Video game music has come a long way since it’s 8-bit days. Since the emergence of games like Super Mario 64, Skyrim, and Fortnite, fans have created artistic interpretations of their favorite songs using the soundtracks from these games. For example, a fan recently crafted an interpretation of Radiohead’s In Rainbows using sounds from Super Mario 64.
This creative endeavor was made by an individual named Tristan Gierszal, a video game reporter and devoted fan of Radiohead. Using content from Super Mario 64, Gierszal recreated the entire track list of In Rainbows. Many of the sounds used to form the basis of his compositions were taken from the Mario 64 soundtrack, including melodic lines, iconic percussion, and effects. However, Gierszal relied on creative editing to assemble the components together so that they sounded like actual musical instruments.
The soundscape of the album provides an interesting take on the original Radiohead album, staying faithful to the original but with a new twist. For example, the lead guitar riffs found on “Nude” have been replaced with the classic Mario 64 melody lines; the cool drum grooves of “Next Up” are now made up of percussive Mario 64 sound effects; and the gentle piano parts of “Videotape” have been replaced with 8-bit Mario sound effects.
In addition to being a great piece of musical art, Gierszal’s Mario 64 rendition of In Rainbows serves as a reminder of the beauty and influence of the video game soundtrack. It’s a testament to the power of video game music and its ability to evoke emotion and transport us back to memorable moments (and games) from our childhoods. With this in mind, Gierszal’s hard work stands as a tribute to video game music and makes us all look forward to what creative works fans may produce in the future.
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