SimAnimals
Winifred Phillips
" SimAnimals is not something you quite heard before, at least not a full soundtrack long. "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
The Sims have become a household name in countless families by now. Their initial adventures are now vastly available and dozens of composers have brought their own unique voice to the world (most recently even Steve Jablonsky). Now one of The Sims' most unique projects is available for you to discover; SimAnimals! In SimAnimals, you can venture into the wild world of animals like never before. You have the power to reach out and touch, pick up and move everything in the forest from squirrels and foxes to trees and flowers. In SimAnimals, you have the ability to engage wild animals, experience life in the forest and run the wild!
Considering all this, it is quite an adventure to experience music like this as well. We have experienced already the richness of Wataru Hokoyama's wonderful flight over Afrika, and now you can experience composer Winifred Phillips's musical ideas for SimAnimals.
"Our goal was to give a unique and sophisticated voice to the game" said Robi Kauker, Audio Director for The Sims Label. "Drawing inspiration from pieces like Prokofiev’s Peter and The Wolf, we found the context of the game gave us plenty of opportunity for the timelessness of the orchestra’s instruments and the rich range of Winifred’s compositions". I basically couldn't have said it any better myself. SimAnimals is not something you quite heard before, at least not a full soundtrack long.
You can't call it music you'll listen to with awe, but you must call it music that nails whatever you're experiencing on screen. And above all it is refreshing and inspiring to receive music that creates an airy atmosphere for you to wander off in.
It starts lightly but so joyous with "Sim Animals Theme", making sure the tone has been set immediately. In "Trailhead" you can even hear some Jerry Goldsmith (Legend) in the strings and wondrous flutes. This is also one of the occasional tracks you'll hear nature calls in and it doesn't detract one bit.
The first sign of diversity is heard in "World in Need" while the sneakiness in "Dry Gulch" is utterly enjoyable. The toying of various instruments in "Grassy Glen" receive a light epic touch when from time to time sampled trumpets shine through, the same for some moments in "Castle Ridge".
Truthfully, the score is incredibly diverse and playful. "Friendship" holds even a charming violin when it toys around with the main theme. It continues in such surprising tracks as the electric guitar in "Hard Times" while "Happy Place" turns the mood completely 180 degrees with a most uplifting main theme version.
The violin and piano in "Orchard Playground", the scary atmosphere in "Danger Woods" (it doesn't leave room for flutes at all), the Philip Glass wonder in "Foggy Wallow", the rapid version of the main theme in "Absolutely Positive", just about any track holds a surprising ring to it.
The light choral effects in "Perfect World", the dream like quality Thomas Newman piano in "Quality Time" and the resolving delightful finish of "Forest Song (End Credits)" sure round out the album in perfect style.
Altogether SimAnimals holds the fact most tracks wander through the forest in a free flowing style while forgetting to state some kind of emotional feel. But because they flow freely, the experience is a fun, relaxing and interesting one. Composer Winifred Philips and the producers of the game took a bold step to bring something different and unique. The result is quite literally charming and effective. It will definitely make you smile once you enter the woods and meet its inhabitants.
Tracklisting
1. SimAnimals Theme (2.20)
2. Trailhead (2.52)
3. Free Play (2.22)
4. World in Need (1.21)
5. Dry Gulch (1.41)
6. Grassy Glen (2.12)
7. Castle Ridge (2.34)
8. Friendship (3.20)
9. Hard Times (2.29)
10. Happy Place (1.20)
11. Orchard Playground (2.53)
12. Danger Woods (1.54)
13. Foggy Wallow (1.26)
14. Absolutely Positive (1.17)
15. Woodlands (2.01)
16. Perfect World (1.20)
17. Misty Bog (1.39)
18. Quality Time (3.23)
19. Forest Song (End Credits) (3.02) Excellent track
Total Length: 41.26
Considering all this, it is quite an adventure to experience music like this as well. We have experienced already the richness of Wataru Hokoyama's wonderful flight over Afrika, and now you can experience composer Winifred Phillips's musical ideas for SimAnimals.
"Our goal was to give a unique and sophisticated voice to the game" said Robi Kauker, Audio Director for The Sims Label. "Drawing inspiration from pieces like Prokofiev’s Peter and The Wolf, we found the context of the game gave us plenty of opportunity for the timelessness of the orchestra’s instruments and the rich range of Winifred’s compositions". I basically couldn't have said it any better myself. SimAnimals is not something you quite heard before, at least not a full soundtrack long.
You can't call it music you'll listen to with awe, but you must call it music that nails whatever you're experiencing on screen. And above all it is refreshing and inspiring to receive music that creates an airy atmosphere for you to wander off in.
It starts lightly but so joyous with "Sim Animals Theme", making sure the tone has been set immediately. In "Trailhead" you can even hear some Jerry Goldsmith (Legend) in the strings and wondrous flutes. This is also one of the occasional tracks you'll hear nature calls in and it doesn't detract one bit.
The first sign of diversity is heard in "World in Need" while the sneakiness in "Dry Gulch" is utterly enjoyable. The toying of various instruments in "Grassy Glen" receive a light epic touch when from time to time sampled trumpets shine through, the same for some moments in "Castle Ridge".
Truthfully, the score is incredibly diverse and playful. "Friendship" holds even a charming violin when it toys around with the main theme. It continues in such surprising tracks as the electric guitar in "Hard Times" while "Happy Place" turns the mood completely 180 degrees with a most uplifting main theme version.
The violin and piano in "Orchard Playground", the scary atmosphere in "Danger Woods" (it doesn't leave room for flutes at all), the Philip Glass wonder in "Foggy Wallow", the rapid version of the main theme in "Absolutely Positive", just about any track holds a surprising ring to it.
The light choral effects in "Perfect World", the dream like quality Thomas Newman piano in "Quality Time" and the resolving delightful finish of "Forest Song (End Credits)" sure round out the album in perfect style.
Altogether SimAnimals holds the fact most tracks wander through the forest in a free flowing style while forgetting to state some kind of emotional feel. But because they flow freely, the experience is a fun, relaxing and interesting one. Composer Winifred Philips and the producers of the game took a bold step to bring something different and unique. The result is quite literally charming and effective. It will definitely make you smile once you enter the woods and meet its inhabitants.
Tracklisting
1. SimAnimals Theme (2.20)
2. Trailhead (2.52)
3. Free Play (2.22)
4. World in Need (1.21)
5. Dry Gulch (1.41)
6. Grassy Glen (2.12)
7. Castle Ridge (2.34)
8. Friendship (3.20)
9. Hard Times (2.29)
10. Happy Place (1.20)
11. Orchard Playground (2.53)
12. Danger Woods (1.54)
13. Foggy Wallow (1.26)
14. Absolutely Positive (1.17)
15. Woodlands (2.01)
16. Perfect World (1.20)
17. Misty Bog (1.39)
18. Quality Time (3.23)
19. Forest Song (End Credits) (3.02) Excellent track
Total Length: 41.26