OUS-004 The OneUps Volume 1

[Mustin]

Please post your thoughts on the album here.


P.S. - I know of the spelling error on the inside of the silver band of the actual disc. It's been three years now - I'd think that my manufacturer would know there's no space in OneUp by now.

Also, I know that "Bossa De Link" could technically be from A Link to the Past but it's only a small part, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is a really freakin' long video game title to fit with the rest of the titles on a CD.

Moose played bass on "Monkeys" and not Mustin.

[Robbwith2bees]

Mail came early today.

Official review here (http://whfr.hfcc.net/apps/forum/index.php?showtopic=790).

:)

[demalavor]

Can't give a full review of it right now, but all I can say is holy shit it freaking rocks. Hands down the best CD OneUp Studios has ever released. Not a single bad track on the song, every song is amazing, I am going to be pimping this out to everyone I know because everyone needs to own this CD.

I am going to use City Lights to romance every women I ever meet because that song totally got me in the mood.

[stevekarpeal]

Great CD. Not my favorite, that spot belongs to Xenogears Light, but definitly 2nd.

Favorite songs are Green Greens, Isle Delfino, and Schala

[dilbert627]

Hands down the best CD OneUp Studios has ever released. Not a single bad track on the song, every song is amazing,

I definitely agree. I've liked most of the music on OneUp Studios albums in the past, but this one blows them all away. Sounds awesome, and all the songs are very well arranged and performed. I've always liked the OneUps (mushrooms) songs in the past, and I've been looking forward to this album for quite a while. MONKEYS! FINALLY!!! I love that song. The DKC song was awesome as well. And the Katamari Damacy song was VERY catchy, even though I'm not familiar with the original. To Mustin, et al... VERY WELL DONE! I look forward to volume 2 ;)

[Geoffrey Taucer]

This kicks major ass. I can't really pick one arrangement to mention, because I love all of them.

My only complaint is that it seems like the percussion (especially hi-hats) is too loud on some of the songs. There were a couple where the hi-hats were really annoying (I'll mention specific songs later when I get a chance to listen to it through again -- I don't remember off the top of my head which songs the percussion was bothering me in.)

Despite this minor complaint, though, this is definitely one of my favorite CDs, on par with Time & Space.

[SaveSuperJoe]

kick ass. I like axelay a bunch. andy asteroids rocks face. somehow I like ToeJam Jammin' better on VBOS, but that's probably because I'm more familiar with that version.
I like everything else that I've listened to on the CD, which is through Katamaritaino. I'm sure the rest is equally awesome. doubleplusgood, guys.


ps. Mustin, esquire? when's the knighting ceremony?

[Lucky]

On Monkeys, there's two bass players on that track? I was thinking this might be alright, if Moose played on it first, but didn't get to finish, and you finished it. But, just making sure.

[joe_cam]

So so so hot. Fantastic album.
This will be playing all FAGFest Weekend.
I've been listening to it non-stop for the past hour and a half and it will be playing all day.
It was definitely worht the wait.

[chrono26]

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
great stuff guys. this album is incredible. every track is good. I love the K. Damacy track and the vocals are awesome. Monkeys is excellent and so is Schala, Green Greens and Aquatic Ambience. i guess i'll write a review later. good job guys and thanks for another great album!

[Ybrik Metaknight]

Just got it today. Listened to several of the tracks (mostly the ones I was already familiar with). I'll post a full review later, but damn...good stuff. I've got Isle Delfino stuck in my head right now.

[KWarp]

Got in the mail 5 minutes ago. On track 2 right now. I don't know the original tunes so far but I'm digging this stuff anyway. Nothing like browsing the OUS boards listenin' to their latest CD eh?

Ooo... Monkeys sounds goooood..

[joe_cam]

Paperboy = HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[ktriton]

Some killer stuff on this CD including some of the best solo's I've heard yet from Anthony. Bomberman, Zelda, and Katamaritaino (yes I liked it) are my favorites so far and I'm still not done with the CD. Honestly, this is some of the cleanest arranging I've heard yet.

Hats off, fellas. Sounds like a commercial CD that I'd pick up at Best Buy.

[Ybrik Metaknight]

Still no full review from me, as I'm mega-tired from the Dear Friends concert and then eating dinner/hanging out with hillarygayle, creech42, animefreak and FaithisHot, but I have three things to say:

1) Big suprise for me is just how much I like Katamaritaino. I've never played this game, and it's rare for me to just fall in love with an arrangement/mix of VGM I have no in-game connection to. But I LOVE this song. It's just...awesome. I love this whole "island" feel that so many of the OneUps' songs have.
2) Much <3 for the Zelda II song. I love a good classical guitar solo piece, and I've always felt the Zelda II soundtrack was vastly underappreciated (with the obvious exception of the Temple theme). This piece is so relaxing. I would absolutely buy a whole album of VGM arranged and performed by William Reyes (and not just because I would probably buy anything under the OUS label).

Don't read the third one if you haven't listened to the CD yet and want to be surprised by it.









3) The bonus track at the end of Paperboy: Is that from FFV? I've been trying to figure it out all day, and I think it just came to me. But since I don't have that soundtrack, I'm not sure.

[sempaimiles]

Got my album yesterday in the mail! AWESOME! I almost don't want to open it...but I must and listen to it's greatness! Review of my own to come! Thanks Mustin for getting these out so fast.

-Miles

[Paul van de Geijn]

This album is SO teh sex! Hawt man. Great job as always! :)

I think I've listened to this CD 5 times already. To mention that I got it like 8 hours ago :razz:

[Cyan_Ide]

Thank. You. I also love every last track on the album. Thank you also for getting it to us that fast. I was pleasantly surprised to find it in the mailbox yesterday. I've been playing it all afternoon at work. Great job!

[Jer]

This album is just as good, if not better than Time and Space. I'm loving it tons. Katamaritaino inspired me to go to Best Buy and purchase the game. Great stuff.

This sounds the most solid out of all the OUS albums so far (though I never bought The Best of Sega), especially with recording quality and mixing. It's warm, full of life, and high energy and excellently mixed and mastered. Not to mention, The OneUps own. Two thumbs up.

- Jer

[KWarp]

Faves are Green Greens, Koopa Beach, Bossa De Link, and Monkeys. I can't wait to hear another Kirby arrangement from you guys. There'd better by one on the next album. <(^_^)>

[pappy]

I think I recognized about two songs on the entire album without being told, but you know what? Now I wanna play all these games and see how much better the OneUp version is over the originals. Seriously, I've listened to this CD the entire weekend at JoeCam's party, on repeat the whole way home, and all night since I got back.
Right now Isle Delfino and Katamaritaino are fighting it out for title of Greatest Anything Ever.

[bandskank]

Best. Album. Ever.


personal favorites are katamari and Green Greens

[DiggiDis]

Arrangements and styles are great .. Instrument control is absolutely nice .. Small minor .. I had a few issues with recording of instruments .. But that's nitpicking .. This CD is absolutely worth the money ..

Good luck to you all for future gigs/projects ..

Nice to see what has started as an idea/dream has turned out this way ..

Props ..

[Gauntlet]

I just want to say that Greg Kennedy's performance of Andy Asteroids is incredible and amazing and this man is my hero.

[Vuffster]

Got it and love it. My favorite tracks are the ones I recognize more (Green Greens, Bossa de Link, Katamaritaino, etc.), but all the tracks are great. Like most have said, this is probably the best album out of OUS so far. Great job, guys.





So... what's next? ;)

[SaveSuperJoe]

I just want to say that Greg Kennedy's performance of Andy Asteroids is incredible and amazing and this man is my hero.

just to reiterate, Andy Asteroids kicks ass.

[Ybrik Metaknight]

just to reiterate, Andy Asteroids kicks ass.

[Nólaquen]

just to reiterate, Andy Asteroids kicks ass.
ditto ditto

Can definitely hear the O'Connor influence and that is very much a good thing.

I really can't say much about this album besides this is absolutely the best stuff I've heard to date. Much <3 for Zelda (Zelda II, even! I swear I'm the only person I know that has ever beat that game :mrgreen: ) and that makes me happy. =)

[Ybrik Metaknight]

I beat it, N?laquen. Of course, that was years, ago, and using Game Genie. But I'm working on it, on the GBA port. Or I was, until I lost interest a couple months ago. I imagine I'll StartUp with it again soon, especially since hearing William's track makes me really want to play it again.

[pappy]

The entire album is like great hearty beef stew. Where even weeks after you've eaten it, you still say to yourself "Damn, that was some fan-TASTIC stew."

[Mazedude]

This album is great. It hits so many marks - jazz you can listen to for the sake of funky solos and improv, smooth music you can play in the background, orchestration you can appreciate for it's odd blendings (violin and saxophone? What?), and all with a healthy dose of nostalgia.

I skimmed the titles on the back before I popped the CD, real quick like. "Okay, Mario Kart, Bomberman, yadda yadda, cool" - and then went on to listen to it while I took care of paperwork. And I STILL got hit by moments of "Whoa!!! Super Mario Kart!", "Sweet, Mario Paint, I remember that song!", and more.

I was pleasantly surprised by the enhancements to the original themes as well. Green Greens hit, and I thought "ah, haha, Kirby, I remember this. What a nice, light, and silly theme." And before I realized it a couple minutes had gone by, and I was really digging the groove. "Wait a sec, is this still the same song? This cool groove I'm jamming to is still that Kirby theme?! No way!"

Very, very nice work. All of you.

Mazedude

[joe_cam]

just to reiterate, Andy Asteroids kicks ass.
Enjoyable, but definitely at the bottom of the list for me on the CD.
Also, I think I'd enjoy Michael a lot more if the lead was a sax instead of violin. Just doesn't seem to fit right to me.

Still great songs, minor gripes I guess.
Schala is unbelievably awesome and Bomberman is WAY better than I thought it would be...probably one of my faves on the CD. That's a rockin song!

[Ybrik Metaknight]

just to reiterate, Andy Asteroids kicks ass.
Enjoyable, but definitely at the bottom of the list for me on the CD.

Actually, it is for me too, mostly because I don't have any attachment to the original piece, or the game it comes from. But I do really like listening to it.

[Henry Jones]

Giving some separation for the people who haven't listened to the CD yet.

















3) The bonus track at the end of Paperboy: Is that from FFV? I've been trying to figure it out all day, and I think it just came to me. But since I don't have that soundtrack, I'm not sure.

It's the track "What?" from Final Fantasy V. Definitely a surprising addition as well as the stuff that comes with it. "Come on, we're gonna' be late!"

[Cyan_Ide]

Schala is unbelievably awesome and Bomberman is WAY better than I thought it would be...probably one of my faves on the CD. That's a rockin song!

Couldn't agree more. It's right up there with Green Greens as my favorite on the album.

[Ybrik Metaknight]

Thanks for the confirmation, Henry.

[World of Ruin]

The Zelda theme arrangement makes me actually want to listen to it instead of immediately dismissing it after hearing so many versions of it. I've wanted to say this here since the first time I heard it so here I am!

I probably wouldn't keep the Zelda II song on any playlist from VGmix or OC, but it's not hard on the ears, and obviously fits in the context of the whole CD, so I don't skip it. Compilations of similar style'd songs usually make me not skip tracks. The part that happens twice or so and doesn't sound anything like Zelda II took me by surprise, though. Go random good sounding original music within a constant familiar stream!

I guess I should read whatever was actually inside the case instead of immediately popping in the CD, but I noticed that synth part at the end of the first track isn't anywhere else. What's with that? Not that I'm complaining. It sounds like the synth used in XOR's Auf Wiedersehen Monty mix over at remix.kwed.org. Real smooth and unique.

I found the mixing on the bowser track was too muddled or something. Too much bass or something. Makes it pretty unenjoyable. I need to try my 100 dollar headphones instead! (Been listening in my car.)

I can see why Andy Asteroids could be low on someone's list. But I can also see why it could be high. I'm not just talking about the appreciation of the playing ability. It relies so much on the melody...and with good reason. Nothing wrong with that except it might get a little old, but only if you think about it too much. Might depend on your mood.

As for the rest, peaks randomly occur for me, meaning one part of some song will become the best ever even though next time around it could possibly be ignored. Reasons for this include: heavy traffic, traffic amount allowing different emotional levels to be accessed, traffic traffic. dododododododododoowoo-oowoo-oowh . . . dododododododododa doowm. Yeah that FF5 part was confusing me with its origins too.

[Je-Money]

I got my copies yesterday. Stupid post office took forever. And they smashed the box up breaking one of the cases. All well, not like cd cases are hard to find.

Having to go to work, I didn't get a chance to listen to it. I did put it in at work and listened through it two times. The only comments I got from any customers was that it was too loud.

Being honest, I prefer Time and Space and Xenogears over this one. Not to say I don't like this one, just not my fav. Great job to everyone. I'm surprised by how much I enjoy songs I've never heard before, such as Andy Asteroids. That song=pimp slap to the face. Schala is cool, but not as good as I had hoped. Just my preference I guess. I listened to it as I slept last night, and found my self humming Katamaritaino in the morning. Very weird.

Anywho, great job guys. Totally worth the wait, and I'm eagerly anticipating Vol 2.

[Stefanof]

Got it yesterday, it's great. Fast and cheap shipping is a big plus to boot, as I live far away I'm not accustomed to such good service. Very nice.

As to the music, I especially like Katamaritaino and both Zelda remixes. Hope to hear more from The OneUps soon!

OneUps, ThumbsUp.

[Shonen Samurai]

Enjoying this CD very much. Only track Im not fond of is Koopa's Theme, which seems a little weak compared to the rest of the tracks.

The re-recorded ToeJam Jammin' is superb, Andy Asteroids really blew me away as far as actual performance is concerned (Greg, long hair makes us awesome), City Lights was a great surprise for me (Axelay! po!), Green Greens definitely surprised me as far as arrangement was concerned (in a great way).

DER BOMMERMENSCH !!

Glad you guys went through with this.

[SaveSuperJoe]

yes, i enjoy bomberman immensely.

[sabin1001]

1) Big suprise for me is just how much I like Katamaritaino. I've never played this game, and it's rare for me to just fall in love with an arrangement/mix of VGM I have no in-game connection to. But I LOVE this song. It's just...awesome. I love this whole "island" feel that so many of the OneUps' songs have.


Get the full Katmari soundtrack, you won't regret.

Now, as for the CD. It just straight up owns. No other way to put it. Great work guys.

And Katamaritaino sounds great even without the lyrics, which I was surprised by. But sure enough after listening to it a few times, then going back to the Katamari OST I realized there were actual spoken words in the original. You guys really made it your own.

Oh and GO MARIO PAINT. I love when that soundtrack gets attention. It's too good to not get remixed more.





I wish I had recognized the FFV thing at first. I feel...unworthy now.

[artimus clive]

You guys made my week, my month, my year, etc. The CD is so good I had to make another EP out of all the other mp3s I had just to satisfy my cravings. The thing is so good in fact, that it got me to register so I can bother all of you about how good it is. Keep up the good work.

[dma]

I checked samples of this album after reading a news about it (on stc i think) and when i finished listening to all those, i ordered the CD straight away.
I mean come on, funky game-music arrangements, it has been made for me! ;-)

And it's indeed a marvelous album, all the arrangements are great and creative, also the performance is really good.
Nothing surprising concidering the quality of mp3s released by the band before. ;-)

I can't really spot "favorites" tracks, as i don't dislike any, but i've been really pleased about tracks which i wanted to hear great arrangements of since long : Koopa Beach, Aquatic Ambience, Green Greens, Paperboy (this one is already super funky in the arcade game, especialy the drums!! 8-)).

I hope more volumes will be released and also new mp3s. :)
Keep up the great work!

[othersteve]

Hey guys,

I don't know if any of you remember me. Regardless, I ordered my copy yesterday, so I hope to have it by next week sometime, before my wedding and honeymoon!

You guys rock!

~os

[demalavor]

hehe I just noticed I was quoted on the e-mail Mustin sent out about the CD.

[MacDaddy Mike]

I gots it. I loves it. I hugs it. I sexs it.

[radorn]

The postguy woke me up today at 14:00... grrrrr... Good thing for him he bought my stuff!!!:cool:

The disc is great, good stuff!!

I had a little disappointment tough :sad:

Instead of listening tracks in order, I went to the "Bossa Du Link" theme first because I loved the mp3 you had in the demo page when you still were "The OneUp Mushrooms". I really really love how that sounds and the new version is somewhat disappointing. I preferred the slower paced, more melodic old version than the one in the album.

It would be reallly nice if you were to release it at some point again (I mean, the complete recording not just the sampler you released then)... ogg vorbis, flac? please? :mrgreen:

hehe, I know you'll be nice enough to satisfy my greed :P wouldn't you? ;-)

It's not that the song is bad, but I liked the old version best, just that.

For the rest, ALL NICE, KEEP IT UP!!

[Artemis]

[By the way, I sent this review to Mustin and he told me to post it here, so, when I say "you", I'm referring to Mustin.]

I Loved the album. I can't wait for Volume 2. You and the rest of the band have AMAZING talent. He is a sort of review of the album:

01. ToeJam Jammin': I love this funk-style track. Quality is awesome. I especially love the synthesizer solo. This song is amzing. (And the title is just so funny!)

02. Koopa Beach: I've never really listened to this samba-bossa style of music*, and hadn't particularely liked it, but this track (as well as 03. Monkeys and 12. Bossa De Link) has changed my opinion completely.

03. Monkeys: A neat little samba-style song. I don't really have that much to say about it really.

04. Isle Delfino: A fast-moving guitar-mandolin-violin/fiddle song. I've never really been one for country type music*, but this song is an exception.

05. Andy Asteroids: As I said, I never particularly liked country/hoedown music*, but this song is fun and really neat. I really love the fiddle.

06. Schala:This song is beautiful, it's relaxing, and easy-listening. My brother has said in the past that the Chrono games have some of the best music. And you guys just made it better.

07. City Lights: I love the Wa-wa pedal at the start. Awesome saxophone by Anthony. This song is very nice.

08. Katamaritaino: From what I hear (as I have never played Katamari Damacy before) this song captures the spirit of the game. I really like the vocals be Ms. Wood.

09. Koopa's Theme: This song ROCKS!!!!!!! I love rock (as well as jazz, classical, etc.) and this song really, truly, ROCKS! William Reyes is amazing at guitar. And your bass and rythm guitar performance rocked as well. And Jared is amazing on the drums.

10. Bomberman: This song almost reminded me of "Pick Up The Pieces" at the start with that jazz-y guitar. Once again, Anthony rocked on the sax. Amazing guitar solo as well.

11. Town Medley: Guitar, being my first instrument, will always have a special place in my heart. William does an amzing job of performing this piece which reminds me of a childhood growing up with this kind of music.

12. Bossa De Link: Scratch what I said before. I love Bossa music. As a fellow saxophonist, I believe your guest musician did an amazing job.

13. Aquatic Ambience: This song is like a test for all great ReMixers. McVaffe did it, Vigilante did it (Kong in Concert) and now The OneUps have done it. You passed the test! This track is very good. It captures the 'Ambience' in "Aquatic Ambience."

14. Green Greens: This song means so much to me, and I'm glad that you guys didn't screw it up. Kirby has always been one of my favourite Nintendo characters, I don't know why, but that little pink ball is just so lovable. This song holds so many memories and emotions from the good old days of video games. Please tell Anthony that he is amazing on the saxophone and that his arrangment is one of the best.

15. Michael: I have never played Maniac Mansion, but I know without a doubt that this song is WAY better than the original.

16. Paperboy: I recall my brother renting this game once. This song is pretty cool The bicycle bell was hilarious. (In the way that it fit perfectly with the song, and it was just such a great idea.)

All in all, I think this was the best CD purchase I've ever made. (And I mean it.) As a fellow musician I think that this is some of the best stuff I've ever heard. And I give this 10 out of 5 stars!



*Please don't think that I'm some close-minded person, because I like rock, jazz, classical, techno, ambient, and many other types of music. I also play guitar, keyboards, drums, clarinet, and saxophone, and have only had lessons on guitar, clarinet, and saxophone. (By clarinet lessons I mean band class.)

[necrophilissimo]

Cheers!

As webmaster of SOUNDTRACK.notes I'm glad to add our review of this marvellous CD!

--> SOUNDTRACK.notes (http://www.soundtracknotes.cjb.net): --> The OneUps Volume 1 Review (http://kotisivu.mtv3.fi/necrophilissimo/source/compilations/OneUps-Volume1.htm)

Feel free to bookmark our site - if you do, please use our domain cloak URL instead of direct links, as there it's possible we'll change server sometime soon.

[Mr. Maul]

With SquareSound (v.2) finally released, I'm finally able to provide my rather in-depth review of the album:

http://www.squaresound.com/reviews/chris/oneups1.html

I hope you enjoy it and find it useful. If I have accredited people wrongly, I apologise and I will change the review accordingly if there are such mistakes. Keep up the excellent work, Mustin, Anthony, Greg, William, Tim, Jared, and Dale. I enjoyed the album a great deal and everything I said is meant in the sincerest and most honest way possible. Good luck with Volume 2 and the tour!

[Robbwith2bees]

http://www.squaresound.com/reviews/chris/oneups1.html

I decided to review your review.

It's good.

Thank you.

[Almasy Marquis]

I got the CD a couple days ago and like it.

Favorites are Delfino Island and Bomberman.

Maybe not as your next album, but you guys should do an 'Unplugged' album with Costa del Sol -esque commentary thrown in.

[Woffester]

This is the first CD I bought from OneUp Studios since I bought Time and Space in 2002 at MAGfest...I have to say that the fact that there were so many Nintendo tunes on this thing brought me in. I think the large majority of Nintendo tunes are far more listenable (to my ears) than many other publishers. Not to mention the nostalgia factor, which is huge to me. Toe Jammin is great. Koop Beach is very good, but for some reason I tend to expect the performance I was given of the same tune at MAGfest - which was sickeningly good...Or maybe it wasn't Koopa Beach at Mfest...was it? Anyways. The Super Mario Sunshine track was good, but somehow stands in the shadow to the incredible live performance put on by the string quartet at "Big Band Live." I know how much Mustin likes the song "City Lights" from Axelay, and I can tell that he put a lot into that song because it too, is an outstanding track on the CD.

Ramble Ramble, Grumble Grumble...It's GOOD.

[KWarp]

Andy Astroids kicks @$$. I love this album more every time I listen to it.

[Liontamer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_OneUps_Volume_1

Did about as much info as I could given the circumstances. Bound to be some factual errors, but for the most part, things look good. I'd appreciate more info being added, including who designed the CD art, and what game that was inspired from (Mario Sunshine I heard, though I wouldn't know).

[Dhsu]

It's inspired by the Paper Mario 2 battles...there's an audience of baddies that rate you on your performance.

[Mustin]

I never heard of this Paper Mario reference until Koala pointed it out one nite when I was telling her what it was that I wanted to do. I had already drawn everything out for what I wanted the artwork to look like and then she showed me the artwork for this Paper Mario game.

So really, though a cool coincidence, it wasn't inspired by that. Artwork designed by Nick Busby.

[CPacaud]

Order'd. I'm gonna write a big fat, mean review when I get it. Which should be in a couple of months. Or NOT!

Who knows.

[Mythril Nazgul]

This is an individual shout out to Anthony Lofton for his work on Green Greens.

Holy crap, man. Amazing. This album is good stuff, but Green Greens....Hot.

[CPacaud]

Just got this hot package... I'll try to come up with some nifty review thing soon.

[Mazedude]

I would just like to mention that this CD has been sitting in my 3-CD changer, for like... months. Since I got the thing. Normally nothing stays in my changer for more than a few plays. My soundtrack collection, world music, whatever weirdness I have in my CD collection makes an appearance in the changer for maybe a couple days at most, and then back they go into the CD booklet. But not the OneUps Volume 1. That one's stayed. It's also become a case of if the CD before it finishes it and the player goes right on into the OneUps, I'm just like "oh, that CD... that's still in there? Ah well, let it play, it's cool."

I wonder if any of this has to do with the fact that I lost the jewel case...

[joe_cam]

Most of the album is still in heavy rotation on my mp3 player.
A few got cut (Andy's Asteroids, Michael, Monkeys, Aquatic Ambience, a few others) but all the best stuff is there.
Schala, Bomberman, Toe Jam & Earl and so on...
All the awesome upbeat stuff is still on there.
I honestly believe that The OneUps' version of Schala is the best ever.
Fucking amazing.

Volume II will hopefully feature Boomer Kwanger, Vega, and Zozo.
Oh my god those songs own you.

[sempaimiles]

I for one listen to this in my car. It's a part of a rotating selection of mix music cds and it comes around quite often compared to the others. :D I have yet to rip it and add it to my computing playlist <---lazy ;)

-Miles

[Variable Rush]

I agree with the Cam: Bring me Kuwanger or bring me something that's just as good like Storm Eagle or Zero's theme.

My favorite song on this CD is Bowser's Theme. It's teh rocking.

[Lunar Moog]

Bring me that epic prog rock Duck Tales moon theme song Mustin talked about in that interview with Robb.

[Lilfurbal]

Amazing stuff, quality is REALLY good.

I think my favorite song on the cd is Koopa Beach, or Green Greens...I duno.

It turns out that the songs I enjoy the most are from the games I never heard or played before. I don't even know what Axelay is but oh well.

ToeJam Jammin' sounds totally awesome; never played the game but the song... love it.
Monkeys is definately a good song I remember from Mario Paint, good times.
Use to play a lot of paperboy also, unfortunately I don't recall any music in it and therefor the Paperboy track sounds like an all new song to me. Great stuff...

Instrumentation is sweet, really love the Sax work in particular.

Looking forward to Volume II, which I intend to purchase closer to its release date then months afterwards :p
maybe a cd with a bigger emphasis on FF or something. :>

<3

[la mort d'azar]

I'm pasting my comments I left for this at vgmix after the cd's release. This was originally typed up in July.

The tracklist looked to be a promising one, some if not many of the songs on here I had not heard the originals of, yet I still anticipated hearing the OneUp's arrangements of them. Several of them I think were on the list of the twenty one (or twenty two) song repitore that used to be on the OneUp's song page (that was back when Chris Storm was still the drummer though). The opening track is a different take on the "ToeJam Jammin" from "The Very Best of Sega", and in my opinon a much better one. While I was a fan of the older version this one seemed much more solid, had alot more support and had a better foundation to work with in pushing the song to it's limits.

Songs like "Schala", "Bossa De Link", "Aquatic Ambience", and "Green Greens" have previously been mixed to the point redundancy. Their respecitve covers on this album however all take great degrees of originality and intrest that are sure to keep the listeners attention in a way that others cant. I dont know if I'd call the four of these the "best" arrangements of these constantly arranged songs, but they are definatley up there with the more memorable ones.

It was also a treat to have music arranged by other artists on here and preformed by the OneUp's such as po!'s "City Lights", adding consistent varation to the style's of music potrayed on the CD. Speaking of which tracks nine through eleven are further examples of such: being guitar driven songs that can be just as catchy as the jazz and funk tunes. A definte plus from this album was that two fairly recent games made an apperance on here, Super Mario Sunshine and Katamari Damacy, both with quite spectacular arrangements.

At the very end of the "Paperboy" track there is about a minute of silence before a hidden "song" comes in. That being "What!?" from Final Fantasy V with some dude struggling to ride his bike talking over it. An odd bonus, but as a FFV fan I was happy to hear that, even with the goofy dialouge.

Overall: I cant personally find any downside to the album. Not even the unusually short linear notes were a minus in my mind. While there were more popular OneUp's tunes that didnt make the cut, this album dosent dissapoint at all. As good as this one was it leaves you waiting for more, and that's good news because next time around we can possibly expect "Dire, Dire Docks", The Mario Brothers Medley, some Earthbound, Castlevania 3, Secret of the Forest, and who knows what else that lies in the vast repitoire of the OneUp's. Until that time though this CD will definatley keep any OneUp's fan occupied while they anticipate the great stuff to come from this band in the future.

[Moloneymagic]

I actually just got the CD now. I didn't know about the OneUps until the Earthbound Remix project. I didn't become interested in them (not to say I didn't love Summers!) until recently since I've begun to download more and more remixes. I was led to this site again and this time listened to almost every demo for volume 1 (I could've sworn there were only a few demos up months back) and the demos convinced me to buy it.

I absoluletely love almost every track. I'm only going to post what I didn't like because I WTFBBQZOMG love almost every track.

Katamaritaino: I feel that the vocals become too repetive. I would've liked to see the instrumental work carried from 3:20-3:50 (the stuff around 3:45 is especially good) be longer and go on to the end of the song. I think it would've been better to end the song at just a little past 4 minutes after the first set of vocals instead of playing the second set of vocals over again. When the second set of vocals come on at around 4:10 it just makes me think "How long will this go on for?" It really felt like it was being dragged on. Great song, other than my two gripes right there.

Koopa's Theme: This is the only song on the album I do not like. Overall, it just sounds like one gigantic loop to me. I also think its slower tempo just doesn't go too well with the heavy metal sound. It's not something I forsee myself growing into. It'd probably need a whole rearrangement into a much faster piece for me to enjoy it.

Kudos to Anthony on the Sax on the Green Greens track. Kudos to the entire band for an awesome album. Eagerly awaiting volume 2 now!

[joe_cam]

Wow, it's good to know that the EB project brought another fan here to OUS!

[Kcirtap1990]

Wow, it's good to know that the EB project brought another fan here to OUS!

Since Bound Together came out I have noticed new members come in like nothing else.

[watkinzez]

I've had this album for ages, but I only just got my hard copy today. Quite simply, some of the best live performances to come out of the community. There is also no argument that Bomberman is the best track on the album.

[Piano]

I just listen and listen and listen. It's like cocaine, this album.

There is so much going on in each arrangement, it's easy to miss the supporting members, such as Jared Dunn on percussion. I have to listen again before I can comment how well (or how badly) he's played on this album.

Though the cover design is great, the liner notes are pretty much non-existent, which I felt was a shame, as XG Light had such great liner notes.

Koopa Beach has been stuck in my head for three days solid, which is kinda good because few tunes get stuck into my head (the last one being JiggonJonT's Live at the Yggdrasil), yet also bad because I have to listen to it everyday. :p It's easy to harp on about the Sax (which is wonderful) but the guitar solo is also fantastic and the very catchy electric piano accompaniment is great (and kindof incorporated into Anthony's solo). Greg Kennedy also provides lovely support as well.

ToeJammin' here, I feel, is much better than OUS-2's version, because it's far more funkier and makes me wanna dance, unlike the previous version. I don't like to dance, btw.

Overall, the instruments are recorded well (with the exception of the violin - it always sounds distant and recorded at a lower quality than the other instruments, which I thought was a shame) and the arrangements are solid. Good stuff.

[Prodigious Penguin]

It didn't really hit me until I was driving home one night after doing some live mixing, but the recording FRIGGIN ROCKS! The precision of the microphoning on the drums (snare and toms especially on the last two songs) just blows my socks off. BLOWS MY SOCKS OFF!

Super-uber-mega-extreme kudos to Dale and Mustin for an amazing job.

[Zovistograt]

I bought this CD over a year ago and just now did I bother joining these forums (I usually don't stray from NSider). I also would like to point out that one of the names of the games are misspelled on the music file (Kirby's Deamland? Does that exist?) but for the most part the spelling errors were fine :)

The music itself is still awesome and I still listen to it. At first I only listened to the faster songs but then I realized that your slow songs are even better. It's like that kind of song where you listen to it once and keep going on and then you go back to that song and start listening to it over and over....like Axelay: City Lights and Chrono Trigger: Schala.

[joe_cam]

Schala is still my fave song on the album.

[ktriton]

A year and a half later and Bomberman's still badass.

[Moose]

I still wish I'd been there to play bass on Bomberman - me and Timmy rocking the unison riff was always so much fun :)

[Mustin]

Are you saying that I'm not any good?

You might be taller than me, but I can still beat you up.

Oh man, next time I see you, you're getting a fist full of Mustin.


...take that however you want...

[joe_cam]

I'm excited...

[TYarbreaux]

Yeah, Bomberman in octaves was great. And the descending stuff we'd do on Demon Seed.

I miss you Moose! :P

[Moose]

My bad - I should have been more explicit -

What I meant to say was that Mustin sucks balls and should never play bass again.

Sorry I didn't make that clearer - we'll make it all up with a triple bass solo section in the middle of streets of sim city on The Onups Reunion Tour of 2012. Yes that means you have to get better on bass Tim, because we know that Tony can't do it.

[Mustin]

http://www.nesplayer.com/comic%20strips/deathmatches/Alex%20vs.%20Mega%20Man/nescomic_files/a11.gif

[Dhsu]

Ahahaha...man, I forget about the music forum for a few days and suddenly this happens. So much win.

[ktriton]

Man, you guys are gay.

[Mr. L]

Anyway, (Hey Mustin, it's me that guy that bothered you through emails) I got The Oneups Volume 1; just loved it. I'll probably do a review later...when I'm not so busy:(

[Mattrello]

I've owned this album for awhile, but I never got around to giving credit where it's due.

To the guitarist responcible for 'Town Medley'(William Reyes?):

Amazing classical work. Hats off to you, truly. I would kill babies for the talent that that piece portrays. Easily my favourite track(though I'm biased toward classical guitars).

[joe_cam]

If you enjoyed that song, you should know that William was actually taught guitar for many years by a guy named Chico Ray. Mustin worked with him and they put out a CD back in February. Def check it out.

[Mr. L]

Yeah I've got to say, this is probably my favorite VGM album out there. I'll write a review sometime, but I've been stocked with HW (homework) since it's the end of the school year for me. Can't wait for that Volume 2...

[joe_cam]

ya know, you promised a review about a month ago. Are you a man of action or a man of talk? Be a man! :D

[Mattrello]

Are you a man of action or a man of talk? Be a man! :D

...of talk!

(Now figure out if that's positive or negative)

[Ybrik Metaknight]

I'd rather be...

A man...

Of the sea!

Wait a shitting minute, this isn't the T&S thread....

[Mr. L]

I know, I know...I have a stupid research paper and project to do though. Bleh, I'm having a little trouble finding justifable (if that is a word) scores for some of the songs I haven't heard though...

Edit: But I'm sorry Joe_cam, I didn't know that you wanted it. In fact, I was discouraged because I thought, "I only review video games, not music...I'd probably suck at it and nobody care." :oops: But I'll do it (for the my paper too), but school is first (no matter if I detest so)!

[joe_cam]

I just like reading reviews. I won't be hurt if you don't do it. It's not MY album.

[Mr. L]

You have an album?

In the review I'd give it like a 90-98%...

[joe_cam]

HA. You want MY album? You asked for it. Just remember that.
I'll post on the general board.

[Mr. L]

Well Joe_Cam, I am finished with my paper and project and got straight A's!! Whoo-hoo! Man that year was full of work, but good stuff...

Anyway I'll get to doing it since I took a break from my Fresh!nk paper (Freshinkonline.com I'm the game guy) and need to do some work there. An album review be something cool and new while I'm waiting for some games to review. But the only problem is that Nintendo wants me to review some VC games hence why they gave me free points, I think I'll do Kirby's Adventure (awesome), Kid Icarus (very good), Punchout!! (classic) and maybe another one. I'll review Vectorman when it comes on the VC too since it is my favorite Sega Gensis game...since it was the only one I played (long story). Whoa, got out of school filled with work and then going to do more work, but I love writing reviews!

[joe_cam]

Ok sir, feel free to fill us in on how you can review VC games for free points.

[Mr. L]

That you have to ask the newspaper leader person [my friend] and Stacey somethin' at NOA, they hooked me up. Nintendo and NP read my reviews! It's cool I want to work at NP for awhile before moving on into the NOA.

[Mustin]

So... write a review of this album and show it to people at Nintendo please?

The name of the band is The OneUps? I'm pretty sure they'd be interested?

[Mr. L]

Great idea, but I'll have to show it to someone in the NOA that'll care...hmmm...I wonder if the NP krew would like it.

I will as soon as I write that review, but uhh, anything paticular I should tell them (from you or something?)

[Mustin]

Nice review: http://www.gamingsteve.com/blab/index.php?topic=9613.0

[Almasy Marquis]

True story:

I played Schala at a party tonight and got about fifteen blowjobs.

Thanks. *wink*

[Almasy Marquis]

I gotta be honest... I wasn't entirely true with that.

[Mustin]

damn

[Almasy Marquis]

it was more like 30.

[Mr. L]

Long time no see. Well I've finally finished the review and it is now on Fresh!nk. Honestly it was done like two months ago, but it got pushed back to be published and we lost our editor and had to find a new one (IMO, he botched some parts of my reviews!). Anyway it's finally here and I did walk the walk...except took like .75 of a year. :oops:

In good news, I got a partner to help...but right now he can't get off of Mario Galaxy (he I don't blame him, but duty calls!). :neutral:

edit: almost forgot to put the link...that would've been good. Link: Sorry about the wait (http://www.freshinkonline.com/?p=946)

How Gamers Rock
November 25, 2007

By TRAVIS MURPHY
Gamer Guy
W hat am I doing in the music section? I thought I was the “Game Guy,” not the music dude? Well, now I can hold both of those titles for a moment since I’m reviewing the first album release (note: it’s not new, it’s old, mid-2005 old) of The Oneups, The Oneups – Volume One. The Oneups are basically a video game cover band, which have been catching more flame lately. These guys have been able to differentiate themselves from your average NES rock band (nothing personal against those other guys, but I’ve been seeing too many of ‘em).
The Oneups perform game music from any game, no matter where it’s from, and to top it off, they’re a jazz band. Consisting of at least 6 full-time members, The Oneups don’t stick with the same old, same old; they play with a variety of styles. Signed directly under Oneup Studios, their CD is now available through the Internet at a very decent price of 10 bucks. But while they distinguish themselves from the rest, are they any good?
Like I said before, The Oneups have many styles and while this CD would be classified as jazz, they have so many different fashions of jazz that they artistically use in their songs. While some may look down on the thought, complaining that the album wouldn’t flow. They can put their worries to rest; the production from Oneup Studios foresaw this problem and did their best to counterbalance the album. They accomplished that well for the most part, except for one song, track #9, “Koopa’s Theme.” A hard rock song, fitting of Bowser himself, but that just feels slapped onto the album being so different from the songs around it. Having said that, I don’t mean to say that the song isn’t good, it’s a great rendition of a classic theme from Super Mario 64. So don’t worry, for the most part, the album flows fine.
One real problem with the album is that since it incorporates so many musical tastes, some turn out better than others. One in particular is “Monkeys” from Mario Paint. It has a somewhat chilllin’, Spanish approach that isn’t terrible but comes off bland compared to many of the other songs. Another song, “City Lights” (from Axelay), having a lounge feel to it seems to be going somewhere but ultimately never picks up. But the biggest problem I had with the CD are songs like Katamaritaino (from Katamari Damacy) and Town Medley (from The Legend of Zelda II: The Adventure of Link), both are great songs, but seem to loop for much too long becoming a tad repetitive. The songs that had this problem should’ve been cut to be a bit shorter.
Yet after all the complaining I’ve done, it’s an overall great CD. There are a plenty of key tracks (“Paperboy,” “Isle Delfino”, “Aquatic Ambience”, and more) and the wealth of styles is really beneficial the album.
Ultimately, fans will choose their favorite songs from the CD, but it’s a pleasure to hear a whole CD that can be enjoyed by many different gamers alike. That being sad, oldschool video gamers will most likely get the most enjoyment out of the CD, but all the songs are made so that even people who’ve never played the particular game will like the music.
Laughably, unlike most video game music CDs I own, this one was by far the most enjoyed by my entire family; hardcore gamers, casual gamers, and non-gamers altogether. While I’m not calling The Oneups the best jazz band ever (the CD does have some small musical errors), but they are a fun band with plenty of heart. A complete package, filled with a bit more than an hour of music, at only $10 dollars is a great deal. Easily recommendable to gamers who love video game music and probably the best video game music CD I’ve ever owned.
Overall- A-: Not a perfect CD, but it’s a load of fun.

[Mustin]

Recent review in Washington newspaper: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/1321/story/268388.html

[joe_cam]

Wait... this was an EP?

[Mustin]

/me shrugs

[Gwa ha ha!!]

Hi, I was lurking around 'cause I like music, but wanted to say I grew up super close to the Tri-cities! Good to know they are starting to get some culture. Anyway, you guys keep making good music. I'm going away now. Bye!

[Mustin]

Tri-cities?

[Gwa ha ha!!]

It's where that Washington State news article is from.

[Mustin]

oh crap I'm dumb

Hey, welcome to the site! [waves] ;)

[joe_cam]

Good username! Stick around and enjoy the idiocy!

[Prodigious Penguin]

I upgraded to HD-280 Pros over the summer and am giving this album another listen.

Wow.

I thought this beast was amazing on PC speakers, car stereos, semi-pro PA systems... Good headphones blow all those out of the water.


Dale for Master of the Universe.