LMLP143: RESIDENT EVIL ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

[Brad Evans II]

Am I the only only one that's a bit confused and concerned about this one? The press release from amazon:

In partnership with Capcom, we are honored to present an especially tasty triple vinyl release for the game that birthed the term "survival horror", Resident Evil aka Bio Hazard. The Laced team conducted extensive research into track sources; multiple, often conflicting official and fan titles; and track lengths, factoring in things like music loops and gameplay events. Meanwhile, sleeve artist Boris Moncel of Blackmane Design beavered away on terrifying original pieces for this historic release, studying reference points for creatures and locations from a nearly 30-year-old game.Disc 1 includes the iconic original 1996 soundtrack by Koichi Hiroki, Makoto Tomozawa and Masami Ueda - with a little help from a certain Ludwig van Beethoven. 45 tracks have been painstakingly edited for length, titles confirmed (and in some cases officially newly designated, e.g. "Murder of Crows") and mastered specially for vinyl. Discs 2 & 3 are a special treat, constituting a new format release for Resident Evil Soundtrack Remix (originally released in Japan in 1996 as Bio Hazard Sound Track Remix.) Makoto Tomozawa's 34-track album features rearranged versions of music from the game intermingled with dialogue snippets and sound effects to help fans relive the survival horror experience.This Standard Edition features traditional heavyweight black discs, while the packaging consists of a widespined outer sleeve with Cerberus front cover and obi strip, and three spined inner sleeves.

I'm not insanely versed in the original soundtrack for RE1 (I only had the misfortune to play the Director's Cut when I was young) but they're cramming forty some tracks on one LP? Aren't a few of those tracks a bit long? The phrase "45 tracks have been painstakingly edited for length" is not very promising. Also, is the Bio Hazard Sound Track Remix worth 2LP and the possible sacrifice above?

[Jedi QuestMaster]

Bio Hazard Sound Track Remix is 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 37 seconds long.

Some tracks, like Unexpected Crisis are preceded and/or succeeded by ambient noises, which could easily be cut.

Checking the length of the PSF rips I have, the total comes to around 38 minutes, 31 seconds. This includes Rebecca's off-note rendition of Moonlight Sonata (which doesn't seem to be on here) and the ambience from the courtyard, the power room, the Tyrant room, and the helipad. I'm not sure if everything loops twice.

Also, there is a folder for 'unknown' files, which includes 'Sigh of Relief,' 'What You Hear Is...,' and some other themes/music cues that are not sound effects, so I am feeling a bit cautious what gets cut and what doesn't.

Regardless, I'm still interested in this release. It's been far too long that we haven't had an original soundtrack for RE1:PS1 (unless I'm mistaken?). How is Laced Records track record?

If I had a choice though, I'd rather just have the original Playstation themes without the Sound Track Remix in one release.

[rpbtz]

Originally Posted by Brad Evans II

I'm not insanely versed in the original soundtrack for RE1 (I only had the misfortune to play the Director's Cut when I was young) but they're cramming forty some tracks on one LP? Aren't a few of those tracks a bit long?

The only thing that's relevant is how long the tracks are and if they're reasonable short then it's not an issue at all. I only just got my copy yesterday, so haven't had time to play it. Looking at the record the tracks definitely seem short, but the record hasn't been cut close to the center label either, so I doubt length is an issue here.

Although I will have to give it a listen in order say anything definitive for this specific release.

Originally Posted by Jedi QuestMaster

How is Laced Records track record?

Generally quite good. They had some issues with some of their Resident Evil releases due to poor pressing plant QA, but have since switched plants and I've not noticed similar issues since.

[Brad Evans II]

Originally Posted by Jedi QuestMaster

Regardless, I'm still interested in this release. It's been far too long that we haven't had an original soundtrack for RE1:PS1 (unless I'm mistaken?). How is Laced Records track record?

I've only have the original RE2 and Mega Man X sets from them, but I didn't notice any problems. However, I'm not the greatest judge of character when it comes to sound quality if I'm honest, especially when it comes to vinyl; I only tend to notice problems when they're glaring as hell. However, I will say the original RE2 sounds great coming off a record if you ask me.

I have heard some of the other releases have had issues as the other poster has mentioned, but yeah, I do believe they are correct in that Laced has changed pressing plants to address those issues.

[zierts]

I find Laced to be similar to Mondo and the likes in that their releases can be on the budget side of things. They're still a step up from Streaming Arrow Records which is basically: get a license, slap a design together, print vinyls and money!

But whether Laced is tenacious enough to do an original soundtrack of a classic game justice, I can't really say. These releases are tricky to get right even if you have the recording resources of a big publisher.

[Brad Evans II]

Originally Posted by zierts

They're still a step up from Streaming Arrow Records which is basically: get a license, slap a design together, print vinyls and money!

Was going to say I wasn't familiar with Streaming Arrow Records, but I looked it up and, yeah, I actually do know of few of their releases. Guess I wasn't paying that close of attention in the past.

[Jedi QuestMaster]

Originally Posted by rpbtz

They had some issues with some of their Resident Evil releases due to poor pressing plant QA, but have since switched plants and I've not noticed similar issues since.

This wouldn't happen to be one of them, would it? https://vgmdb.net/album/84552

I'm now interested in getting this as well (even though it's OOP).

[Brad Evans II]

Originally Posted by Jedi QuestMaster

This wouldn't happen to be one of them, would it? https://vgmdb.net/album/84552

I'm now interested in getting this as well (even though it's OOP).

If you're wondering if a certain album had pressing issues, a good place to check is the comments at the bottom of a given release page on discogs. If there is an issue, you can rest assured someone who bought it will comment about it - it's pretty much a given.

I checked the pages for the RE: Remake soundtrack and I didn't see any complaints about any of the pressings of this, but I did find this:

"Unfortunately, this pressing is based on the original 44 track Sound Chronicle CD, instead of the full 60 track HD Remaster CD. It's a real shame because 2xLPs can hold a few more minutes of audio than an 80-minute CD without any compromise, and the 60 track version is arguably more common than the Sound Chronicle box anyway."

I don't know if that would influence your purchase or not, but that was the most substantial comment I found on any of the release pages. I'm guessing this means it's technically missing tracks?

As for a bad pressing, I would like to get this album, but man, I've heard NOTHING but bad things about it:

https://www.discogs.com/release/8171...-X-Shadow-Zone

However, this year is the 20th anniversary of this album, and Static-X has been re-issuing vinyl for the albums on that benchmark, so I'm just waiting for a new pressing.

[rpbtz]

Originally Posted by Jedi QuestMaster

This wouldn't happen to be one of them, would it? https://vgmdb.net/album/84552

I'm now interested in getting this as well (even though it's OOP).

No, the Resi ones I experienced issues with were Resident Evil 4 (LMLP044) and 5 (LMLP045). They switched pressing plants for the later ones.

[Jedi QuestMaster]

"Unfortunately, this pressing is based on the original 44 track Sound Chronicle CD, instead of the full 60 track HD Remaster CD. It's a real shame because 2xLPs can hold a few more minutes of audio than an 80-minute CD without any compromise, and the 60 track version is arguably more common than the Sound Chronicle box anyway."

Oh. Is HD REMASTER the same music as RE Gamecube? I'll just hold off on that album until I play/watch a playthrough of RE 2002.

Edit: Wait! That music's on CD? Why am I getting the vinyl then?!

[LuxKiller65]

Yes, why? Don't buy the vinyl.

[Brad Evans II]

Originally Posted by Jedi QuestMaster

Oh. Is HD REMASTER the same music as RE Gamecube? I'll just hold off on that album until I play/watch a playthrough of RE 2002.!

Kind of glad I posted that blurb then.