Imperial March Dubstep Remix!

Found this on Google+:

You can never beat the original soundtrack by John Williams, but this is still pretty darn cool.

Rohan Theme

My dad and I really enjoy the Rohan theme that was composed for the Lord of the Rings movies. Vikings were one of my favorite subjects as a kid, so I've always felt partial to the Rohirrim for their viking-esque culture (I don't mind that it substitutes longboats with horses).

But the music... Oh, the music is just gorgeous! Love those strings! I listened to this while we were driving through the mountains in Montana and Idaho, and let me just say, the music matched the scenery in grandeur (or at least, complimented it).

The Ninety and Nine

The Ninety and Nine has been one of my family's favorite hymns for almost 4 years now.

I don't know who Andrew Peterson is, and I'm sure there are other people who sing this song better than he does. I just chose this particular video because it's the same one my family used to learn the hymn for the first time (if my memory serves me correctly).

As should be obvious, the hymn is based on the parable of the lost sheep which Jesus told in Luke 15:4-7.

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Does your family have a favorite hymn? :)

Glorious Morning!

Glorious Morning, by Waterflame:

 

This piece is a favorite of mine. The beginning is especially peaceful, what with the birds singing in the background. That's not exactly what you would expect from a track famous for being featured in games such as Age of War and Siegius. Then again, I don't think most game soundtracks are what most people expect. That's why so few people listen to the ones I post. >:/ JK, it's cool, guys. But seriously, give game soundtracks a chance.

Anyway, due to popular demand, Waterflame went and made a second version of Glorious Morning:

I'm not sure I like it as much as the original, but after about 3 minutes in, it gets pretty good. I just miss the kind of medieval vibe that the first one had.

There is yet another version of Glorious Morning that Waterflame made for a game called CastleStorm (I've never played it):

It's much closer to the original, but employs much more strings. Strings dominate, in fact. Almost too much, but maybe it just seems that way in contrast to the original.

Which version of Glorious Morning is your favorite?

In the Light, My Life Song

If I had a life song, this one might be it. In the Light, by DC Talk:

I have had multiple false conversions to Christianity, and my battle with sin has been long and hard (and it still wages). That' why I relate to this song so well. It describes my struggle perfectly. Now that Christ lives within me though, I know that victory is in sight, for He has already won the battle for me.

Here are the lyrics:

I keep trying to find a life
On my own, apart from You
I am the king of excuses
I've got one for every selfish thing I do

What's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

[chorus]
I wanna be in the Light
As You are in the Light
I wanna shine like the stars in the heavens
Oh, Lord be my Light and be my salvation
Cause all I want is to be in the Light
All I want is to be in the Light

The disease of self runs through my blood
It's a cancer fatal to my soul
Every attempt on my behalf has failed
To bring this sickness under control

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

[repeat chorus]

Honesty becomes me
(There's nothing left to lose)
The secrets that did run me
(In Your presence are defused)
Pride has no position
(And riches have no worth)
The fame that once did cover me
(Has been sentenced to this Earth)
Has been sentenced to this Earth

Tell me, what's going on inside of me?
I despise my own behavior
This only serves to confirm my suspicions
That I'm still a man in need of a Savior

[repeat chorus 2x]

ZALMAN Dual Stereo Headphones

 I listen to music on my laptop a lot, but usually I have to settle for the built-in speakers or some tiny external iHome speakers. They're good and all, but not great. I usually haul my laptop downstairs to the kitchen counter and hook up the speakers so I can jam while I wash. Well, not everyone else wants to hear my music sometimes!

But someone who loves me got me these babies for Christmas. Now I can listen to my music without annoying my family! But that's not all... 

I noticed when listening to movie soundtracks with my speakers that it just wasn't the same as when I heard those tracks in theaters. Well, that's not a problem anymore! When I put these babies on, it sounds like I'm in a theater! All my soundtracks are twice as enjoyable now!

I've used headphones before, but usually the good ones are bulky and the non-bulky ones are crappy and flimsy. But these? These are perfect! Very ergonomic, fit my big head well, and are all-around good-looking, good-feeling, and good-sounding.

One of my favorite gifts this Christmas! I highly recommend them.

Lasky's Theme

I've never played Halo 4, so I don't know who Lasky is or what the context of this track is. However, if I could rename the track, I would rename it something like "The Soldier's Sacrifice" or "Remember the Fallen." Something along those lines. The brass gives the track a feeling of honor, while the strings make me think of sadness and sacrifice.
My guess is that Lasky is a soldier who does something rather heroic.

What's your take on this soundtrack?

ROCKET RACE!

Rocket Race was made by Waterflame and was used in the games Raze and Raze 2. Waterflame's music is known for being used in lots of online flash games because of its epic and usually fast-paced beat. Rocket Race makes me feel very energetic, and went perfectly with Raze's fast-paced and action-packed gameplay. The music makes me want to do something very cool, or at the very least, run fast or jump up and down. Let's just say there is a reason I make sure there's nobody watching when I turn on this music... My antics can be quite hilarious.

"Assemble de Minions!"

I don't usually post twice in one day, but I just had to share this!

I just saw Despicable Me 2 today, after having seen the first one about a thousand times over the past week (that's what happens when you're at Grandma's house with little siblings).

I love the bouncy, urgent tune of this soundtrack. It just makes you want to move!

Musicalvinist Christmas Special!

In the spirit of Christmas, I've got four five Christmas songs for ya!

First up is a sci-fi Christmas song by Jonathan Coulton called Chiron Beta Prime:

I don't know who Jonathan Coulton is, or what the background is on Chiron Beta Prime, but it's a pretty funny song, even if you're not a big sci-fi person. "I think the robots sent us a pie!"

EDIT: I meant to post this, but forgot to. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, by Mannheim Steamroller:

A very nice twist to the classic. :)

Next we have two Christmas songs, both of which are new to me (I hadn't heard them until last night's Christmas Eve service at Lone Rock Bible Church).

How many Kings:

Love it, love it, love it. Some people act like Christianity isn't unique, and that it's just like (or even copied from) other religions. But that's clearly not true, and the reason why is expressed in the chorus of this song:

How many kings stepped down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
How many Gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that has torn all apart?
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

The answer is "Only One!"
Some other parts of the song bug me a little because they seem a somewhat man-centered, but other than that, this is one of my new favorite Christmas songs.

Then we have Hope Was Born This Night:

This is one of those really beautiful songs that you can just lose yourself in. There's not really anything I want to say about it! It's just beautiful!

Last but not least, we have the "Hallelujah" Chorus from Handel's Messiah, preformed by the famous Andre Rieu and his uber-talented peeps:

Technically, this isn't a Christmas song. Handel wrote it for part II of Messiah, which details Christ's Passion and crucifixion, not His birth. However, I think it makes a wonderful Christmas song. Why? Because Christ has come, and as the song says: He is "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

Merry Christmas!

In Christ Alone

I typically prefer hymns for worship, but honestly, what I prefer doesn't matter. What matters is whether or not I'm worshiping God with my heart, and this song allows me to do that very well. It's one of those songs that I can throw my whole self into, and belt out with all my soul.

The lyrics are poetic and beautiful, while at the same time remaining biblically accurate, something which is rarer than it should be in more modern Christian music. I really appreciate that.

The execution in this video isn't the best, since it sounds like a congregation singing instead of professionals. Honestly though, I like it better this way. This is how I would hear it in church, sung alongside other believers, as it should be.

What's your opinion on this song?

Halo 1, 2, and 3 Themes

Let's start things off with a triple-feature, shall we?

First comes the classic Halo theme, then a "Rock" version for Halo 2 with electric guitar, and then a "Classical Music" version for Halo 3 with more traditional instruments.

Halo 1 theme: Gotta love it. The vocals at the beginning give it that feel of mystery, suggesting alien secrets with an almost religious vibe. Then we get those drums, and things start building up, and you know the action is about to start. The female vocals kick in with more of that mysterious, alien theme we got a taste of at the beginning. Then we get the full Halo experience, that music that just goes perfect with Marines swooshing and driving their awesome vehicles through an exotic world, blasting away at their alien enemies. And finally, we end with those mysterious vocals from the beginning, with spooky wind blowing in the background.

Halo 2 theme: Exactly the same, but this time, with an electric guitar leading the charge. I typically only like electric guitar if it's used in a remix of something I already like, and this fits that category. Though it manages to be somewhat obnoxious at times, the Rock style brings something to the table that the original just didn't have. It does a better job at embodying that "Bad@$$ marine" spirit, and you can almost imagine Pvt. Vasquez from the movie Aliens shouting "LET'S ROCK!"

Pvt. Vasquez from Aliens, "rocking" with her smartgun

Halo 3 theme: The same once more, but this time, with a more "Classical" music style, led by a piano and strings. This gives it a more angelic vibe, and you can imagine the vast expanse of star-strewn space, which you know is about to be the scene of a battle (if it isn't already). Not much to say about it, other than that it's nice. I like it. A welcome change from the harsh tones of the last one. However, there is something about it, it just sounds... computer generated, almost. It doesn't sound authentic.

Overall, though themes 2 and 3 retain unique positive qualities not seen in the first theme, I still like the original the best. What do you think?

A New Blog! Again!

Hey! This is my new blog, MUSICALVINIST!

Musicalvinist is a blog dedicated to posting my favorite music! You're probably wondering: What kind of music, and what's with the name? Well, I post whatever music enhances my mood and my creativity; from Classical to Dubstep and everything in between! As for the name, it is derived from the blog's content (music) and my Reformed Christan background (Calvinist). Have fun listening to my music! I post at least once a week!

"Jonny, why the heck do you need a new blog? You can't even keep up with your old ones!"
Shut uuuup.