Resident Evil:
Orchestra Album

A classic video game score receives the lush
orchestral treatment it deserves

	Resident Evil: Orchestra Album
	By the New Japan Philharmonic
	Conducted by Kim Hong Je
	Mars Colony Music
	45:07 minutes
	MSRP: $15.97 CD

Review by Jeff Berkwits

ideo game soundtrack CDs, although relatively rare in the United States, are common in Japan. In fact, some of the themes are so well liked that once a game has become popular, symphonic versions of the compositions are often issued. These works are usually difficult to find, but Mars Colony Music, a fledgling record label devoted to licensing electronic game melodies for North American distribution, recently remedied that situation for one notable title with the release of Resident Evil: Orchestra Album. This package spotlights 11 tracks culled from the first three installments in the renowned video-game series.

The disc opens with the original Resident Evil's eerie "Prologue (Pipe Organ Solo)." "The Beginning of the Story," the first of five cuts from Resident Evil 2, is punctuated by quivering strings and quiet interludes. This segment of the CD also contains a succinct three-song suite from the game, along with a powerful, protracted composition titled "'The Ultimate Bio-Weapon' Medley." Resident Evil 3 is represented by another trio of energetic tunes, plus the mysterious "A Land of Confusion," which uses haunting woodwinds and a potent organ to produce an intimidating and enigmatic milieu.

A cue dubbed "Special End Title" closes the collection on a raucous note. Violins and subdued horns introduce this deceptively calm "bonus track," which after about a minute transforms into a rowdy instrumental rock number, complete with pounding drums and a wailing electric guitar. The CD's foldout cover features sparse liner notes indicating only cue titles and the names of key players, plus advertisements for Resident Evil 3: Nemesis statues and the Mars Colony product lineup.

Hit-or-miss melodies mar the music

As video games have become increasingly fashionable, the music that accompanies many of the adventures has also grown in complexity. Hearing full-blown symphonic renditions of these works can therefore be quite enjoyable, as nuances that generally go unnoticed in the excitement of gameplay are more fully perceived and appreciated. Unfortunately, while Resident Evil: Orchestra Album does offer some enlightening sections, by and large conductor Kim Hong Je's interpretations of the themes depend far too heavily on synthesized sounds and overused musical idioms.

With its muted brass and trembling strings, "Fearful is No Word For It" is one of the best works, splendidly conveying Resident Evil 2's tense atmosphere. "A Secure Place"--the concluding movement from the second game's three-song suite--also balances elements of weariness, tranquility and authentic achievement through peaceful introductory keyboards and a rousing, percussive finale. Meanwhile, "The 1st Stage"--the inaugural cue from Resident Evil 3--provides an appropriately apprehensive ambiance, utilizing lonesome chimes and a subtle mock-chorus to generate a taut overture that nicely evokes the game's scary setting.

Sadly, other selections are significantly more derivative, especially Resident Evil 3's "The Opening" and "Save Room--Reprise." With their thunderous synthetic instrumentation and overly sentimental air, these cuts sound like rejected themes from a second-rate, made-for-television movie. The track listing is confusing too, with at least one mislabeled title and a rather puzzling layout. In the end, Resident Evil: Orchestra Album isn't a total loss, but it fails to effectively communicate the grandeur and complexity that the best contemporary video game scores can offer.

While this particular recording has its failings, game music has clearly grown beyond cheesy Casio chords and boring electronic bloops and bleeps. Their product line remains limited (to date, only six CDs have been issued), yet I applaud what Mars Colony is doing and hope to hear a lot more from them in the future. -- Jeff

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