Has Beck caught the retro-gaming bug? Hell Yes!!

[mr.Curmudgeon]

http://music.ign.com/articles/582/582545p1.html

I just listened to an early mix of Beck's upcoming (March 29th) album and I have to say, as a retro gaming fan, and a HUGE fan of Beck..it's double-plus good!

A lot of the songs have 8-bit sounds and crazy game-like tones throughout...Beck never ceases to amaze me and I'm never let down when he releases new work. This is going to be perfect music to listen to while building an arcade cab! 

Check out the video, created by the incomparable Mumbleboy,  for one of the upcoming tracks, "Hell Yes!" (rm) (asx)


mrC

(originally via: Mefi)

[danny_galaga]

he's not the only one. there's been a few aussie hip hop artists who have been sampling game sounds too. i didn't pay attention to which sounds, but maybe they are sampling MAME 'samples'! there's a nice range there...

[SOAPboy]

MSI has been using Video Game sounds for years..

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Yeah, I've heard a few bands that do it, but for me personally, as a big fan of Beck, I'm excited to hear these type of retro-tones being used by him specifically. He's one of the most creative songwriters out there in the periphery of the mainstream and it's cool to see him incorporate the (albeit seemingly trendy) 8-bit aesthetic.

I'm not a big hip-hop fan, so I'll admit I've probably missed a lot usage in that genre. However, if anyone on this board is a fan of Beck, I just wanted to make sure they check out the album when it comes out...it's d@mn good.

Other 8-bit musical enthusists include:
- 8-bit contruction set
- Yacht (Homepage)
- Minibosses

[RayB]

I composed a dancey little tune back in 1995 using nothing but 8-bit games samples + 1 drum sample and 1 bass sample. I should post it... but I need to convert it from "FastTracker" format to MP3... (although, Winamp plays .XM files)

[GGKoul]

he's not the only one. there's been a few aussie hip hop artists who have been sampling game sounds too. i didn't pay attention to which sounds, but maybe they are sampling MAME 'samples'! there's a nice range there...

Danny, have you ever seen National Pornographic perform in any clubs?  I saw them when I was in Melbourne, and they sampled a video game in one song. 

They were interesting to see live.  I wish I could purchase their album here in Canada.

[danny_galaga]

as per other post, here are two members of sydney-based hip-hop group 'the herd' playing 1942. beserkatron and snaps. i'm sure i've heard some samples in at least one of their tunes 

gg, i've not heard of national pornographic but i'll ask snaps, he'll know about em for sure...

[Sephroth57]

i didnt know you could play 1942 on a cocktail like that, are they both playing at the same time? so wouldnt one person be looking at it upside down

[danny_galaga]

1942 is alternate play. the others (1941, 1943) are dual play, upright only.

[Harry Potter]

WOW 

HERD is now good. very good. Wonder if they can beat my high score.

[Gunstar Hero]

"Where it's at? I've got 2 joysticks and a trackball..."

[jerryjanis]

I just heard this album, and I was going to post a message here, but I thought I would do a search to see if I was the first.  Apparently it's old news.

Anyway, I love Beck, and I love video games, so when I heard this EP I couldn't believe my ears. 

[mr.Curmudgeon]

I just heard this album, and I was going to post a message here, but I thought I would do a search to see if I was the first.  Apparently it's old news.

hehe..beat ya' to it. I'm just too cool for school!   

I'm anxious for the final mix of the album, though. Since the version that is floating around, the one you and I have both probably heard, is a very early mix. Even though the album, as it is, sounds awesome, some of the tracks do seem unfinished to me.

I can only imagine what Beck w/ do with them in the meantime.


mrC