The American Album
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| The American Album | ||
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| Studio album by Mazedude | ||
| Released | November 14, 2005 (Regular Edition) June 14, 2006 (Special Edition) |
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| Recorded | Tarzana, California, 2004–2005 (Regular Edition) 2004-2006 (Special Edition) |
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| Genre | Video Game Music | |
| Length | 73:09 (Regular Edition) 83:33 (Special Edition) |
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| Label | Mazedude.com | |
| Producer(s) | Mazedude | |
| Professional reviews | ||
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The American Album is an album of 18 arrangements of music from various video game soundtracks exclusively created by American video game music composers. The album is Mazedude's first, and was conceived as an alternative to the overwhelming attention given to Japanese composers by video game music fans.
Originally proposed as a concept for OneUp Studios, Mazedude instead made the decision to freely release the album online as a solo project and solicit for donations after considering several factors: his musical style not necessarily meshing well with other artists, game companies receiving the compulsory licensing fees rather than the composers, the cost of pressing CDs, and the potential unwillingness of consumers to pay for an album they haven't previously heard.
The album's website features a feedback area where, alongside fan commentary, several of the composers honored on The American Album have already expressed their appreciation including Jack Wall, Tommy Tallarico, Jeremy Soule & Peter McConnell, as well as Doom lead designer John Romero.
On June 14, 2006, Mazedude released a Special Edition of the album with OGG format tracks, three additional completed arrangements, "Uncle Mazedude" album art inspired by Uncle Sam, a version of "Glow Worm Jim" featuring artist commentary, and eight incomplete arrangement sketches.
[edit] Track listing
All songs arranged by Christopher Lee Getman
- "Jackrabbit Transformer" – 6:20
- originally "Water Level" from Jazz Jackrabbit 2 by Alexander Brandon
- "Glow Worm Jim'" – 6:57
- originally "Subterranean / Lorenzo's Soil" from Earthworm Jim 2 by Tommy Tallarico
- "Bone Wagon for Bones" – 1:33
- originally "Bone Wagon" from Grim Fandango by Peter McConnell
- "Slick Rippin Keen" – 4:25
- originally "Make It Tighter" from Commander Keen 5 by Bobby Prince
- "Microscopism" – 4:48
- originally "Microscope", "Cake Music", "Dolls of Doom" & "Coffin Dance" from The 7th Guest by George "The Fat Man" Sanger
- "Keyz to New Junk City" – 4:17
- originally "New Junk City" from Earthworm Jim by Tommy Tallarico
- "Wheels of Wonder" – 3:30
- originally "Wheels of Wonder" from Myst III: Exile by Jack Wall
- "Zombies Ate My Tracker" – 4:04
- originally "Pyramid of Fear" from Zombies Ate My Neighbors by Joe McDermott & The Fat Man
- "Myst Shrooms" – 3:48
- originally "Myst Theme", "Sirrus Theme" & "Unfinale" from Myst by Robyn Miller
- "Countdown to Death" – 5:22
- originally "Countdown to Death" from Doom II by Bobby Prince
- "Zapper's Freedom" – 5:02
- originally "Catherine's Freedom" & "Moiety" from Riven by Robyn Miller
- "Exiled Samples" – 4:25
- originally "Exile" from Myst III: Exile by Jack Wall
- "Rockin' the Andes" – 2:10
- originally "MC Rock" from Mick & Mack: Global Gladiators by Tommy Tallarico
- "K-Pax for Evermore" – 5:11
- originally "Introduction" from Secret of Evermore by Jeremy Soule
- "Opening to Hell" – 7:55
- originally "Opening to Hell / Map 30" from Doom II by Bobby Prince
- Special Edition
- "The Great Tentacle Pianist" – 2:27
- originally from Day of the Tentacle by Peter McConnell
- "More than MoN" – 4:04
- originally "MC Rock" from Mick & Mack: Global Gladiators by Tommy Tallarico
- "Carvosity" – 3:53
- originally "James Bond Theme" from Tomorrow Never Dies by Tommy Tallarico
The album is free and available for download at Mazedude's website, featuring composer profiles, album art, and artist commentary on each arrangement.
[edit] Personnel
- Lord Wroth (Lou Klein) - album design ("Uncle Mazedude" concept and art)
- Mazedude (Christopher Lee Getman) – arranger, music, album design (Regular Edition), website design, producer
- Necrophilisimo (Jouni H. Lahtinen) - album design ("Uncle Mazedude" art)
