3 out of 5

Label: Ship to Shore Phonograph Co.

Produced by: ?

Pretty average to my ears.  There’s likely a super-cut of this soundtrack that pares down to its most notable moments – the tracks that incorporate jazz, or funk, or electro in a way that syncs with the game’s blade runner vibe – but the 2xLP affair not only comes bundled with really poor sequencing but maybe just a few too many generic ‘sad rpg music’ tracks to hold my attention.

I know, I know, as usual, my opinions are sacrilege, but this sounds like lower tier Konami Kukeiha stuff from the same era, mostly lacking the aggressive bite that gives even their simplest of chiptune themes toe-tappable qualities.  Having not played Snatcher, it’s possible I’m not appreciating that the score purposefully doesn’t overwhelm the narrative-heavy story, but the majority of the music here doesn’t even give me a sense of mood.  This is the sequencing issue: songs that nail a particular tone, with head bobbing gusto, are surrounded by songs that don’t lead in to or let one down from that tone, creating a stop-and-go sensibility.  The production is very earthy, and none of this feels exactly phoned on, there’s just a large discrepancy between the great and the average.

Ship to Shore’s packaging looks professional.  The records feature some minimal hiss in a few places of my copy, but it works with the sort of organic approach of the songs.

I’m very much reminded of the Shenmue sounstrack: polished and professional, but likely a better listen for those with memories of the game.  The rest of us mostly just hear the highlights.