On the wind down...

Following hot (or actually more lukewarmly) on the heels of the critically acclaimed A change of pace, (OK maybe not critically acclaimed, but pretty damn decent!) we have yet another playlist with which to chill your video gaming soul.

In attempt to showcase video game music in it's purest form and display just how splendid it can actually be, this collection consists of nothing but regular ol' background music. There are no piano, orchestral or acoustic versions present...just fantastically produced and engineered in-game music. For those unaware or perhaps even uninterested in video game music, I would urge you to give this playlist a listen and see if it helps to change your opinion.

Once again, the RPG features heavily with pieces from some of the musical heavyweights of the genre (Mitsuda, Uematsu, Kikuta etc), but there are also a couple of surprises waiting and a certain David Wise flying the flag for England.

Anyways, here is the complete track listing and for anyone who's interested in having a listen, the download link can be found below.

VGM Unwinding Vol II: BGM Galore

1. Frontier Village Dali - Final Fantasy IX OST
2. Lost Fragments - Chrono Cross OST
3. The Treasure Which Cannot be Stolen - Xenogears OST
4. Interrupted by Fireworks - Final Fantasy VII OST
5. Underwater Exploration - Super Mario Sunshine OST
6. Fear of the Heavens - Secret of Mana OST
7. The Village of Chirping Birds - Genso Suikoden II OST
8. Forest Interulde - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest OSV
9. Angel Culture - Grandia OST
10. Peaceful Days - Chrono Trigger OSV
11. Hope - Wild Arms OGS
12. Heart Softening (Ode to Nanami) - Genso Suikoden II OST
13. Stickerbrush Symphony -  Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest OSV
14. Singing of the Gentle Wind - Xenogears OST
15. Dream of the Shore (Boarding Another World) - Chrono Cross OST
16. Brinstar Sector 2 - Super Metroid OSV
17. Epilogue (To Good Friends) - Chrono Trigger OSV
18. Good Egg Galaxy - Super Mario Galaxy OST
19. Balrog - Street Fighter II Turbo OSV
20. Find Ilia - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
21. A Peaceful Time Together: - Legend of Dragoon OSV
22. Mining Melancholy - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest OSV
23. Celes - Final Fantasy VI OST
24. Requiem of Grief - Genso Suikoden II OST
25. Everyday Dream - Legend of Mana OST
26. Marin sings the Ballard of the Windfish: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

I own physical and official copies of all albums/games this music was taken from

Download VGM Unwinding Vol II: BGM Galore

Once again, feedback and/or suggestions for future uploads are more than welcome. There are another 30 or so of these on the way so...happy listening!

A change of pace...

Chicks dig...ocarinas?

Ever since the heady days of my youth when I first heard the magical, jingly melody of Bubble Bobble on the Commodore 64, I've had a deep seated love of video game music. From the epic to the chilled, these days my iPod is overflowing with music from some of the industry's most gifted composers, and there aren't many days go by without me having a little listen to the likes of Kondo, Mitsuda and Uematsu.

As this is music that I genuinely enjoy listening to, I thought I'd share some of the more downtempo examples with anyone and everyone who visits Crystal Blue Dreams.

Below is my first and (to this day) favourite playlist, first created in 2007. It is very RPG heavy but that's because RPGs tend to have the best relaxing music...and for those not fond of the genre, there are some non role playing bits and bobs knocking about in there too.

Anyways, here is the complete track listing, and for anyone who's interested in having a listen, the download link can be found below.

VGM Unwinding Vol I: Original and Best

1. The Prelude - Final Fantasy IX OST
2. Theme of Crysta - Terranigma OST
3. Kakariko Village - The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Symphony 
4. Holding my Thoughts in my Heart - Final Fantasy VII OST 
5. Reminiscence - Genso Suikoden Music Collection: Produced by Hiroyuki Namba
6. Another Gardov - Chrono Cross OST 
7. Shattering the Egg of Dreams - Xenogears Light: An Arranged Album 
8. 600 AD (Chrono Trigger) - OC Remix
9. Descendent of Shinobi - Final Fantasy VII Piano Collection
10. Orrizonte – Genso Suikoden II Music Collection: Orrizonte
11. In the Earthen Womb - Illusion of Gaia OSV
12. Because I Love You (Mother 2) - Orchestral Game Concert Part 1 
13. Radical Dreamers (Chrono Cross) - Eminence Symphony Orchestra: Passion 
14. Theme of Celes - Final Fantasy Potion: Relaxin' with Final Fantasy
15. The Sandy Beach of Ganbo - Grandia OST
16. Theme of Evergreen - Terranigma OST
17. Stickerbrush Symphony - Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest OSV 
18. Torvus Clockwork (Metroid Prime 2: Echoes) - OC Remix 
19. Maian Tears - Perfect Dark OSV
20. Faraway Promise - Xenogears OST
21. My Lady's Sigh - Genso Suikoden II OST
22. The Place I'll Return to Someday/Melodies of Life - Final Fantasy More Friends: Music from Final Fantasy
23. Village Theme - SimCity OSV
24. Fisherman's Horizon - Final Fantasy VIII: Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
25. Theme of Final Fantasy - Final Fantasy: 1987 - 1994

I own physical and official copies of all albums/games this music was taken from 

Download VGM Unwinding Vol I: Original and Best

I'm probably going to post a few more of these playlists over the coming weeks, and if they prove popular enough then I'll make sharing them a regular feature on the site.

Also, if there are enough requests, I'll definitely consider suggested playlists.

Happy listening!