Music Theory: Sonic CD's Wacky Workbench

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 24 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ •

  • @TheAuthorStudios
    @TheAuthorStudios Рік тому +178

    Using the telephone ringing sound as an instrument is peak synth music; the creativity with samples and experimentation is the thing the sampling keyboard (which is basically what was used for the entire OST) was built for.

    • @whiteingale
      @whiteingale 4 місяці тому +1

      i know right, this shit is so wacky. XD

  • @AROAH
    @AROAH Рік тому +165

    I always love the visualizations you come up with when describing various elements of songs. “Sounds like robots doing work in the background” is so perfect, yet I’d never have thought of it.

  • @skidz2046
    @skidz2046 Рік тому +85

    That hotel mario impression was spot on I almost thought it was sampled from the game

    • @ItzRuby-o7
      @ItzRuby-o7 3 місяці тому

      "You know what they say: if you hear a major 3 on bass, look for the 1."

  • @tomnuke9122
    @tomnuke9122 Рік тому +76

    I would listen to the Past version obsessively when I was younger. The level highlights progression the best as well, since you get a view of that beautiful Arizona-esque canyon in the background that's non-existent in the Present.

  • @JustJohn43
    @JustJohn43 9 місяців тому +4

    Did you know: that rhythm you pointed out in Aqua Lake, is a slowed down version of the same rhythm that appears in Under Ground Zone's background.

  • @HaitaniMasayuki
    @HaitaniMasayuki Рік тому +109

    I loooved this zone! I'm always surprised how many people don't like it because of its gimmick. I always thought, it's an amazing change of pace I have never seen in any other game before or since!
    And of course the music did things to my young brain, and I still like "wacky" music like that today lol

    • @Waffletigercat
      @Waffletigercat Рік тому +7

      The problem is that the way it is designed results in replaying the same little upper level sections over and over and over again. It’s incredibly frustrating and repetitive, and the best way to avoid facing that is to play EXTREMELY slowly and carefully, something that feels especially bad in a Sonic game.

    • @Chillipeffer
      @Chillipeffer Рік тому +1

      @@Waffletigercat did you play it like Sonic 2 or 3?

    • @AlinaAniretake
      @AlinaAniretake Рік тому +2

      I mean it's for the same reason bad, as why people think Sonic Unleashed Night levels is bad.

    • @asmodeus58XX
      @asmodeus58XX Рік тому +2

      Heck, some people dislike the careful platforming in Marble Zone.

    • @JojoJere
      @JojoJere Рік тому +2

      @@asmodeus58XX because it's SLOWWWWWWW

  • @HyperSonic777
    @HyperSonic777 Рік тому +51

    I don't think the US future themes were swapped.
    The Bad Future has a slower tempo, and the bassline alongside the vocals and machinery are very depressing. The first half of the song sounds so empty and desolate compared to the Good Future and Present, which were both upbeat melodies. Just shortly before the Guitar, you have alarms, which are much decayed and withered compared to the Good Future's alarms at the end. The guitar solo itself is dark and not of what Wacky Workbench used to be, which was a productive factory. Now it's a mostly abandoned factory that is rotting away as indicated by the background art.
    The Good Future starts off with an upbeat bassline, funky guitar, and a generally more positive tone than both the Present & Bad Future easily. It sounds like a new day in an improved and remodeled Wacky Workbench, showing off that futuristic personality of the track. Just before the part in the middle, there's a "HERE WE GO" vocal that transitions to a victorious, productive, and heroic chord progression. The crystals in the background signal that the future made at Wacky Workbench was a successful, and that guitar fits in with the feeling of accomplishment of saving yet another area of Little Planet from Eggman (just like the guitar solo in Tidal Tempest Good Future). The part at the end just shows how much more futuristic and industrial Wacky Workbench is. The reason why it sounds like hard work is because Wacky Workbench is a factory. It has been, and always will be a factory, even in the Bad Future, which in this future, the machinery is polished and updated instead of the unpolished and jagged sounds of the ruined factory of the Bad Future.

    • @DezVox7
      @DezVox7 Рік тому +12

      Honestly, that's how I see it too.
      The bad future track represents a worn-down and forgotten version of the present Wacky Work Bench. One of those majorly abandoned factories you'd find in a "rust belt" city. The good future's track represents a well-maintained factory running at 100% efficiency.

    • @mattutter3525
      @mattutter3525 10 місяців тому +1

      I think you missed the part where that comment was a joke

    • @pablomoreno5366
      @pablomoreno5366 9 місяців тому +11

      ​@@mattutter3525 if you hate this comment for talking good of the us soundtrack then cry about it

    • @nicekarl01337
      @nicekarl01337 9 місяців тому +7

      ​@@mattutter3525 If that was just a joke, then why does he just make sarcastic comments when it's for the US soundtrack?

    • @mattutter3525
      @mattutter3525 9 місяців тому +1

      @@pablomoreno5366 The irony of your comment will forever be lost on you lol

  • @lonecom685
    @lonecom685 Рік тому +12

    I think playing Sonic CD when I was a kid unconsciously made me develop a strong sympathy for House French. Whenever I’m listening to Phantoms Revenge, I always feel comfortable and remember of my times playing this game…

  • @vaporcranberries
    @vaporcranberries Рік тому +4

    13:18 bro is that a hotel mario reference

  • @Astro_Crunch
    @Astro_Crunch Рік тому +19

    I do think the JP soundtrack is way better (not to imply that's a controversial opinion or anything), but I really gotta hand it to the US sound team. Despite having an incredibly tight deadline and no means of communication with the game's director, what they ended up producing is still quite competent. The fact that it turned out as well as it did with so much going against it is seriously impressive.

    • @Z-Mikes00
      @Z-Mikes00 9 місяців тому +5

      the us ost has grown on me a lot. metalic madness, star dust speedway, and collision chaos especially.

    • @Casual_guy1234
      @Casual_guy1234 3 місяці тому

      I only like the us soundtrack when the jp soundtrack is not in the picture, I can enjoy it as music, not as a game soundtrack

  • @FreshTillDeath56
    @FreshTillDeath56 Рік тому +61

    Yet another incredible breakdown! That talk about house music and Streets of Rage 2 was brilliant. The US "hard labor" future goes SO HARD! Probably my favorite track in the game. As far as a "why" is concerned for the US future tracks, the way I interpret it is the efficiency of the factory is what they're basing the soundtrack off of. The good future is "hard work" because the machines are running at full capacity, whereas the bad future's tempo is noticeably slower, and the guitar noodling represents the blaring chaos of the factory breaking down into loud nonsense.

    • @shadowopsairman1583
      @shadowopsairman1583 Рік тому +1

      Bad future shows Robotnik's meddling,

    • @roadkill_52
      @roadkill_52 Рік тому

      Still a shitty ost. US track doesn't have anything to with the level

    • @diegohoyos4049
      @diegohoyos4049 Рік тому +7

      Yeah the good future, while not as obviously joyous as the jp version, is more subtle as it is supposed to be triumphant and shows the factory at "peak condition" because Robotnik's influence has been removed. The bad future, in contrast, is supposed to be desolate and rotting apart because Robotnik has overused and abandoned the place and the song gives off that feeling. It is a bit strange that he didn't really try to point it out or notice it. Otherwise I enjoyed the video.

    • @Emery_Pallas
      @Emery_Pallas 6 місяців тому +1

      @@diegohoyos4049 If you hear the extended version ofthe good future theme on the Sonic Boom Soundtrack, the less joyous tones get a bit more stated. To some extent, the more ominous aspects are to foreshadow the game's upcoming climax
      As for the bad future, The US Soundtrack loves mournful Bad Future themes (See Palmtree Panic and Quartz Quadrant for examples)

  • @Jackalopods
    @Jackalopods Рік тому +31

    I know it sounds oh so easy to knock the US soundtrack everytime, but it has merits, despite not being what you've envisioned.
    And the guitars on the bad future US give the desolated chaos.

    • @keithmorrison8373
      @keithmorrison8373 11 місяців тому

      Yeah its still fitting it feels like the bad futures were meant to be more a you messed up but you can fix this even though i like the japanese just saying you fucked sonic YOU FUCKED

    • @AltairEgo1
      @AltairEgo1 10 місяців тому +1

      Agreed on that. I think people just instinctively gravitate towards it because it was unavailable in one region, and it seems more coveted.
      Both are pretty good I'd say.

    • @Z-Mikes00
      @Z-Mikes00 9 місяців тому

      every WW track is better than every WW jp track, change my mind

    • @DubiousDepthsRadio
      @DubiousDepthsRadio 2 місяці тому

      ​@@Z-Mikes00
      Yup you should change your mind cuz that a stupid idea

    • @Z-Mikes00
      @Z-Mikes00 2 місяці тому

      @@DubiousDepthsRadio it really isnt. but ok buddy

  • @lonewolf4561
    @lonewolf4561 Рік тому +60

    I'm greatful that Sega gives the player the option to switch between the two soundtracks in Sonic Origins.

    • @Chillipeffer
      @Chillipeffer Рік тому +20

      that's been there since 2011

    • @AROAH
      @AROAH Рік тому +13

      Guys they may be 14 give them a break

    • @RAFMnBgaming
      @RAFMnBgaming Рік тому +4

      @@Ballerr785 Not anymore, those are delisted.

    • @Chillipeffer
      @Chillipeffer Рік тому +1

      @@RAFMnBgaming false???

    • @That_Guy-
      @That_Guy- Рік тому +9

      ​@@RAFMnBgaming**laughs in android**

  • @BonitoJoe111
    @BonitoJoe111 Рік тому +25

    14:32 I've always interpreted that noodling as the guitar impersonating a power drill or some other power tool. Since I guess that's what they thought of including when they heard "workbench" was in the name of the stage.

    • @dass8193
      @dass8193 Рік тому +2

      Late, but that's a sick interpretation

  • @justaperson5841
    @justaperson5841 6 місяців тому +5

    What made me fall in love with Wacky Workbenches bad future is when the beat drops and you can hear robotic voices in the background, almost like the badniks are talking to each other about how to defeat Sonic or the zone itself is communicating.

  • @BHox01
    @BHox01 Рік тому +7

    Looking thru the comments on these videos, there's a lot of noise telling/asking you what to do next, how to change, etc. You dont seem like the kind of person that needs to be told this, but do what you think is best for you to continue/grow. These videos are obviously a labor of love and i think thats a big part of the end result. Keep it up!

  • @DezVox7
    @DezVox7 10 місяців тому +6

    After thinking about it for a bit. You might be right about the mislabeling of the US OST. However, I believe that it was actually the present and good future tracks that were mislabeled. The "good future" track strikes a balance between hopefulness and uncertainty. The "present" track however, is cheery and upbeat throughout. As if the "workers" are wholeheartedly enjoying themselves.
    More fuel for the fire? On the "Sonic Boom" album (the official OST for the US version), the track that is now known as the "Good Future" variant is only labeled "Wacky Workbench." The "present" track is labeled "Workbench Workout." Pretty odd. That same album features expanded and more detailed versions of the US tracks that go unused in the game.

  • @CyberdustStudios
    @CyberdustStudios Рік тому +49

    Personally, I really don't see the US future themes to be a music swap or "mislabeled". The Good future has hard labor sounding instrumentation sure, but the cheering followed by an upbeat and awesome guitar riff give off that good feeling/future vibe in my eyes. It's hard work in the factory, but the workers seem to enjoy their job. And while the bad future has those Hawaiian chanting in the background, they sound like they're saying "Why?" Like as if they are asking sonic why he'd let this place fall into disarray. And while the guitar has high energy (at least high energy for a slow tempo'd song), it sounds melancholic. Almost like it's trying to bring joy into a place that has been left to rot.

    • @keithmorrison8373
      @keithmorrison8373 11 місяців тому +1

      He did not mislabel they still fit

    • @Emery_Pallas
      @Emery_Pallas 6 місяців тому +5

      I think Alex dismisses the wacky workbench themes really badly. They're two of my favorite tracks in the US Soundtrack. I assume its either to do with not having the full versions (since the two songs have extra portions cut from the in game music, both of which are found on the Sonic Boom album and both are AMAZING), or that Alex is projecting the Japanese philosophy for the soundtrack onto the US one where it doesn't fit. The later is particular present in the badfuture given that the US Bad Futures are with few exceptions are quite Mournful Pieces.
      Also the Good future is way too upbeat to be a bad future, it literally yells "LETS GO" before the melody begins

    • @Matzu-Music
      @Matzu-Music 6 місяців тому

      @@Emery_Pallas He drags the entire American soundtrack through the mud. Fucking weaboo, the bastard is.

  • @jtg55
    @jtg55 Рік тому +13

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought that the US' Futures were switched, hehe.
    Wacky Workbench is one of my favorite stages; I've been waiting for this one.

    • @SonicCDspeedrunArchives
      @SonicCDspeedrunArchives Рік тому +3

      Sonic CD Restored addresses that very issue, in its own way. : )

    • @Z-Mikes00
      @Z-Mikes00 9 місяців тому +2

      what? the good future clearly has an upbeat positive tone and vibe to it and depicts a factory in working order while the bad future is so empty depicting a worn down out of shape factory. both are better than the jp futures thats for sure

  • @elijahpostdc
    @elijahpostdc Рік тому +10

    imagine having a youtube channel this amazing. great work as always. the music of these OG sonic games has had such a positive impact on me.
    And a pallet swap i made of this zone served as a digital happy place I had as a kid.

    • @juliewinchester1488
      @juliewinchester1488 Рік тому +1

      A palette swap? How did you make it, what did it look like? o.o

    • @elijahpostdc
      @elijahpostdc Рік тому

      @@juliewinchester1488 I used Irfanview, idk if its still a thing now, but there was some menu option to swap around the RGB values. Made everything gold with blue bannisters

  • @lathell1233
    @lathell1233 Рік тому +4

    I absolutely love the connection between the music and the level you make reference to.

  • @commanderknee3821
    @commanderknee3821 Рік тому +6

    As one of the very, VERY few wacky workbench enjoyers, this video really was worth the wait, but I do have one LARGE nitpick. Yeah, it's pretty obvious the american soundtracks were clearly mislabeled in the final game, even the sonic the hedgehog boom album versions confirm this, HOWEVER the only tracks that should swap places imo are the present and good future with eachother, bad future is fine as is imo. While JPEU bad future is supposed to be a nuclear meltdown or something like that, US one seems to be trying to emulate a more calmer, creepy/sinister feeling of exploring an abandoned yet still operational rotting factory, with a *wacky* bounce floor and a vibe straight out of a scooby doo chase scene, so basically cartoony horror. To be fair, I didn't really feel that way the first time I listened to it by myself, but just brushing it off as a 7th week deadline effort is simply unfair tbh (especially in comparison to certain other zones in the US soundtrack). Other than that, no complaints from me. All I need now is a metallic madness video and my life will be complete... for a while.

    • @AlinaAniretake
      @AlinaAniretake 10 місяців тому

      but it has Hawaii Chant! It makes it a Good future song!

    • @Emery_Pallas
      @Emery_Pallas 6 місяців тому +2

      I think the soundtack triumphantly Screaming LETS GO with recurring star jingles kind of declines either of your theories.
      The way I see it, Badfuture is catchy yet Mournful to highlight the decay of the bad future (a thing done a lot in the US tracks, while the Good Future's upbeat and celebratory, with the ominous aspects in its extended cut being a reminder that, while you have done good, you are now onto the games climax (especially as I think it might share musical paralells with Startdust Speedway's Future themes, but I dont know if that is me imagining things.

  • @Rhamsody
    @Rhamsody Рік тому +7

    Can you please... PLEASE do Metallic Madness US Present? That tune has mesmerized me for decades! Great job as always!

  • @luigibudd
    @luigibudd Рік тому +3

    The editing in these videos is always top-notch. The smooth transitions between time periods is a good example. Great video as always!

  • @Zohaib_Playsgames
    @Zohaib_Playsgames 5 місяців тому +3

    0:25 This sounds like Metallic Madness

  • @TobyCysterMusic
    @TobyCysterMusic Рік тому +2

    It's quite rare to find theory videos that are not only informative but also entertaining. Love what you're doing, keep it up!

  • @IvanKNIGHTFROGSROCK
    @IvanKNIGHTFROGSROCK Рік тому +3

    Can't wait till you do the other three sonic cd levels. These are brilliant

  • @RedPolarBearRanger
    @RedPolarBearRanger Рік тому +4

    Wacky Workbench Past actually sounds like something from the 1970's and feels like a disco song too.

  • @tripplejaz
    @tripplejaz Рік тому +5

    Awesome video! I have no idea what's being said half the time but I'm along for the ride. Funny you're doing Wacky Workbench as I just made a piece celebrating Sonic CD's 30th set in Wacky Workbench!
    I grew up with the US soundtrack and I quite like the present track but the whole OST definitely sounds made in 7 weeks haha!

  • @gamerdudeorsomething
    @gamerdudeorsomething Рік тому +5

    Shhh, no-one tell him that the footage he used to travel to the past said "Future"

  • @legogun_frank
    @legogun_frank Рік тому +12

    I love the Japan Sonic CD’s music.

  • @GenghisConnThr333
    @GenghisConnThr333 Рік тому +36

    I feel like you're unfairly dismissing the US soundtrack, even if the different timelines don't share the same motifs, the music still fits, good future sounds hopeful and ideal while having an ambient industrial sound to it to remind you that it's a factory/warehouse and the bad future while somewhat upbeat has an underlying sinister feel to it with the bass, the abrasive guitar shredding reminiscent of loud, dangerous machinery and the way everything descends towards the end of the track.

    • @Z-Mikes00
      @Z-Mikes00 9 місяців тому +5

      while its no where near as prevalent as it use to be in the fandom theres some circles where its popular to bash (or underrate) the us ost. but there was a time where even suggesting its on par with the jp ost was cardinal sin

    • @KryztovTank
      @KryztovTank 8 місяців тому

      I prefer the US bad future over the jp one as it presents a factory under a dictator in disrepair and not about to collapse in on itself.

  • @crazygoji
    @crazygoji Рік тому +2

    loved the crash course in rave stabs

  • @just_a_random_human.
    @just_a_random_human. Рік тому +3

    Never thought you were actually gonna do a Wacky Workbench music theory video lol. Another great video nonetheless! Besides Terminal Velocity from Sonic Colors, Wacky Workbench has my favourite music in the entire franchise, especially the US soundtrack, so im glad you decided to make this video in the first place. Can't wait for the next video! :D

  • @MarcusGronkowski
    @MarcusGronkowski Рік тому +6

    Alex Yard, can you PLEASE make Music Theory videos on the entirety of Sonic 1+2? They both have such legendary songs and would make such great video topics!

  • @thunderbro7
    @thunderbro7 Рік тому +10

    While I actually really enjoy the US themes for this zone (especially the present theme), I do have to say your criticisms are very much valid and I have to agree with them, I also wouldn't be surprised if the good and bad future themes really were swapped. That said the Japanese OST definitely fits the zone far better, but the US soundtrack will always have a place in my heart since that's what I grew up with.
    As always, great video!

  • @modeseven8100
    @modeseven8100 Рік тому +21

    Feh, Was hoping for more analysis on the US tracks that absolutely slap on their own regard and all I got was pedantic PAL Bias
    Was hoping for a neutral approach to both OSTs like you did in the past

    • @modeseven8100
      @modeseven8100 Рік тому +13

      Also going by the track names in STHBoom its likely that Good Future was swapped with Present if anything
      Bad Future sounds perfectly fine if you ask me, its has an intense v>bvii that totally gives it a dark funk vibe
      And the Good Future we got has a perfectly decent "stoicism" and clean "orderliness" to it compared to the chaotic funk of the Bad Future
      They deserved more than being written off as if they dont fit

    • @manuelmakesartz
      @manuelmakesartz Рік тому +11

      Yeah. I feel like the US OST doesn't get the attention it needs in those videos. I think they deserve more screen time, because they get very little. I can sense bias towards the two soundtracks, but I am not going to be the judge of that.

  • @CooperFireyBoy
    @CooperFireyBoy 7 місяців тому +2

    I love watching these videos because I understand what he’s saying while at the same time don’t understand a single thing

  • @GigglyMan42069
    @GigglyMan42069 Рік тому +3

    fun fact: you can play the good future main melody on a dial tone phone

  • @AlinaAniretake
    @AlinaAniretake Рік тому +13

    I don't agree with your take on US tracks here.
    In bad future as an example, besides "Hawaii Chant" there is this fun moment, that I think would amazingly fit into good future setting (Bm Dm while playing repeated Minor thirds on what sounds like a choir Synth (you know - a perfect fit, for Good future))
    Or in Good future, while yes, I agree - it's way too mechanical and minor for it to count in to a good future, but like... You skipped the entire everything else that made this song, though? From Solo of synth, to Bells that are ringing in response (it wouldn't even take long, since this song (just like other Good Future songs US) is short, containing basically those two sections)
    It's ironic, that you had more to say about "Collision Chaos US" the only set of songs, that are the most bland out of all US tracks, while basically skipping majority of portions in US tracks, summering them up as "Lol, US soundtrack bad"

  • @DelayRGC
    @DelayRGC Рік тому +7

    2:57
    Goes to the past with a future sign!

    • @amesstarline5482
      @amesstarline5482 Рік тому +2

      To understand the future, we got to go back in time.. cue the guitar sample, and a wrong-time-period sample.

  • @DearMink_X
    @DearMink_X Рік тому +2

    Me personally, I always saw the past as "Another crazy day working on the workbench, bouncing materials up and spinning the cranes around." The long repeating measures representing the worker's lunchtime.
    Also, to me the Bad Future is more of a "INTRUDER DETECTED! INITIATING LOCKDOWN, MAXIMUM SECURITY ENGAGED." feel. I don't think a theme should be implying a place is gonna blow if it isn't actually blowing up, a little weird to do so.

  • @ExTrapX
    @ExTrapX Рік тому +5

    Nice I was just wathcing one of your videos on repeat because I love your interpretations and work and just then I see a new one about the magestic sonic cd soundtrack. Thanks for sharing this educative and super enjoyable content I really love these videos cant wait to see in a future your video about metallic madness.

  • @Failentin
    @Failentin Рік тому +6

    Great editing and explanations as usual, I really like how you interpret parts of the theme as representing elements of the level. I hope you can do Metallic Madness next!

  • @BoxySonic
    @BoxySonic 21 день тому

    I have to appreciate your great understanding of not only these songs but their purpose to the game and Oshima's vision for the level
    I owe what I know to Sparky who I believe also grabbed a few points from you but there is just so much life in this soundtrack and it's awesome to finally understand this game

  • @Neezabja
    @Neezabja Рік тому +2

    The good future JP tune is just so dreamy and euphoric.

  • @CB-of2fw
    @CB-of2fw Рік тому

    Your videos are just so well-researched with music theory - and not just classical or jazz. Stellar editing and explanations!

  • @Collumbus9000
    @Collumbus9000 Рік тому +4

    I always thought it said "3 2 1" not "crazy toy box" i learn smt new every day

  • @drifter402
    @drifter402 Рік тому +2

    Another great video. One small thing though is that they chose the music direction after going to European raves. Sonic CDs soundtrack is clearly far more inspired by European dance music than chicago house music which was mostly ignored in it's own country. There's a reason somebody was able to fake a 'leaked unused Sonic CD track' to thousdans by simply uploading an old Italo House track to youtube with a Sonic CD picture.

  • @LoederMusic
    @LoederMusic 5 місяців тому

    Very good production quality on this video! A clear explanation and fun to watch :-).

  • @lucasm20
    @lucasm20 Рік тому +4

    I love the extended present US version, more so than the JP version.

  • @biafranrepublican4389
    @biafranrepublican4389 Рік тому +5

    Awesome analysis! Would love to see a video on some Sonic OVA soundtracks too, especially Look Alike

    • @otaforger5375
      @otaforger5375 Рік тому

      omg, yes. South Island, The Land of Darkness, Look Alike. Edge of my seeeeeat.

  • @aleks4256
    @aleks4256 Рік тому +1

    I am loving all of this and i seriously hope this goes all the way up to the 3d era of sonic music

  • @SuperVada
    @SuperVada Рік тому +3

    This is why I love Sonic CD. The music is just that good for both US and JP.

  • @BladedEdge
    @BladedEdge Рік тому +2

    Sonic CD was my first "real" computer game, back in '98. The family PC had a copy of Voyetra Audiostation included and I discovered that it could read the game disc like an audio CD. Played that thing so much I'm surprised the CD still works.
    Female vocals going "SHINING DEBT, SHIN DING DEBT" have lived rent-free in my head for my entire adult life and I regret nothing.
    Japanese audio is cool too I guess.

  • @Sparkys_World-0
    @Sparkys_World-0 Рік тому +10

    It’s so amazing how people can interpret these musical narratives in totally different ways. You interpret the melodies of the good future as robots doing odd-jobs in the background, while I imagine Willy Wonka-style machinery buzzing and whirring in sync with each other. You’re introduced to the stage as something harsh, regimented and grown-up, before it’s totally flipped on its head into a land of childlike fantasy and make-believe, with melodies that sound almost comical in their quirkiness.
    If the Present was a hostile workplace for stressed-out labourers, the good future is where work becomes play and adults become children again.

  • @ShyMania15
    @ShyMania15 Рік тому +1

    Wacky Workbench Past is my favorite out of all the sonic cd tracks dam this video slaps

  • @SkateTroe
    @SkateTroe Рік тому +2

    Bouncy Bench was always, unironically, my favorite level in Sonic CD.
    And honestly, while the critiques of the US soundtrack are absolutely valid, it do still slap tho.

  • @AlinaAniretake
    @AlinaAniretake Рік тому +5

    I really hope, that you'll don't end up praising Bad Future Stardust Speedway, after what you said here, because even though it is a banger - it's in no way fits for Bad Future of the zone

  • @DonoDeluxe
    @DonoDeluxe Рік тому +2

    You make an interesting point about the future versions being swapped.. May need to look into that more.

    • @just_a_random_human.
      @just_a_random_human. Рік тому +1

      theres a lot more uplifting moments in the us bad future than the us good future, and vice versa, so this could actually be true

  • @Worstest707
    @Worstest707 Рік тому +3

    I always heard “3 2 1” instead of “Crazy Toy Box”

  • @whact
    @whact Рік тому +3

    I love how this zone looks

  • @Legoluigi26
    @Legoluigi26 Рік тому +7

    This is one of the few levels where I prefer the US songs by a wide margin. I understand the intent of the JP composition, but the happy funk of the American version helps offset the pain of missing a jump and being launched up and set back by half a minute.

    • @Z-Mikes00
      @Z-Mikes00 9 місяців тому +1

      finally someone else who feels this way

  • @SilverThunder710
    @SilverThunder710 2 місяці тому +1

    I always felt the US Good Future was supposed to indicate a safe, happy, technologically advanced workplace

  • @Nic_2751
    @Nic_2751 11 місяців тому +2

    Whilst this place hosts probably my least favorite level music in the game, along with being the worst area, I do enjoy the past theme, it’s just too good

  • @SkyeBlueLily
    @SkyeBlueLily Рік тому +18

    i wish someone actually properly covered the US tracks in this format, Alex's casual afterthought-esque dismissal of one of my favorite video game OSTs is... highly disappointing, to say the least.

    • @manuelmakesartz
      @manuelmakesartz Рік тому +5

      I was thinking of making a video dedicated to the US soundtrack which does mention music theory stuff and goes through each zone's music but...I dunno. I don't have a lot of time, neither good mic anyway (and text to speech sounds lifeless). But I am seriously considering it...

    • @Phantom-re8mb
      @Phantom-re8mb 3 місяці тому +2

      @@manuelmakesartzNot the hero we deserve, but the hero we need

    • @DubiousDepthsRadio
      @DubiousDepthsRadio 2 місяці тому

      I dont need​@@Phantom-re8mb

  • @ShadowBlazer3000
    @ShadowBlazer3000 Рік тому +10

    I don't hear your comparisons for Good/Bad Future. With Good Future I hear the brightness cords against the rhythmic tools in a nice harmony with each other (whether musically or not is beside the point, been a long time since I was a trombone player so I'll leave the finer mechanics to you) Bad Future has the heavy industrial guitar with funk style bass and chorus chants. I don't really get a Luau vibe out of it (but there's a genre of music I'm not at all familiar with) a lone chime of a work bell ending the day but it starts again. There's a sadness chord that's counter to the Bad Future which counters the brighter hopeful cords I hear in the Good Future. How people can say the tunes are mixed is beyond me.

    • @HyperSonic777
      @HyperSonic777 Рік тому +6

      Same here. The Good Future is more functional with it's machinery, and the chord progression during the middle is quite victorious and cheerful whereas the Bad Future has more clunky machinery, and the guitar solo is too dangerous for a Good Future.

  • @friedchickenUSA
    @friedchickenUSA Рік тому

    ive been on an absolute binge listening to the sonic cd soundtrack over and over. these videos are helping me get my fix
    -liz

  • @jarrellfamily1422
    @jarrellfamily1422 Рік тому +1

    I like how the us version a downward motion like sonic is dropping down on the bouncy floor

  • @joshuasanderson7359
    @joshuasanderson7359 2 місяці тому

    That was a sweet way to get time travel by using the peel out to bounce off the badnik. Kudos.

  • @amesstarline5482
    @amesstarline5482 Рік тому +4

    Ah, Wacky Workbench. My favorite overall set up.
    Reminds me of that one Crystal Waters song, and like that song, Sonic's almost "Homeless" in a constant offness.
    (This series is so fun by listening in headphones)
    (The US themes reminded me a lot of Phineas and Ferb)

    • @amesstarline5482
      @amesstarline5482 Рік тому +1

      Fun fact: In the first Penguins of Madagascar DS game, there's a submenu called Wacky Workbench.

  • @JovianCloudfarmer
    @JovianCloudfarmer Рік тому +1

    maybe one day we will see Music Theory: Sonic CD's Dubious Depths

  • @Furmilion
    @Furmilion Рік тому +4

    > be wacky workbench zone
    > be wacky

  • @sunk100
    @sunk100 Рік тому +1

    6:58 6 HOUR ENERGY DRINK?!?!?!

  • @Sedder812
    @Sedder812 Рік тому

    This was the one i was waiting for. The music in WWZ is so good

  • @Crosstariale
    @Crosstariale Рік тому

    You can stop justifying every reason for me to love this soundtrack and keep it as my favorite sir ahahha

  • @manuelmakesartz
    @manuelmakesartz Рік тому +6

    You made a very enjoyable video, Alex! And I'd like to thank you for mentioning things I never knew before (like the house music chord trick and rave stab technique).
    I really liked it...
    ...until the moment you mentioned the US soundtrack side of things. Don't get me wrong, I understood some of your points, but I think the whole thing was not only unnecessarily shortened, but also...biased. Even the Bad Future's "Hawaii" joke came quite mean-spirited (as if you actually think that's what the vocal says). I always didn't like the fact that, in your Sonic CD music theory analysis videos, the US side of things was shortened and kind of ignored, but this video is the worst form of that, showing bias. And the whole thing is supposed to be a music theory video, not a song critique. It is actually the first video of yours to throw me off. I don't dislike your content or you at all. I actually love your music theory videos. But I think I am allowed to dislike this one in particular, because it feels like it's made in a way that brings the more biased views of the Sonic community, and actually promotes them. I don't invalidate your criticisms, but I think they're structured unfairly in this video.

    • @AlexYardZone
      @AlexYardZone  Рік тому +2

      It is impossible to react to a piece of music without introducing some bias or personal subjective experience. I can only speak for my own reaction to the music, and my praise of any piece of music is meaningless if I am not going to honestly deliver criticism when it's my genuine reaction. I probably wouldn't seek out a track for the purposes of just criticizing it, but when doing a comprehensive review of all 7 tracks associated with a single zone, I won't pretend that all of them are equal in quality or equal in their worthwhile music theory applications. The cowbell/guitar noodling is the epitome of that out-of-place-laziness and it was a perfect opportunity to highlight it and express my well-thought out disapproval. Also the length of this video's USA portion is not different from other Sonic CD videos.

    • @manuelmakesartz
      @manuelmakesartz Рік тому +6

      ​​​​@@AlexYardZone "Impossible" is a strong word. I'd say "difficult" sounds like a more believable term. Because I also find it difficult to like the Japanese Present theme of Wacky Workbench. But still, I looked into it from a new perspective with your video. Do I suddenly love this track? No. But at least I now consider it interesting. I think you could do the same with the US side of things too. And most of the time, you do. But this time, it felt rushed. It's not that the US portion of the video is the shortest. That's not my problem. It's that it felt the shortest. But anyway, I personally still disagree with some of the points you make against the US tracks (a debate if which is for another place for another time, no pun indeed). I just think that, in your CD theory videos, the US soundtrack gets the treatment of "US soundtrack = that other alternative soundtrack" which I see across the Sonic community, and is usually meant to treat is as a lesser OST. It feels like it reinforces that, which shouldn't be the case, because it's supposed to be mostly about music theory. Even if those tracks are a "lesser" in music theory terms, they aren't lesser pieces of music because of that. I don't think that's your intent still, but in the end, it results in that, in a way.
      Yes, I do enjoy your videos, even with my small complains. It's just that this time, I was negatively surprised. I was expecting to hear things like the Present using hissing sounds at the beginning of the song (describing a lively industrial environment), or Spencer Nilsen using what I call an "ambience filler" in Good Future [mentioned in 13:30] (Palmtree Panic also has a section with only the drums and percussion as a filler, and Tidal Tempest does the same exact thing just before the loop) and even the Bad Future's guitar solo (that would be a good chance to mention the guitarist behind it, Erik Frykman, and how many people actually worked in the US soundtrack). That's just some of the things I have in mind. Of course, they may not be important at all, but I think it's better than implying the "haha, US track always don't fit" stereotype I see very often in the community.

    • @diegohoyos4049
      @diegohoyos4049 Рік тому +5

      Your two comments encapsulate exactly how I feel. This one was probably the most disappointing for me personally because it was wacky workbench (and King meteors past concepts) that opened my mind to the US soundtrack and begin to love it.

    • @manuelmakesartz
      @manuelmakesartz Рік тому +5

      @@diegohoyos4049 For me, it was Tidal Tempest on my first playthrough with the US soundtrack. I was pleasantly surprised by it and it's the reason I started learning music theory. G Minor for the win! XD

    • @Chillipeffer
      @Chillipeffer Рік тому +2

      @@AlexYardZone may not be different length, but the contents are incredibly callous towards Nielsen and Young's efforts under SOA's crunch. I'd expect a deep criticism to be made to be studied from, not to be laughed at.

  • @germm8706
    @germm8706 Рік тому +5

    0:27 bro will you ever make a metallic madness music theory?

    • @Necromancer_XAES_864
      @Necromancer_XAES_864 2 місяці тому +1

      Yeah, I'm still waiting on palmtree panic and metallic madness music theory.

    • @germm8706
      @germm8706 2 місяці тому

      @@Necromancer_XAES_864 it s been a year

    • @Necromancer_XAES_864
      @Necromancer_XAES_864 2 місяці тому +1

      @@germm8706 doesn't mean I can't wait

    • @donnygamer4125
      @donnygamer4125 2 місяці тому

      That's what I'm sayin

  • @keithmorrison8373
    @keithmorrison8373 11 місяців тому

    I really like how the past themes a section is only in that version while the b section is the same melody as the preseant a section

  • @CerealKiller
    @CerealKiller Рік тому +2

    Top video as per usual!

  • @GustavoSuperSonic2001
    @GustavoSuperSonic2001 Рік тому

    This is one of my favorite levels and songs of Classic Sonic. Specially the Bad Future. I love exploring Eggmans, robot facilities

  • @themoabrigade
    @themoabrigade 3 місяці тому +1

    the Sonic CD theme "you can do anything" I thought it was called Super Sonic Warrior O_o

  • @agsekai
    @agsekai Рік тому

    so excited you're back with sonic cd!!

  • @marciellusr2419
    @marciellusr2419 Рік тому

    Woooooh! Another alex yard and kuckles video!!!!!!

  • @Pickyjonez
    @Pickyjonez Рік тому +1

    Amazing as *fucking* ever Alex
    Had a great day and this notification was a cherry on top 😄

  • @Rafix
    @Rafix Рік тому +1

    AWESOME VIDEO!

  • @RadiantBlazeVA
    @RadiantBlazeVA Рік тому

    Love your videos so much, combining my love of music with one of my favorite franchises of all time! I know it would be a bit of a mix-up but with the new Update from Sonic Frontiers coming out recently, I would like you to analyze the new characters themes, I think they're so cool musically and gives insight into the characters and their mental state in Frontiers. Can't wait for your next video!

  • @Alterinno
    @Alterinno Рік тому

    I appreciate your in-depth analysis on this particular games soundtrack, this music In this game alone inspired me to study how my favorite songs are written. I hope you analyze Metallic Madness eventually 😅

  • @GuiasMaurelChile
    @GuiasMaurelChile Рік тому

    I just finished playing this game for the first time last week, so I can finally comeback and watch your videos.
    The OST of this game is FANTASTIC, sadly, it got buried under all the mediocre level design and bad execution of mechanics. I'm so glad that you did these videos so people can appreciate this soundtrack beyond Metallic Madness and Metal Sonic's theme

  • @GrahamboPC
    @GrahamboPC Рік тому

    When Alex Yard uploads it’s always a good day.

  • @brandonbernard1570
    @brandonbernard1570 Рік тому +8

    I think I straight up prefer the American Wacky Workbench music to the Japanese in a vaccum, but it definitely seems like some files were mixed up or something.

    • @manuelmakesartz
      @manuelmakesartz Рік тому +7

      They weren't. I think the Good Future's weird machinery was meant to be a loop point. Of course that's my perspective. It's just that I personally tried to loop the whole song by using that part as the last bit, and it worked quite well. Palmtree Panic also has a section like that, though it's a filler. Perhaps that "ambience filler" was one of Spencer's stylistic choices when it came to the American soundtrack.

  • @elkevos6836
    @elkevos6836 Рік тому

    The voice of Wacky Workbench bad future jp in the last brute sound say: "crazy toy box" but is putting off

  • @Pincii_
    @Pincii_ Рік тому

    These videos are really exciting!! Hope we can get stardust speedway soon

  • @stronk-rebEl1
    @stronk-rebEl1 Рік тому

    Alex if you ever come to make a starlight music theory
    I want yo say from my part that the main chorus from the beginning till the trumpet seems to praise you for making it this far.
    And when the trumpet comes along it tells you "your almost there" and that it encourages you to move on.

  • @seijuroteichou5032
    @seijuroteichou5032 Рік тому +1

    3:28 This BGM is one of my favorites... The Red Books of this game are incredible. I had the opportunity to buy the game at the time, and the quality of the BGM it has was incredible. In some ways it surprises me that PCMs are so great at composition. For a long time I only knew the US version of the game... Years later I listened to the Red Book BGM of the Japanese versions and I was impressed by the difference. And I understood why the PCMs of the USA version are the same as the Japanese one. There are no similarities to the Red Book BGM USA... Today I like both Red Books BGM, but I like the Japanese ones a little more! 💪

  • @golemplay64
    @golemplay64 Рік тому

    Sure can't wait for the Stardust Speedway video! Considering how much I love both the US and JPN.

  • @FanaticChain
    @FanaticChain Рік тому

    Weird how it took quite a while for this video to release, but it was worth the wait!

  • @artkosfilmsco.7578
    @artkosfilmsco.7578 Рік тому

    Alex, thanks for your AMAZING Sonic music theory videos! You're doing an incredible work, man! You should really make a video about Stardust Speedway music, because that's just the best track from Sonic CD, along with the boss theme (JPN, of course). Anyway, congratulations, and keep going!🎉🎉

  • @Doodle_Animates0
    @Doodle_Animates0 10 місяців тому +6

    Argue all you want: Wacky Workbench Past is the best past theme in Sonic CD

  • @26dollar
    @26dollar Рік тому +20

    but the US soundtrack sounds awesome

    • @Flare8295
      @Flare8295 10 місяців тому

      It does indeed

    • @Dr.W.Krueger
      @Dr.W.Krueger 4 місяці тому +1

      Everything America touches turns to sh*t