Wow, thank you! He actually played all of the bonus tracks, so my questions are answered: the three tracks that don't appear on the album are all Rob Walsh music from the batch of 1985 "generic" cues. In which case I think I can just wait to see if they ever get an official release -- especially since it appears, as Tom Servo suspected, that the cues are only listenable within the game's framework and not as stand-alone MP3s.
(Though I must mention I'm also a little intrigued that when he jumped back to the menu briefly to turn of the volume, the theme there sounded like an modern update of the original opening, which is kind of cool. I wonder if the game has any other music like that.)
I bought this Hasbro Presents album on digital and was not impressed with the sound quality. It sounds like they took a rear channel mono source and tried to make it fake stereo. This release should be a cause for celebration but I'm just really disappointed... I'd be furious if I bought this on vinyl.
I think some of this is due to the differing recording studios and techniques used, not all the cues were recorded in the same place. But having actually heard these same cues as ripped from rear channel mono source, the sound quality on this album is absolutely an improvement over that.
I just realized that I might be confused about that soundtrack included with the Blackout game... I just assumed it would be on separate CD and yet now that I think about it, it might be music you can only listen to when you play the game itself on a console. If that's the case, I have no gaming console so even if I purchased the game I won't be able to play it to check out the tracks!
That's a good point. It's part of the "digital deluxe" edition, so I'm pretty sure there's no CD... but I've been thinking it would be something like an MP3 download from an external site. Hopefully it's not just in-game music! I do have a Nintendo Switch so I could get it if it turns out I need to, but I would still rather just have ready-made MP3s rather than trying to extract the music myself.
I've been waiting since 1986 for this music , the record is coming my way, but these bonus tracks are a must have as well. So only playable on a digital something I don't have a clue what it is. I would pay full price for them, but I wouldn't know to play it.
I'm glad it's out there, but I wish I could listen to it as well.
You know, it does seem to be that what I thought was fairly clearcut, as in who composed what cues, is more murky. To my ears, and the sole credit he received on SPIDERMAN, season TRANSFORMERS and the GI JOE mini-series, I figured I knew what was composed by Johnny Douglas. When 1985 rolled around and there were new library cues that sounded markedly different, yet still orchestral, and Rob Walsh was included in the credits, I thought it was obvious those were composed by him. But I guess, if Fred Steiner can compose a cue for Star Trek The Motion Picture ("Meet Vejur") that sounds just like Jerry Goldsmith, then Walsh could have composed cues that sounded like Douglas.
It's interesting, though, because if you listen to the album "Johnny Douglas in Concert", his compositions there sound just like his music for JOE and TRANSFORMERS, so it seemed we have a good idea of his overall style. Plus, his use of drum kit, bass & electric guitar and saxes with the orchestra seem be unique to him and not Rob Walsh, but again, none of us know the full story.
In listening to this album with headphones, you can tell the different recording sources, some cues being recorded in a different studio and I think some cues are mono and some stereo. I can see how this album could resonate more with fans since it's orchestral all the way through and doesn't make the switch to electronic as the TRANSFORMERS LP does on side 2. What's kind of fun for me is that side 2 on this GI JOE album is almost like having TRANSFORMERS VOL. 2 since those same Rob Walsh cues showed up everywhere in that show too!
There is a point at the beginning of that cd that sounds like a Transformers outtake, it's the same style. There is music on Rob Walsh's Pryde of the X-men cd that also sounds like Transformers music. You can somewhat make out the different styles. Douglas has a richer sound, maybe somewhat nostalgic. Walsh is more aggressive.
I just realized that I might be confused about that soundtrack included with the Blackout game... I just assumed it would be on separate CD and yet now that I think about it, it might be music you can only listen to when you play the game itself on a console. If that's the case, I have no gaming console so even if I purchased the game I won't be able to play it to check out the tracks!
That's a good point. It's part of the "digital deluxe" edition, so I'm pretty sure there's no CD... but I've been thinking it would be something like an MP3 download from an external site. Hopefully it's not just in-game music! I do have a Nintendo Switch so I could get it if it turns out I need to, but I would still rather just have ready-made MP3s rather than trying to extract the music myself.
I've been waiting since 1986 for this music , the record is coming my way, but these bonus tracks are a must have as well. So only playable on a digital something I don't have a clue what it is. I would pay full price for them, but I wouldn't know to play it.
I'm glad it's out there, but I wish I could listen to it as well.
Of all members here on the board, I was wondering when you'd show up in this thread! I am sure you will enjoy the LP when it arrives, but of course you can also check out the tracks on Spotify and iTunes, if available to you.
I just realized that I might be confused about that soundtrack included with the Blackout game... I just assumed it would be on separate CD and yet now that I think about it, it might be music you can only listen to when you play the game itself on a console. If that's the case, I have no gaming console so even if I purchased the game I won't be able to play it to check out the tracks!
That's a good point. It's part of the "digital deluxe" edition, so I'm pretty sure there's no CD... but I've been thinking it would be something like an MP3 download from an external site. Hopefully it's not just in-game music! I do have a Nintendo Switch so I could get it if it turns out I need to, but I would still rather just have ready-made MP3s rather than trying to extract the music myself.
I've been waiting since 1986 for this music , the record is coming my way, but these bonus tracks are a must have as well. So only playable on a digital something I don't have a clue what it is. I would pay full price for them, but I wouldn't know to play it.
I'm glad it's out there, but I wish I could listen to it as well.
Of all members here on the board, I was wondering when you'd show up in this thread! I am sure you will enjoy the LP when it arrives, but of course you can also check out the tracks on Spotify and iTunes, if available to you.
Haha, don't worry I was itching to give my two cents! My pre-order has been moved up to half December unfortunately. I'm downloading Itunes right now, if that doesn't work, I'll try Spotify (thanks for that tip!). It's somewhat a challenge to obtain this music, but it can be done from a lazy chair
Just wanted to ask if anyone knows, there have been a couple great Cartoon Theme compilation albums done by kid Rhino (Toon Tunes Action Packed and Funny Bone).
Neither have the Transformers or G.I. Joe themes on them. Are any of you aware of other compilation CDs where either the G.I. Joe theme or Transformers theme appear on?
Just wanted to ask if anyone knows, there have been a couple great Cartoon Theme compilation albums done by kid Rhino (Toon Tunes Action Packed and Funny Bone).
Neither have the Transformers or G.I. Joe themes on them. Are any of you aware of other compilation CDs where either the G.I. Joe theme or Transformers theme appear on?
On the CD box set from Japan, called Transformers: History of Music, they included the main theme from the US series. This box set was released back 2004 and the focus of it was mainly songs and score from the Japanese Takara Transformers series (Headmasters, Super God Masterforce, etc), so while there were no score cues from the Sunbow US series, the main theme (from season 2, I think?) was included. I gotta check my copy...
Just wanted to ask if anyone knows, there have been a couple great Cartoon Theme compilation albums done by kid Rhino (Toon Tunes Action Packed and Funny Bone).
Neither have the Transformers or G.I. Joe themes on them. Are any of you aware of other compilation CDs where either the G.I. Joe theme or Transformers theme appear on?
Not these specific themes, but a short instrumental version of the Transformers season 1 theme appears on an (expensive) Japanese 5cd set. The one that has the background music from all the Japanese cartoons. An instrumental version of the season 1 end theme appears on a 7" record from France. This is the short theme played about 3 times in a row to make it single length. I don't think there is a cd of this one.
That's about it as far as I know. Amazing for such well known music.
I'm immensely glad we finally got an album for G.I. Joe (and more widely available than the Transformers one), but it's true that there's a ton of material left off, from both Douglas and Walsh. Let's hope for a "volume 2" (at least) if this one is successful enough.
Just got a response from the game company, doesn't look like a standalone soundtrack release is planned: Hi Ryan,
Below is the bonus track list for the G.I. Joe soundtrack. We’re also posting the coming soon page for the game soundtrack today/tomorrow if you’re looking for more detail. Unfortunately I don’t know if this is the same or different from the LP. The soundtrack is intended to be sold only with the Digital Deluxe version of the game.
So I just noticed this listing on steam - and if I'm correct, the soundtrack that came with G.I. Joe Operation Blackout may be available for separate digital purchase on December 15. I will be keeping an eye on this site:
The A-side has the most of those funky 70's tracks. I don't understand some of the musical choices, but I think the original plan was to have more volumes. Back in 2000 there was already a plan for all of these Hasbro soundtracks. Maybe this sequence has been ready forever?
All in all, incredible to hear this music on such a great sounding record. The vinyl is very thick, a good production.
Did you know there's a red vinyl version with a different cover?
So I just noticed this listing on steam - and if I'm correct, the soundtrack that came with G.I. Joe Operation Blackout may be available for separate digital purchase on December 15. I will be keeping an eye on this site:
That said, there are some glaring omissions here. I mean, we're missing what is basically the "main" battle music from those minis; a fast-paced and somewhat jazzy cue, based on the JOE theme, which featured in most of the earliest episodes more than once per show. (Listen to it here with sound effects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEvasrmlGE4&feature=youtu.be) No idea why this was left off the album; its inclusion should have been a no-brainer. And besides that one, there are a few other frequently-heard action cues missing as well.
Yeah, this is the story of my life. 9 times out of 10, the one cue I really would love to have is missing from the album. This happened with He-Man and every Star Trek Enterprise release. This is my all time favorite G.I. Joe cue and one I keep playing when I run the mini-series DVD. It leads off the episode during Duke's fight with the giant barbarian guy in the Arena of Death. It's also a great fight with rotoscoping and really loud punches. This was my favorite animated series in the 80's, even when the focus of the show changed every week to whatever new action figure needed to be boosted.
The most memorable stand alone episode for me was "The Viper is Coming." The Joe's - specifically Barbecue, keep getting these cryptic messages from a sinister-accented voice: "This is de VIPER..." Every time they try ti decode the weird vague messages, they happen to foil a COBRA scheme. At the end, it's this little old Hungarian dude: "I am de viper. I've come to vipe your vindows." Holy crap, that was genius.
Even funnier is this review:
The theme to G.I. Joe - The Movie is outstanding, by the way, and thankfully a sound effects/narration free version was used over the end credits, so I've had that isolated for years.
