ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 'Lucidic'
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- Game: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Nintendo, 1993, GB)
- ReMixer(s): Benjamin Briggs
- Composer(s): Kazumi Totaka, Koji Kondo, Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano
- Song(s): 'Koholint Island'
- Posted: 2011-07-19, evaluated by the judges
- Album: Featured on Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening: Threshold of a Dream
While this mellow 'Koholint' mix from Benjamin Briggs was released last December as part of Threshold, it was actually one of the earlier tracks contributed to the album, so it's around FIVE years old, believe it or not. How time flies. While Mr. Briggs continually upped & expanded his game in the years since, I think this arrangement stands up pretty damn well. It's now time for RAPID FIRE JUDGEQUOTE ACTION!! - we start with OA:
"Now this is some chill, easy livin' - excellent crunchy percussive textures along with serene pads and a cheerful melody make this a relaxing and pleasant mix. The alterations were well thought out and the flow of the song was very smooth."
We then jump abruptly and without hesitation to Palpable:
"It's pretty funny hearing this after four years of music from Mr. Briggs. It's a perfectly pleasant song, but decidedly light on the crazy that Ben favors more nowadays. It feels a little simplistic, but the textures chosen complement each other, and the arrangement ideas are solid."
... and gracefully segue to exit with the understated Vigilante:
"chthonic has great talent for simple, pleasing composition accented by subtle and complimentary production. This is no different. Perhaps not his most exciting work, but definitely up to spec."
All good points; while the artist may have widened & honed his palette, even his older stuff has the attention to detail on the production side that actually worked quite efficiently with a more stripped-down compositional approach. I dig the bongos, crisp EQ, and watery outro FX, and while I ultimately prefer the more elaborate & varied style Ben's developed, it's nice to hear a straightforward, enjoyable arrangement that does an undermixed source tune justice. Good stuff from BB's chthonic years.
Discussion: Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the With the Timbre, in places it feels like it's sad. But immediately changes.
I really enjoy the way it's constructed. I'm a huge fan of Benjamin Briggs, and this is definitely one of his best works.
- Tuberz McGee on December 25, 2011
Once you have your sword, the music changes into something more familiar. And as your journey continues, you start to question the difference between dream and reality. But before then, in your initial moments exploring this island, there's a feeling. You won't ever feel it again, but it's wondrous. And I think this song captures that quite well.
Oh, and my review excerpt:
The artist formerly known as chthonic makes his mark known immediately. Buildup until 0:32, when some nice peaceful and semi-ethereal instrumentation come in. Briggs’ basic style comes in at 1:16 or so, and demonstrates his love for this soundtrack (seriously, listen to It’s My Turn to Dream and you’ll see what I mean). Main melody returns at 1:50. Breakdown at 2:10 or so, with more of his style and touch. True remix comes in at 2:38. Fadeout beginning at about 3:05, with spacey instruments to end.
- Mirby on December 23, 2011
- Bahamut on December 15, 2011
- Crulex on December 14, 2011
With a source that's only 8 measures long, you'd think it would be difficult to find/cfraft a good expansive mix to go along with it, but with some neat additions like the half-speed melody movements during the beginning, key change at 2;13 and the little rhodes solo past the 1 minute mark then you can see even then he had a keen eye for really going deep into the source material and capturing the emotive quality driven behind it.
I even said in the listening party last December this very thing in regards to his mix as well, requoting for awesomeness:
01[23:21] <Rexy> I was about to think if I ever become a masseuse, lucidic would be a contender for the jukebox >_>
So for me it's that chill you may find it appropriate for a back rub; it's a shame that he lost the project files to the wheels of a car, but even then it stood the test of time amazingly well, and that's something that a fair amount of the project has. Solid proof that the album was a success, in addition to a firm step on the progression of Ben as a musician. Keep up the solid work :)
- Rexy on December 2, 2011
- eshman on August 7, 2011
The harp was very dreamy, and fit nicely in with the whole song. I especially love the drums and the way they're filtered throughout the song. Really, all I can say is it fits together.
Also, I gotta say, the effects remind me of Earthbound a LOT.
Good job Chtho--.. err, I mean Ben.
- urdailywater on July 25, 2011
- Jules on July 20, 2011
Brandon Strader;796788 wrote: P.S. this song is great, you should make more like this :-D
This song is great! I need to listen to the album more...
- Kuolema on July 19, 2011
chthonic;796765 wrote: <3 ocremix
-chth
<3 ocremix and chthonic and benjamin briggs
-bs
P.S. this song is great, you should make more like this :-D
- Brandon Strader on July 19, 2011
