Video Game Music, Opinions on Rina Sawayama & Brian Eno
Hosts Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot explore the expansive world of video game soundtracks. They chat with Los Angeles Times critic Todd Martens about the innovative ways video game music is exciting listeners and enhancing gaming interactivity. They’ll also review new albums by Rina Sawayama and Brian Eno, and hear messages from Sound Opinions listeners.
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Hold The Girl Rina Sawayama
Rina Sawayama made a lot of fans with her debut album, Sawayama in 2020. Now the Japanese-British artist is back with Hold The Girl. It's clear she's a very talented pop artist, but Jim and Greg wonder what her unique perspective is when she's not recreating her influences.
Foreverandevernomore Brian Eno
Brian Eno is one of Jim's favorite artists and producers. His new album Foreverandevernomore is the first to feature Eno's voice in 17 years. However, his new approach to singing is too detached and leaves Jim and Greg cold.
Video Game Music
Todd Martens is a former music critic turned video game critic at the L.A. Times. He joins Jim and Greg to discuss the trends in video game music and why music fans should be paying attention to that area. It's come a long way from Tetris and Super Mario Brothers. Now it's launching the careers of composers who go on to score major motion pictures and has its own category at the Grammys.
Featured Songs:
- Junebug & Ben Babbitt, "Too Late to Love You," Kentucky Route Zero (Original Soundtrack), Annapurna Interactive, 2020
- Rina Sawayama, "This Hell," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
- Rina Sawayama, "Frankenstein," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
- Rina Sawayama, "Hold The Girl," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
- Rina Sawayama, "Send My Love To John," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
- Rina Sawayama, "Forgiveness," Hold The Girl, Dirty Hit, 2022
- Brian Eno, "Who Gives a Thought," Foreverandevernomore, Verve, 2022
- Brian Eno, "Garden of Stars," Foreverandevernomore, Verve, 2022
- Brian Eno, "We Let It In," Foreverandevernomore, Verve, 2022
- Jim Guthrie, "Lone Star," Sword & Sworcery LP - The Ballad of the Space Babies, Dark Flute, 2011
- Tycho, "Send and Receive," Hohokum (Original Game Soundtrack), Ghostly International, 2004
- Robyn Miller, "Myst Theme," Myst - The Soundtrack, Cyan, 1995
- Austin Wintory, "I Was Born for This," Journey (Original Video Game Soundtrack), Sony, 2012
- OFK, "Follow/Unfollow," Follow/Unfollow (Single), Teddy Dieff, 2021
- Daniel Olsén & Jonathan Eng, "Dead of Night (feat. Linnea Olsson)," Sayonara Wild Hearts, Simogo AB, 2019
- Melissa Carper, "Makin' Memories," Daddy's Country Gold, Melissa Carper/Mae Music, 2021
- Fantastic Negrito, "Oh Betty," White Jesus Black Problems, Storefront, 2022
- Teen Mortgage, "S.W.A.S.," Life/Death, King Pizza, 2019
- Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "The Mercy Seat," Tender Prey, Mute, 1988
- Dead Man's Bones, "Pa Pa Power," Dead Man's Bones, Anti Inc., 2009
- Scorpions, "In Search of the Peace of Mind," Lonesome Crow, Brain, 1972
- The Who, "Sea and Sand," Quadrophenia, Track, 1973
- NNAMDÏ, "I Don't Wanna Be Famous," Please Have a Seat, Secretly Canadian, 2022
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