Brassino Isles Review
Album art by Scott Gamble
Buy Brassino Isles
I don’t know about you, but I sure could use a vacation. Fortunately, The Game Brass are ready to embark on a new adventure with their latest album Brassino Isles Tropical Cruise: A Video Game Getaway with Friends. While the name might be a mouthful, this album is a beach party, and everyone is invited!
Much like any beach party, there’s plenty of good vibes and good company, thanks to the numerous collaborators on the album. In fact, all but one track on Brassino Isles has a featured artist, and you’re likely to recognize most, if not all of the guests (especially composer Grant Kirkhope!). Put differently, this album is like a snowball stand on a hot summer day, offering tried and true flavors like Watermelon, Strawberry, or Lime while also offering unique combinations like the final track “Can You Feel the Sunshine?” which pairs The Game Brass with producer bLiNd. Of course, with so many flavors to choose from, the album can a little unfocused at times.
Now, I don’t want to rain on this beach party, but Brassino Isles definitely feels more like a cookout where every artist brings their own dish rather than a prepared meal that sticks closely to a particular tasting order. For most listeners, that won’t be a problem, but compared to the more curated efforts of Brasslevania and Snowtopia, Brassino might have benefited from a bit more structure. Then again, nobody ever said that beach parties needed an itinerary, so listeners can come and go as they please as every track stands on its own.
With Brassino Isles, The Game Brass offer sun-soaked arrangements of video game classics like “Delfino Plaza”, “Dragon Roost Island”, “Summers”, and “Treasure Trove Cove”. While the album is a hefty 63 minutes long, the party still ends way too soon, but fortunately, there’s an after-party on YouTube at 7 pm EDT tonight!
RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
(Most VGM Fans Should Enjoy)