Katamari Damacy

I didn't expect to like this, but I did. I couldn't easily tell you why, though.

I mean, if we're being honest, game soundtracks have kind of been the next wave in music for a while now, and a major source of music for a lot of people. So I'm approaching this with an open mind. I'm not familiar with these games at all, but the music is bubbly and engaging. A total mood lifter. I'm not quite ready to call this an "album" in the traditional sense, and it really was too long. But this was a fun listen. Fave Songs: You are Smart, Moon & Prince, Walking on a Star!, Lonely Rolling Star, Gin & Tonic & Red Red Roses, WANDA WANDA

To whatever sicko suggested this album: I see you.

This is a genius pick and easy 5

I went into Katamari Damacy knowing nothing about the game or its music, and this turned out to be a bubbly, fun, and surprisingly cohesive album. This style is not something I'm overly familiar with, but the overall tone is bright and playful, and it’s also well structured and musically tight. Even with so many composers and such a mix of styles, from J-pop to samba, mambo, lounge jazz, and, apparently, something called chiptune. Favourite track was Katamari Mambo, which blends J-pop, samba, and big-band jazz into one track without ever feeling out of place. It’s easy to overlook this as simple game music, but the craft behind it makes it stand out.

I don't think a video game OST is a bad add per se, but the listening context is wholly different from its intended purpose. These tracks are meant to sit in the background while your frontal cortex works on rolling things into a massive ball, and without the context of the game it can be a bit of a slog to listen to them straight through as a first introduction. I enjoyed the overall character of the LP, just felt it ran long and I had no hooks for the narrative this album is supposed to supplement. Did remind me I need to play Katamari though, that's one cultural rock I need to crawl out from under for sure.

I am more and more convinced everyday that the user list is simply trolling me

Kinda fun to work to, but I have never played this game, so I have no context for anything, nor speak Japanese, so I was a little lost. Still, kind of liked it.

Are people beginning to run out of good albums to choose for this list? Katamari on the rocks is pretty banger. Lonely rolling star as well 3

As the soundtrack of a whimsical and unconventional videogame classic (that, full disclosure, I never got around to playing), I'm sure this works great. As music to sit and listen to for its own sake, not to my taste. The quirk factor dialed about 8 clicks too high, and shading consistently into outright irritation. 3 stars is generous.

Music from a video game I’ve never heard of. It’s fine.

I’ve heard that people listen to video gags me soundtracks but I never have before. I am guessing you need to love the game to really get into it.

It sounds like something that someone has knocked out on a cheap Casio keyboard in their tea break.

Why?

Sometimes reading the Wikipedia entry is important before listening to the album. I found myself wondering why this album sounded like a 64 bit Japanese game until I realized it’s from a Japanese game. Still doesn’t explain to me how this could be someone’s favorite album, favorite game sure, but not album. 2.0/10

Looking forward to the soundtrack for Pac-man. Even Combat.