Play soundtrack
I Would Like to Purchase a Bat's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Composition | #1 | 4.333 | 4.333 |
| Creativity | #1 | 4.500 | 4.500 |
| Sound quality | #1 | 4.083 | 4.083 |
| Overall | #2 | 3.883 | 3.883 |
| Impression | #2 | 4.000 | 4.000 |
| Credibility | #29 | 2.500 | 2.500 |
Ranked from 12 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Streaming link
https://soundcloud.com/djm313455/i-would-like-to-purchase-a-bat?si=1b543790f8d140908323391510f87932&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Track description | Creative process
This is a submission for "Alternative Soundtrack - music jam #5" wherein participants are tasked with creating an alternative song to Earthbound's "Buy Something Will Ya" shop song.
To be honest, my only exposure to the Earthbound games is through Ness's inclusion in Super Smash Bros. From what I gleaned about it from skimming the wiki linked on the jam page, the game is about a group of children with psychic powers defending their home town from alien invaders and a cult. The story's premise seems somewhat reminiscent of something out of Stranger Things or a Steven King novel, so I wanted to include musical elements that spoke of a creepy urban sci-fi evironment while simultaneously composing an energetic uptempo tune of the sort commonly employed for JRPG shop themes. The clarinet, bassoon, and marimbas were included to provide a warm "homey" tone which juxtaposes with the creepier elements.
The first half of the composition resulted from sketching out a tune on the piano then extrapolating phrases from that sketch to the other instruments, which honestly isn't my favorite composition method since I generally prefer to work in smaller chunks with the various instrumental parts laid out separately, but I was on a roll and figured it would be best to get the composition down quickly.
DAW: FL Studio
VSTs: Audio Imperia Nucleus, EastWest Hollywood Orchestral Woodwinds, Steven Slate Drums 5.5, Korg Triton, Korg M1
Plugins: Waves Magma Tubes Stereo, Waves Magma Channel Strip, Maximus, Fruity Balance and Compressor.
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Comments
Just leaving a comment here because I can't find you on the discord server,
As a top 3 of the jam you can suggest a game to add to the list.
It seems like there is no DM on itch io, the most convenient way to do it is through discord, if you wish.
This is the discord server link: https://discord.gg/8aa92Pzf
The overall composition of this track is very impressive and makes for a super fun listen, and there are definitely moments where earthbound comes through. Definitely quite intense for a shop theme, this could absolutely shine if you added a few more goofy, mock-theatrical elements.
Nice work, I'm especially a fan of the drums.
I can't really throw stones because I tend to write serious and momentous all the time even when more lighthearted is called for like in a shop. But I totally recognize high production quality and creativity. Strong everywhere except credibility took a slight hit (for doing the same thing I do!)
Felt very professionally done, I very much enjoyed!
I would in fairness add you bring down the seriousness to a lower level right away and the best compositions that win awards feel like they're coming around the corner from somewhere else, like introducing a character in an action movie in a city street well they were on another street before that living their lives, weren't they? lol
Might a bit to busy for a shop theme, but I think it would fit well as an combat theme ! I really like the groove and different ideas you used, very creative ! Good job !
To me it goes way too hard for a shop music.
The rhapsodic aspect is a great for earthbound but would make more sense for a battle theme.
Even though I enjoyed most of the spyciness and politanal stuff happening, the section between 1:38 and 1:46 sound really hollow / bland to me.
Also the mixing seems fine at some spots and not so much at others (eg 0:44).
In the end even if I think it need to be perfected, I would love to hear more of this kind of stuff, its hard to compose, often time consumming, but it can bring us unique musical experience and awesome tracks. Keep it up!
Supercool track. I like how it takes you on a journey. if there was a yugioh style card game within earthbound it would be set to this track. I think if you honed in on some of the level mixing, eq and sound staging this track could be really really epic, because I think the composition is really there
the orchestration and arrangement is really, really, really good - i really like wondering what the rest of the earthbound ost reimagined through your stylistic lens would sound like! the themes and high energy with the dynamics and fills did give it an inspiring and thrilling kick, but it did sound like battle music a lot of the time too. overall very fun, i would now like to purchase a bat
There are sooo many ideas in your track! I feel like each section can be developed into more individual ideas. After listening to your track, I think that you may enjoy these vgm.
Thanks for the listening recommendations!