This is a weak lineup in my opinion, although I guess that is mostly because there is so much "recent" stuff on the list.

Modern video game music is already a big production; hearing it with an orchestra is just sort of half a step forward. My interest in hearing something like this is based off hearing content that was limited to MIDI-or-less status when it was originally presented due to hardware limitations.

KaneRobot

VGL better get their asses back to Seattle. We had the freakin HALO orchestra. That and it was during Halloween so the cosplay was great.

Eville1 says SKUse me a sec.

VGL is okay but I prefer Play! actually. I liked their program better. I still wish there was something like Eminence here in the US. For anyone who hasn't heard of them, they're a professional orchestra in Australia that does video game/anime music soundtracks exclusively. I'd really like to play in a group like that, especially at a professional level where one could make a living playing game music.

Oh well, if no one else does it here, guess we've got to do it ourselves. I'm a graduate music student in viola...any other musically inclined Kotaku-ites interested in forming a group?

teraphony

@Sir_Crocidile: You are welcome to disagree! Everyone's musical tastes are different. Hell, two people can listen to the same song and hear something completely different. It's a beautiful thing.

Mike Fahey

O i did not know this was out and its on I-Tunes thanks.

sargemat

@Kirbysuperstar:

Weather you like it or not, he speaks the truth

VladMalice

I had myself was not a fan of the recording...

I suppose one can't complain too much given that the overall concept is still kinda out there for the mainstream's tastes, the selection of songs perhaps need to be rather conservative, safe. It's also a reflection of how game music in North America generally is, that being orchestral, similar to big budget movies (I've always believed that American games try way too hard to be like films).

It would have been nice if there was some experimentation with the compositions, but alas, that's not the case. And the music from the games I weren't familiar with were not at all compelling, leaving no lingering interest to check out the source material (which I believe to be the effort's greatest fault).

The biggest disappointment was by far the Tron montage. Never before has Wendy Carlos' groundbreaking and thrilling score felt so flat and limp. It's far from horrible, everything is competently put together, but there's no life, no passion behind the music. Though the inclusion of Tron is especially perplexing given that it's from a movie instead of a game (granted there were Tron games, but they came after the film), yet perhaps not as much as the inclusion of Advent Rising. No offense to Tallarico, ibut its presence is beyond nepotism. If he was going to include his own work, I'd MUCH rather have something along the lines of Cool Spot or anything else equally interesting. But again, the rule of the game here is playing it safe.

I'm also kinda annoyed that the original composers weren't credited, and instead just the game's publishers are listed. Strange. Anyhow, I guess this release shows that we are indeed many years behind Japan when it comes to packaging, and repackaging, game music. It's going to be a while before we get something on par of Square's or Namco's image albums.

Perhaps Video Games Live Volume 1 has a place in the grand scheme of things, but for the most part, everyone should avoid this and simply go to Overclocked Remix or similar places to hear game music, re-invisioned and celebrated.

FortNinety

Hopefully, there should be some Metal Gear love on Volume II. If not, there will be hell to pay.

ComradeStalin86

I'm going to have to 100% disagree with you on the kingdom hearts comment. For me, Fantasia alla marcia epitomizes KH music and I really didn't like passion. I can't remember if thats what they actually played at the event though, it was a few years ago.

Man I can't wait, I'm going to see VGL again after like 3 years of the symphony skipping Seattle.

Sir_Crocidile

"One of the finest pieces of video game music produced over the last decade"

Whaaat.

Kirbysuperstar

"If you've played the games you get the 1-2 punch of excellent music and nostalgia."

This is what I tell everyone who asks me why I love video game music so much. Thinking back to when you first heard that song, what was going on in the game, and all the memories and emotions it evokes...there's nothing like it.

BlueWizard422

I absolutely loved this concert, but I'm a little disappointed in the track selection for this CD. The Civ IV Medley is amazing, though. I listened to Baba Yetu for hours on end.

Here's hoping for more releases in the future. With Chrono Cross music on them.

cheez

I think they should of given Kingdom Hearts a big miss. Giving Square the satisfaction of making money off this CD, when they point blank refuse to let VGL show any in game footage during the show really takes the p*ss in my eyes.

matthewbennion

Didn't Tommy Tallarico do this? He was funny as hell when he co-hosted that game review show and plugged Advent Children

ShawnC++

I've heard a good number of bootlegs, all of pretty bad quality. I might pick this up because lord knows nerds can't record shows even decently.

Good god, I love Advent Rising's soundtrack. Besides being a great listen, it allows me to lament the death of what could've been an amazing series. If only they worked a bit more on the auto-lock on, heh. Nothing says "what could have been" like "Muse."

+ Watch video

Erwin

I bought this as soon as it was released on iTunes.

Although I've never seen them perform live I've very much enjoyed the CD. The production, recording and performances are excellent.

Vault69

Didn't they record these in London, using the LSO? I seem to remember them saying something like that last October when I went to the show there.

Pombar

@matthewbennion: I was wondering why the entire video montage was just random Disney clips >:(

Either way, one of the coolest concerts I've been to in a while. I was pissed off to no end that we didn't get to hear the God of War montage and actually had to listen to HARRY POTTER MUSIC, but outside of that, it was pretty fun.

happycodemonkey

@Erwin:

Since Epic bought Chair, I personally have (distant) hopes that they will get the rights to the property and help craft a sequel. The game sold bad, but it actually had the foundation of quite an amazing product. It just wasn't fine tuned and the devs were obviously overwhelmed by the scope of what they were attempting. Its definitely not a great game, but there's enough there to work with if guided by some of the experienced staff at Epic.

DARTH_TIGRIS

Very good stuff! If you're into this, you'll love The OneUps.

[www.oneupstudios.com]

PatMan33

[www.soundtrack.net]

He did indeed.
@Erwin: I was about to bust your chops until I realized that's the name of the song. Not the band.

Eville1 says SKUse me a sec.

@FortNinety:

Why was Advent Rising included?

Per Mike Fahey, "Advent Rising Suite: Quite honestly one of the best pieces on the CD. Tommy Tallarico crafted some truly amazing music for a game that didn't turn out to be nearly as epic as the developers had hoped. Perfect accompaniment for a sweeping space opera."

The music is AMAZING. Get over it.

DARTH_TIGRIS

Even though this is a crappy YouTube version, this AR piece is one of the best action cues I've ever heard/played in a game. If this doesn't get your blood pumping for an intense combat sequence, nothing will.

+ Watch video

DARTH_TIGRIS

Ive been to two live showings, one in Edmonton, one in Calgary, and I can say this. Overall the vocals are quite nice. I find the instrumentation lacking. I don't know what orchestra they used to record this, but overall i found it to be almost weak. Yes the core melody is there, but there is no punch to it.

I guess I was expecting to relive some of the energy that came from the live performances, all in all, i was disappointed.

blackswordca

I still like this mix of the halo theme from a couple years back.

+ Watch video

Defenestrated

Ah, going to see them in later september.

akumaserge

I went to one of the Play! concerts and it was really amazing. It was video game music performed by the National Symphony Orchestra. If it ever comes to your area I highly recommend it.

Jovericho

@Marceux:

Yeah the lack of FF VI music, which i consider to be the best in the series is annoying...

blackswordca

Am I the only one that didn't like Video Games Live? Like someone said earlier about conservative selection, I was expecting something different. OCRemix and Dwelling of Duels completely spoiled me when it comes to video game arrangements (not to say they are better than the real theme) but I'm kind of tired of hearing the Legend of Zelda main theme when hidden gems like Ballad of the Wind Fish are sorely overlooked. If you want to do a montage of great music in gaming and not just what is repeatedly mentioned in top ten lists everywhere (overhype for One Winged Angel, where's Kefka's theme, or anything from FF6?) then you're going to have to... yadda yadda. I just caught myself ranting pointlessly. Whatever.

Marceux

Where is the cd available???

Gam3r

Wow, I couldn't care less about ANY of the songs in that CD, except for Castlevania.

I'd love to hear them do more music from classic games instead of focusing on the more modern stuff. :(

Dave Silva

i love the VGL volume 1 CD. It's like digital crack for my ears.

i am really impressed with what is being done with video game music, from bit-boxing at PAX, VGL tour and the work over at OverClockedRemix.

great music ftw.

kevlarkevin

As much as I enjoyed the concert and the music, there was one omission that I found rather disappointing; no Megaman. The Megaman series has been damn-near built around music since its creation (from characters named after musical terms to the games having some of the best 8-bit music of their time and the catchiest tunes all throughout), and I would've loved to hear some of the classic themes translated into an orchestral score.

Fun Fact: Did you know someone actually took some of the themes from Megaman X and turned them into jazz pieces? And they're actually pretty good? No lie.

GhostWhoWalks

GoW, Halo, and Castlevania are the only worth listening too songs (unless you like the rest)....

Im surprised Metal Gear, Sonic, and Mario didnt make it.

kingme

Still purchasing when I can. I went to a show and enjoyed it. Personally, I want to go back.

Umandsf

What a strange selection. Speaking as an 8/16-bit gamer, none of these appeal to me. Where's the ole Mario, Zelda, etc? I mean, half this stuff is orchestrated to begin with, so just what are you getting?

mikethespike9

I have it and I love this CD. It hasn't left my stereo! It's diverse and rich sounding. I can't wait for Volume 2!

Orionsaint

VGL is okay, but Eminence is much, much better. Much more professional.

Zero_

I think it needs more Castlevania. We all need more Castlevania. Metal Gear Solid 1 should be there too.

artofwar420