Modern Era Wrap-up

   

Sonic Music from 05-09/10

Sometimes called the "dark age," the Modern Era received its share backlash. With music, though, even haters have to admit it had some of the best remembered and fan-favorite OSTs.  

Trivia

• The composer for Sonic Rush is better known for his work with Jet Set Radio (Hideki Naganuma). Despite the similar themes in Sonic Rush Adventure, it was actually a different composer.
• The Rush series often makes use of sampling.
• Runblebee created much of the lyrics and vocals for the games Sonic Riders, Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity, and Sonic and the Secret Rings.
• Notably the Secret Rings had about 10 songs (because much of the stage music featured vocals)   
• There are 3 vocal versions of "His World," and over 10 instrumental versions through Sonic 06. 
• Lee Brotherton (also known as Bentley Jones and Phunkstar) is mostly known for singing "Dreams of Absolution." However he worked on Shadow the Hedgehog beforehand and later Sonic Rivals. Overall he created several songs/remixes for the series, such as the "Fairy Tales in Trance" version of "7 Rings in Hand."     
• "All Hail Shadow" in 06 is actually a Crush 40 cover of Shadow's hero theme in Shadow the Hedgehog.   
• In reference to Sonic 2, 06 had "Sweet Dream"/"Sweet Sweet Sweet" return to the series (after 14 years). 
• Sonic Unleashed was the first "Main Console" or "big" game not to have a song by Crush 40.
• "Endless Possibilities" is sung by Jeret Reddick from Bowling For Soup. 
• Sonic and the Black Knight featured 4 songs by Crush 40. They also had 2 covers related to the game ("7 Rings in Hand," an unlockable; "With Me," as a part of the OST release).   
• Black Knight would be the last game to have a new song by them until ten years later (TSR). 

Total Scoring

S: 3
A: 4
B: 2
C: 2
D: 2
E: 3

Best Soundtrack of the Era:

Sonic Unleashed may be pretty hyped up, but it deserves the credit. Sonic the Hedgehog (2006) is right there with it, and Sonic and the Black Knight may not get the same recognition but it was defiantly a contender, too. 

Best Handheld Music of the Era:

Technically, based on my ranks, I actually liked Sonic Rivals a bit better. However, Rush is just so memorable! Rush Adventure is close to being just as great, so really the only handheld game of this era that doesn't cut it is Sonic Chronicles.   

Most Underrated Console Music:

I was tempted to put Secret Rings or Black Knight. The storybook series is surprisingly on the same musical level as 06. I chose Zero Gravity, though, because it gets overshadowed by Sonic Riders, while being as good or better. 

Zero Gravity is exactly what you wan from a sequel. It has the same themes but puts its own spin on them.  

Most Overrated Console Music:

While the other choices live up to the hype, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is probably simply liked because it was the first crossover and the first in the "Mario and Sonic" series. It's not bad, but I hope those Mario fans realize there's a lot more to the world of Sonic music. 

Worst Music of the Era:

Gotta Go Fast Gotta' Do Math

Forgot about this one, huh? Sonic Chronicles may be torture with headphones on, but at least its memorable. Sonic X on the Leapster? Not so much.