An awesome, 7-hour-long fan project from 2014, Harmony of Heroes is a collaborative re-imagining of the soundtracks to Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Like the games themselves, this means the album is a celebration of all things Nintendo, this time from the fan art perspective.
One thing to keep in mind with any fan work is that, as a response to an original work (rather than the work itself) there are lower stakes. At its best, this allows fan work to go places that the original creators won't or can't, whether for the sake of a Brand™ or because the creator simply intends to take their vision in a different direction.
On the other hand, something as popular as Nintendo has as many interpretations as there are people on the planet, so some of these fan responses aren't going to "get" the source material in a way that appeals to everyone. At its worst, you might get something that entirely misunderstands a work.
Lucky for us, Harmony of Heroes is produced by people who really knew what they were doing, all for the love of Nintendo. So let's take a look at this monster of an album, starting with the "Super Mario" tracks.
Super Smash Bros.
1. Challenger Approaching (Rozen et. al.)
This is not actually a Mario track; like an overture, it features the a combination of main themes of the Smash Bros. games as an introduction to the album. The opening echoes Icarus from Deus Ex Human Revolution, which is really epic and atmospheric -- segueing into the thicker, choral style of Nobuo Uematsu's original Brawl theme.
Even though the first three games in the series are represented well, my favourite part is the inclusion of the latest game's theme, which has less operatic flair and instead emphasises the sporty, high-energy nature of Smash Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
2. Sunset at Mushroom Castle (Bernardo Limon)
This track takes inspiration from the orange-and-brown sunset version of the Mushroom Kingdom from Brawl, but while that was still an upbeat piano piece, this interpretation plays like mellow lounge music with a jazzy, improvisational flavour. Very appropriate for Mario music.
3. Stroll through the Mushroom World (Andrew Lim)
Adapting the Super Mario Bros. 3 theme, this track is both the first stand-out and also one of the straightest of the Mario pieces. Not too much variation on the melodic formula and a swinging, big band attitude make it great easy-listening.
4. Sad Underground (Forgotten Dawn)
In contrast to track 3, this track is a conceptual re-imagining of the "underground" theme from Super Mario Bros. for piano and strings. It's a nice idea and executed pleasantly enough, but doesn't really leave much of an impression. This artist's other tracks on the album are much more interesting.
5. A Twisted Carousel (Steampianist)
Another stand-out and one of my favourites because of its use of a Super Mario Land theme (specifically the Pyramids, strangely enough) here instead representing a kind of horrible circus of crazy performers -- hence the Twisted Carousel. Given comments by Nintendo that the Mario series was intended to feel like a troupe of actors putting on the same show in different ways, this Carousel image seems pretty appropriate.
6. Shining Path (prophetik music)
The lead up to the main tune in this track (the Rainbow Ride theme) is quite sedate but as it goes on, it adds interesting layers in techno fashion. Being a bit of a melody hound I'm disappointed there isn't a grander use of Rainbow Ride, but that is no failing of the track.
7. Cleanse the Sun (Dare to Oppress)
This is more like it. A shorter lead up before the main theme (in this case, Delfino Plaza from Super Mario Sunshine) and a more energetic pace make this electronica very worth listening to. As an interesting side note, the original Delfino Plaza music was not as crunchy and electronic, meaning this is the first track on the album that is less natural sounding than its source. On an imagination and listening experience level, this one is highly recommended.
Mario Kart
8. Who Will Win the Race? (Andrew Lim)
Of course a Mario Kart track applies liberal organ and pad sounds. The thrill of the racetrack is plain to hear, but this jazz fusion style sits in a weird half-way space between live and synth, just like the recent Mario Kart scores. The fact that the Mario Kart Wii themes just aren't the most memorable in the series doesn't help. Over all it's not bad, but it feels less effective than something that tries to sound like a real live performance or entirely synthesised.
9. Baffle Ball (The Fishhead)
Much more overtly synth than the previous track, Baffle Ball is an entertaining listen that doesn't really go anywhere. Probably most exciting for those who love the Mario Kart Wii music and want to hear it with really high quality synthesisers. For the rest of us, it feels like a Sonic the Hedgehog piece. Casino Night Zone, probably.
10. A Vivid Cruise to the Finish (Andrew Lim)
The use of Rainbow Road in this track makes it much more delightful than this artist's other Mario Kart track. Otherwise, the techniques applied are much the same. Goes to show how much a great melody helps a composition to rise to the top.
Luigi's Mansion
11. Bros. before Ghosts (Konrad Petersson)
Structured like a program-piece, and including lots of creepy sound effects, this track is a great (if slightly noisy) representation of Luigi's Mansion and its "Resident-Evil-meets-Tim-Burton" ghostly charm. It's the last Mario related track for a while and a good reminder after the synthy Mario Kart tracks that Mario is at its best with jazz and swing.
Next time: Donkey Kong!
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