2013-09-17 5:06:00 ¶ ●

By Toby “Radiation” Fox. Original (Doctor) by George Buzinkai

Source: Homestuck

I mentioned in an earlier review that I preferred Doctor as part of a greater composition, rather than as a stand-alone piece. This is the song I had in mind when I mentioned that. Doctor is a big part of this song, and it’s even better for it.

The song begins on a low note, like a music box desperately trying to squeeze out a few more notes before it reaches the end of its winding. From there, it builds progressively, in steps, before cooling off again near the end.

There’s another original song that’s part of Savior of the Waking World: Penumbra Phantasm by Radiation. That’s the flute melody that begins around halfway through the song. In fact, I didn’t mention it earlier, but Descend ends with a fragment from this same song. There’s a few Flash animations where Penumbra Phantasm has been used as a sort of coda, and it can’t help but be memorable. Yet the song has not been released on its own, and it may never be. It’s the white whale of the Homestuck catalog: many other tracks are made better by featuring it.

2013-09-20 0:40:00 ¶ ●

By Steve Everson

Starts with a military, marching-band percussion beat, and a ping-y, staccato lead melody carries most of the song. Can’t put my finger on exactly what I like about it.

2013-09-20 3:21:00 ¶ ●

By Steve Everson. Original (Doctor) by George Buzinkai

My favorite stand-alone version of Doctor. Planet Healer comes close, but I like the instrumentation a little better on Plague Doctor.

2013-09-20 4:17:00 ¶ ●

By Erik “Jit” Scheele

This one’s interesting in that it features chiptune, but as the backing harmony rather than the main melody (which is mostly piano and flute). There’s a nice call back to Showtime in the middle, too. It’s a great listen.

2013-09-21 0:41:00 ¶ ●

By Erik “Jit” Scheele and Michael Guy Bowman

Starts out simple, with yet another strong piano melody. Starting in the second half, a backing string section starts building up the atmosphere, and the track soars after that. Soars in a moody, mournful way. Somehow. Like Tom Cruise in Top Gun after he got Goose killed.

2013-09-21 1:50:00 ¶ ●

By Erik “Jit” Scheele

In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a sucker for simple piano refrains. This one fits that description to a letter. The track plays out gradually and thoughtfully. It’s an interesting choice at the end, too, letting the last couple of notes go unplayed.