StH: Remix (Album) Review

 

Details

Not long after Sonic Boom was released, Japan's own Sonic CD music would be released with Sonic the Hedgehog Remix. As the title suggests, the tracks are remixes. They were done by the original composers of the Japanese OST, Naofumi Hataya and Masafumi Ogata. The vocal credits were "yasu" and Momo Michishita (as "momo"). 

Part of the song "Brand New World" can be heard in the 2011 rerelease (in Time Attack mode with the Japanese OST selected). 

 

Summary

Generally I prefer Sonic Remix to the original Japanese tracks. "Dr. Gigglymen," a remix of the boss music, is a prime example of why. Everything about the original boss theme was 90s cringe. Likewise, I don't have much respect for the Japanese version of Stardust Speedway bad future, and disliked the "hues" in all time zones. 

HOWEVER, these elements wind-up addicting when morphed into "Dr. Gigglymen." The "heys" here sound smooth and catchy rather than the being the out-of-place juxtaposed garbage they are in Sonic CD. With extra influence from Final Fever, the piece soars into being one of the best Sonic CD songs. 

Techno Power mix, while being a version of Wacky Workbench as a whole, includes much of the bad futures together, creating a cool combination of some of CD's best moments. Miracle Blue/Little planet is a beautiful contrast, being a peaceful assemblage of the good futures. 

There's a lot of fun techno energy that feels less experimental and more put-together. There's just one drawback... 

The vocal songs. While I've come to enjoy most of them, they'll sound like complete nonsense to any American listener. Personally, I'm fond of all of them except "Love you 'Sonic,'" but I can see it scaring off new listeners.     

Final Ranking: A

Despite the wonky lyric/vocal tracks, Sonic the Hedgehog Remix is awesome. I think it's a fun, energetic improvement over the original Japanese music. It's a must-listen for fans of the JP OST, but I think it's appeal could go beyond that if more people knew about it.