Yep, this one is going to be insanely tough to write about. Not for any bad reason, but because I don't think I'll be able to do it justice through the written word.
You see, Silent Hill 2 is not only one of my favorite video games, its also one of my favorite albums... ever. There are so many things to write about, so many little details that tie this album together to create something truly special.
Not only is the music contained within the 75 minutes of the soundtrack incredibly well paced, well written, and atmospheric as all get out - it has such a distinct style that the phrase 'it sounds like Silent Hill' started working its way into my vocabulary.
The Silent Hill games have a "hazy" feel to them. Every instrument, every song, every note has just a bit of obscurity put into the production. That piano that's playing... it sounds like its in the room next door. The ambient sounds that litter the album feel like they are coming from the other side of a dense wall of fog. The guitars (when used) feel like they may have been recorded under water... the list goes on and on.
I can't describe the entirety of the effect through text, its something that needs to be heard. It's like trying to watch a movie projected onto a sheet but there is a slight breeze blowing. You can get an idea of what's going on, but the picture isn't always clear.
I first picked up this album on CD in 2001, right after I started the game. Not only does the soundtrack capture the feel of the game, it is arranged in such a way that the music just f l o w s. Every track moves into the next effortlessly. This is more than a soundtrack, this is an album. One of the best in my entire collection.
No comments:
Post a Comment