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Checking my hotmail account yesterday (something I rarely do) I was shocked to see a reply from Winifred Phillips with an invitation to listen to her newly released album, the soundtrack to Spore Hero.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I loved her work with SimAnimals and when I read her email I was in awe that she somehow found this site 🙂

So as a kind act of favor, I’d like to post up a review of the Spore Hero Original Soundtrack (OST for short) and share my thoughts for each individual song.  Before I begin, I have to state the basics – I’m not a professional journalist/reviewer, I have no musical skills (unless you want to hear me play the trombone – you don’t) and the review reflects my own opinion which may be completely different to that of yours.  My taste in music is a little unusual as  I don’t keep up with regular music (I.E. Country, Rap, Rock)…Most of the music I prefer are those used in TV Shows/Movies, video games, commercials and other media.  The only artist I truly keep up with is Weird Al…what can I say, I love to laugh. 🙂

Yep…my iPhone’s full of songs from Weird Al, Spongebob Squarepants, songs from the television show ‘Chuck’, The Sims 3, SimAnimals, Super Mario, and many other odds and ends.  I think Spore Hero will fit in quiet nicely.  Let’s get to the review, shall we! (continue reading this review, you must!)

The Breakdown:

Title: Spore Hero Original Sound Track
Composer: Winifred Phillips – Official Site
Producer: Winnie Waldron
Price: $8.99 – $9.99 at Amazon or iTunes
Total Listening Time: 1:01:48
Based on: Spore Hero, the videogame from EA/Maxis

Short Bio: Winifred Phillips is currently a music composer for video games. Her works include Spore Hero, SimAnimals, Shrek the Third, Speed Racer – The video game, God of War, The Maw and many others. She also has a background as an author writing short fantasy stories published in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Fantasy Magazine and in the Sword and Sorceress XX. She also served time in a series of radio dramas during 1992 – 2003. Her most current piece of work is Spore Hero, which she and her long-time creative partner Winnie Waldron produced and composed by Generations Production LLC. For an in-depth biography on both of their accomplishments, visit this page.

Spore Hero – Track 1:  Spore Hero Main Theme

The theme that everyone should be familiar with – it’s the title theme you’ll hear during the game’s opening sequence!  The tune isn’t meant to be an attention grabber, it stays calm with a nice drum beat and (like I mentioned above, not a musical expert) what I believe to be a flute or clarinet… It does its job which is to fill the background with peaceful music until you select the appropriate choices in the game.

Time:  2:37

Spore Hero – Track 2:  Home World

Haha, the first few seconds had me thinking of the very beginning to The Simpsons theme.  Home World is a short piece which often jumps back and forth from mild to ‘furious’ and ‘adventurous’ throughout the tune.  A nice touch was added near the end of the song using percussion and ‘springy’ sound effects.  While I did enjoy this piece, I don’t prefer musical pieces that switch themes on you.  One minute I had the volume up real loud – for the calm – then quickly had to turn it down a notch when the other mood kicks in’.  Have to say, they nailed the temperament between the two.

Time:  1:49

Spore Hero – Track 3:  Haven

Haven has to be one of the most peaceful songs on the soundtrack…It sounds like it could very well be featured in a Disney movie.  It’s meant to provide enjoyment and warmth, which IMO does the job fantastically.  Already at track 3 I think this is going to be one of my favorite!  While it’s 5 minutes, listening to it will make you think only a minute has gone by.  Slow day at work?  This track will lift your spirits and help you pull through the day that much faster.  It works for me!

Time:  5:10

Little did you know, before Keyboard Cat was a sensation, there was Winifred Phillips

Spore Hero – Track 4:  Sporable

Afraid I have to say, Sporeable does not work out well for me in terms of wanting to listen to it.  Can’t say it really held my attention.  In my opinion, this sounds like an old cartoon chase where one sneaks and hides when the other one turns around to look.  It picks up right in the middle in hopes that it gets better – and it does…but I’ve already lost interest…

Time:  2:23

Spore Hero – Track 5:  Sporaging

The very beginning reminds me of some of the music in Ghostbusters – so I can tell this is going to be a fantastic piece straight from the start if it puts the thought of that movie in my head!  The tune picks up pace in the middle of the song, I’m not exactly sure how to describe it…it’s like if you’re running, the music would be running with you.  Bah, I’m horrible at descriptions.  Just have a listen yourself 🙂

Time:  2:46

Spore Hero – Track 6:  SporeZone

Kicks off with a…would it be an Eastern tone(?)…giving off sort of an exploration feel…It doesn’t keep my attention though…for the most part it’s very slow – with pieces that make you feel like you’re just drifting or searching for something.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing by any means – it’s just not for me.

Time:  5:58

Posing with Spore Hero producer Mathieu Cote

Spore Hero – Track 7:  Monster Mayhem

Loud and powerful, chalked full of brass, drums with a dose of woodwind instruments.  I’ve yet to play the game as the time of this review, but either it’s from treading in enemy territory or it’s one of the battle pieces.  It’ll definitely pump up the blood!

Time:  2:06

Spore Hero – Track 8:  Sporexplore

This piece combines many types of music together, piecing from various places around the world.  You can hear familiar sounds of the outback, jungle, tribal…many other places.  I have to tip my hat (if I wore one) to Winifred for this track.  She managed to combine so many different styles and pull it off successfully.  I wonder if this is a hint on if she’ll be doing the soundtrack for SimAnimals Africa?

Time:  5:13

Spore Hero – Track 9:  Beast Brawl

Another battle song but with a faster pace.  The many different sounds they use really fill this track.  The springing sound effects make it that much better.  Unfortunately it is so short it leaves you wanting more.  But hey, that’s what the rewind button is used for!

Time:  1:55

Winifred Phillips standing in front of the Spore Hero booth at E3 09′

Spore Hero – Track 10:  Wanderment

Kicking off with a beautiful ‘magical’ tone, you’ll soon be dazed by the many strings and brass instruments.  It gives off a calm and relaxing vibe.  Another well done track, striking up similarities between the music Nintendo uses in the Legend of Zelda franchises.

Time:  6:00

Spore Hero – Track 11:  Sporeward

Sporeward does its best to bring everything done a notch…Sounds like it is the most soothing track on the album.  Nice touch of violins at the beginning, then taking it to…I’m not familiar what instrument it would be – but it sounds of soft whistling thru the air (again, I can’t describe worth a dang) and the added chimes near the end!  A favorite of mine.

Time:  2:42

Spore Hero – Track 12:  Creepy Things

This song would be awesome to play for Halloween, the music is perfect for the delight of spooks and scares – yet it really isn’t scary by any means. In my opinion, it feels as if it came out of the classic love-able Scooby-Doo show when they explore a haunted mansion.  It’ll spark memories, that’s for sure…considering Halloween is perhaps the most enjoyable holiday, I’ll be adding this tune to my playlist for the trick-or-treaters (yeah…I make Halloween CD’s) 😛

Time:  4:38

Winnie Waldron (right) producer of the Spore Hero OST alongside with Winifred Phillips, the composer

Spore Hero – Track 13:  Evolvable

A fast pace theme that will have you hanging by the end of your seat – if you’re sitting that is!  Full of brass, percussion and a number of other instruments make up the arrangement.  It really gives off a ‘Danny Elfman’ vibe, as if it could be featured in a Batman movie.  I marked it down as another favorite of mine!

Time:  3:22

Spore Hero – Track 14:  Sporeabilities

Refreshing and delightful, Sporeabilities plays off nicely with flutes and soft percussion instruments.  It pulled me through a ‘meditation-like’ state of mind…before I knew it, the song was over.  Chalk this one up for a tune to use during relaxation!

Time:  2:04

Spore Hero – Track 15:  Nemesis

Boss battle incoming!  Low brass (hey, I’m a trombone player) makes up the highlights in my opinion, coming in strongly throughout the track all leading up to an ending with the music charging up taking your character into battle.

Time:  3:36

Pro Tools HD, the software which helps make the magic!

Spore Hero – Track 16:  Critters

No, this song isn’t from the 1986 movie with the same title – although it very well could be!  I find it strikingly funny as this tune carries a ‘space’ theme.  The song has moments where you could imagine yourself walking down a dark corridor wondering what could be lying ahead of you.  Its the only ‘terrifying’ (in a good way!) tune on the soundtrack.

Time:  2:28

Spore Hero – Track 17:  Spore War

Angry and aggressive, it’s battle after all – and I like!  As with most battle music, you’ll have the loud choir pop in from time to time “awwwwwwwwwwww” “awwwww” “awwwwwwwwww” accompanied with a strong electric guitar and electricified sounds.  Very brilliant piece, I’d love to hear more in this tone!  Perhaps her God of War soundtrack?

Time:  3:06

Spore Hero – Track 18:  Hero Theme

What better way to end the track then with a Hero theme.  This theme comes off as a military ‘battle cry’ theme where you march out into battle, yelling ‘CHHARRRGGEEEE’.  It’s a excellent tune to end the soundtrack on…leaving you to want more – especially the last 30 seconds of the song.  Over already?  Dang!

Time:  3:55

End review

And that’s it.  Yeah, if you made it thru the whole review…you can pretty much tell I lack in any experience for writing or judging music 😛  What about you…are there tracks that you like or dislike?  Please post your thoughts in the comments!  Feel free to share this review with your site by linking back!  Oh, and remember you can pick up the Soundtrack from Amazon or iTunes, along with the game for Wii (Spore Hero) or DS (Spore Hero Arena) if you have yet to do so!