RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > F-Zero X Guitar Arrange Edition
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
Easily one of the most rockin' soundtracks you'll ever hear from the guys over on the East side. Not only is this an excellent soundtrack, but one I doubt you'll ever find outside of mp3 format. This CD is very rare, being that it's a Nintendo soundtrack. They had a habit at one point of releasing very limited amounts of their CD's, including this very rare gem.
The band featured here is one of the best instrumental bands I've ever heard, next to Konami's own Kukeiha Club. The band consist of a guy on the keyboards, mostly synthing an organ sound, bassist, two guitarist, one lead, the other rhythm, though some songs they share the same amount of work, and a drummer. I must comment on the drummer for a moment. While I'm no drummer (though I ascribe to one day be), I can honestly say that this is the best drumming work I've heard since Incubus. If he can squeeze a roll in there, you can bet that it'll show up.
Decide in the Eyes is the best example of this drummer at work. The semi-solo the drummer has at the beginning of the song is nothing short of amazing, with him rapidly hitting the bass drum with a double peddle, as he makes his rounds across the toms and back to the snare. He doesn't miss a beat the whole time, and a shame more drummers don't strive to be as technical, while at the same time entertaining as this gentleman.
Of course, the guitar work isn't anything short either. Crazy Call At Cry is a great example of this. The music rips open with the guitar slides up and down the fret board and right into the music very easily. The rhythm guitarist work on this song is stupendous, as he power chords the whole lot of it, until the bridge comes around and he easily sides into the main riff. The lead guitarist also does a fabulous job at displaying lead guitarist skills as he continues to rip it up all the way home. The solo he has near the end reminds me of what it must have been like to go to the old 70's concerts and hear solo's (good ones, mind you). A time when they were still all the rage.
Staff Roll is a great song that showcases the great bass work that is hidden pretty much in all the songs, what with the loud wails of the guitars. The popin' qualities that a lot of bassist seem to forget makes a return in this song and it's a welcome addition. They also enlist a sax player and a guy on percussion playing the conga. One of the slower songs, but not by much, this also shows the great range this band possesses.
Climb Up! And Get The Last Chance! is the song that showcases the talent of the keyboardist. I never before hearing these guys thought that a keyboardist could make rock music even better. All the other times I heard it in the past (Aerosmith, Train) I wasn't impressed at all, but these guys proved me wrong once again.
I wish I could tell you something horrible, some minor flaw in one song or another, but then I would be lying. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this album, and after listening to this over the course of the years, I still haven't grown tired of it. A must own album (if your fortunate enough to find it), or at least add it to your mp3 collection. A fine set you should own whether you like Rock music or the F-Zero themed songs or not.
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| Album Information | Reviewer Rank |
|---|---|
|
F-Zero X Guitar Arrange Edition Published by: Media Factory Release Date: January 27th 1999 Composed by: Taro Bando, Hajime Wakai Arranged by: Ryuichi Katsumata, Taro Bando 1 Disc, 10 Tracks Catalog: ZMCX-101 |
100 |
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
Easily one of the most rockin' soundtracks you'll ever hear from the guys over on the East side. Not only is this an excellent soundtrack, but one I doubt you'll ever find outside of mp3 format. This CD is very rare, being that it's a Nintendo soundtrack. They had a habit at one point of releasing very limited amounts of their CD's, including this very rare gem.
The band featured here is one of the best instrumental bands I've ever heard, next to Konami's own Kukeiha Club. The band consist of a guy on the keyboards, mostly synthing an organ sound, bassist, two guitarist, one lead, the other rhythm, though some songs they share the same amount of work, and a drummer. I must comment on the drummer for a moment. While I'm no drummer (though I ascribe to one day be), I can honestly say that this is the best drumming work I've heard since Incubus. If he can squeeze a roll in there, you can bet that it'll show up.
Decide in the Eyes is the best example of this drummer at work. The semi-solo the drummer has at the beginning of the song is nothing short of amazing, with him rapidly hitting the bass drum with a double peddle, as he makes his rounds across the toms and back to the snare. He doesn't miss a beat the whole time, and a shame more drummers don't strive to be as technical, while at the same time entertaining as this gentleman.
Of course, the guitar work isn't anything short either. Crazy Call At Cry is a great example of this. The music rips open with the guitar slides up and down the fret board and right into the music very easily. The rhythm guitarist work on this song is stupendous, as he power chords the whole lot of it, until the bridge comes around and he easily sides into the main riff. The lead guitarist also does a fabulous job at displaying lead guitarist skills as he continues to rip it up all the way home. The solo he has near the end reminds me of what it must have been like to go to the old 70's concerts and hear solo's (good ones, mind you). A time when they were still all the rage.
Staff Roll is a great song that showcases the great bass work that is hidden pretty much in all the songs, what with the loud wails of the guitars. The popin' qualities that a lot of bassist seem to forget makes a return in this song and it's a welcome addition. They also enlist a sax player and a guy on percussion playing the conga. One of the slower songs, but not by much, this also shows the great range this band possesses.
Climb Up! And Get The Last Chance! is the song that showcases the talent of the keyboardist. I never before hearing these guys thought that a keyboardist could make rock music even better. All the other times I heard it in the past (Aerosmith, Train) I wasn't impressed at all, but these guys proved me wrong once again.
I wish I could tell you something horrible, some minor flaw in one song or another, but then I would be lying. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this album, and after listening to this over the course of the years, I still haven't grown tired of it. A must own album (if your fortunate enough to find it), or at least add it to your mp3 collection. A fine set you should own whether you like Rock music or the F-Zero themed songs or not.
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