Grant Kirkhope is an exceptional composer. He has provided the score for quite a few games a good deal of us here hold nostalgia for, including Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong 64, alongside modern titles like Viva Pinata and Yooka-Laylee. Every one of his works sounds distinct and unique. For example, take this theme from the new [i]Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle[/i] gameplay trailer: [video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yohLgD_bvYU&feature=youtu.be&t=12m48s[/video] I can't say I've ever heard anything like it before. [spoiler][video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apZulvuciWA[/video][/spoiler]

I believe that's called a "reference". I kinda agree though, Grant isn't as great as people make him out to be. Also, for the love of god, don't let him use his own synthetized instruments, all of his brass synths sound like farts.

[quote="CatoNator"]Grant isn't as great as people make him out to be.[/quote] You could say that about literally anybody ever.

I could get [i]Mario & Rabbids[/i] for the music alone!

I don't intend to purchase a Switch for quite a bit, but I will be keeping an ear out for the inevitable rips on YouTube.

I love Grant's work, but I wouldn't consider him one of the best ever.

I find Grant's work quite dull in general. I'll admit the man has a way with transforming leitmotifs, highlighted quite well in Donkey Kong 64 (which did have a pretty good soundtrack; I love how the boss theme for each stage is a remix of the level's music). So for consistency and tone, I think he's pretty dang good. (He also did a pretty stellar job capturing the style of GoldenEye's soundtrack in the 64 game, even with all the technical limitations he was under.) But his work is generally not something I'd listen to in my leisure time. Now, other-famous-Rare-composer David Wise is able to get consistency and tone, while putting them in a fantastic sounding track as well. His music fits the levels they're for, and they're great to listen to outside the game to boot. The guy took Aquatic Ambience and Lockjaw's Saga - two totally disparate sounding tracks in their original games - and married them together into one as if they'd always intended to be that way. That right there's a genius.

I find his work to be really samey, you know it's a Kirkhope song because it SOUNDS like a Kirkhope song.

[quote="Zero Kirby"]I find Grant's work quite dull in general. I'll admit the man has a way with transforming leitmotifs, highlighted quite well in Donkey Kong 64 (which did have a pretty good soundtrack; I love how the boss theme for each stage is a remix of the level's music). So for consistency and tone, I think he's pretty dang good. (He also did a pretty stellar job capturing the style of GoldenEye's soundtrack in the 64 game, even with all the technical limitations he was under.) But his work is generally not something I'd listen to in my leisure time. Now, other-famous-Rare-composer David Wise is able to get consistency and tone, while putting them in a fantastic sounding track as well. His music fits the levels they're for, and they're great to listen to outside the game to boot. The guy took Aquatic Ambience and Lockjaw's Saga - two totally disparate sounding tracks in their original games - and married them together into one as if they'd always intended to be that way. That right there's a genius.[/quote] He also transformed Aquatic Ambiance into Waterworld for the GBA port of DKC3. Both versions give completely different atmospheres.

David Wise is truly a god among men.

[quote="CatoNator"]I believe that's called a "reference". I kinda agree though, Grant isn't as great as people make him out to be. Also, for the love of god, don't let him use his own synthetized instruments, all of his brass synths sound like farts.[/quote] What other qualification would make him the esteemed composer of "Fart Cat!" And Kritter got it. You can pick out his work a mile away.

I thought the soundtrack for yookalaylee was pretty weak. And I had no idea who this guy was or the games he's composed for till now. I do like the ice level music for yookalaylee a bit though however. At least it's not all in your face. Edit: or at least the music isn't stuck in your ears I should say