Spring Break
Chiptunes celebrated on 8bitpeoples new CD
Dennis Mongello
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Chiptunes is a relatively new style of music that uses archaic video game hardware to produce music much like a Korg or a Moog synthesizer would. At first thought, you may be thinking, "That's impossible! How can you make anything but noise with that stuff?" But think about it a little more. It's been 20 years since you've first played Zelda or Super Mario Bros. on your Nintendo. I'll bet you can still fondly hum the tunes from those games without any trouble. 8bitpeoples is a record label and collective of artists who embrace this tossed-aside hardware. They don't see the limitations of using these devices as prohibitive, but rather, they embrace it and see it as a way to push the envelope of creativity to new heights. Afterall, Capcom had to work with the same hardware to create the soundtrack for Mega Man 2, and that is still regarded as one of the best video game soundtracks, even today.
8BP050 is a celebration of all things chiptunes and marks 8bitpeople's 50th release. it contains 50 tracks, two discs, and over two hours of chiptunes. Hardware of all kinds is represented: Nintendo, Gameboy, Atari, and some things you've probably never even heard of. The musical genres are as diverse as the hardware. There are some songs with lyrics, but most are instrumental. There are some techno-like dance tracks, also hip-hop, rock, and even one piece creates a classical composition. It sounds like something Bach would have written, had he had access to a Gameboy.
Most songs sound poppy and are melodically driven. With the constraint on the hardware, artists pretty much have to focus on making a melody that sucks you in instantly and doesn't give up holding your attention until the song is over. Unfortunately, because all of the artists find themselves operating under the same constraints, you'll find that some songs sound kind of similar. Add this to the overall lack of cohesion between songs that any compilation suffers from and you have an effect that hurts the album just a little bit.
8BP050 is a celebration of all things chiptunes and marks 8bitpeople's 50th release. it contains 50 tracks, two discs, and over two hours of chiptunes. Hardware of all kinds is represented: Nintendo, Gameboy, Atari, and some things you've probably never even heard of. The musical genres are as diverse as the hardware. There are some songs with lyrics, but most are instrumental. There are some techno-like dance tracks, also hip-hop, rock, and even one piece creates a classical composition. It sounds like something Bach would have written, had he had access to a Gameboy.
Most songs sound poppy and are melodically driven. With the constraint on the hardware, artists pretty much have to focus on making a melody that sucks you in instantly and doesn't give up holding your attention until the song is over. Unfortunately, because all of the artists find themselves operating under the same constraints, you'll find that some songs sound kind of similar. Add this to the overall lack of cohesion between songs that any compilation suffers from and you have an effect that hurts the album just a little bit.
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