The art of Game Music
Being an avid fan of video games, part of the whole experience comes from the music.
I've posted many songs here that really meant something to me. But as this place is limited to words, I've put only songs that had lyrics. At best I may have mentioned some songs that had no vocal at all (like Destati - Dive into the heart, that has a chorus, but no lyrics).
When video games began, little audio could be produced by them, having limited audio channels it was difficult to create a melody. But even so, that did not keep the major artists from achieving immortality. Mario, Sonic, Zelda and many other games whose music will live on for many years to come if not forever. Latter, video games achieved more audio channels allowing better songs and sound effects. This now represents musics that were award winning, and seemed more like something out of an orchestra. Now a days we can put mp3 into games, so we can produce any kind of songs we desire.
One thing that is interesting to observe about the general public. They will listen to rock, samba, jazz, swing, pop, black and even funk. But show them a song that is from a game, and they will criticize like hell. But recently I heard this new cd from a radio station that my friend got as a gift. If you took the lyrics out, that song was left with a two instruments beat, with no more creativity than the worse songs in video games. What made those songs top hits? Their lyrics.
Sure, lyrics are important, but not essential. Therein lies the beauty of video game soundtracks. The skill it takes to put emotion into a scene, or a moment, without using words, is as great as creating a historical melody. Doing so with limited tools, is worthy of recognition.
It requires this artistic mind to see the art within songs without lyrics. I love this band, Rhapsody, and in most of their CDs they put some songs with no lyrics. The ones with lyrics represent great progressive rock songs, but the ones without are the ones that set you into this medieval ambient. Same goes with games, a song without words, is no less artistic than one with, but it surely has to have a great artist behind to pass such vivid sensations without describing them.
I feel bad for the composers, both kinds, but specially the ones that compose for video game, since they'll be less credited for their creations. I believe they don't care, they sure shouldn't worry what the world thinks of them, but I'm greatly thankful for all the heart they put into their creations, for I believe they give much more emotion than most top hit songs.
I believe they are true artist, some of the greatest there ever were, and their names should not be forgotten.
People should learn to appreciate more types of art, or at least respect the others.