Bluesy chant “Oomenacka” And so ritual complete. Bear and bird transfigured. As Grant Kirkhope also says: when in doubt, use marimba. The thing just works; cartoonish, tribal, primitive, exotic, spooky, caribbean…doesn’t matter, it has you… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Mumbo’s Hut
Eekom Bokan The ground shakes, drums… drums in the deep We cannot get out They are coming The natives are getting restless and that means big, deep, ominous, relentless drums pounding that capture the most… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Mumbo’s Mountain (Variations)
Eekum Bokum As the very first gameplay level, Mumbo’s Mountain brings the zany tritone and cartoon influences at the forefront. This world serves as a simple introduction level in the game, being fairly small and… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Mumbo’s Mountain
A portal to new harmonies Another event, another overture commemorating the occasion. But since the opening of a new world is a one time special event seldom heard, the standard success cue is extended and… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – World Door Open
Three more pieces collected Just like Super Mario 64 has its power stars, the bear and the bird have their own core collectibles in the figure of puzzle pieces known as jiggies. These are the… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Collect Jiggy
The Sorceress’ Picnic ‘Spiral mountain and the opening might be the main themes but Grunty’s Lair is where the true game begins accustomed to this song you’ll be since it has the most repeats’ Anyway.… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Gruntilda’s Lair
Campy October As the bear and the bird make their way to the entrance of the castle, the tried and true Halloween tropes keep pilling as we are treated to a new cutscene involving the… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Grunty’s Beauty Steal Machine
A musical transition into the proper mood The bleakness wraps the characters both visually and musically. Leaving subtlety aside, the super villain’s lair, which is usually located at the end of the world, is here… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Bridge to Gruntilda’s Lair
Life affirming tunes Of course ever since the days of arcades, gamers have had the need to notice when their characters get harm and then when something good, like replenishing health, happens. In many video… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Collect Extra Honeycombs / Extra Life
Deep south bear When it comes to the music of the main gameplay levels of Banjo-Kazooie—or any other mascot platform for that matter—There is less emphasis on the cultural connotations since the mission statement for… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Spiral Mountain
Once upon a time And so the fable begins in a most sinister and mysterious fashion, way more than what the subject matter calls for. A story based on the fairest of them all trope… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Overture
Merry Melodies All Banjo series musical ingredients already begin popping out in the main theme for the series which otherwise would be just a friendly bluegrass tune played by the cute main cast with their… Read More »Inside The Score – Banjo-Kazooie – Main Theme / Title Theme