ReMix: The Binding of Isaac 'The Clubbing of Isaac'
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- Game: The Binding of Isaac (, 2011, WIN)
- ReMixer(s): Big Giant Circles
- Composer(s): Danny Baranowsky
- Song(s): 'Can o' Salt (Ch 3 Light World)', 'Sacrificial'
- Posted: 2011-09-28, evaluated by djpretzel
The Binding of Isaac, with a soundtrack by ex-judge, ReMixer, and indie composer superstar Danny B, just released today on Steam, and Big Giant Circles has provided us with a RELEASE-DAY MIX that's also a free cut off the official soundtrack!
Pretty cool, I'd say; Danny played a preview track from Isaac at our PAX 2011 panel and I liked what I heard, and I just went and bought the game on Steam based solely on my appreciation for Super Meat Boy - and its music. BGC writes:
"Umm comments. So Danny asked me a couple weeks ago if I'd do a remix for his soundtrack release. And even though he was too busy to contribute to my own album (directly anyway) I just take one look at his lovable beard and I just can't say no. :) Anyway, Danny's been sharing the soundtrack with me pretty much since he's been working on it, and his writing is per usual, top notch. I've sort of been his consultant on what VSTs to get to expand his studio collection as well, and this soundtrack clearly proves that he's making good use of my recommendations :)
Choosing a source tune was intimidating b/c there's some very clever writing in all of it. "Sacrificial" was the first track Danny released on bandcamp though before the OST was out, and I enjoyed it from day 1 so I figured I'd give it a go. I figured the easiest way to make a nice remix that didn't just cop out on the original would first be to make it 4/4, seeing as the original is like 9/8 and 6/8 (I think). That was really really tricky, seeing as not only do 9/8 melodies throw you for a loop when changing them over, but seeing as even as far as 4/4 goes, dance/club/dubstep doesn't like to be bumped out of the whole "stuff must happen every 4 measures" tendency. That was the biggest challenge and the final version ended up pretty different than when it started, but I think it turned out ok. Also, it's got a Super Meat Boy cameo in it, of what is arguably my favorite track in the game, "Can o' Salt." So win-win-win and all that. I blame Mick Gordon (N-JekteD here on OCR) for any of my dubstep tendencies lately, due to his awesome enlightening me to for his awesome contribution to my album Impostor Nostalgia. :]"
I'm really liking the interaction lately between OCR and indie games & composers; obviously, when someone mixes Zelda, there's a nostalgia factor there that you're not gonna get with a game JUST released, literally, today, but there's a whole different angle: A chance for more contemporary, collaborative mixes where the mixer actually knows the composer, everybody's cool, and the music is about mutual respect. It's a different dynamic, and I'm happy to see more of it, because VGM appreciation isn't JUST about nostalgia, it's also about what's happening RIGHT NOW, and where things are headed, and this is the type of mix that connects OCR to that dialogue. I think it's really important to point that out, and this seemed like a great opportunity to do so.
BGC's mix is predominantly dance/club oriented, but you won't have a hard time picking out where dubstep steps up the wub-wub; Jimmy builds things up with a nice delayed, plucky synth arpeggio intro, before really cool hybrid cinematic/electronic percussion comes in (almost sounds like whip cracks, there), drops out at 0'39", and then gives way to a haunting music-boxish melody before going full steam @ 1'03", where a single solo choral voice is introduced and then joined by an ensemble - very well executed dynamics, there! The Binding of Isaac shows what Danny B is capable of, and is quite distinct from Super Meat Boy, and this mix illustrates how far Jimmy's come, and the myriad tricks he not only has up his sleeve, but which he uses in conjunction. Kudos to both gentlemen; check out the game AND its soundtrack today!
Discussion: Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the - HitoriJaNai on December 7, 2011
- Bahamut on December 6, 2011
- Crulex on December 2, 2011
The only part I'm not too hot on is the stuff around 1:50, where it briefly drifts into dubstep territory.
- Martin Penwald on November 23, 2011
- Cash and Change on October 29, 2011
As for the track itself, the blending together of both the Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy sources was seen to be just genius all around, and really captures a firm example of how credit should be given towards the composer - making sure to acknowledge the work at hand while still being able to capture that similar emotive quality that the composer gave in. I've understood the difficulty of trying to write a melody originally in a different time signature into something more standardised, and in this form it actually transitioned to the point that the source material could've easily been 4/4 to begin with.
With all the dedication you've given towards Baranowsky's role and vice verca (something I can admit I saw a great deal of on Twitter over the months), I can say that you managed to do a great justice to his work. It's definitely a keeper from me :)
- Rexy on October 20, 2011
Dave thanks for yet another awesome and well-written writeup <3
- big giant circles on September 30, 2011
- Rhythm on September 30, 2011
:mrgreen:
- Guifrog on September 29, 2011
- C7 on September 29, 2011
My roommate is playing a game I haven't seen him play before and it has a neat soundtrack.
"What game are you playing?" I ask.
"The Binding of Isaac." He answers.
I stop and turn back to my laptop and my brain explodes.
Thanks for the moment and also an amazing new remix. I love the energy you put into what is a rather mellow source.
- duskvstweak on September 29, 2011
- SuperiorX on September 28, 2011
