******************************Special Sticky Post******************************
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!
Well, uhm, what to say… she is a genious!
In fact, with this soundtrack, most times just close your eyes and imagine ancientness while making you transported by melodies seeking each other in a fun and heartwarming game: you see all those fun and yet calm and pacific creatures roaming around you, battling you and socialising with you.
Especially the battle themes, in which your body will warm up and your brain is all absorbed in all these tribal melodies.
So, even before playing, you see the SporeWard: a masterpiece of calm and yet heavy melodies that can transport you in the ancientness of the universe, from which you don’t want to go away ever more.
After that let thyself be transported by the heroic and yet serene Hero Theme!
Feel the power of tribal force and the destiny awaits you in this still pristine planet.
So, you begin your journey: initally, you’ll see the synopsis, accompanied by the Home World; and what’s fun is that this track follows so well what the cutscene is showing us, underlining the events without being too invasive and with a definitely beginning note a la The Land Before Time, going then to a more dark them when your nemesis appear, and then, oh well…
Just one thing: Mejee: the tone is so fit with him, cheerful and yet a bit dumb, taking you safe with his new acquired powers.
Then it’s the turn of a good Sporable theme, though, I have to say, a so long them for just breaking your egg maybe it was not so fit.
But, if you enjoy staying in your egg, be prepared to be transported into a good scape of the planet’s Mushroom Valley by a delicate run-up of primitive sounds.
So, you finally break your egg, and you are hit by all those marvellous colours of the Valley and, of course, by the music: a mix of Asian and African notes, all, as usual, seeking for each other in a very fun game.
While you Sporexplore, the special guest for me are the flutes: the fit greatly and add that Asian touch never too invasively.
So, while roaming about, you’ll fell like all those creatures are playing a fun game with you and yourself is having a great time in the Valley, while at the same time staring at the beautiful landscape and, why not, having a fruit snack, eh eh.
But, soon, you’ll have to learn how to combat: now! It’s showtime for your claws with an awesome Beats Brawl!
Espee won’t stand a chance against your claws and your biting mouth young hero!
But, of course, he won’t be only one: so be prepared to warm you up often with this theme, while dodging perilous bombing shells or hatred charging.
Then there’s the Haven: though dwelled by that “old coockie”, which is the Sage, you the same feel the ancientness (yeah, ancientness: this soundtrack is for ancientness addicted) of the Ancient Grounds calmly but reflective (maybe because of the presence of the Idol), roaming so tranquil in this so green grass and swimming in beautiful water pools.
After this, you’ll hear a bit of a Spore Zone, but your opponent wants you beaten up: it’ time for your Nemesis to close with you.
But you don’t give up: during this battle, you begin to understand his strategy and begin also to strike him back for good! But he is resistant, and so you go on, while feeling he can be a truly menace for a while, when he wants you really dead: dodging, biting, charging, jumping and kicking is all what both he and you can do.
At the end, though, you are more determined and defeat him.
So, here again the Spore Zone, which begins with a pretty said note, but soon it becomes a bit mysterious and sad tone, while after a bit becoming more adventurous: you walk in these ancient (I suppose) Moonlite Stoneway grounds with other nice water pools and giant spaces, while after a bit again becoming more calm but pressing for a while, letting you being absorbed by the pretty obscure but awesome caves, obviously with that little touching Asian accent.
But in the caves lure the Tubertongue Plants: it’s time to get past them all with a pressing and pumped Sporaging: you avoid their tongues heroically but hardly.
Then you can reach, after other adventures, the Moonlit Caverns, with another mysterious and pressing theme: Creepy Things are happening there, and you’re about to stop them all.
Phew, you’re almost done, but before you have to face other combats: now we are talking about a Monster Mayhem, the best theme when battling “common” (eh, they still are whimsical and kind after all) creatures: here your body really gets into the mayhem: with all those spouting and kicking, you’re having hard time with them, but this track will make you believe in yourself more and make you feel you are really in the arena with your opponent.
After that, you have to help a cute king in the Mushroom Grove with a bit Oriental Wanderment, in which you can feel the atmosphere seen in the Grove with a nice feeling of freshness, calm and quietness all together, all while exploring this fantastic Grove surrounded by so many trees you can actually picnic in it.
So, technically you’re done, but if you are so addicted to secondary missions, why not helping Boldyrok, a Kazamiope tribe member with his trouble?
So, be prepared to some Evolvable action!
Dodge perilous bright stones (I suppose) while almost “racing” to save a cute ugly monster from a red crystal: the action is both heard and seen, and oh boy if it’s heard so well, feeling like a race for saving in general, like in those American films in which a potential hero must save the day.
So, going further, the action and the sounds go further too, going more and more pressing.
But while doing all of this, do not forget to get better your Sporabilities young hero: this time, the theme is the most Asiatic ever heard in the game, feeling like you have to think of your hero but at the same time it makes you relaxed about what to do next.
Also, while destroying the red crystals, you’ll meet the infamous little (and cute, I have to say) Critters: little demons ready to bite you without stopping.
But you won’t see them initially: a bit of mystery and then, BOOM, all the sudden they pop in front of you: be ready to kick these tiny beasts for good!
Phew, young hero, after the Creature Beach, you face him: Zarkhator… it’s time… for the Hero Theme! Now the Phillips’ God of War style seem to see the light: in this theme, you hear sacrifice and epic, all packed so greatly, so that your heart pulses and you feel you must accomplish thy duty.
But, it’s not over yet: after managing to keep Zarkhator not so close to the Brain, you must face him once again after the Heart: it’s time to declare him Spore War! Now Kratos would be so proud of you, young hero: here the so epic theme! Feel like the ultimate battle between Ying and Yang, Light and Obscurity, you and Zarkhator, Blue and Red are battling to decide the destiny of a single planet, but at the same of all your friends: the Sage trusts you so much you cannot lose… kick! Spout! Spin-kick! Fly and use all what you learnt from all the inhabitants: after some time, the theme goes so epic you feel not a single planet, but the entire galaxy is to be saved! And be prepared for the very end of it: you’ll nerves will be so tensed.
So, that’s my review: it may seem a bit, eh, sentimental, but I couldn’t do diversely, especially since I think review are to be done by who like or hate the things they are reviewing, so that the thing will be objective but also with the true objectivity.
Hence, I hope you all enjoyed this 🙂