

Music that I think is often overlooked would be the exclusive tracks from the PC version of Sonic 3. Part of it would involve nostalgia, or even not finding the composition interesting, but I think on their own, they're very good.
 

Carnival Night Act 2: This music sounds so lively and joyful that reminds you that you're in a carnival.
 

 

Launch Base Act 1: I love the fanfare-like intro, it's a great way to be introduced in Eggman's base. This music gives the feeling of infiltration and push on until the end.

 

 

That music bring back memories. Sadly, some tracks weren't included in the sound test. This being one of them.

[VGamer]

This little gem from Sonic Advance. Honestly it's the best credits song I've ever heard, and just hearing this makes you feel rewarded for beating the game.

 

Oh, and every track from Sonic Unleashed.

[spinny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEYBuKg54Gw

 

AW YET ME! AW YET ME! AW YET ME! AW YET! YET! YET! C'MON!

 

Altitude Limit is... the sixth level in Sonic Rush that most of us would like to forget for its dickish level design, but this music... SOOOOOO good.

[Blue Blood]

AW YET ME! AW YET ME! AW YET ME! AW YET! YET! YET! C'MON!

 

Altitude Limit is... the sixth level in Sonic Rush that most of us would like to forget for its dickish level design, but this music... SOOOOOO good.

I'm pretty sure it's "don't get me" or "won't get me". "Aw yet me" makes no sense.

[a mystery]

I'm sure Naganuma chopped samples up and mixed them around.

 

"Understand understand, understand understand, understand understand, the concept of, concept of love!"

"Yeah you don't stop, just proceed, cause this is what you need, proceed, just proceed, cause this is what you need!"

"Back to Back, we're spinning on the- Back, Back to Back, on the turntables- Back!"

 

Yeah.... You get the idea.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Can of Nothing

[Chaos Incarnate]

This little gem from Sonic Advance. Honestly it's the best credits song I've ever heard, and just hearing this makes you feel rewarded for beating the game.

 

Oh, and every track from Sonic Unleashed.

Agree with you on Unleashed

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8rpj92zYCs&hd=1

 

Still though, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you on Sonic Advance having the best credits song and say I prefer Advance 3's. It makes me feel.. really sad to be honest. It speaks to me, as if it's saying "Goodbye GBA, goodbye original Sonic Adventure Cast, see ya on the DS! That's all from the Advance trilogy, folks!"

[Blue Blood]

I'm sure Naganuma chopped samples up and mixed them around.

 

"Understand understand, understand understand, understand understand, the concept of, concept of love!"

"Yeah you don't stop, just proceed, cause this is what you need, proceed, just proceed, cause this is what you need!"

"Back to Back, we're spinning on the- Back, Back to Back, on the turntables- Back!"

 

Yeah.... You get the idea.

Those are all complete samples. It sounds like "won't get me" and chances are all three of the words are just one sample.

[Neon The Hedgehog]

          So something odd happened today. I was walking my dog when "Can you Feel the Sunshine" started going through my head over and over. I had the sudden urge to listen to that song. Which was odd since its been a while since I listened to Sonic R.

        With shame I admit that there are a couple of Sonic classic games I have yet to play. I've listened to the music of the classic games and love the songs. Especially Sonic and Knuckles. But I think I would appreciate the music more if I played the games they were for. I did not even know the name of TJ Davis who sang "can you feel the sunshine" off the top of my head. Which I found unforgivable since other than Sandy Cressman, TJ Davis was one of the first Sonic singers. And an amazing one at that. So to make up for it, I thought I would dedicate this post to the great songs TJ Davis contributed to Sonic music.

              Everyone already knows about the amazing Song Super Sonic Racing, so I want to point out some other forgotten Gems by TJ Davis. Lets start with Can You Feel the Sunshine. This song is so catchy and upbeat, no wonder it got stuck in my head. Its lyrics really define who Sonic is. Someone who enjoys running the speed of sound, enjoying every moment and never looking back. 

             Now call me crazy, I wont be offended since its true. But my favorite TJ Davis song is not Super Sonic Racing, but Back in Time. There are parts of it that remind me of the Tikal theme song in Sonic Adventure. Like your exploring the ancient ruins found in Sonic Levels. Anyway, I love this song because it has a wonderful harmony. It was made before people digitized their voices, and TJ sings it to perfection. Its just darn good. Nuff said.

        This is just my personal taste, no one has to agree with me. But my favorite credits song was from Sonic Generations. It was like a history book of all of the amazing music and levels of Sonic. When I first heard it after finishing the game I was filled with nostalgia of all the great  Sonic levels and music. From classic to modern. It was perfect. Almost makes me want a sequel to Generations, which with my luck of sonic games I would like to see sequels to won't happen (*Cough Sonic Unleashed 2 Cough*).

Edited August 25, 2013 by Neon The Hedgehog

[spinny]

Now call me crazy, I wont be offended since its true. But my favorite TJ Davis song is not Super Sonic Racing, but Back in Time. There are parts of it that remind me of the Tikal theme song in Sonic Adventure. Like your exploring the ancient ruins found in Sonic Levels. Anyway, I love this song because it has a wonderful harmony. It was made before people digitized their voices, and TJ sings it to perfection. Its just darn good, Nuff said.

 

Considering you love the Unleashed soundtrack (if not more than I do xD) I'd be surprised if you didn't know Jungle Joyride Day actually uses the exact same flute samples heard in Back in Time. It's a very famous comparison and can be heard very early within both tracks.

 

For comparison's sake, here's Jungle Joyride.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oU7Uvy5uik

[Chaos Incarnate]

          

           Now call me crazy, I wont be offended since its true. But my favorite TJ Davis song is not Super Sonic Racing, but Back in Time. There are parts of it that remind me of the Tikal theme song in Sonic Adventure. Like your exploring the ancient ruins found in Sonic Levels. Anyway, I love this song because it has a wonderful harmony. It was made before people digitized their voices, and TJ sings it to perfection. Its just darn good. Nuff said.

        

OMG, Back in Time is one of my favorites in Sonic R as well *squeals*

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zex_DZcEn4o&hd=1

 

Diamond in the Sky is under rated, as well.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Chaos Incarnate

[Neon The Hedgehog]

Considering you love the Unleashed soundtrack (if not more than I do xD) I'd be surprised if you didn't know Jungle Joyride Day actually uses the exact same flute samples heard in Back in Time. It's a very famous comparison and can be heard very early within both tracks.

 

       Oh my gosh your right Super Sonic Spindash! Thats so cool! Thanks for pointing that out!

 

     Chaos Incarnite, you've got good taste in Sonic music. Actually, everyone who has been posting on here does as well. People are pointing out sonic gems I am happy to rediscover. Diamond in the sky was awesome, I should have remembered that one.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Neon The Hedgehog

[Chaos Incarnate]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4QyJjMOEcY&hd=1

 

Holoska Day is so freakin' heart wearming. It just makes me feel so good and happy inside. Aside from, well, Ice Cap, Diamond Dust Genesis, and Ice Mountain( Sonic stadium remix by Urban Flow), it's easily my favorite Winter song in Sonic. Someone needs to remind me to include this as one of the Sonic songs I'm listening to on Christmas morning.

Edited August 25, 2013 by Chaos Incarnate

[LordMetallix]

When it comes to Heroes soundtracks there are a lot of memorable tracks, but one track I never really see anyone mention is the Casino Battle Arena theme from the multiplayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwU7m7ICZvg

It's an incredibly catch tune just like all of the other Casino tracks in Heroes and a track I love.

 

And here's one from Rush Adventure

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fASrk048TuI

 

This track is so jazzy and catchy I LOVE IT. This is a track that's sadly overlooked compared to other tracks in the game and the series in general. At least in my experience.

[Zavok the SpinningSilver]

When it comes to Heroes soundtracks there are a lot of memorable tracks, but one track I never really see anyone mention is the Casino Battle Arena theme from the multiplayer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwU7m7ICZvg

It's an incredibly catch tune just like all of the other Casino tracks in Heroes and a track I love.

 

And here's one from Rush Adventure

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fASrk048TuI

 

This track is so jazzy and catchy I LOVE IT. This is a track that's sadly overlooked compared to other tracks in the game and the series in general. At least in my experience.

 

YES! Vs. Whisker and Johnny is one of my favorite boss themes in this series! Dat jazz is amazing, and it really feels like you're fighting a pirate captain and his first mate. I love it!

 

Same with the allegro version. Not as much as the original track, but it's still a head bopper.

[The Chairman Of The Board]

call me crazy but the entire Sonic R soundtrack especially Work It Out

[Blue Blood]

Speaking of Rush Adventure, I've just been reminded of Windmill Village modes 1 through to 4. They're quite cool remixes of the S3 menu theme, and really fitting of SRA's tropical setting. Love!

[TheOcelot]

I like the music track in the 'Twinkle Circuit' bonus stage in Sonic Adventure. You also get to hear the first part of this track in the cutscene where Tails crashes his plane, and Sonic then proceeds into Emeralds Coast in order to find him.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Ma6zX1txQ

Edited August 25, 2013 by -Bender- Wolverine

[Faseeh]

Speaking of Rush Adventure, I've just been reminded of Windmill Village modes 1 through to 4. They're quite cool remixes of the S3 menu theme, and really fitting of SRA's tropical setting. Love!

 

yay for more SRA love!

 

Sky Babylon and Coral Caves are the go to tracks from this game but I love the Waterbike theme.

 

 

I also find the boss theme to be very enjoyable, especially the pinch mode. It gets you really pumped up. Seeing this remastered would be amazing.

 

 

But this is just marvellous. From the moment it starts, you know it's gonna build up, with the vocal-esque synth backing up, it feels so right for snowboarding. The drums are really kicking and then it's just awesome. 

Edited August 25, 2013 by Faseeh

[VGamer]

Agree with you on Unleashed

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8rpj92zYCs&hd=1

 

Still though, I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with you on Sonic Advance having the best credits song and say I prefer Advance 3's. It makes me feel.. really sad to be honest. It speaks to me, as if it's saying "Goodbye GBA, goodbye original Sonic Adventure Cast, see ya on the DS! That's all from the Advance trilogy, folks!"

 

What about Sonic Genesis? After listening to it again... I'd say they're tied. Advance for how pumped up and awesome it sounds, and Advance 3 for how sad and "goodbye"-ish it feels.