Wednesday, December 27, 2023

MIDI Week Singles: "Mountain Village" - The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (N64)

 


"Mountain Village" from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask on the Nintendo 64 (2000)
Composer: Koji Kondo
Album: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask Game Music Soundtrack CD Set
Label: Nintendo Power
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EAD

Interestingly, "Mountain Village" only starts once Link finishes running up the snowy mountainside and reaches the outskirts of the Goron village that is frozen over, whereas "Hyrule Field" is used in the opening run up the mountain.  I assume this gives some surprise and suspense the first time the player climbs the mountain to find the condition of the frequently warm and fire-based region and denizens.  I probably didn't realize it at the time and until I listened to this track on the album, that the blustery wind sound effect is not part of the environmental soundscape, but an integrated part of the soundtrack.  As for the music itself, the glass-sounding chimes are reminiscent of the ice-like nodes and blocks of ice that cover hole/cave entrances.

I couldn't find anything that connects "Mountain Village" with the "Goron City" theme, the "Bolero of Fire," the "Fire Temple" theme, or the "Ice Cavern" themes from Ocarina of Time, but I could be wrong as it would not surprise me if Koji Kondo did something to a previous theme to make it sound like an entirely new one.  Either way, "Mountain Village" does a great job of just sounding desolate, anxious, and cold all at once.  Perfect for the end of the year.


~JWfW/JDub/The Faceplantman/Jaconian
The Overcast Sky Consoling Me

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