ReMix:Gitaroo Man "FML (If I Could Drift Away)" 6:07

By J Damashii

pop rock acoustic-guitar chiptune electric-guitar chill duration-long

Arranging the music of one song...

"The Legendary Theme (Acoustic Version~Ropeland Mix)"

Primary Game: Gitaroo Man (KOEI , 2002, PS2), music by COIL, Tomohiro Harada

Posted 2011-10-28, evaluated by the judges panel

Sir Jordanius made a big splash this year with a memorable vocal jazz/funk jam on Back in Blue, and now he follows that up with an equally resplendent & unique (albeit instrumental) arrangement from Gitaroo Man, our first from the game. Jordan writes:

"I've had an EXTREMELY crappy day/week/month/year and I usually get the worst emotions out of me through music. To me, this song (the original) is so beautiful because it sounds both happy and sad at the same time and it's great for chilling out in those extremely crappy days/weeks/months/years when I just need to drift away ("hence the title"). I usually hate the cliche Indie sound of tinkery bells and wannabe Beatles flutes/whirlitzers/Rhodes, but I really wanted to make this emulate the happy and sad emotion that I interpreted from the original. The original is already an extremely simple song (meaning that anything too complex ruins the song) so I did something very different from my usual adaptations by not adding unnecessary embellishments.

Oh yeah, and the whistles are a bit out of tune because they're not a keyboard; I was really whistling, but I've never been too good at whistling. I hope you enjoy this chill song!"

While the original had a cool, rough garage-band style rock/guitar vibe going on, Sir J. has toned things down a bit - at least for the chippish, backwards-strings, mangled Casiotone-esque bit beat ballad intro. Things pick up at 2'17" with more discernible, cross-panned elec. guitars, a drum/bass build up to 2'44", sweet bass slide break, and subsequent synth solo. This track reminds me of several things at once - the blend of rock, and specifically the drums, recalls Star & Prot's epic Mega Man X 'Dreams Come True' mix, while the combination of carefree optimism & bittersweet melancholy channels some of The Shins' hits that were (unfortunately) used in Garden State. It's telling that all those tracks have vocals, because - while this does not - I almost think that with the human whistling, it comes across in a similar way; maybe it's just me? Either way, Jordan certainly captures something specific, and the piece also contrasts wildly against his previously posted debut - hard to believe it was the same artist! Panel was surprisingly a little split on this, which I don't really get... maybe I'm missing something, but I really dig the arrangement itself and also the execution. Vinnie's with me:

"Wow, I was really digging this piece. The heavily reverbed atmosphere was executed well (the individual components still had definition), and this was a great slice of dream-pop. The instruments were kind of random but it all came together, which is no small feat. I ended up getting behind the chords at 2:17 that Deia mentioned, though it did throw me at first since it's so different from the original."

Shariq's on board, too, and even waxed romantic:

"Brilliantly dreamy. I love it to pieces. Sorry for your crappy day/week/month/whatever, but at least you got such a sweet piece of music out of it. Love your harmonic choices. So lush. This is music to fall in love to."

I think some other judges got caught up a bit too much in production; this feels very much intentional to me, and some of their mixing gripes I would more comfortably ascribe to being part of the aesthetic, which involves coloring outside the do's and don'ts of mastering at least a little bit to pull off. Either way, I'm happy to be posting this - it's truly great source material, an introspective, chill, but also emotional treatment, and it shows that Sir Jordanius has some serious depth, making me legitimately anticipate what his next submission will throw our way.

― djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Black_Doom
on 2014-12-23 13:39:27

Sir J is an awesome dude, didn't you know it? While this piece isn't so funky and energetic as most of his works, it's a brilliant one. It starts off with silky Rhodes and chiptune and some cool whistling, which sets the perfect mood. And when I got enough chills, it suddenly kicks up at 2:19, blending in sweet drums and reversed (!) guitars and a lot of some odd sounds, and I... cried. I've already said that I'm quite sentimental guy, so yeah... That drop is 4:33 is also nice. So, all in all, this is a very moody piece. Great stuff.

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Clem
on 2014-01-26 14:39:24

so damn good

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Drachefly
on 2013-09-20 16:14:56

For some reason, this reminds me of the muppets.

I guess it's tapping into the same blend of melancholy and all-right as 'It's not easy being green'.

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jnWake
on 2013-09-07 23:37:10

Wow I had never listened to this mix. It's amazing!

Very emotional (the source is beautiful too, I had to listen to it after hearing the remix!). I love the small little touches like the guitar sound (is it reversed?) and all that stuff.

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Crulex
on 2012-11-16 10:26:05

Slow, peaceful, and soft chiptune chill ReMix with a whispy whistling? Awesome. I actually enjoy how airy and far away the whistling sounds over the chippy goodness, and then all of a sudden it picks up out of nowhere! That part sound more like flying away like a bat outta hell rather than drifting, but I'll take it. Going back to a slower pace after all of that action, even if briefly, gave this ReMix much need change-up, which is great for a song about six minutes long. That whistling is infectious though, it's got me doing it.

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Nase
on 2012-05-21 05:20:14
Just to clarify, all of the NO votes were meant for the original version of this submission. After the song was passed by the panel, Sir Jordanius resubmitted an entirely different version of the arrangement that didn't really sound like the first one at all. That's the version that actually got posted on the site, and that one was passed with 4 unconditional YES's ;-)

oops...i flew over the first page of votes and thought that was it. my bad.

good jawb then i guess :o)

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Emunator
on 2012-05-20 13:26:36
couple NOs for PRODUCTION VALUE??? jdgfgts these days...

this is completely yummy tasteful muddyness if i ever heard some. way cool.

Just to clarify, all of the NO votes were meant for the original version of this submission. After the song was passed by the panel, Sir Jordanius resubmitted an entirely different version of the arrangement that didn't really sound like the first one at all. That's the version that actually got posted on the site, and that one was passed with 4 unconditional YES's ;-)

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Nase
on 2012-05-20 07:17:17

oh this is wonderful.

im getting this distinct andrew bird feel once it gets loud. the whistling and the strings and the melody...ever listened to mysterious production of eggs, jordanius?

couple NOs for PRODUCTION VALUE??? jdgfgts these days...

this is completely yummy tasteful muddyness if i ever heard some. way cool.

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paperCrane
on 2012-02-22 15:02:11

When I first started listening to this track it reminded me of Blue Orb (and other tracks) from the Katamri Damacy games. Once the whistling came in it took me a bit to place the song, but I immediately let out a cry of delight when I realized it was from Gitaroo Man. It's one of my favorite rhythm games (even though it's short-ish) and it's about time we had some mixes from it on OCR.

I agree with djp about the production. It all seems part of the experience and aesthetic of the song. Very indie and heartfelt. This definitely goes on my short list of OCR favorites.

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Martin Penwald
on 2012-01-24 15:28:17

I must be the only one who does not get a particularly sad vibe from this.

It actually reminds me of some of the music you'd find on a Katamari Damashii soundtrack (with the exception of the climax, I guess).

Anyway, beautiful piece. Also, diggin' the whistling.

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Tuberz McGee
on 2011-12-25 21:32:35

This Mix is so saddening. I feel connected with the bareness of the opening.

It only helps that the piano that comes in makes the sadness even harder to bear.

at 1:25 the whistling with insane reverb makes me feel a little bit happier.

Like I'm gazing at the sunset or something stereotypical like that.

At 2:17 it just improves, expanding. This continues through the piece.

The dynamic increases and it has an almost reminiscent feeling that courses through me.

The worst part about this mix, is that it had to end.

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Bahamut
on 2011-12-02 00:39:02

I didn't comment on this mix already? This is a sweet mix by Sir J, and he has been impressing as of late with this and his MM9 album mix. And Gitaroo Man at that!

That break at around 4:30 is done very well - it really catches me and endears me to the song more. If there's anything I have to say could be tweaked, it would have to be the slightly overcompressed sound the mix has. The song could use some more clarity to bring out each instrument better. Great job with a great source!

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KyleJCrb
on 2011-10-31 08:56:06

This is a wonderful remix of a source that has just been dying for more coverage. Sir J has certainly solidified himself as one of the breakout remixers of 2011. MOAR PLZ.

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evktalo
on 2011-10-31 08:11:57

Wow, this is a terrific track. Very nice and mellow from the beginning, and then it just built up to this bittersweet emotional.. experience. The way this was structured and how it developed was very well done, effective. I also love the style!

--Eino

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zach72
on 2011-10-30 23:55:34

After listening to this mix.... THERE IS NO LIMIT TO ME

Loving all of Sir Jordanius' stuff so far, can't wait to see what he has in store next :D 3

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Gitaroo Man (KOEI , 2002, PS2)
Music by COIL,Tomohiro Harada
Songs:
"The Legendary Theme (Acoustic Version~Ropeland Mix)"

Tags (7)


Genre:
Pop,Rock
Mood:
Chill
Instrumentation:
Acoustic Guitar,Chiptune,Electric Guitar
Additional:
Time > Duration: Long

File Information


Name:
Gitaroo_Man_FML_(If_I_Could_Drift_Away)_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
9,761,802 bytes
MD5:
96c36ee11d2997be851d14cf7fbaf221
Bitrate:
211Kbps
Duration:
6:07

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