ReMix:The Binding of Isaac "The Clubbing of Isaac" 3:54

By Big Giant Circles

Arranging the music of 2 songs from 2 games ( view all )...

"Can o' Salt (Ch 3 Light World)", "Sacrificial"

Primary Game: The Binding of Isaac ( , 2011, WIN), music by Danny Baranowsky

Posted 2011-09-28, evaluated by djpretzel


The Binding of Isaac, with a soundtrack by ex-judge, ReMixer, and indie composer superstar Danny B, just released today on Steam, and Big Giant Circles has provided us with a RELEASE-DAY MIX that's also a free cut off the official soundtrack!

Pretty cool, I'd say; Danny played a preview track from Isaac at our PAX 2011 panel and I liked what I heard, and I just went and bought the game on Steam based solely on my appreciation for Super Meat Boy - and its music. BGC writes:

"Umm comments. So Danny asked me a couple weeks ago if I'd do a remix for his soundtrack release. And even though he was too busy to contribute to my own album (directly anyway) I just take one look at his lovable beard and I just can't say no. :) Anyway, Danny's been sharing the soundtrack with me pretty much since he's been working on it, and his writing is per usual, top notch. I've sort of been his consultant on what VSTs to get to expand his studio collection as well, and this soundtrack clearly proves that he's making good use of my recommendations :)

Choosing a source tune was intimidating b/c there's some very clever writing in all of it. "Sacrificial" was the first track Danny released on bandcamp though before the OST was out, and I enjoyed it from day 1 so I figured I'd give it a go. I figured the easiest way to make a nice remix that didn't just cop out on the original would first be to make it 4/4, seeing as the original is like 9/8 and 6/8 (I think). That was really really tricky, seeing as not only do 9/8 melodies throw you for a loop when changing them over, but seeing as even as far as 4/4 goes, dance/club/dubstep doesn't like to be bumped out of the whole "stuff must happen every 4 measures" tendency. That was the biggest challenge and the final version ended up pretty different than when it started, but I think it turned out ok. Also, it's got a Super Meat Boy cameo in it, of what is arguably my favorite track in the game, "Can o' Salt." So win-win-win and all that. I blame Mick Gordon (N-JekteD here on OCR) for any of my dubstep tendencies lately, due to his awesome enlightening me to for his awesome contribution to my album Impostor Nostalgia. :]"

I'm really liking the interaction lately between OCR and indie games & composers; obviously, when someone mixes Zelda, there's a nostalgia factor there that you're not gonna get with a game JUST released, literally, today, but there's a whole different angle: A chance for more contemporary, collaborative mixes where the mixer actually knows the composer, everybody's cool, and the music is about mutual respect. It's a different dynamic, and I'm happy to see more of it, because VGM appreciation isn't JUST about nostalgia, it's also about what's happening RIGHT NOW, and where things are headed, and this is the type of mix that connects OCR to that dialogue. I think it's really important to point that out, and this seemed like a great opportunity to do so.

BGC's mix is predominantly dance/club oriented, but you won't have a hard time picking out where dubstep steps up the wub-wub; Jimmy builds things up with a nice delayed, plucky synth arpeggio intro, before really cool hybrid cinematic/electronic percussion comes in (almost sounds like whip cracks, there), drops out at 0'39", and then gives way to a haunting music-boxish melody before going full steam @ 1'03", where a single solo choral voice is introduced and then joined by an ensemble - very well executed dynamics, there! The Binding of Isaac shows what Danny B is capable of, and is quite distinct from Super Meat Boy, and this mix illustrates how far Jimmy's come, and the myriad tricks he not only has up his sleeve, but which he uses in conjunction. Kudos to both gentlemen; check out the game AND its soundtrack today!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Black_Doom
on 2015-12-02 12:28:47

I'm huge EDM fan, and this remix is surely great. It's not bursting with energy, yes, but it's still pretty head-bopping and toe-tapping. The dubstep breakdown is pretty okay for me, but it could have been better. Love the guitar-centric build-up. Overall, a nice clubby track.

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Stevoisiak
on 2013-05-26 10:02:37

I really freaking love this remix. Its Danny Baranowsky + Big Giant Circles. How can it not rule?

But... I just can't get into the dubstep breakdown halfway through the mix. Its not BAD by any stretch of the imagination. Its just not for me. Which is a shame for me, because I really do want to love this remix, but its something I cannot look past.

Still, amazing remixing as usual.

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Esperado
on 2013-02-24 14:24:01

i always thought this was related to can of salt, which blew my mind. but it makes sense to see that this is a ReMix! would explain the melody crossovers between the two songs. silly me

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HitoriJaNai
on 2011-12-07 13:35:11

I have probably overused the word fantastic far too much, but that does not mean that I cannot say that this track is FREAKIN' FANTASTIC! Because of the awesomeness of this, I went and listened to The Binding of Isaac soundtrack... and eventually got the full Indie Game Music Bundle :razz: But seriously, this just reeks of quality. The dubstep bits are well executed, the synths are on the mark (I especially like the intro bit with the echo through the speakers), and this always makes me tap my foot every time I hear it. Pure. Awesome. For the win.

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Bahamut
on 2011-12-06 18:50:34

This is a nice serious brooding mix. It flows pretty well and has a nice touch that the higher end synth adds to it. Overall a great effort by Jimmy, who has been on fire as of late!

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Crulex
on 2011-12-02 09:56:06

Sweet ReMix. The intro was golden and I loved how you threw in a little bit of dubstep, which was perfect and didn't overstay it's welcome. The entire ReMix had a great electronic beat that was driving, but not overly frantic. The whole mix was really interesting and I like it.

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Martin Penwald
on 2011-11-23 15:04:09

Loads of energy in this one; very enjoyable.

The only part I'm not too hot on is the stuff around 1:50, where it briefly drifts into dubstep territory.

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Cash
on 2011-10-29 17:43:30

Awesome, incredible intro. The rest of the song was just as good, if not better. People should also check out the game for which the source was created.

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Rexy
on 2011-10-20 13:19:35

Got to have to say that it's cool to already do something for one of Danny Baranowsky's scores, especially considering his presence in OCR in years gone past. :)

As for the track itself, the blending together of both the Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy sources was seen to be just genius all around, and really captures a firm example of how credit should be given towards the composer - making sure to acknowledge the work at hand while still being able to capture that similar emotive quality that the composer gave in. I've understood the difficulty of trying to write a melody originally in a different time signature into something more standardised, and in this form it actually transitioned to the point that the source material could've easily been 4/4 to begin with.

With all the dedication you've given towards Baranowsky's role and vice verca (something I can admit I saw a great deal of on Twitter over the months), I can say that you managed to do a great justice to his work. It's definitely a keeper from me :)

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big giant circles
on 2011-09-30 14:36:28

Glad you guys like it. :)

Dave thanks for yet another awesome and well-written writeup 3

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Rhythm
on 2011-09-30 03:16:21

This is an awesome track from an awesome soundtrack. Also, if you want to buy the full binding of isaac album you can get it here: http://dbsoundworks.bandcamp.com/album/the-binding-of-isaac-2 for a buck. Yes you read that right, all 28 tracks for one dollar. Also I'm really glad to see a remix to such a new game. I love VGM more than almost anything, and the more notice it gets the better.

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Guifrog
on 2011-09-29 18:56:28

I'm quite a fan of tracks like this. It not only makes my legs move, but also my heart (coz there's times when I feel like it doesn't beat at all). It's dancey, but also emotional. And it goes so deep in details that it sounds like I'm diving through a dozen aspects of reality.

:mrgreen:

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C7
on 2011-09-29 18:52:55

This is one sweet remix! I love it, though I do have to admit that i think the wub just feels a little out of place in this one. Regardless, it's still a cool track and totally worth listening to a lot.

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duskvstweak
on 2011-09-29 11:27:08

So, I'm sitting at my desk, checking OCR for new mixes. I see this new one by BGC and check it out.

My roommate is playing a game I haven't seen him play before and it has a neat soundtrack.

"What game are you playing?" I ask.

"The Binding of Isaac." He answers.

I stop and turn back to my laptop and my brain explodes.

Thanks for the moment and also an amazing new remix. I love the energy you put into what is a rather mellow source.

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SuperiorX
on 2011-09-28 19:40:50

Wow great stuff here from BGC. Obviously I've never heard the original soundtrack (although I'm probably going to go check it out now), but it doesn't matter, this is some good stuff. I completely digged BGC's Impostor Nostalgia and this track does not disappoint either. He just keeps coming out with consistently great stuff. Keep it up!

Sources Arranged (2 Songs, 2 Games)


Primary Game:
The Binding of Isaac ( , 2011, WIN)
Music by Danny Baranowsky
Songs:
"Sacrificial"
Additional Game:
Super Meat Boy (Team Meat , 2010, XB360)
Music by Danny Baranowsky
Songs:
"Can o' Salt (Ch 3 Light World)"

Tags (6)


Genre:
Dance,Dubstep
Mood:
Aggressive
Instrumentation:
Choir,Electronic,Synth
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Binding_of_Isaac_The_Clubbing_of_Isaac_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,965,758 bytes
MD5:
edf83c8ddb2889d8af46696a24c88d3a
Bitrate:
235Kbps
Duration:
3:54

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