RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > WipEout XL OST
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
Let it be known that the version I am reviewing is the game CD itself. If you place the actual game CD in your CD player, you can find all of the tracks. So, for all intensive purposes, this is really an OST.
Unlike Wip3out, that has music that is more upbeat and happier, if you will, Wipeout XL is dark and distorted. Wip3out has cleaner graphics and brighter surroundings. Wipeout XL is dark and gloomy. Thus the reason the music had to fit with it's surroundings, which I give a A+ for pulling it off so gracefully.
The first track on the album, done by the fine duo from London, The Future Sound Of London, is a great high energy track to start the album off. We Have Explosive is stunningly dark and surreal, yet very still full of melodies. The ending bit is also nice as well, the progression level of this song one of the best on the album. Certainly a fine way to start the album off. If you ever get a chance, I would highly suggest you go and get the single for this song that was #1 in the UK for some time years ago. The remixed version that TFSOL does is great, with sheep and wolves sounds. You have to hear it see what I mean.
The Chemical Brothers hardly ever disappoint, and again on this album, they pull through. The track Dust Up Beats starts off engrossing and is enough to fill the whole 6 minute mark repeating itself, but this is The Chemical Brothers we're talking about. No unnecessary repeating done here.
Photek brings his talents to the table with the shorten version of The Third Sequence clocking in at 4:50. The long version... well, let's just say you might be running back to this version. If I remember correctly, it's a nice 7+ minute song. Very repetitive. But not this version thankfully. It has a very engrossing drum loop, and appropriate sound effects going in and out of the beat to keep it interesting.
CoLD SToRAGE, Psygnosis in-house, one-man music maker did the last two tracks, with Body In Motion being a stand out to the rest of the tracks. It's kinda poppy in it's ways, which is weird since the whole CD is dark. Though he does through some deep, distorted bass lines in there, it still seems pretty happy. a good song, nonetheless.
And of course we can't forget Prodigy's Firestarter. The Instrumental of course. This rockin' techno track starts off with high energy and doesn't let up. The ending of the song is full with so much intensive energy that you can't help but get up and dance.
Probably one of the most boring tracks on the album is Underworld's Tin There. Clocking in at 6:08, this is an EDIT. I fear to hear the whole song. It's very repetitive, starts out the same and only adds beats and various sound effects along the way. Nothing at all impressive. And very annoying.
With only one track being the loser out of the group, this album is pretty solid all the way through. You should have a nice love of techno though before you listen to it. It's aim is that demographic anyway. Smooth, dark tunes all the way that should release the tension out of anyone.
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| Album Information | Reviewer Rank |
|---|---|
|
WipEout XL OST Published by: Astralwerks Release Date: October 15th 1996 Composed by: Various Artist 1 Disc, 14 Tracks Catalog: ASW-6189 |
85 |
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
Let it be known that the version I am reviewing is the game CD itself. If you place the actual game CD in your CD player, you can find all of the tracks. So, for all intensive purposes, this is really an OST.
Unlike Wip3out, that has music that is more upbeat and happier, if you will, Wipeout XL is dark and distorted. Wip3out has cleaner graphics and brighter surroundings. Wipeout XL is dark and gloomy. Thus the reason the music had to fit with it's surroundings, which I give a A+ for pulling it off so gracefully.
The first track on the album, done by the fine duo from London, The Future Sound Of London, is a great high energy track to start the album off. We Have Explosive is stunningly dark and surreal, yet very still full of melodies. The ending bit is also nice as well, the progression level of this song one of the best on the album. Certainly a fine way to start the album off. If you ever get a chance, I would highly suggest you go and get the single for this song that was #1 in the UK for some time years ago. The remixed version that TFSOL does is great, with sheep and wolves sounds. You have to hear it see what I mean.
The Chemical Brothers hardly ever disappoint, and again on this album, they pull through. The track Dust Up Beats starts off engrossing and is enough to fill the whole 6 minute mark repeating itself, but this is The Chemical Brothers we're talking about. No unnecessary repeating done here.
Photek brings his talents to the table with the shorten version of The Third Sequence clocking in at 4:50. The long version... well, let's just say you might be running back to this version. If I remember correctly, it's a nice 7+ minute song. Very repetitive. But not this version thankfully. It has a very engrossing drum loop, and appropriate sound effects going in and out of the beat to keep it interesting.
CoLD SToRAGE, Psygnosis in-house, one-man music maker did the last two tracks, with Body In Motion being a stand out to the rest of the tracks. It's kinda poppy in it's ways, which is weird since the whole CD is dark. Though he does through some deep, distorted bass lines in there, it still seems pretty happy. a good song, nonetheless.
And of course we can't forget Prodigy's Firestarter. The Instrumental of course. This rockin' techno track starts off with high energy and doesn't let up. The ending of the song is full with so much intensive energy that you can't help but get up and dance.
Probably one of the most boring tracks on the album is Underworld's Tin There. Clocking in at 6:08, this is an EDIT. I fear to hear the whole song. It's very repetitive, starts out the same and only adds beats and various sound effects along the way. Nothing at all impressive. And very annoying.
With only one track being the loser out of the group, this album is pretty solid all the way through. You should have a nice love of techno though before you listen to it. It's aim is that demographic anyway. Smooth, dark tunes all the way that should release the tension out of anyone.
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