By alternative I mean non-RPG, non-Uematsu, non-typical vocal themes. Sappy love ballads are a dime a dozen in VGM, but what about the vocal songs that are a bit different, a little curve left of the norm? What are everyone's favorite non-traditional vocal songs?

Instead of writing about my favorites, well, why don't you just check them out for yourself!  

"Here Comes the Rain", from Gungrave O.S.T.

"Soul Surfer", from Gran Turismo 4 Original Game Soundtrack

"Katamari on the Funk", from Katamari Original Soundtrack Damacy

I cannot speak highly enough of Wild Arms 2nd Ignition's "Atomic ARMS" which is a local theme w/o any real vocals:

*WARNING* Spoliers to end of disc one of the game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZLMcyG3jhI

Just awesome

Trying as the final stretch of disc one has been compared to the creamy center within, Naruke is able to make up some serious points with the closing track “Atomic ARMS.” Perhaps the most important thing that can be said is while this is technically a vocal theme classifying it as such is ultimately misleading. It has lyrics, no doubt, but uses a combination of “oh,” “ooh” and “whoa” in the place of full-fledged words in an effort to transcend imposed limitations (e.g. language barriers.) This and The Gospelers (the vocal congregation given credit for the performance in the endgame credits) succeed beautifully; the stillness giving into a relaxed beat that reminds one that even those with the most passionate of convictions grow weary. An excellent track that is worthy of anyone’s ears. (10/10)

I'm going to go a bit on the "crazy" side with Noom ad Neetor from Technictix Remix Vol. 1. I don't know what's going on, but it's a nice combination of vocal scat and some woman singing something I can't understand (almost Arabian like in style).

http://www.myspace.com/shinjihosoe

It's the first song in his playlist.

"Quake" from Soukaigi.

"Kiss Me Sweet" from Sakura Taisen V.

Those are all that come to mind.

"The Unsung War" from Ace Combat 5
"Megalith Agnus Dei" from Ace Combat 4

Pretty much anything from the first two Katamari games, the two Jet Set Radio games, or Giftpia.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmzMTkXL … re=related

The ending theme from Parasite Eve was quite nice, but for my money's worth, there will never be anything quite infectious as "The Moon and the Prince" from Katamari Damacy.

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Definitely all three Gran Turismo 4 vocals, I used to love cruising in my car and blasting that whole CD, especially the vocals.  Metal Gear Solid 2's "Can't Say Good Bye to Yesterday" for sure.  It's not your typical VGM vocal at all, has a real authentic jazz club sound to it, I love it and don't care what anybody else thinks.   I'll second "Somnia Memorias" from Parasite Eve as I have much love for it.  Starts off with sounds of nature and it's performed in Spanish, how can you go wrong?  I know you said non-Uematsu but "Otherworld" from FFX is a definite contender here.  As far as game vocals go, this one rocks and strays from the norm like crazy.  "Song of MANA" from Legend of Mana is another one.  Also, anything from the Katamari, Parappa/Lammy, Jet Set Radio, and Sonic Adventure/Heroes series'.

However, #1 BY FAR is the Silent Hill Song.  If you never heard it, do yourself a favor.  Follow the translation in the video too as it will greatly enhance your experience.  That was the UFO ending's staff roll from Silent Hill 3, fyi.  And yes, that's Akira Yamaoka singing.

-Mike

Nothing jumps out straight away so I'm going to scan my reviews and mention a few that I really liked.

Elebits has a great soundtrack and "The Smile of You" is a great way to lead it. A good singer in the Japanese version, nice bouncy accompaniment, and lots of lush electronic sounds like the instrumental tracks. The single is great as it contains many instrumental tracks as well.

A recent one I came to like was Haunting Ground's Endless Zero. As I said in my review, cold, fragmented, and sometimes whispering vocals appear against surreal, aseptic, perhaps industrial-inspired beats. It's difficult to provide a description to do it justice as there is probably nothing out there quite like it.

I like all the vocal themes in the original Disgaea. I think my favourite is "Etna Boogie". Even I find the vocals hot in that one. The vocals in the sequels weren't so good and I didn't like many of Disgaea 3's at all.

Monster Hunter 2 has a cool ethnic-inspired vocal theme. It was nicely remixed Norihiko Hibino who often writes awesome vocal themes. If it counts, No More Heroes Dark Side's "PURE-WHITE GIANT TINY GLASTONBURY" has to be one of my favourite tunes ever too. Also Romancing SaGa's Passionate Rhythm and Minuet are just fantastic.

Stepping Wind - Klonoa 2

-EPIC! The level this plays on wouldn't be nearly as awesome if not for Klonoa singing during it.

Lonely Rolling Star - Katamari Damacy

-Definitely my favorite tune from the oddball series.

Go Fight!!/Moonscape - JDK Band 1/JDK Band 2

-Mangled English meets 80's vibes, both featuring songs from Star Trader (a rare non-RPG Falcom game).

I should also add "Here He Comes Again" from the R4 OST and pretty much the entire soundtrack to Sonic R (gotta love the cheese!).

More than a dozen posts,  but no single mention of "Fall" from Armored Core 4 !??

WTF??

Oh yeah, probably it doesn't fit Zane's description... otherwise an awesome song.

My favourites are probably "You're Not Here" and "I Want Love" from Silent Hill 3. "One More Soul To The Call" from the upcoming Homecoming soundtrack is awesome as well. And chalk up another vote for "Endless Zero" from Demento... Very beautiful song, and sung by the composer Seiko Kobuchi herself, IIRC.

If we're talking about just plain weird songs, I'll second the vote for the Silent Hill Song from SH3. But my favourite in this category is surely "Song of Death" from Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner Sound File. Its a live arrangement of the game's main theme by Toshiko Tasaki, and its the closest I've heard any game vocal come to pure death metal. Not only does it have some of the amusing characteristics of that genre, add to that a Japanese vocalist growling/singing funny Engrish he doesn't understand a word of, and hilarity ensues ("Get ready now, its party time in hell!"). In fact, I think I'll upload it for you folks to hear: do yourself a favour and try it.

There's a level in Space Channel 5 Part II (the one with the plant monster I think) that has a piece - not a TRUE vocal, rather a vocalise. But it's certainly not the standard....

This board is made up of so much WIN.

Wavemaster has so many good vocals... 

Burning Hearts (Burning Rangers)
Theme of Giant Egg (Giant Egg)
You Can Do Anything (Sonic CD)
Kami-sama Help! Me! (Roommania)
Anything on the Serani Poji albums...

"Let It Go" from Ollie King by Hideki Naganuma is also one of my favorites.

I also really like "Persona Ondo," from Persona 2 Innocent Sin.  It's so goofy and traditional Japanese festival-like.

- Justin Pfeiffer

"Angels With Burning Hearts"; excellent track. I met the guy, Dino Govoni, who rips that amazing sax solo at the end of that tune at a bar in Watertown, CT. The the record (pardon the pun), that guy can play a mean, mean saxophone.

He briefly told me of the recording session experience but couldn't remember the Japanese producer as he put it (I think it was Naofumi Hataya, but couldn't be sure). He was downright floored when I came up to him referencing some obscure work for over 10 years ago but I think I gave him a story to tell his buddies!

I'm going to have to throw in "Way to Fall" by Starsailor from the MGS3 OST on my list as well. Whoa. What a sad song.