ReMix: Cauldron II: The Pumpkin Strikes Back 'It's Binary, Baby! Album Mix'
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- Game: Cauldron II: The Pumpkin Strikes Back (Palace Software, 1986, C64)
- ReMixer(s): Makke
- Composer(s): Richard Joseph
- Song(s): 'Title'
- Posted: 2006-12-23, evaluated by the judges
- Album: Featured on It's Binary, Baby!
Makke is one of the craziest, insanely innovative artists doing game music arrangements today, and each new piece he releases is like a self-contained, thriving world unto itself. Last time he took us into the beating, inebriated heart of an Irish pub; now he gets Kraftwerkian on our collective ass, channeling early German electronica, complete with a vocoded libretto. The ReMixer writes:
"Right! This is a track from my album 'It's Binary, Baby!', and since it's been free for download from C64.com for a while, I figured I might as well release it here as well. It's the second track of the album, that's why you can hear the last chirps of the intro right at the start of the song.
Some of you might know I'm a big Kraftwerk fan (and if you don't, my Crazy Comets remix that's on this very site should've been a dead give away), and this track is heavily inspired by Karl Bartos 'Communication' album (the track 'The Message' in particular).
If you don't like vocoders, stay clear!"
Consider yourself warned; Makke definitely sets a new OCR record for "amount of heavily vocoded content", as the entire vocal track is thusly processed. You've got a spooky witch theme being merged with the digital, binary precision of electro-pop. Kraftwerk are one of those bands whose names are almost onomatopoeic - their music really does sound like the internal clockwork and machinations of a large, impersonal machine, devoid of any and all analog imperfections. Of course, technically, many of the synth textures used ARE actually analog, but the combined sound is post-modern, industrialized glory, and Makke hits the nail on the head. You've got shimmering digital, warm analog, processed 808-ish electro-drums with slick verbed fx, choral bits, and deep, resonant bass. If you've been looking, searching, yearning, etc. for music to robot by, this is soooo your thing. In fact, this song should be the international standard by which all robot dance competitions are judged. Let it be proclaimed! Until this inarguable justice is achieved, however, you can enjoy Makke's latest opus in the comfort of your own home, and be sure to check out his album, too.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the This mix is crazy good! I can't tell what's more fun; the crunchy,
funky digi-music or the lyrics "The hag will know defeat"! This mix
is fun and I can see it becoming the song that starts my OCR
listening sessions. Cool stuff.
- duskvstweak on July 21, 2012
- duskvstweak on July 21, 2012
Dark textures, high reverb, juicy "shots," and other elements craft
a misty but inviting atmosphere. The beat becomes danceable
starting at 0:15 (when the buzzy alien synth comes in) and stays
solid throughout. But the dynamics of the vocoder are what really
sell me on this. Its timing is playful, like it's coloring outside
the lines (in this case, not sticking to the same beats as the
other players); its storyteller tone likes to stay low and neutral,
which makes its higher pitches and fervent moods cute; and it fits
right in with the vibe. It commands the buildup during the chorus
so well that every time the line "and cut a lock of witch's hair"
comes up, I must see, imagine, or physically mimic the action on
the beat (the same goes for when I'm not actually listening to this
mix but am singing the lyrics to myself). Crazy addicting.
Now if you'll excuse me, I must act as barber to a female magic user... :P
- Polo on December 2, 2009
Now if you'll excuse me, I must act as barber to a female magic user... :P
- Polo on December 2, 2009
Groovtastic! I really like, but, there's something the puzzles me:
how does the name of this song relate to the game or the song
itself?
- BlackPhantom on November 1, 2008
- BlackPhantom on November 1, 2008
Easily one of OCR's best remixes insofar. It's a must-have :D,
though I tried playing the game...not nearly as cool as this song
;-)
- HoboKa on February 18, 2008
- HoboKa on February 18, 2008
This is so amazingly out there I am having trouble even writing a
review.
If there was ever a movie or game where robots were dressed like Conan the barbarian, this would be the theme song.
Completely epic and yet at the same point, completely robo-cheese, it's a totally remarkable mix that I can't decide if I like it or not.
One thing I think would improve it would be for the main vocal to be a little higher up frequency-wise, right now it sort of fights against the bass. Most likely fighting with a tron-style morningstar.
Very creative and I think after several listens I like it, for the sheer creativity.
- OA on February 18, 2008
If there was ever a movie or game where robots were dressed like Conan the barbarian, this would be the theme song.
Completely epic and yet at the same point, completely robo-cheese, it's a totally remarkable mix that I can't decide if I like it or not.
One thing I think would improve it would be for the main vocal to be a little higher up frequency-wise, right now it sort of fights against the bass. Most likely fighting with a tron-style morningstar.
Very creative and I think after several listens I like it, for the sheer creativity.
- OA on February 18, 2008
Wow! 8O This must be a good song if I can remember it a day after I
listened to it. :<
- jelloegg on August 3, 2007
- jelloegg on August 3, 2007
Wowzers, this is one cool mix...it really teleports me back when
Dos games were popular, like Doom 1, that wizard game and whatnot.
- HoboKa on January 20, 2007
- HoboKa on January 20, 2007
Indeed, it is all too close to being Kraftwerkian. I love it. The
robot rap is gorgeous. Long live the 80s.
- meccaneer on January 15, 2007
- meccaneer on January 15, 2007
I've listened to this song way more than I should already, and it
still doesn't seem old to me. Thanks for the great tune.
- TheRedBob on January 12, 2007
- TheRedBob on January 12, 2007
Very nice. I dig this style of music, and what's even more
important is that this song is very catchy.
And just like it was said before, the lyrics fit very well. Good job with the vocals, too; they sound awesome.
- Martin Penwald on January 4, 2007
And just like it was said before, the lyrics fit very well. Good job with the vocals, too; they sound awesome.
- Martin Penwald on January 4, 2007
makke wrote: These are actually the words printed at the back of the box/cassette case on the original game, so I can't take credit for writing them. They simply fitted as song lyrics, so I don't think I changed anything - just lifted them right off.
Anyway, hope y'all will enjoy the tune! :D
Still awesome! :DYes, but you forced them to fit naturally. Although it sounds like a natural fit to me, I'm certain it's more of a reflection of your excellent work. After all, you could have tweaked them differently and ruined the song. Well done. Anyway, I've been listening to this quite a bit since it was posted. Awesome.
- Nec5 on December 24, 2006
I haven't heard anything [i]this[/i] groovy since I bought Minimum
Maximum.
Needs more metalling clangs, though. It ain't kraftwerkian without 'em.
- Woe Is You on December 24, 2006
Needs more metalling clangs, though. It ain't kraftwerkian without 'em.
- Woe Is You on December 24, 2006
makke wrote: Ach! I forgot to provide the lyrics when I sent the remix in. Well, here they are, so if anyone else asks just point them here. ;)
Where once the tiny cottage stood
A mighty palace, dwarfs the wood
And there within the highest tower
The witch queen wields her mighty power
A rule of evil ‘cross the land
With ghosts and gargoyles close at hand
Her enemies destroyed this night
Yet one remains to set things right
A pumpkin warrior, brave and good
The last survivor from the wood
So go now swiftly climb the stair
And cut a lock of witch’s hair
Seek out the cauldron black
And brew a spell to change things back
Then the hag will know defeat
And thy revenge will be complete
These are actually the words printed at the back of the box/cassette case on the original game, so I can't take credit for writing them. They simply fitted as song lyrics, so I don't think I changed anything - just lifted them right off.
Anyway, hope y'all will enjoy the tune! :D
Still awesome! :D
- Azure Prower on December 24, 2006
Ach! I forgot to provide the lyrics when I sent the remix in. Well,
here they are, so if anyone else asks just point them here.
;)
These are actually the words printed at the back of the box/cassette case on the original game, so I can't take credit for writing them. They simply fitted as song lyrics, so I don't think I changed anything - just lifted them right off.
Anyway, hope y'all will enjoy the tune! :D
- makke on December 24, 2006
Where once the tiny cottage stood
A mighty palace, dwarfs the wood
And there within the highest tower
The witch queen wields her mighty power
A rule of evil ‘cross the land
With ghosts and gargoyles close at hand
Her enemies destroyed this night
Yet one remains to set things right
A pumpkin warrior, brave and good
The last survivor from the wood
So go now swiftly climb the stair
And cut a lock of witch’s hair
Seek out the cauldron black
And brew a spell to change things back
Then the hag will know defeat
And thy revenge will be complete
These are actually the words printed at the back of the box/cassette case on the original game, so I can't take credit for writing them. They simply fitted as song lyrics, so I don't think I changed anything - just lifted them right off.
Anyway, hope y'all will enjoy the tune! :D
- makke on December 24, 2006
