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Review: Stubbs the Zombie Soundtrack CD |
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Written by Michael Salsbury
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Tuesday, 24 January 2006 |
As mentioned in my review of "Stubbs the Zombie in Rebel Without a
Pulse", the background music in the game was one of its most endearing
aspects. The developers and musicians did a great job of fitting the
music to the game's environment, which was sort of a mix of 1950's era
style combined with what "science fiction" would have looked like to a
1950's era person. The cars looked like 1950's cars, except they
hovered. Gas stations were still full-service, with robot attendants
pumping the gas (and the car). The music on the soundtrack captures
this image well. It consists of 1950's style songs recorded by modern
artists. Either intentionally or accidentally, the songs also have a
sort of twisted sound to them that somehow seems right at home in a
zombie movie/game.
The soundtrack album is a great listen even if you aren't interested in
the game. It features a number of songs you'll quickly recognize, by
alternative artists like The Raveonettes, Death Cab for Cutie, Cake,
and The Dandy Warhols:
- Ben Kweller - Lollipop:
The opening of this song sounds a good bit like the original, but
quickly takes on the sort of "twisted 50's" feel of the other tracks.
- The Raveonettes - My Boyfriend's Back: This track sounds little like the original, but it's a great remake and definitely one of the stand-out tracks on the disc.
- Death Cab for Cutie - Earth Angel:
Since I'm a fan of Death Cab for Cutie, I appreciate this track because
they're the ones doing it. It sounds very little like the original,
but has kind of an eerie feel to it that goes great with the other
tracks here and the game itself.
- Rose Hill Drive - Shakin' All Over: This
is probably my least favorite track on the album. It is somewhat out
of place with the others, sounding more grunge-ish than 1950-ish.
- Cake - Strangers in the Night:
Cake does a great job with this song, and it's definitely one of the
better tracks. The vocals are perfect for the kind of song this is.
- The Walkmen - There Goes My Baby: This is one of the weaker tracks on the album, though it's not terrible.
- Rogue Wave - Everyday:
The first time I heard this song was in an entertaining movie called
"Mischief" starring a young Kelly Preston (who spends a decent stretch
of time, shall we say, "indecent"). This version is good, above
average among the tracks on the disc.
- The Dandy Warhols - All I Have To Do Is Dream:
This is a very kitschy version of the song, but it is well suited to
the point in the game where it appears, and it's fun to listen to out
of the game.
- Oranger - Mr. Sandman:
This track starts off sounding a good bit like the original, then kicks
into a decidedly alternative sound that fits in well with the rest of
the soundtrack. Overall, it's one of the better tracks on the disc.
- The Flaming Lips - If I Only Had a Brain:
This track from The Wizard of Oz has an amusing double meaning when
played in the context of a game where you go around eating brains.
It's well-performed here and fits in reasonably well with the other
tracks.
- Clem Snide - Tears On My Pillow: fsfdsd
- Milton Snapes - Lonesome Town: sdfdsf
- Phantom Planet - The Living Dead: dfgdfg
Once you've actually beaten the game, the song selections here provide
a good tongue-in-cheek reminder of the storyline in the game as they
echo it quite well.
I enjoy listening to this album almost as much as playing the game,
which is saying something. I'd give it an 8 out of a possible 10.
Definitely recommended if you secretly like any 1950's era music and/or
any of the artists listed above.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 17 December 2006 )
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