Though there have been many threads about this collection...
I just wanted to take the time and thank LLLR for putting together this great box set (a whopping 8 cd's) of "gaming" music. Michael Giacchino, Christopher Lennertz and Ramin Djawadi have done some marvelous work here.
The recordings are spectacular and adrenaline filled. If you haven't gotten it, you really should treat yourself to this.
Fantastic set all round from the packaging to the presentation. Never played the games but the Giacchino connection and the samples tempted me to get it and I haven't regretted it for a second.
Its a damn fine box, one that I enjoy immensely and am especially happy that Airborne was given a "physical" release compared to its earlier download-only status.
I've been in love with the music to the first two games ever since I first played them in 1998/1999.
I did like Airborne, but I felt that Giacchino's music had evolved since he wrote the first two, and lacked some of the magic that I had cherished in MOH/MOHU. It just didn't sound the same.
Manon's theme is one of the greatest war themes ever written, IMO.
This is one of my top favorite releases EVER. The first MOH score redefined scores for video games, and the richness and musical variety grow in the Giacchino and Lennertz scores. I think that Djawadi's score to the 'reboot' is good and serviceable, but it contains a noticeably different take on the whole franchise. Anyway, I am incredibly grateful for LLL making these rare-and-OOP or download-only scores and putting them all in a stunningly-presented physical box set. I'll say it again: LLL rocks.
I love this set too, though I owned all the original Giacchino CD's (MoH, Underground, Frontline) and was double dipping in those regards, it was great to finally get a CD version of Allied Assault, Airborne and Christopher Lennertz's scores which till that point I hadn't really heard.
I'm saddened, in a way, that the set hasn't sold out yet. I honestly thought it would be super successful as it really is some of the best game music ever written.
The only CD on the set I struggle with is the MoH reboot. I've tried a few times to listen to it but the style just doesn't work for me.
(I was surprised when I looked at http://lalalandrecords.com/VideoGames.html that I have all but one of those releases: Crysis. For me Headhunter (not Redemption) comes in a close second to the MoH set)
The only CD on the set I struggle with is the MoH reboot. I've tried a few times to listen to it but the style just doesn't work for me.
Outside of the absolutely horrid hiphop track and that other something or another, I don't find it bad, in fact I like a lot of the tracks.
It would have made sense to leave it off, though, not just because of stylistic differences but also because the "reboot" series is continuing, as it were, and thus it would have been nice to have a collection of, in a sense, "The WWII years" or something as its own thing.
Wasn't this great boxset supposed to be the first release of a partnership with Electronic Arts for LLL ?
I do think that LLL asked us a while back what other EA game scores we wanted released. However, EA has taken the MP3 release format for a while; maybe they decided to continue with that.
Well if so I'm glad they allowed this superb box set to come out first! LLL is to be commended, especially at the generous price they offered it for (only $60 for 8 CDs?? Compare with the price for FSM's Superman box or LLL's Lethal Weapon box...okay Superman did have that expensive hardcover booklet)
I really enjoyed your review, James -- thanks for posting it!
