Hi folks, I resurrected this thread because (1) I'm listening to Double Dragon II tunes as I type this (2) I posted a defense of the DDII soundtrack recently at another forum (3) Spring is in the air and the songs below seem to capture the spirit of the season (4) You may like a few of these tunes
Favorite Double Dragon II PCE tunes. Right-click (apple-click) to save mp3's...* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track07.mp3
- This is a relatively straightforward song, but don't be deceived by its genial trappings. Yes, it is a tender track with a lot of heart, but it is able to evoke some dramatic tension as well. There is a sense of urgency here, but it strikes me more as a sense of desperation. Ultimately, I just can't shake the feeling that this song is somber, sad, and gloomy. There are hints of hope in the pessimism, though. I dig it.
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track08.mp3
- Not-quite-eccentric, until you realize that this is for Double Dragon II. I love the ethereal-flute-meets-heavy-handed-dance-floor quality of this song. Traditional-percussion-meets-drum-machine. It shouldn't work in the game, but, for some bizarre reason, it works. Brilliant.
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track06.mp3
- This track deserves praise for its attempt to create a tense atmosphere with an ambient soundscape. I love how the urgency of the music punctuates the soundscape. PLAYING THE GAME: Initially, I thought that the minimal stage design (the graphics in this stage barely evoke a rural setting) was a mismatch for this over-the-top song, but then I realized I was being too literal. The game's designers had their tongue's firmly in their cheeks. It's a Jungle out there! The zoo
doesn't close at dark!
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track10.mp3
- The schizophrenic melding of musical genres in this track are the most eccentric and most creative in the entire game, in my opinion. This is also the most EPIC song to be found in the game, easily. Not surprisingly, this track offers more depth than the previous two I listed. Initially, I was tempted to describe this song as a pastiche, but then I realized that it transcended that label. Stir-frying all of these musical ingredients together should leave a bad in the mouth, but it doesn't! This song is inspiring, you react to it as you would react to war-drumming (adrenaline going into overdrive for battle!), but there's more: the eerie, haunting choral arrangement evokes a sense of awe and bewilderment that really adds to the atmosphere of the game.
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track11.mp3
- OK, now we head back into familiar territory: this is a straightforward beat-em-up anthem that is nicely done so you can't help but dig it. You can't merely play air guitar along with this track--you have to punch and stomp on things as well. Myself, I recklessly crumpled up a handful of coupons and violently threw them into the recycling bin. F*** you, Willy!
Now,
Hot. Wild. was the song that inspired me to proclaim my love for the Double Dragon II PCE soundtrack, but, really all 5 tracks above really deserve credit. I love all of these tracks. "Choral Chaos" and "Hot. Wild." share the same formula, and I think they are rather creative, so they get top honors. "Ambient Jungle Death" follows the formula, too, but uses sound effects you'd hear in an old Abbot & Costello film as one of its key ingredients.
If you aren't impressed by the artsy stuff, then go for "Pleasant Desperation" and "Ass-kickin" -- they should please all.
Hot. Wild.
Guh- Good Evening. Guh- Good Evening.
Hot. Wild.
Huh- Huh- Huh- Hot Wild.
Huh- Huh- Hot.
Hot. Wild.
Huh- Huh- Huh- Hot Wild.
Hot. Wild.
They say the sea is cold...
Of course, you really have to play the game to fully appreciate the songs... because some songs
are goofy/corny, but they fit the game, so I can't complain. So, the tracks below aren't necessarily bad, but they aren't as magical as, either...
Remaining tracks. Right-click (apple-click) to save mp3's...
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track03.mp3
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track04.mp3
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track05.mp3
* http://junk.tg-16.com/audio/Double_Dragon_II/Track09.mp3
In the game, of course, these songs are totally fine.
-------------------- ORIGINAL POST -------------------------------
EDIT: I spelled out "DDII" for the tards.
I often have inner-dialogues with ghosts. Let me explain. A long time ago, a fellow TG-16 fan asked me about the
Double Dragon II soundtrack. I told him that it certainly wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea, but that it was actually pretty awesome once you accepted it for what it was (a quirky, yet refreshing stab at Double Dragon's tunes).
Also, despite what you think about the game itself, I thought the music complemented the stages and gameplay.
Well, this fellow couldn't have disagreed with me more! Ha! I felt bad (he spend $$$ to obtain the game).
Now, several years later, I still stand by my initial verdict. Hence my ongoing conversation with a ghost of yesteryear.
Here's the deal: Just as with R-Type PCE, folks should accept what they were given instead of pining for the uber-awesome (but somewhat stale) re-hash they were cheated out of. Don't get me wrong, it would be great to have awesome Red Book DD tunes... but the chiptunes kick ass already (yes, the NES tunes are friggin' brilliant). The same is true for R-Type's chip tunes. Plus, as I've always said, we've heard DD and R-Type tunes over and over... we should be grateful when wacky alternate versions surface.
I know DDII PCE has some corny tracks, but that's part of its charm -- honestly.
Don't forget to listen to the excellent track in DDII's ending credits!
Topic: I don't care what you say, DDII PCE soundtrack is great! *Now, tard-friendly!* (Read 461 times)