For the longest time, the concept art piece was by far the best that had been revealed for Halo 4. Whilst Awakening was good and had the tune I hope remains a core part of the franchise’s music, it was more about John waking up to discover his destination than the destination itself.
The concept art piece was futuristic, alien, mysterious, enormous and ominous, everything a Halo piece should be. Then we got the heavily-percussive, copy-paste chord progressions of the ‘First Look’, it felt heavily like a generic action film, with all aforementioned militaristic percussion making me think of some sort of ‘gear up on the Infinity’ scene.
More recently, with ‘Composing Worlds’, we had a few pieces that once again felt like generic chord-progressions and heavily-electronic (we get it, the Forerunners and their paraphernalia are futuristic). My opinion was pretty low.
However, marry the music to some visual action and it actually works. Maybe because I listen to the trilogy OSTs a lot and without the visual stimulation, the H4 stuff largely feels soulless. But add it to the new aesthetics and upgraded graphics of the new game, and it actually works, and works well.
On top of that, the E3 gameplay trailer had fantastic and very fitting music. So my hat is off to Davidge for what I thought was pretty mediocre stuff until its marriage with its inspiration.
That said, it is slightly worrying that some of the music doesn’t come to life without its visual accompaniment; I can listen to almost any Halo music just on my iPod and feel it. Maybe that’ll take some time with Davidge’s stuff. I couldn’t say right now.
You’ve described why I feel many have been at odds with the new music. Tbh, some of the stuff released instantly gets to me. The sense of wonder, scope, and awe, can be heard in a few of the tracks. Even dread and sinisterness. Others are more about heroism and being a badass. In all, I feel that they have a similar vibe, but I’d say they have more sophistication. Only thing I notice right now is a couple being a little repetitive at points (some, I think because they’re on a loop, though).
People instantly refer to Marty but, let’s be honest, we’ve had since the moment we picked up the controller to play Halo to bond with his music. That chant was awesome, though. It didn’t need any visualisation to sell me on that - which is the effect one track in particular had on me when the ‘behind Halo 4’ video started (this one). The other tracks we’ve had the visuals, we’ve had the experiences time and time again. When we listen to Marty’s music, we relate it to our journey through the game. We think back to that certain time in Campaign, and smile at how brilliant it was. In all honesty, I think without those memories I may not think as fondly of some of the music. There are a number of tracks that work because I had those experiences.
Music tells a story, and takes you on a journey. Neil has scored a specific kind of journey, and I think that once we play the game and it all comes together; players will look at them in another light. From then on we’ll have those moments that will come to us when listening to the music, and it’ll feel amazing. This new appreciation and love for the tracks may inspire past Halo 4’s adventure and we’ll listen to them just 'cause. Maybe it’ll take us on different journeys. I think the one I linked above has a Star Trek vibe about it, actually.
EDIT: Listen to the Halo 4 remix: Halo 4 Remix
I know it’s a remix, but the potential is there for it to wow us during gameplay. And we’ll probably see it officially mixed down the line as well.
I could’t agree more, Tarts.
What the -Yoink-? I typed in a pretty long response and it hasn’t posted… it won’t even reload on Chrome. >:/
hai swifty
neil davidge hasnt won me over just yet, none of the music sound unique to me and it hasnt moved me at all like the original music moves me, but i will try and keep faith.
> What the Yoink!? I typed in a pretty long response and it hasn’t posted… it won’t even reload on Chrome. >:/
>
>
> hai swifty
hai
I guess it’s largely due to the fact that the majority of what I have heard has been through just the OSTs, not with game-play, therefore my mind can picture any moment throughout the trilogy to be like “Yeah, I remember this…” with the music. I need more music and time and even some more visuals before it all comes together with the peace in mind that the other OSTs had.
How about dem Movements of the Odyssey. 
Certainly ripe for those animations I mentioned… in that -Yoinking!- post that never appeared. D:< -Yoink- sake, 343.
I personally think that the most recent peice released titled “Requiem” was pretty great.But your right,I too listen to the Halo tracks at times without visuals so i can see your dilema as to how it will suit the game.
I personally think that the most recent peice released titled “Requiem” was pretty great.But your right,I too listen to the Halo tracks at times without visuals so i can see your dilema as to how it will suit the game.