Video Game Music, Opinions on Rina Sawayama & Brian Eno
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore the expansive world of video game soundtracks. They chat with Los Angeles Times critic Todd Martens about the innovative ways video game music is exciting listeners and enhancing gaming interactivity. They’ll also review new albums by Rina Sawayama and Brian Eno, and hear messages from Sound Opinions listeners.
Rina Sawayama made a lot of fans with her debut album, Sawayama in 2020. Now the Japanese-British artist is back with Hold The Girl. It's clear she's a very talented pop artist, but Jim and Greg wonder what her unique perspective is when she's not recreating her influences.
ForeverandevernomoreBrian Eno
Brian Eno is one of Jim's favorite artists and producers. His new album Foreverandevernomore is the first to feature Eno's voice in 17 years. However, his new approach to singing is too detached and leaves Jim and Greg cold.
Video Game Music
Todd Martens is a former music critic turned video game critic at the L.A. Times. He joins Jim and Greg to discuss the trends in video game music and why music fans should be paying attention to that area. It's come a long way from Tetris and Super Mario Brothers. Now it's launching the careers of composers who go on to score major motion pictures and has its own category at the Grammys.
Featured Songs:
Junebug & Ben Babbitt, "Too Late to Love You," Kentucky Route Zero (Original Soundtrack), Annapurna Interactive, 2020
Rina Sawayama, "This Hell," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
Rina Sawayama, "Frankenstein," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
Rina Sawayama, "Hold The Girl," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
Rina Sawayama, "Send My Love To John," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
Rina Sawayama, "Forgiveness," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
Brian Eno, "Who Gives a Thought," Foreverandevernomore, Verve, 2022
Brian Eno, "Garden of Stars," Foreverandevernomore, Verve, 2022
Brian Eno, "We Let It In," Foreverandevernomore, Verve, 2022
Jim Guthrie, "Lone Star," Sword & Sworcery LP - The Ballad of the Space Babies, Dark Flute, 2011
Tycho, "Send and Receive," Hohokum (Original Game Soundtrack), Ghostly International, 2004
Robyn Miller, "Myst Theme," Myst - The Soundtrack, Cyan, 1995
Austin Wintory, "I Was Born for This," Journey (Original Video Game Soundtrack), Sony, 2012
Fantastic Negrito, "Oh Betty," White Jesus Black Problems, Storefront, 2022
Teen Mortgage, "S.W.A.S.," Life/Death, King Pizza, 2019
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "The Mercy Seat," Tender Prey, Mute, 1988
Dead Man's Bones, "Pa Pa Power," Dead Man's Bones, Anti Inc., 2009
Scorpions, "In Search of the Peace of Mind," Lonesome Crow, Brain, 1972
The Who, "Sea and Sand," Quadrophenia, Track, 1973
NNAMDÏ, "I Don't Wanna Be Famous," Please Have a Seat, Secretly Canadian, 2022
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