This week’s selection is military/heroic cut-scene music from the game Empire Earth 2. Each faction in the game had its own musical motif; the American theme is tucked away at the very end of the cue, played by the cellos.
(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)
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The Troops Arrive | |
This week’s selection is a mystery/suspense orchestral cue from the time-travel film Against Time. This cue is on the quiet and subtle side, but the details have been brought out and given a new coat of polish, thanks to the magic of digital remastering.
(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)
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The Test | |
A magic battle, that is. This week’s cue comes from the game Wizard Ops: Part One. The wizard is doing a kind of sideways walk while being buffeted by enemy fire, so for fun I picked an asymmetrical meter that paralleled the rhythm of walking sideways. (Yes, it’s possible to overthink these things, but in this case I thought the musical analogy worked.)
Terminology corner: this is an example of a “hybrid cue”, meaning one that combines traditional orchestral and contemporary rhythmic elements.
(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)
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Battle on the Shore | |
That’s not a solo cello you hear, but a contrabass played lyrically with a bow, courtesy of bassist Maggie Hasspacher. This is the theme for Leo, a gentle soul who just wants to wear a blonde wig and avoid fights. Since he’s Emerald, Texas‘s analogue to the cowardly lion, I gave him the growly timbre of a bass, but put it in its uppermost register to reflect the character’s softer side.
(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)
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The Story of Leo | |
The music for Emerald, Texas‘s last scene has a happy-go-lucky vibe, with guitars segueing into a finale for piano and strings. (The film’s denouement is less straightforward than this cue suggests!)
(Click on the play button to stream, or the cue title to download.)
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Postcard Therapy | |
