Fair enough. It's a fascinating era from an outsider's perspective. The perestroika and glasnost reforms under Gorbachev seems often overlooked; we wouldn't have any of the main music groups we would know today. If you like looking at cultures and system evolving over time, look at the history of my province, Québec. The era between Maurice Duplessis' reign as prime minister, the vacuum that got left between church and government, and the era of the Quiet Revolution (Révolution Tranquille) are intriguing on their own too. It's basically a society jumping 50 years in a fifth or so. Culturally, it came with many reforms and sentiments, plus some beef between the Canadian and the Québecois government.
Anywho, I have an idea what to do later on. I'll log off, need to go to sleep. Let's see if they're are any who shares other groups too.
I haven't looked into much of Canadian history (I already know relatively little of my own country's history), though I probably should study some about it eventually.
Though, I generally find the history of Europe, Asia, and South America to most often be the most interesting to me.
this is the only realm I know of that can transform a character like Youmu from a naive but loyal and intense swordswoman-gardener into a infantilized child spilling snot and spreading it all over Yuyuko's sleeve, while crying in Autotune. When I first heard that (song being: Adequate - Odyssey in this case)
Reading your description here I thought I'd be in for some outrageous cringe but listening to the song it really is rather inoffensive. I'm surprised that you read the song as from the perspective of a "infantilized child spilling snot"; to me it seems to have much more of a searching and philosophical tone. And the vocals don't amaze me but I do find them enjoyable and I found the diction poetic.
So I find your dislike of this song quite outsized, but if I understand you correctly that you really just prefer songs that stick strictly to the official characterizations, than I can see your point. I don't really agree with how you have perceived their characterization of Youmu, but I will say that I never got the sense that Youmu finds her human and phantom halves to be in conflict, which is the idea that the song chooses to explore.
Honestly, I don't really understand what it is that you dislike so much about that song. I tried to think up some recommendations for you, but are you expecting the lyrics of the song to sound like dialogue that could've been spoken by that character in game? Adequate still relates to Youmu's character, it is just looking at it in a new perspective. I looked at the list of music that you like, but your complaints in OP seemed to be more about the character portrayal rather than sound. Unless you really hated the voice of the singer that much? Or you do you just hate how Eurobeat uses instruments, and the majority of your OP was a side-point?
Reading your description here I thought I'd be in for some outrageous cringe but listening to the song it really is rather inoffensive. I'm surprised that you read the song as from the perspective of a "infantilized child spilling snot"; to me it seems to have much more of a searching and philosophical tone. And the vocals don't amaze me but I do find them enjoyable and I found the diction poetic.
So I find your dislike of this song quite outsized, but if I understand you correctly that you really just prefer songs that stick strictly to the official characterizations, than I can see your point. I don't really agree with how you have perceived their characterization of Youmu, but I will say that I never got the sense that Youmu finds her human and phantom halves to be in conflict, which is the idea that the song chooses to explore.
Honestly, I don't really understand what it is that you dislike so much about that song. I tried to think up some recommendations for you, but are you expecting the lyrics of the song to sound like dialogue that could've been spoken by that character in game? Adequate still relates to Youmu's character, it is just looking at it in a new perspective. I looked at the list of music that you like, but your complaints in OP seemed to be more about the character portrayal rather than sound. Unless you really hated the voice of the singer that much? Or you do you just hate how Eurobeat uses instruments, and the majority of your OP was a side-point?
I mean, different people can have different ways of seeing a song. I haven't listened to the song in question, but it seems to be that while Kaneda perceives it as a song which has managed to "make a fool out of" Youmu, you of course perceive the song's lyrics as a personal psychological and philosophical quest for Youmu.
Don't think there's nothing wrong with those two interpretations either.
It just seems to be that Kaneda as a whole prefers to have Touhou song lyrics which reflects the character's original personality and feelings.
(Just woke up a bit ago, so sorry if this reply sounds a bit strange. lol)
Reading your description here I thought I'd be in for some outrageous cringe but listening to the song it really is rather inoffensive. I'm surprised that you read the song as from the perspective of a "infantilized child spilling snot"; to me it seems to have much more of a searching and philosophical tone. And the vocals don't amaze me but I do find them enjoyable and I found the diction poetic.
So I find your dislike of this song quite outsized, but if I understand you correctly that you really just prefer songs that stick strictly to the official characterizations, than I can see your point. I don't really agree with how you have perceived their characterization of Youmu, but I will say that I never got the sense that Youmu finds her human and phantom halves to be in conflict, which is the idea that the song chooses to explore.
Honestly, I don't really understand what it is that you dislike so much about that song. I tried to think up some recommendations for you, but are you expecting the lyrics of the song to sound like dialogue that could've been spoken by that character in game? Adequate still relates to Youmu's character, it is just looking at it in a new perspective. I looked at the list of music that you like, but your complaints in OP seemed to be more about the character portrayal rather than sound. Unless you really hated the voice of the singer that much? Or you do you just hate how Eurobeat uses instruments, and the majority of your OP was a side-point?
I won't hide behind the screen and say that this was intended to be slightly over-the-top. At the same time, I do have trouble translating my ideas coherently: that leads to me being more focused on describing Youmu like I did yet, barely giving anything as to why this song made me lose faith in the first place. Next time, I'll draft up my stuff and revise: fast-paced talk like this isn't my forte.
Give me some time for now, I'll come back to you. I'll give you my words as to why I think this song in particular lacks in it's department and how it can be better; not a full-on analysis but, something solid compared to that introductory message.
Reading your description here I thought I'd be in for some outrageous cringe but listening to the song it really is rather inoffensive. I'm surprised that you read the song as from the perspective of a "infantilized child spilling snot"; to me it seems to have much more of a searching and philosophical tone. And the vocals don't amaze me but I do find them enjoyable and I found the diction poetic.
So I find your dislike of this song quite outsized, but if I understand you correctly that you really just prefer songs that stick strictly to the official characterizations, than I can see your point. I don't really agree with how you have perceived their characterization of Youmu, but I will say that I never got the sense that Youmu finds her human and phantom halves to be in conflict, which is the idea that the song chooses to explore.
Honestly, I don't really understand what it is that you dislike so much about that song. I tried to think up some recommendations for you, but are you expecting the lyrics of the song to sound like dialogue that could've been spoken by that character in game? Adequate still relates to Youmu's character, it is just looking at it in a new perspective. I looked at the list of music that you like, but your complaints in OP seemed to be more about the character portrayal rather than sound. Unless you really hated the voice of the singer that much? Or you do you just hate how Eurobeat uses instruments, and the majority of your OP was a side-point?
You know what? You are right. my dislike of the song was really outsized. In fact, I believe my disdain for the Eurobeat genre was blown out way out of proportion. I won't re-invent the wheel: that outdated view I had on that kind of Touhou arrangements, thinking that this was a glorified, cringe-enabling auditory execution row for characters was simply wrong and very limited. My standard, I believe, is too high or too different to like the current Touhou eurobeat scene.
I went and re-read the lyrics: I thought it was written mindlessly. No, it wasn't. While I still think the sub-genre and in particular that song is sub-par, it did actually put Youmu in a place that makes her vulnerable and interesting. For someone who compares themselves to a swordsmaster, has the weight of an entire lineage, and whose mistress is basically toying with her with words: I believe that's fair she feels inadequate (such is the title of the song, Adequate.) I really just had the view of a dumbass who didn't want to know any better by saying "THISH SHONGH ISH BHAD THISH GEHNRE SHUCHKS"
However, what makes me think this is subpar is the execution of the genre. I don't think it's wrong by any standard but, it feels stale. What makes Touhou Eurobeat different? Why should I listen to that when there's actual artists of the Eurobeat genre like Dave Rodgers (Giancarlo Pasquini for the know-it-alls) that does it better? I view Eurobeat as a form of theatrics: how about displaying the character's flaws and strengths in the context of a high-BPM, intense battle? The concept of show, don't tell.
In this case, instead of a melancholic Youmu telling how she feels inadequate, how about a battle between, say, Yuyuko and Youmu? A friendly battle that gets coarse, where we get to hear what's going on inside their minds. If the dynamic is the "reason" Youmu feels inadequate, would it be better to show itself between a danmaku fight where both narrate, a sort-of tug-of-war in lyrical form? Maybe I'm way out of touch but, what really pains me is the execution in this. This is like the best genre to do so, to put things out of proportion and go the whole mile to display their "inadequacy."
You know what? You are right. my dislike of the song was really outsized. In fact, I believe my disdain for the Eurobeat genre was blown out way out of proportion. I won't re-invent the wheel: that outdated view I had on that kind of Touhou arrangements, thinking that this was a glorified, cringe-enabling auditory execution row for characters was simply wrong and very limited. My standard, I believe, is too high or too different to like the current Touhou eurobeat scene.
I went and re-read the lyrics: I thought it was written mindlessly. No, it wasn't. While I still think the sub-genre and in particular that song is sub-par, it did actually put Youmu in a place that makes her vulnerable and interesting. For someone who compares themselves to a swordsmaster, has the weight of an entire lineage, and whose mistress is basically toying with her with words: I believe that's fair she feels inadequate (such is the title of the song, Adequate.) I really just had the view of a dumbass who didn't want to know any better by saying "THISH SHONGH ISH BHAD THISH GEHNRE SHUCHKS"
However, what makes me think this is subpar is the execution of the genre. I don't think it's wrong by any standard but, it feels stale. What makes Touhou Eurobeat different? Why should I listen to that when there's actual artists of the Eurobeat genre like Dave Rodgers (Giancarlo Pasquini for the know-it-alls) that does it better? I view Eurobeat as a form of theatrics: how about displaying the character's flaws and strengths in the context of a high-BPM, intense battle? The concept of show, don't tell.
In this case, instead of a melancholic Youmu telling how she feels inadequate, how about a battle between, say, Yuyuko and Youmu? A friendly battle that gets coarse, where we get to hear what's going on inside their minds. If the dynamic is the "reason" Youmu feels inadequate, would it be better to show itself between a danmaku fight where both narrate, a sort-of tug-of-war in lyrical form? Maybe I'm way out of touch but, what really pains me is the execution in this. This is like the best genre to do so, to put things out of proportion and go the whole mile to display their "inadequacy."
This reply is much more measured. I don't think that the song is spectacular either, so I can sympathize with how you find it lacking. It's just that your previous diatribe was such an extreme admonishment of what is really just an alright song that it was hard to tell if it was even hyperbolic for me. As you note here, it isn't at all entirely disconnected from Youmu, it just doesn't express the character in any particularly impressive manner.
Anyways, unfortunately I don't particularly understand Eurobeat as a genre and only occasionally wade into it so I can't provide any suggestions within the genre that would satisfy what you are looking for. There are other arrangements I listen to which I think handle character dynamics in an impressive way, though.
Mischievous Sensation by Shinra-Bansho I think provides a fun image of a relationship between Remilia and Flandre. I find the back-and-forth of the vocals to be energetic and engaging.
Matsuyoi Nightbug by beatMARIO doesn't really impress my ears but it does have a rather faithful portrayal of Wriggle for the little characterization that she gets. It's a bit closer to that Eurobeat style as well, I think.
This is a bit different in style but Three Fairies SAY YA!!! also by Shinra-Bansho is very pleasing to listen to I think and while I am no expert on the characters of the Fairies of Light I think the song captures the playfulness of fairies in the setting.
I saw people earlier on in the thread mentioning Akatsuki Records and I will back that up and throw Necromantic just as an example. I don't think that these songs capture any particularly impressive drama like you suggest (with the exception of Necromantic which I think is a step above in terms of relationship studies) but I do think that they follow characters archetypes very well and the singer has a very interesting and pleasing voice.
Overall, I think that my biggest suggestions to you really are Shinra-Bansho and Akatsuki Records as is reflected in the particular songs I chose to share. Both are pretty massive so they probably aren't exactly hidden gems, and if you have listened to so much music it isn't impossible that you have heard all that I have recommended, but I hope that my individual recommendations match with what you are looking for. Musically they are most often greatly impressive to me and capture my attention. In terms of how they use the characters I think they keep a good handle on things, and tone-wise they avoid being too silly which probably distorts the characters more than you would prefer (I wouldn't recommend IOSYS, for example).
Seeing BeatMARIO/IOSYS in this thread is like seeing that one hooker that gave you HIV in a bar filled with women.
Though if I had to add something to the discussion, I'd definitely recommend Soundonline. The main guy (Tsukasa Yatoki) eventually made tracks for Cytus, Idolmaster and the DJMAX opening, his touhou arranges are most trance/techno so I dig that stuff. His sound is pretty unique and he doesn't just use the original track with alternative sounds, but builds off it and makes his own.
Seeing BeatMARIO/IOSYS in this thread is like seeing that one hooker that gave you HIV in a bar filled with women.
Though if I had to add something to the discussion, I'd definitely recommend Soundonline. The main guy (Tsukasa Yatoki) eventually made tracks for Cytus, Idolmaster and the DJMAX opening, his touhou arranges are most trance/techno so I dig that stuff. His sound is pretty unique and he doesn't just use the original track with alternative sounds, but builds off it and makes his own.
Pretty sure I uploaded all their albums/collabs here, you can find them in the fan-music section (or click on my profile and browse "resources"). For albums I'd say...Check the "Trois" albums, there's also NOSTALGIA which was the album I started with, very nostalgic
Heavenly Sequence is an album that I really like the concept of; basically it's divided into 2 dicks, first one is all Tsukasa arranges, second one has 7 different artists from 7 different circles (notably Liz Triangle, Alstroemeria, Silver Forest, A-ONE, etc...). Check that one out, it has some bangers.
You should also check all the collab albums, you can tell Tsukasa was a popular pick for touhou arranges with how many circles he collab'd with and who.
Pretty sure I uploaded all their albums/collabs here, you can find them in the fan-music section (or click on my profile and browse "resources"). For albums I'd say...Check the "Trois" albums, there's also NOSTALGIA which was the album I started with, very nostalgic
Heavenly Sequence is an album that I really like the concept of; basically it's divided into 2 dicks, first one is all Tsukasa arranges, second one has 7 different artists from 7 different circles (notably Liz Triangle, Alstroemeria, Silver Forest, A-ONE, etc...). Check that one out, it has some bangers.
You should also check all the collab albums, you can tell Tsukasa was a popular pick for touhou arranges with how many circles he collab'd with and who.
Alright then! Thanks! I'll definitely be checking out those albums you mentioned!
Also, since he's connected to Alstroemeria Records, I definitely have the imperative to check out his stuff more!
Iˋm speaking as a whole but, for a thread that has barely came to life like yesterday or so: I really did not expect this to blow up to this extent. Especially the amount of suggestions that are given here by those who gave their thoughts here. I don't know how to feel about that other than saying I'm grateful for allowing me a part of your time and tastes. I'll definitely have a field day listening to the circles and albums that are given here.
Saying that I am a "self-proclaimed hermit" is (self-knowingly) exagerated but, it doesn't deny that I've isolated myself for years from a fandom that's clearly passionate about it's content. You could say I was recluse; my own fear of diluting what Touhou means to who I am made it so I had harsh views about what people create, share and do. There will still be some bad apples, I know and I don't really care, the world is balanced as is; as long as I can have my place somewhere instead of my mind to interact and speak.
At least, I am slowly getting used to communicating with others in a space where we all have a common, shared interest. It's not that easy but I'm currently developing my techniques to help me with that; so that I be less embittered for no reason and be able to easily formulate my points. Not being able to translate what's on my mind and the fear of being misunderstood is something that gets me a lot.
Next step would be to share, I presume. Maybe not now but, in the near future. Go around the forums and interact and get a taste of what I could possibly do. Music composition has been recently on my mind; I've gone on my way to re-install certain VSTis and give this a second chance. A chance to actually try and get feedback.
Feels redundant to say but I'll still continue the thread. Not sure if I said it already but, I'll come with a feedback after listening to y'alls suggestions. Just remember that you made someone happy for the last day or two, and it still continues on. This is beneficial to me in more ways than one.
Well, I clearly missed the boat here (that's what I get for last-minute-ing OGM and not having time to check out shrine activity), but I figure I'll throw in my two-cents.
Genre-based suggestions can be tricky; in my experience, a given genre gets executed in various ways, and the terminology for distinguishing them very quickly becomes ambiguous. It's usually safer to recommend several circles specializing in the genre, as each will have their own respective styles that collectively showcase the existent range. The thing about recommending circles, however, is that their respective repertoires are often too much to sift through casually, so the same few songs get handed 'round all the time. Try and get two or three specific track recommendations from a fan; depending on how familiar with the given artist they are, you'll probably get something more unique from that.
If you're looking to diversify your genre experience, however, a tactic I've had much success with is to search "touhou remix" on Youtube and adjust the sorting settings to only display uploads from the past week. Not everything that comes up will be rewarding (beware AI productions), but it's surprising what you can catch that way.
On a final note, I'd encourage you to check out the bigmusicthreads, but even more than that I'd strongly recommend digging up the old remix tournaments we used to have here (there were nine, so I can't link them all here). The participants would contribute three discoveries each according to their respective tastes, and then all would comment and rate them; I believe those might offer you some additional insight on the subject (and for that matter, I'd say the range of arrangements we brought together was quite impressive). In case some of the posts have been corrupted during the site migration last year, you can view them on the old site archive, and I've made sure to update the vault playlist.
i don't listen to arrangement circles much either, but my all time favorite song from one of them is lunar 11.3 candle magic. i'll admit, its kinda ehhh for the first half of it, but dear god, the second half is HEAVENLY. the drop is AMAZING, the vocals are AWESOME, i LOVE the synths and strings used, its POWERFUL! i think this also might have been part of the reason patchouli was my favorite character for a long time (shes still high on my list to this day). its a great song. very catchy and energetic.
honorable mention: artificial children is also very good. has a very dark and depressing mood to it (especially coming from a studio like iosys). also its based on romantic children, the PEAK touhou song
Well, I clearly missed the boat here (that's what I get for last-minute-ing OGM and not having time to check out shrine activity), but I figure I'll throw in my two-cents.
Genre-based suggestions can be tricky; in my experience, a given genre gets executed in various ways, and the terminology for distinguishing them very quickly becomes ambiguous. It's usually safer to recommend several circles specializing in the genre, as each will have their own respective styles that collectively showcase the existent range. The thing about recommending circles, however, is that their respective repertoires are often too much to sift through casually, so the same few songs get handed 'round all the time. Try and get two or three specific track recommendations from a fan; depending on how familiar with the given artist they are, you'll probably get something more unique from that.
If you're looking to diversify your genre experience, however, a tactic I've had much success with is to search "touhou remix" on Youtube and adjust the sorting settings to only display uploads from the past week. Not everything that comes up will be rewarding (beware AI productions), but it's surprising what you can catch that way.
On a final note, I'd encourage you to check out the bigmusicthreads, but even more than that I'd strongly recommend digging up the old remix tournaments we used to have here (there were nine, so I can't link them all here). The participants would contribute three discoveries each according to their respective tastes, and then all would comment and rate them; I believe those might offer you some additional insight on the subject (and for that matter, I'd say the range of arrangements we brought together was quite impressive). In case some of the posts have been corrupted during the site migration last year, you can view them on the old site archive, and I've made sure to update the vault playlist.
My plate is really full for now but, I'll keep an eye out on those threads. Thanks for your tactics suggestions, Moriya Music Man (is this how people really call you?)
On a serious note though, ever since I made that thread, I do have been listening to arrangements that compared to my past self, I would've been feeling very uncomfortable. Just because they were Touhou arrangement, I was avoiding this like the plague (except that Eurobeat potpourri of course) because that was unknown to me. "Will I really listen to that? No way. They can't get it right, can't they?" Now I listened to a few and I've been quite surprised until now. Other than the listening experience was less painful than I thought, I actually found some stuff in parallel that I'm jamming to.
I am looking through the arrangement circles and albums: I'm still in the phase of listening but I'll coming close to begin my rating. I work at my pace, and I often take more time than usual.
I am no music theorist. I'm just a quirky white kid with the 'tism. My standard is just naturally high. Some of the arrangement circle's compositions that I'm listening? Some are forgettable, some are listenable and some are fucking baller. Though, I'll elaborate further when I'm done (got some stuff to do since the first week I'm here, crazy), there's a thing that irritates me a lot. I do not know if this applies to anyone here but, I'll explain.
It's fine to shorten and change a part of a song in an arrangement, that I agree. What I find CRIMINAL is when they cut an entire part of a song that is crucial to the "climax". What I mean is if I take a random popular song like Septette for the Dead Princess, for example. The small part before the last half, the small high-down-high-down part before the song drops to the most intense part of Septette: that's what makes it powerful. It breaks the previous loop to prepare for the next one, the climax of the song. It plays with your expectations. You can feel that this part is right before the climax, the best part of the song or the loop. Remove it entirely so that it just the "Beethoven-esque" first half of Septette and the last half climax: it sounds flat. There's no "gear" to change or put it in. There wasn't no obstruction, no anticipation; it just goes.
It pisses me off so bad. I found a re-arranged variant of The Fantastic Legend of Tohno (The old title sounds better even if inaccurate) and they do exactly that. Before the main loop of the song, in the original versions: there's a long, slow part that's sounds more melancholic than the rest. It sets the mood of the song so that when the main part hits, it hits with it's faster pace. They removed it. It goes from the first third of the song to directly the main loop. That shit sucks balls; even if this was part of a suite (basically that like 30-sec. snippets of a track before changing tune... in a track), it sounded amazing. Then, I find there are multiple variant of the song made by the same circle: they did not change that.
They have those amazing-sounding re-arrangements... the main loop of these re-arrangements sounds so good... but they lack the "swing", the "gear" from that section I'm talking about. This is why I say this is CRIMINAL to do so; your song can be an absolute masterpiece and feel lacking because a particular section that makes the getaway to the main loop, where the climax situates (usually. here yes), isn't there. You cannot make a track that sounds so good but get edged by it because there's a important part that isn't there, that's cruel! Again, high standards but not impossible especially for such a crucial part of any song!
I didn't say which songs in particular because I want to keep the surprise but, if you want to get spoiled a bit, here's what I'm talking about:
, Touhou Bakuon Jazz 5. マヨヒガの猫猫 same song but remade couldn't find a link, Touhou Bakoun Jazz 5G Youen. First Suite ~from far EAST~ at 0:30. This has no right to sound THAT fucking good, don't have the link, Next Flower ~prism Mix~
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