Angela wrote:I'm also backtracking a bit in regards to soundtracks; just a bit further back for Hime Trance, which was released last week -- and quite a bit further back for the Wangan Midnight MT2 OST, which I missed out on last year. I've heard mostly good things about the latter, but I'm still very much intrigued by the former; shdwrlm, any opinions on Hime yet?
Angela, I beg of you, don't wait too long for Hime Trance! A friend of mine described it as the most fulfilling listening experience (in terms of dance music) he's had since listening to the DDR 3rd MIX Nonstop, and I'm inclined to agree. The new remixes are simply outstanding, infusing the old classics with an incredible new energy that's been somewhat lacking in recent Dancemania releases. The vocals remain largely the same, thankfully, although "Moonlight Shadow" was pitched up just a tad and "Dub-I-Dub" lacks the verses. Despite the pitched up vocals, however, "Moonlight Shadow" remains astoundingly beautiful; "Titanic" is the first thing that comes to mind. Aside from the Dancemania remixes, the rest of the album is mostly full of cutesy J-Trance, sort of akin to Misa's body of work.
Here's the full tracklist again: http://shdwrlm3.livejournal.com/15030.html
And I've posted a few samples here (which may also appeal to any DDR fans out there):
http://dancemania-ex.com/hime/
The samples are pretty indicative of how the album sounds as a whole: energetic and trance ravey. It definitely gets my highest recommendation!
BTW, Angela, have you heard the news about DDR SuperNova, the upcoming DDR arcade release? The licenses they've announced so far are certainly interesting:
Long Train Running / X-Treme
What A Wonderful World / Beat Box vs DJ Miko (!!!)
Toxic (FT Company Edit) / Helen
A Love Like This / Pandora (!!!!)
As for my February gets, I just noticed that GameFAQs has Mega Man Annivesary Collection for GBA listed for a February 15 release. Can it truly be coming out at last? It's just a day before my birthday, so if it doesn't come out, Capcom will have officially ruined my birthday.
I'm also sort of looking forward to the DDR Festival & Strike OST (also coming out on the 15th). Most of the songs don't really appeal to me, but Akira Yamaoka's Bemani-related works are surprisingly addictive. The Sengoku Musou 2 OST may also warrant a purchase, but I'll have to listen to some samples first.