Video Games Live Level 2

 (8 customer reviews)

There is a fundamental difference between the needs of a concert environment and the needs of someone listening to a CD. In a concert, you expect the rousing noise from the crowd, getting into the music. Indeed, you welcome it; it's a large part of what makes going to a music concert enjoyable.

When you have a CD, whether in your home or traveling via MP3 player, you don't want a crowd. Or at least, you don't want just the audio of the crowd at some other event. When you're playing a CD, you want as little as possible between your own environment and the music itself.

Video Games Live Level 2 fails at that.

The first VGL CD, Volume 1, was recorded primarily in a recording studio. There was no crowd noise, and there was reasonable acoustic balance between the various parts of the orchestra/performers. Level 2 clearly was recorded at a VGL event, rather than a closed recording studio.

This is evident in the fact that, at the beginning of...Read more

I discovered Video Games Live last year. I loved the first album, and I had the opportunity to see the show live in Philadelphia in the fall of 2009. The first album was very good, and the live show was spectacular. So, is "Video Games Live: Level 2" worth your quarters? Read on and find out.

Another reviewer complained about the sound of the crowd interfering with the listener's ability to hear the music. I don't know about you, but when I listen to a live album, I expect to hear the crowd. The roar of the crowd before, after and during a song is what gives me goosebumps. The "Castlevania Rock Overture" is a great example of how the crowd brings the music to another level. During the song, Tommy asks the crowd to participate by yelling: "hey, hey, hey!" It may sound simple, but it's the small things that count. Listen to any great live album, and you'll notice that the crowd always makes the music more enjoyable. Video Games Live is a "live" experience, and the crowd is an...Read more

Video Games Live (Volume 2) contains fantastically orchestrated versions of some of the most recognizable video game music ever. Since I have been a gamer most of my life, when I hear the familiar tunes from Mario or Zelda, they are so well done I can tell exactly where I heard it in the game. If you love classic video game music, and want to hear it played by some of the most amazing professional musicians in the world, this CD is for you!

I guess my only gripe about this music collection is that the song chosen from Sonic was very random and lackluster. Also I didn't recognize about half the songs, but hey that could be my fault for not playing those games, and you can't please everybody!