Sometimes the best soundtracks are hiding where you least expect them.
Though perhaps I shouldn’t be that surprised that The Crew has an impressive score. Racing games have always accented their non-stop driving with terrific OSTs, from Road Rash in the ’90s to the Wipeout franchise (heck, even Mario Kart!). But I suppose my disinterest in The Crew in general caused a general blindness toward its potential for a great soundtrack.
Fortunately, once I listened through Composer Joseph Trapanese’s (Tron: Legacy, Oblivion) work, I came all the way around on this. The Crew is one of the best MMO scores I’ve heard in a while, full of vim and vigor. Don’t make the mistake I did of overlooking this gem; listen to the following six tracks and see if I can’t convince you that we’ve got a winner on our hands here.
Fenderbender
Right away we’re in the thick of the action with a non-stop loop of music. What’s interesting to me is everything that dances on and around that loop, with layers thrown on top, percussion adding punctuation, and the sound warbling at times. It’s a good mix of what would otherwise be a somewhat forgettable piece.
A2B
There’s a nice mixture of orchestra and synth in this score, although it leans heavily toward the latter. With A2B, it’s almost a pure throwback to the ’80s with a touch of modern dark electronica thrown in for good measure. I really dig it and could picture myself gaming to it quite easily.
Introductions
The most epic cutscene music ever? That’s what I’m imagining in my head, at any rate. This track goes full-on Miami Vice with a jamming synth and the occasional bass guitar intermission. As with Fenderbender, the fun of Introductions is hearing how the track is mixed to elevate a simple melody into a terrific ride.
On Point
No, you’re not losing your mind (I think); the beginning of this track is the same bass guitar riff from Introductions, although On Point branches out into new territory soon enough. This would do well as a cinematic trailer theme, with constant rising action and a “climax” point right at the end. Coming soon to theaters in 2015. This Thanksgiving, the end is only the beginning as you dance for your life. Hashtag boogeyshoes.
Leadfoot
This track has my unconditional love based on its name alone. Fortunately, the music’s pretty good too! The strings and guitar strike up an unusual friendship with all sorts of synth playfulness, resulting in an exhilarating piece that’s delicious to the last note.
LA Inked
So much of this track reminds me of what I loved from the awesome Tron: Legacy OST. They’re both scores that give you an addictive groove that establishes catchy melodies and then takes you on a ride mixing the heck out of them. Considering that I’ll never have a career as a professional (or even as a street) racer, imagining that I’m tearing up the pavement while listening to tracks like this is probably as close as I’ll ever get to the real thing.
MMOs are meant to be heard as well as seen, and chances are that music ties your memories to these games more than you might realize. Every two weeks Jukebox Heroes listens through a game soundtrack and picks out the highlights to share and discuss. And if you like this column, then don’t miss the author’s MMO music podcast, Battle Bards!
