Allen vs. Brandon?
 

Mukreker's thread kind of inspired me to do this poll. Whose in-game tunes for JJ games were better? Robert Allen's (JJ1 soundtrack, Funky Grooveathon and Boss2) or Alex Brandon's (JJ2 and JJ3 soundtracks)?

I'd go with Allen. His tunes suit JJ1 tilesets better than Brandon's tunes suit JJ2's in my opinion. Also, Allen's tunes are the of same quality (if not better) than Brandon's, and Allen had to work with only 4 channels and no effects which .s3m and .it files support. That is skill.

IMHO best proof of who is better is the number of JJ1 remixes beating the number of JJ2 remixes by far.

I'd actually attribute that to the fact more people have played JJ1 than JJ2. But although they've both made their share of great tunes, I'm going to go with Allen.

I guess I'm biased towards Brandon partially because I've never played JJ1. Overall I like most of Brandon's work, which I can't say the same for Allen.

And more JJ2 remixes would be great.

A lot of the JJ1 tunes were very distinctive and fairly interesting, but I always felt the JJ2 music wasn't that special- good, but not exactly the kind of thing you listen to out of the game.

I had to vote Alex Brandon. JJ3's music owns.

It might have to the technical advantages or fewer restrictions, but I think I have enjoyed the music for JJ2 and JJ3 more than that of JJ1.

What Mono said... hmmm. Although I did remember some really cool songs afte voting.. mmm, Crysilis.

I think both did their fair share of good tunes. To make things easier, I'll list the most memorable ones:

Robert Allen
- Tubelectric
- Medivo
- Letni
- Orbitus
- Marbelara
- Crysilis
- Stonar (the longest in-game song next to the theme)

Alex Brandon
- Labratory
- Jungle
- Inferno 1
- (-) (you know what it says ;))
- Haunted House

Both soundtracks are excellent, but JJ2's songs have always been more interesting to listen to and sound more inspired, personally. But then, I'm biased thanks to Tyrian anyway.

Oh, and in response to the comment about the number of remixes, it is always easier to remix a song that is technically simple than one that is highly complex. There's a reason why you see so many mixes from older games on sites like OCR, even though new games have excellent soundtracks.

In JJ series, it was probably Allen (although things like Deus Ex or Tyrian rock OMGishly (but for Allen it's Epic Pinball ;p). The main problem is that he sucks at tracking, although he has great, in true, great ideas.

In overall, I like Brandon's tunes more.

Am I the only one who keeps seeing this thread out of the corner of his(or her) eye as
'Alien Vs. Breadator'?

I couldn't have said it better.

LOL!
Yup, me too! XD

and of course Robert A. Allen! (when I was a much little, I used to enter the game just for the Tubelectric song! ;D...).
My Favourites: Tubelectric, Scaraparap, Sluggion and Candion (It's just an old and rocks american-style gaming music :)).
However, Robert rock up! and Alexander (he's music rocks only on Unreal series) get down! :7

Exept for 'Dang', Hippy Heaven and Streetwize, I like all the JJ1 music better. Streetwize rocks! :D

- JJ3 Castle
- Hopteego
- JJ3 Theme

The JJ3 music totally... pwned, for lack of a better word.

Am I the only one who's in love with both Hell themes and the JJ2 Medivo song? D=

No.

Also Suspira IMO is one of the greatest JJ seires songs(I'm asuming it was meant for JJ3, since it was included with the unpublic beta.) Which was made by Alex. Sonyk is right, the JJ3 soundtrack pwns.
And how can we forget the folks at Shinen? You know, the JJA music people, who oddly enough hid their best JJA music track at the end of the game(The credits music)

Alexander Brandon. From a musician's standpoint, his songs are far superior.

I still listen to jj2 songs sometimes outside of jj2. JJ1 songs i never listen to at all, period ;P.

Brandon all the way.

On the other hand, I listen to JJ1 songs all the time and hardly eve listen to JJ2 songs.

On the third, I listen to all the JJ series music on my CD player occasionally (JJ1, JJ2, JJ3 and JJA).

I love the second Hell song.

Allen I think I just love exoticus and some other jj1 songs.

I just remembered something. JJ1's Medivo song owns. OWNS.

amm..
They both good composers..

Brandon ofcourse. Nothing beats the Town House music. All of Allens's JJ1 tune sound the same, with little variation, while Brandon's JJ2/JJ3 soundtracks sound extremely varied.

Well, yeah, City1g (Streetwize) is ofcourse 'the most groovy JJ song' ever. Also Funkyg (Hippie Heaven) is one of the better Brandon-songs. But, there is something about Crysilis and Medivo1 that PWNS the rest. But, hey, that's my opinion. :D

While we're on the subject, my favourite Jazz songs are Tubelectric (JJ1), Medivo (both games; I love both versions), Deserto (JJ1), Streetwize (JJ2), Haunted House (JJ2), Hell Frozen Over (JJ2), Orbitus (JJ1), and Crysilis (JJ1).

I have no idea why I voted for Robert. :p Robert is similar to Brandon and Alex is similar to Allen... *hypno*

Rob Allen's music for me is much more hit-or-miss. He has some songs in JJ1 that are pretty awful and some that are superb. They have more of a raw feeling and a bit more energy and attitude than Alex B.'s songs for JJ2. JJ2's soundtrack is... nicer, and more subtle. It fits the game, I suppose, and some of it is very good, but it doesn't grab me like JJ1's. Except for Jazz Belmont --phenomenal.

Philippe Vachey, however, is still my favorite videogame composer.

stripe