8-Bit Random Access Memories Medly and Hi-Res Discover Wallpaper

Joe Jeremiah plays the best melodies from Daft Punk's new Random Access Memories on a chiptune synthesizer.

Also, check out that image, it's a Hi-Res Daft Punk Discovery Wallpaper.

Random Access Memories is an awesome album. I have been listening to it since it launched on May 20th. I hope they keep making albums for a very long time, because they really are some of the best musicians alive. You might read a lot of reviews, a lot of hype and bashing. Plenty critics praise the album as the best shit since OK Computer, others lament the album as a self-indulgent, disco-nostalgic, pile of trite trash nonsense.

The album is so obviously good, however, that most criticisms will likely take the form of a reviewer bringing his or her preconception about what the album should be to the table (i.e. everyone wanted a new Discovery). The album is what it is, and it is (1) unique. (2) It's a success at sounding awesome. (3) It tells a good story, about dance music, and asking any more from an artist is asking far too much.

Chiptunes: 8-Bit Daft Punk's "Get Lucky"

Daft Punk's new album Random Access Memories launches May 20, but the 1st single "Get Lucky" has been out for a few weeks. This 8-Bit version isn't as good as the real thing, but it's pretty cool to see that the music is already inspiring all manner of remixing.

8-Bit Version by Floating Point

The real deal.

Zoë Blade & Pig - 8-Bit Generation

Musicians Zoë Blade and Pig recently create "8-Bit Generation," a stunning soundtrack exploring some of the themes of the 1980s and 1990s (embedded above).. The songs are clearly inspired by the music of classic video games, from the NES to the Playstation--but there is a definite feeling of newness throughout the album.

At times nostalgia, others whimsical, 8-Bit Generation starts of hard with "Cream Soda," the second track and--quite honestly--an amazing song designed to get inside your head and stay. The next few songs remind me of Anamanaguchi or Nullsleep, and use sounds which were probably produced with an NES soundboard.

Sometimes the album takes a contemplative turn, other times it kicks up the fun with tracks like "Closer" that convey the fun and excitement of exploring a video game world for the first time. Of working towards a quest and knowing that you are reaching the end. But for me, "Closer," is about that time in the middle, in which you accomplish a major task--like the 3rd or 4th dungeon out of 8--and much still remains to be done.

"Mapping out the System," conversely, feel more serious. It is perhaps analogous to that point in which you--as a player--realize that you cannot beat a game without some excellent mapping and organization.

The last two tracks mimic either an ending credits song, or something slow out of Final Fantasy 7. Lyrical, with strong hopeful-sounding motifs plus a significant amount of sadness.

I don't mean to stress the representational nature of the album too much, but with some of the song titles the connection is difficult not to make. In any case, 8-Bit Generation is fresh, killer album that you should definitely check out--but only if you want to go on a musical adventure from 1987-1997.

You can purchase the album on iTunes, or listen to it embedded above. You can also check out 8-Bit Generations the documentary.

If you like the music you might want to listen to more of Zoë Blade's music on her website. I've started listening to another album, Dagda's Arp EP, and it's awesome as well.

VG Music: 8Bit Killer "Fighting for Control"

RushJet1 did an amazing job with the music for Locamalito's instant classic 8Bit Killer.

I've reviewed the game before, you should check out my review.

That was late 2008, and over the last few years I've enjoyed this game (and Hydorah) even more. It ranks in the upper realm of FPSs with Doom and Quake 2.

All the other music is amazing as well.



These two tracks, however, are definitely my favorites.

Dr. Zilog, Malevolent Necropolis

I've been listening to the latest cd by Dr. Zilog, Malevolent Necropolis. It's free to download on his myspace blog. It's a death medal odyssey using 8-bit sounds and common 8-Bit video game themes with at least one Sealab 2021 reference and plenty of 8-bit thrashing. 12 tracks, 32:42 hours and minutes long. I'm not a music critic but I know rhetorical devices, humor, sarcasm, and good video game music, though, in this case, curiously without the video game. Likely too intense for any games we play unlike the demonically-programmed arcade deathfest this album would demand.