After riding the TR: Legend train for quite some time now, I have finally found an OFFICIAL CD release with the game's music on it... and what a freakin' CD it is. Packed in with the CE version of the UK TR: Anniversary PS2, the bonus soundtrack CD features over an hour of music from both Anniversary and Legend, both of which were written (or arranged) by Troels B. Folmann, who I am convinced is the man. I emailed him about his TR Legend music last month and he wrote me back shortly thereafter and pointed me to a site where I could download a game rip and was super nice and humble despite the fact that I was basically throwing my ears at his feet by raving about how TRL has some of the best music to grace the last generation of consoles as well as the TR franchise.

But, I digress. This CD is amazing. Each track is presented in suite format, and I found myself getting excited when I'd hear random TR music cues in the Anniversary tracks; placing each rearranged theme with its original incarnation gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. And then there are the Legend tracks, all of which are outstanding. My favorite is the "Main Theme", which kicks off with the title theme before segueing into the Croft Manor theme (<3) and then adding more percussion and smoothly transforming it into the more rhythmic "Version B" of the same theme (<3 <3). After waiting years for a REAL CD with this stuff on there, I was basically just sitting here speechless at the sound quality and professionalism of the suite's mixes, done by none other by Folmann himself.

I highly recommend this bonus disc for TR fans and for fans of spatially melodic music with plenty of intense action ques and even a bit of downtempo electronica. You can find copes on eBay UK (which is where I got mine for about $12 USD, shipped).

If I recall correctly, TR Legend even received a BAFTA award for its soundtrack.
I never noticed much of the music while playing though.

I think the music stopped being interesting when Nathan McCree stopped composing, but that's just me.

I fully agree with you on this one, Zane. I especially think TR Legend has an incredible soundtrack. I'm not as fond of TR Anniversary, although I love the game (my favorite track is definitely the Croft Manor theme). The ethnic and ambient sound in Legend is simply breathtaking: the woodwind instruments, the voices and chorus, the percussion, bits and pieces of electronica... Fantastic!

I'll give "Croft Manor" to you; it's a pretty nice piece.

As for the remainder of the score, it falls into that "let's orchestrate the crap out of something to make it all dramatic" thing that games from western developers seem to succumb to anymore.

Honestly, I get somewhat annoyed when I hear how overblown the old themes have become in the remake, McCree had it so right with his Roland JV-90 synthesizer and SR-JV80 Orchestra expansion board in the original.

Thank you!
I just wanted to hear I'm not the only one who sees it that way

To each their own. If it annoys you, don't listen to it!

I enjoy both versions of the score, although the original is obviously timeless. That's why I picked up this CD.

....

Nice! Where exactly did you find this? I wants it...

cheers,

-avatar!

I made a trade with a board member from overseas. It's pretty rare, so if you can't find a copy let me know and I can send a rip your way, man!

Ooooh, I'm jealous!
How's the sound quality?
I already ripped the music from the game CDs (you can play them in a regular CD player), but is this any better?