Friday, February 11, 2011

Sounds From the Blocky World: Minecraft's Music

I appear in a bright, sunny world, where crude blocks of sand, grass, and stone surround me. Simple farm animals bounce up and down on the terrain, and colorful paperthin flowers are speckled throughout. I immediately know my situation: if I want to survive through the night, I'm going to need a shelter. I must collect wood, and with that wood I'll set up a work bench to make the tools I need to go deep into the ground. With no time to spare, I head over toward the trees and slowly supply myself with the material. It's a painstaking job, but I can relax later (hopefully in my fully lit, underground shelter).

As I am working hard to survive, I begin to hear a sound. A soft chord from the touch of a piano. Then, an accompaniment of strings, swelling in a very subtle manner. As the melodic tune builds, sharp xylophone is buried into the mix. The sound is like a knock on my brain, reminding me that this peace is not timeless and tranquility, both inner and outer, is a secret. A secret you might have to struggle with for the rest of your existence. I'm working hard on making a wooden pickaxe when I realize, I can only hear the soft piano chords now. Eventually, those simplistic chords fade away too. All that's left is the natural sound of this land's living, breathing wonders.



Minecraft's music is not only a perfect soundtrack to crafting a door to keep out the zombies and spiders, or even trying desperately to find your way out of a long, complex cave you created; it is also some of the finest, unexpectantly organic chamber music I've heard in an independent PC game. Minecraft's popularity is skyrocketing for its creatively ambigious setup as a "sandbox" title with such a simple (and rather deceptive) look. And really, the beauty in this simplicity is found in Minecraft's music. Usually accompanied by the environment's various noises, Minecraft's music will slowly break the silence and caress your hard at work brain as you face the day's obstacles.

I do have favorites in the soundtrack. Check out these links, with the songs calm1 and calm3, respectively. The soundtrack really goes beyond the game; I had it playing through my earbuds one beautiful night time bike ride, just after a major rainstorm. I can't describe the way I felt as I strolled past a massive ditch of rainwater clearly reflecting all of the lights above.


15 comments:

  1. I try and like minecraft so much, i just cant get into it.
    the music, i will admit, is amazing!

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  2. I decided one night to randomly jump into minecraft and the game amazed me. I was hooked instantly by the world and the music was spectacular. It just gives me such a calm feeling even though at night things can be quite chaotic.

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  3. Those soundtracks are epic, just perfect for the game.

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  4. online is pretty fun although it could do with some other updates. i might buy it soon looks pretty cool.

    Following

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  5. Most unique minecraft blog entry i've read yet. Focusing on it's music. Brilliant!

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  6. Wow, man. You're very eloquent. You make ordinary, mundane things seem awesome! Keep it up, man. I'm following.

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  7. I see so much stuff about minecraft. I've watched my brother play it and can't see the attraction though. If I wanted to make 3d models I'd do them in software that could actually make them look realistic. Music is quite awe-inspiring though, and maybe I should try Minecraft instead of complaining :)

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  8. Hey man if you ever want to play together, hit me up!

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  9. the music, sooo good. new follower

    http://underratedfilms.blogspot.com/

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  10. I got the alpha version, what a great game!

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  11. I do love Minecraft, but all the peaceful minecraft soundtrack songs make me so relaxed...and thus woefully unprepared for all the creepers and spiders that sneak up on me.

    I tend to survive, but with big chunks blown out of my buildings.

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