the_miker Jul 22, 2007
I did this last year (Click!) and it got some good responses so I figured I'd do it again for '07. Basically, since a little more than half the year is over now, let's sum up the "best of 2007" in VGM so far. From #5 to #1, here goes mine..
5) Extra - Official Compilation
While hearing the live versions at the actual event would have been about 800% cooler, this CD will do. Iwata, Sakimoto, Namiki, Hosoe, Koshiro, Hibino, Ito, Furukawa. The list goes on. All these guys arranging their own tracks from earlier works and even a couple new tracks just for this CD. Lots of quality arrangements here, I highly recommend checking this one out.
4) Sekaiju no Meikyuu Original Soundtrack
Yuzo brings back the PC-88! This albums proves that the man hasn't lost touch with his old-school chiptune roots, and boy does it prove it. First time I heard it, I instantly had a flashback of Misty Blue. Includes both the DS and original PC-88 sound spanning 2 discs. The man does Wangan 2, then this, and now he's working on Wangan 3. God I love Yuzo.
3) Gyakuten Saiban Jazz Album ~Gyakuten Meets Jazz Soul~
This is exactly what the title says. Phoenix Wright music meets real jazz. This CD (arranged by Iwadare) has a 100% authentic jazz sound to it. In other words, you can close your eyes and pretend you're in a real jazz club. Props to everyone who worked on this album. If you like real jazz, pick this one up.
2) Akumajo Dracula Gallery of Labyrinth Original Soundtrack
Yamane and Koshiro join forces to bring us my favorite handheld Castlevania soundtrack to date (yeah, even topping Dawn of Sorrow). Yuzo only had a handful of tracks but he owned every single one of them. While playing this game, I found myself loving every single piece of music, humming and whistling my way through corridor after corridor. We really need to see more VGM team-ups like this.
1) Armodyne
Ahh, number one. Mitsuda delivers one of his finest performance since Chrono Cross. It's kinda Xenogears meets Xenosaga, if you will, with a little more bang. He says he was inspired by 80's mech stuff, and it definitely has that feel to it. I've listened to this whole album several times through and have yet to get bored with it. You wouldn't think so, but it makes some excellent driving music. Keep it up Mitsuda!
Overall, not nearly as strong of a first half as 2006 had, but there is some quality stuff to be heard here. Let's hope part two of 2007 brings us many more great VGM albums to enjoy! And if you're keeping score, Yuzo Koshiro participated in 3 out of 5 here. Hmm, the master of 80's VGM is still going strong in 2007. Many props to Yuzo.
-Mike