a musical experiment for your mind

[PessimistOwl]

So I figured I might give something a try.

First here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut0YDGH7NYU

Okay now here is what I would like you to do:

When listening to this, close your eyes, and just listen to it. You can listen to as little or as much of it as you would like. But while listening to it, I want you to embrace it and try as hard as you can to create a world based off of how this song makes you feel.

Rules: I realize that this kind of thing is hard to do for people that have already played shadow of the colossus but I want you to create a different world completely separate from the world of Shadow of the colossus. It's fine if the feeling of the music makes you imagine the same kind of world that's in shadow of the colossus (but that's no excuse to be lazy). If you honest to goodness imagine the world that's like the shadow of the colossus world, then that means the composer merely accomplished giving you the feeling that was implied.

What should I reply with?: Whatever you imagine. Scenery, characters, you're only limit is by what your imagination can do. Then I would like you to take what you imagined and post it (with lot's of details) in this thread.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I see a land of camelot and knights and oh there it goes as Monty Python busts in.

In all seriousness, thats honestly what i saw. Everytime i hear stuff like that, i always think castles and dragons, which leads me to think of Monty Python.

 

[blankedboy]

Since it's done in that scale (don't know the name), it makes me think of a blend of those floating mountains in Avatar and ancient China.

Hm :/

 

[Squilookle]

Well now that you have outright said it's from Shadow of the Colossus, there's no point in listening to it because you have primed me to think of that kind of landscape before even listening to it.

 

[Old Father Eternity]

I like what I see. Wandering through what looks like rather old forrest, sunrays shine through the leaves, some wildlife playfully running around. Exiting the forrest a old settlement comes in to view, habitants are nice, peaceful but one can't shake the feeling that theres something ominous looming over the place.

 

[Messing]

Well now that you have outright said it's from Shadow of the Colossus, there's no point in listening to it because you have primed me to think of that kind of landscape before even listening to it.

The same thing happened with me and the background to the video also didn't help with my imagination .

I just couldn't think of anything except the thing you told us not to think about !

 

[raminile]

I'm thinking.. Zelda, probably from the heavenly choir.. with a touch of oriental feel, a big temple of time church set on a big grassy hill with winds blowing in over the open plains. Lord of the rings-ish but more final fantasy i guess.
Interesting experiment!

 

[Cenryk]

Since it's done in that scale (don't know the name), it makes me think of a blend of those floating mountains in Avatar and ancient China.

Hm :/

Same, with a little bit of God of War 2 thrown in. Like at the part with the giant horses (I forget their name.)

 

[FinalDream]

I see a snowy mountain landscape, the sky is a perfect light blue untouched by clouds and the fresh snow melts under the sun. There's a small village of colourful tents and flags fluttering in the breeze that sweeps through the chilly air. There is a young woman collecting and melting snow in a large clay vase type object (I assume for fresh, clean drinking water) she wears faded purple cloth wrapped around herself and she notices me, looks up and smiles, I can see the breath escape her mouth. It begins to lightly snow and she pulls up a hood, picks up the vase and returns to the village. I get an oblivion type vibe but high up in some snow covered mountains, there is an overwhelming sense of isolation and silence, a lot of dripping water too.

 

[PessimistOwl]

Thoughts of your wonderful replies thus far: I'm loving these. It's excellent to see what dimensions people can create with only the aid of music. On top of that, it's interesting to see what people relate certain sounds and feelings with. Since it's a bit lengthy to quote everyone in a reply, I'll reply to you by using the at(@) symbol and telling what I think.

@emeraldrafael: interesting connection, your mind seems to go long distances to connect certain aspects of music. I for one would never have made that connection to Monty Python! That's really interesting you would mention that!

@PoisonUnagi: I get the feeling that you've done some music theory work through your lifespan. Still though, I would really like it if you were to explain what certain aspects of Avatar or ancient China cause you to feel that way most. From a first glance, I think that you are referring to the sheer grand mysticism of mountain tops or wide open plains. But that's all I can come up with? Would you mind to elaborate?

@Novskij & Cenryk: I like the fact that it's Mongolians in particular that you imagine as well. That's actually really descriptive! When I read your post a section of the Journeyman's second game came to mind when you are talking to the confucious like settlement that has decided to reside up there (at least I think that's what settlement it was, it's been a while since I played that game...). Though I've never played god of war before, I get an idea about these horses....I think...

@Squilookle & Messing: Well if I didn't tell you then when you looked at the youtube video you would've found out . But that's okay, that tells me that you think that the music fits perfectly with the feeling that the game/music composer were trying to emulate!

@Blood Stained Saint: aaaaah, a response such as yours gives me satisfaction that I started this thread. I was hoping that people would post replies like this! Just from sheer sounds of different instruments you have created something unique to your own mind. Something that is solely yours and no one else's. On a side note, loved the description, you have a broad imagination and aren't afraid to use it either!

@raminile: I agree with all of this! it does have a Zelda like feel to it with the chords and the melodious way that the line moves. But it has a very grand style to it as well that makes it feel like Lord of the Rings. At the same time, the different sounds coming from the many instruments gives it a unique feeling, the kind of feeling that you can get from playing a Final Fantasy Game. Nice one!

@FinalDream: WOOT! Yet another post that makes me ecstatic that I posted this thread. Excellent imagination! When I read your post I instantly got a mental image of what you were trying to convey, that's really cool. Nice reply!

Man that takes a while! Great job so far guys, more ideas welcome! I liked the fact that everyone thought of snow..

 

[harv3034]

...............wow.

I saw a great expance of space. A small blue and green sphere was floating in the void and I could tell that I was getting closer.
I suddenly found myself on a strange new world covered in lush vegitation. As I took that first step on to this oddly beautiful planet I was filled with wonder and aww at the pristene beauty of what I saw.
As I began to explore the ground and plants shimmered with light sliping through the leaves high above in the trees. I became quite lost in the utter magisty of what I was experiencing.
With a start I realize that I am not alone. Something has been following me from withing the trees; watching me. As I scan the trees I begin to feel at ease for I realize that whatever is there means me no harm.
Then, I come upon a quiet little stream flowing peacefuly through the forest. I follow the gentle current as it winds a smooth path under and around the roots of the trees.
With a start, I emerge from the trees to find a sight of indescribable beauty. I stand on the edge of a great plateau over looking an endless forest. In the distance, the sun is setting and the last rays of light twinkle softly off the cannopy.
But I can not stay, for as the sun sets and the day comes to a close, so too does my time on this world. As I prepare to leave the surface I turn for one final look at this glorious place. And what do I see but shadowy form that has been following me. In a moment of empathy, it's eyes and mine fill with tears at the thought that I must now depart.
As I travle through the dark, cold void of space, I take one final look at that strange and wonderful world upon which I could spend such a short time. Despite the sadness I feel in my heart, a smile appears on my face. I know that I was blessed to have had he chance to see such a place, even for such a brief time.
And with that I turn away from the blue and green jewel, and look ahead to what I may encounter next.

 

[PessimistOwl]

@harv3034: I like it, you give it a transdimensional feel. As if you are a wanderer in a different world. Nice story! Brilliant imagination.

 

[Lilani]

This is very good, I think it might soon find its way to my iPod. I imagine a peaceful temple bathed in sunlight hidden up in the side of a mountain. Either that or a place very similar to that tree Galadriel and her people live in from Lord of the Rings.

 

[Sacman]

I see long golden fields bordered by thick green forests populated with no one but myself... the wind blowing gently whisking leaves and debris through the air, a great expansive mountain range in the distance casting a shadow closely approaching from the falling sun...
so basically what I see when I think of a Gustav Klimt painting...<.<
[img height= 450]http://www.myfreewallpapers.net/artistic/wallpapers/gustav-klimt-the-kiss.jpg[/img]

 

[GenericAmerican]

I see a large canyon, the skies are overcast and the canyon filled with fog. The skeletal remains of warriors from battles long past litter the ground; arrows, swords, armor are all that remain to tell the tale of many battles.
At the end of the canyon there is a strong blue glow piercing the fog. The remains of the dead seem to be reaching towards the glow. Many men have died trying to reach the light.
There is a single man walking through the canyon, he looks weary yet alert, his hand on his sword. He marches onward towards the glow in the fog, ignoring the dead all around him.
The entire scene is foreboding yet has a certain peacefulness. It is silent, gray, and colorless except for that glow piercing the fog.
The man continues to walk, stepping over and around the remains of the dead; he is fixated on the glow.
He slowly disappears into the fog as he marches onward.
The canyon is empty now, the only accompaniment is the silence of the dead; I can almost hear them speaking, crying out, for another chance to find the light.

 

[The Maddest March Hare]

Ancient temple somewhere in the desert. Something about the key it's in hints Arabian but in a more westernised way. The forces for good were surrounded, final stand in the temple against the darkness outside. It says a lot to me about a serene, determined and unafraid final stand.

 

[Hopeless_One]

Huge Aztec temple set deep within a lush forest.

A holy place, where tribesman gather to pray to their gods and all that stuff. Giant statues within depict ancient guardians and gods, placed along the side, an altar in the very middle of the temple with light shining down from the hole in the ceiling.

Carvings of battles of old painted all over the walls, some of them large scale enough to make you wonder how they managed to put it on that massive wall over there.