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Kirby Ultra Super Deluxe Original Soundtrack :: Review by Charles
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Album Title: | Kirby Ultra Super Deluxe Original Soundtrack |
| Record Label: | Club Nintendo | |
| Catalog No.: | Promotional | |
| Release Date: | January 12, 2009 | |
| Purchase: | Buy at CDJapan |
Overview
Here comes yet another remake for a new generation. Most were already aware that the original Kirby Super Star for the Super Nintendo had some excellent original music on it. Do these remakes for the DS' Kirby Super Star Deluxe soundtrack do it justice? The tracks do indeed retain their charm, but mostly because they were not drastically changed in the first place. Some may have become stiff in translation, while others may rise to the top more than ever before. In the end there's no reason for this not to be the ultimate Kirby Super Star rendition. And since this is the only release of these melodies, I will treat them as original to the album world. Alongside the remakes are a couple final bonus tracks to look forward to in case you want something more than just remakes.
Body
Most of these tunes are mildly upgraded compared to the original game, but I would consider them almost a port overall. They don't take advantage of the DS speakers really, but it ends up being mostly appropriate for Kirby music anyways. The sound team discarded most filler music or combined them into medleys, which is definitely a good thing. However, they left in a couple scenario themes that don't fit. The first track that I found worth listening to was the "Together with the Spring Breeze" title theme. This is the intro music to Spring Breeze and, ever since I first heard it in the game, I have wished that it would last longer. It really has much potential in the realm of Kirby music. Luckily it goes straight to the famous "Green Greens" on the next track. Green Greens was the original theme for the classic Kirby's Dreamland. This tune is a classic in itself and has obviously been inspiration for future Kirby music. In fact, a large amount of tracks on this album take after Green Greens; some even share similar phrases and themes.
The other famous Kirby tune is the Gourmet Race theme on track 12, which originated on the original Kirby Super Star. "Crash! Gourmet Race" is definitely a highlight on this album and chances are that you have heard this theme hundreds of times already. It's interesting in that it kept all the Kirby charm along with a minor key and some almost Russian sounds. There are surprisingly many notable minor themes used for minor purposes, such as "Underground Forest Area", "Great King Dedede's Theme", and "The Battleship Halberd". All these pieces have very original melodies and attention to detail; it's great to see this style work so well on a Kirby album. The boss themes themselves aren't the strongest, though they work for in-game music very nicely. A lot of them sound the same, but they are obviously well crafted after multiple listens. I find the boss themes to be a love/hate kind of style. Some may think "loud and repetitive" and some will think "fun and energetic".
Many of the tracks that I haven't mentioned consist of the classic Kirby peppiness. "Candy Mountain" is a great example of one of these peppy tracks. The formula basically takes a simple catch theme and then it kind of flows it over a very fast beat. It is a formula that has proven to work at times, and thankfully has not been overdone this time. You'll find just enough of these tunes to satisfy your peppy needs, but not enough to overwhelm. This is why I am grateful on how the contrasting minor tunes fit in so well. It makes for great variety, which is something that any Kirby albums needs.
The bonus stage medley arrangement is undeniably cute and innocent. It's almost like a couple of little children got together and started playing Kirby music with a recorder (or ocarina) and some pots and pans. It makes made more sense when I realized it was the HAL Laboratory staff playing the music. It's a great medley that covers all of the best music in the game. Don't miss this one because it definitely is a big highlight of the album. The other bonus tracks are pretty good too. The second arranged medley can get annoying as it features the boss music played in an electronic style for five minutes. The final track is a magical remix of a part of the staff roll and it turned out to be a very nice arrangement. All these tracks will give the album extra worth for Kirby fans and average listeners alike.
Summary
Overall this soundtrack is really more of a port, but being the first album release of Kirby Super Star, I can say this is a Kirby soundtrack that is not to be missed. It's one of the most influential and fitting soundtracks for the Kirby series. Although there are great melodies, variety and attention to detail, this album still can get a little too poppy and fast-paced to be perfect. As long as you pick up this album taking it for what it is — 16-bit style Kirby music — then there is no doubt that you will be satisfied.
