Petition to ask Firaxis for a Civ BE song from Malukah

[Lord Shadow]

Malukah's amazing, and while I think her voice would be suitable for a CivBE theme or two, it's really not our call to make. With any luck, her recent work with Civ4's Baba Yetu will reach Firaxian ears and maybe persuade them to approach her for future efforts. However, I'm not about to sign a petition to "force" anything into Beyond Earth that's outside the designers' vision.

 

[Camikaze]

The soundtrack was recorded a couple of months ago at the Rudolfinum in Prague. Sountracks generally form some sort of coherent whole, and adding in an extra song would be taking away from that, even if the song itself was great.

 

[JokerJace]

I disagree with but respect your low estimation of Malukah's skill as an amateur artist.

Here is one of her excellent Sci-Fi pieces to perhaps melt your heart (we can only hope)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re32xnyYP3A

Nah... I'm really not into melancholy, sorry. And as the developers also want the game's tone to be hopeful and ambitious, I really can't picture an overly weepy song in it. And I still don't think that there is room for singing in the soundtrack anyway. I agree with the people that said it should go in the direction of Blade Runner or maybe even Mass Effect. I even think that people like Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails or Aphex Twin would would be better choices for contributions. I don't know any suitable word for it but is has to have this special 70's/80's/90's synthesizer vibe. It has to be cold and technical and soulless to a certain extent, with an aftertaste of progress and hope. And very ambient of course. Pretty hard to describe. Malukah on the other hand is just pure melancholy.

All artists develop their own "transport layer" to do this. If you would ask AC/DC for a CivBE soundtrack you would get another result than if you would ask Hans Zimmer. Certainly, both results would be great in their own way. However, AC/DC and Hans Zimmer probably are bit out of reach. But here is an extremely gifted young woman who just finished her studies and brings more inspiration into a simple song than I have heard in a very long time.

Of course you can ask any artist for his interpretation on any subject and you will get something truly unique if the artist has his very own style. But that doesn't mean that every artist capable of this also fits a certain intention. I wouldn't ask Elvis Presley for example, if he was still alive. I also wouldn't ask Elton John and I especially wouldn't ask Malukah. I just don't think that a good science fiction soundtrack can have contributions by anyone. This is even more true for this game, since I want the franchise to keep it's high standards. There are plenty other spaces for this kind of deeply touching guitar music. Your next trip to the beach for example. A triple A game is just not the place to promote your personal youtube star. No matter how hyped she might currently be. Again, a female artist that features video game songs is inevitably getting some attention on the internet. Does not necessarily say anything about the quality of her art.

 

[Bkeela]

Does anyone else despise 'Baby Yetu'? I for one was thankful when Warlords and Beyond the Sword replaced that cringe inducing song.

 

[JokerJace]

Does anyone else despise 'Baby Yetu'? I for one was thankful when Warlords and Beyond the Sword replaced that cringe inducing song.

Not my cup of tea either.

 

[korossyl]

Does anyone else despise 'Baby Yetu'? I for one was thankful when Warlords and Beyond the Sword replaced that cringe inducing song.

Nope.

 

[Tarmont]

Does anyone else despise 'Baby Yetu'? I for one was thankful when Warlords and Beyond the Sword replaced that cringe inducing song.

Yup, warlords " Al Nadda" is my favorite.

 

[iRule]

Yup, warlords " Al Nadda" is my favorite.

BTS theme is also pretty great.

I really can't stand way too colourful themes for a game that, ultimately, has some pretty gruesome things implicit in its gameplay.

Edit:

Al Nadda always reminds me of Medieval II's menu theme (and background) and I kind of lose it over Medieval.

Man, did Creative Assembly drop in quality... even their menus used to kick ass.


Link to video.

Link to video.

 

[Greasy Dave]

The soundtrack was recorded a couple of months ago at the Rudolfinum in Prague. Sountracks generally form some sort of coherent whole, and adding in an extra song would be taking away from that, even if the song itself was great.

Which means it's going to be the Prague Symphony orchestra. That's where they play and record. Hmm. I'm not hopeful. Aliens had an awesome mournful and spooky orchestral string opening (can't remember the music from the rest of the film) - so orchestral music can have a sci-fi feel/ mood/ atmosphere.

But I'd kind of been hoping for something more electronic.

I guess we have to wait and see.

 

[Greasy Dave]

It has to be Blader Runner-esque.

And speaking of which:


Link to video.

I know guys, it's Max Payne. But what the hell, doesn't that sound awesome and fitting for a sci-fi themed game? It's totally like Blade Runner. Especially from 1:00m on.

That is an awesome soundtrack. I think I'm going to have to download it and play it with a blade runner mix while I play the game...

 

[WhiteKnight0311]

Enclave radio from Fallout 3 for me!

Rasing old glory for Uncle Sam, lightyears from home!

 

[ColdFever]

Which means it's going to be the Prague Symphony orchestra. That's where they play and record. Hmm. I'm not hopeful. Aliens had an awesome mournful and spooky orchestral string opening (can't remember the music from the rest of the film) - so orchestral music can have a sci-fi feel/ mood/ atmosphere.

Indeed, with the Prague Symphony Orchestra we can expect some form of classical-oriented orchestral music for CivBE. This is a great orchestra, and the music certainly will do its job. However, as an instrumentalist I have to admit that no instrument and not even an entire orchestra is able to sound so touching as a single human voice, especially not Malukah's voice.

the developers also want the game's tone to be hopeful and ambitious,
I really can't picture an overly weepy song in it.

Did you even listen fully to just one Malukah song?
Both the Skyrim song and the TESO song are not "weepy" at all.
Yes, they are solemn, as TES and CIV are, but at heart hopeful and ambitious.

Does anyone else despise 'Baby Yetu'?

Not my cup of tea either.

Wow. That the Baba Yetu haters now rush in,
is probably the best proof of Malukah's qualities.

Baba Yetu blow most people away: A single, spiritual voice and a great composition.
The Earth globe behind. This is a video game classic to remember for ages.
I would have loved to see this approach again, this time with Malukah's voice.

MP3 from TESO: http://static.elderscrollsonline.com/assets/mp3/BeautyofDawn-Malukah.mp3

Malukah's amazing, and while I think her voice would be suitable for a CivBE theme or two, it's really not our call to make. With any luck, her recent work with Civ4's Baba Yetu will reach Firaxian ears and maybe persuade them to approach her for future efforts.

Thanks, you are probably right, and this would be amazing.
The only better place for a Malukah song I can think of
instead of CivBE would be Civ6 at the 25th anniversary in 2016.

 

[WhiteKnight0311]

That main menu would suit a dark song, something creepy like the Mass effect character creation song.

 

[JokerJace]

Both the Skyrim song and the TESO song are not "weepy" at all.

Let's agree to disagree. I'm just looking for something different in music than simplistic sentimental tracks like this. That kind of melancholic singer/songwriter stuff is just too exchangable for me and doesn't touch me at all. If it works for you that's great. Just don't force it into things it doesn't belong in.

That main menu would suit a dark song, something creepy like the Mass effect character creation song.

That's a way better direction in general. I find it amazing how much people can disregard the incompability of BE's tone and generic guitar romanticism.

Al Nadda always reminds me of Medieval II's menu theme (and background) and I kind of lose it over Medieval.

Awesome tracks.

 

[ColdFever]

doesn't touch me at all. [...] I find it amazing how much people can disregard the incompability of BE's tone and generic guitar romanticism.

You made it totally clear that you do not like the human voice and the guitar. It probably would not even help if I told you that the guitar could easily be replaced by a piano or something else. I personally would even prefer Malukah a-capella, because her choir harmonies alone are just incredible.

You just do not like anything that sounds natural for CivBE. Therefore, I am afraid that the classical orchestra approach that Firaxis uses will also not please you. This is too bad for you, but music from electric instruments so far is not something Firaxis likes, and I am very glad about it.

Just don't force it into things it doesn't belong in.

Nobody here "forces" anything, this is just a humble petition.
But I think we now really got your message that you force in, again and again.

 

[JokerJace]

You just do not like anything that sounds natural for CivBE. Therefore, I am afraid that the classical orchestra approach that Firaxis uses will also not please you. This is too bad for you, but music from electric instruments so far is not something Firaxis likes, and I am very glad about it.

I liked the Civ V soundtrack very much and they will certainly put a scifi spin on it. Have you not listened to the theme song of the trailer. It represents exactly what I was talking about and if they keep that general direction and quality, I will be very pleased. And it also contained electric elements as far as I can tell. It's not necessary to use electric instruments though. In fact, I don't care how they're going to achieve the right atmosphere technicallay. So far I have faith it will work out. Anyway... I can't tell what this has to do with my disapproval of shallow melancholic music. I guess we started talking past each other at some point.

 

[ColdFever]

I can't tell what this has to do with my disapproval of shallow melancholic music.

This is the x. time that we learn that you find "shallow" what so far has been moving millions people, many of them to tears. Perhaps you should rather let this thread die instead of bumbing it up, again and again. I feel like planting seeds and then JokerJace comes again with his big lawnmower.

 

[JokerJace]

This is the x. time that we learn that you find "shallow" what so far has been moving millions people, many of them to tears. Perhaps you should rather let this thread die instead of bumbing it up, again and again. I feel like planting seeds and then JokerJace comes again with his big lawnmower.

Millions of people love the Twilight Saga and yet I find it incredibly shallow and dumb. I was never too fond of this kind of argumentation. The size of a niche clientele with a lapse of taste, whether it is teenage girls or overly sensitive video gamers, doesn't say much. But I agree, I should just let the thread die.

 

[Teproc]

About Baba Yetu : I played CIV but only got on these foyms with CiV, and I didn't even know what Baba Yetu was when I saw people mention it. It didn't make any impression on me, unlike Al Nadda which was awesome.

By which I mean : not loving Baba Yetu is not being a "hater", it's just having different tastes.

Back on-topic : I'm a little disappointed they got an orchestra to do it as I was hoping for a more electronical approach, but it should be fine. The CiV soundtrack, while not as iconic as the previous ones, was very high-quality.

 

[ColdFever]

Millions of people love the Twilight Saga and yet I find it incredibly shallow and dumb. I was never too fond of this kind of argumentation. The size of a niche clientele with a lapse of taste, whether it is teenage girls or sensitive video gamers, doesn't say much.

You seem to have a very high opinion of yourself. Just take a look in the mirror: While we love video games, many of my friends with a high education find video games "incredibly shallow and dumb", not worth the precious life time. Perhaps made for a "clientele with a lapse of taste"? So what? Do these guys have a better or worse "taste" than we have? Or do they just have another opinion? When I read "incredibly shallow and dumb", I feel very sad about what you made of this thread.