Music Theory: Sonic CD's Tidal Tempest

[@MatoroMahri]

I can't get enough of Tidal Tempest, even years later. Brings me back to when a friend gave me his used copy of Gems Collection fall of 2010.

[@upscale9109]

Still an absolute bop

[@nacheitor8563]

I thought that gems collection only had the us soundtrack. At least the ps2 version

[@gamerdudeorsomething]

@@nacheitor8563 we get it, you like the japanese soundtrack more.

[@natcharmusic]

@@gamerdudeorsomething its quite literally a better soundtrack in terms of atmosphere. Musically, ig thats ur opinion

[@gamerdudeorsomething]

​@@natcharmusic 2 things, your right. And... idk what was in my head then cause Nach never mentiined anything regarding preferance lol, i dont even remember making this reply

[@onionsieglinde8718]

That Good -> Bad future transition was legendary

[@Emezie]

I love how you never forget the U.S. soundtrack in your analysis! Both soundtracks defined the unique mood of this game for me. Another excellent video!

[@tidalthedragon]

Never thought id see your comment here!

[@DarcyHalifax]

This is by far my favorite youtube channel of all time thank you so much for you dedication

[@Rizimar]

You might also enjoy Tantacrul

[@MasteredRealm]

Alex Yard Uploaded a Video! **frantically clicks the notification**

[@otherverge]

The transition bridge from the end of the song’s loop to the beginning of the loop of Tidal Tempest Present JP will always be one of my favorite things ever made period. I don’t remember if the in-game version has it, but I distinctly remember how wonderful the part of the song was when listening to it on KZbin.

[@SilverThunder710]

Crazy theory here: The JP soundtrack is how Sonic sees the levels, and the US (save for the past) is how the level atmosphere actually is

[@orokro_stuff]

I can't play an instrument and don't know jack about composition, but I'll watch every damn one of these videos because it's fascinating. Good job, keep it up.

[@Rishi123456789]

I am also not an expert on music at all, but I absolutely love all of the videos on this channel like you do.

[@ducklett01god]

It's his voice it feels comforting in somehow

[@DelayRGC]

10:24 took me by surprise. That was so incredibly smooth, well done!

[@spartaninthebox9101]

Right?! I was coming here just to say that! He could have easily just switched footage from good future to bad, but he really goes the extra mile in these videos with the visuals.

[@Taha632RMF]

Thats some next level editing

[@GoogleAccount-ox6em]

when you get the generator only in act 1

[@YellowpowR]

@@GoogleAccount-ox6em Good joke. :)

[@SisterRose]

Can I just say what a convenient stroke of genius using the more simplistic tracker/style music for the past zones was? A shame we didn't get US versions.

[@FSAPOJake]

My favorite level music in the entire game, across both soundtracks. The Japanese present music just sounds so unbelievably ahead of its time, especially when it comes to video game music. It took YEARS before video game music started to sound and be produced that good on a regular basis. As for the American one, the present is okay but I find the good future to be so much more interesting than the Japanese version, and the bad future to be both more interesting and WAY more fitting. It's hard to believe the NA soundtrack was put together in only about a month. It's way better than it has any right to be.

[@shalpp]

They contracted session artists for bass and percussion Easily some of the highest production value put into a soundtrack (and being rushed no less)

[@chrisfearn4837]

Same here. My favourite music in the game, it what made me pick up a base guitar for the first time

[@inendlesspain4724]

@@shalpp Gotta love early-to-mid 90s Sega; they had way more money than they knew what to do with, but rushed everything they produced to hell and back.

[@shalpp]

@@inendlesspain4724 "Nakayama-San, you don't understand. We *NEED* that McDonald's toy gig"

[@bartdude82]

I LOVE US Tidal Tempest Bad Future. It’s so perfectly haunting

[@wordsoflove8787]

Yeaaaaaaaah! This is just what I needed on my night! Sonic CD is by far the most influential soundtrack I've listened to in my life so hearing you dissect it this way makes me happy beyond belief! Sincerely looking forward to seeing if you do Stardust Speedway, the past version of that track influenced my appreciation of music so much as a kid. Also that's such a clean edit at 10:25

[@bloodykenshiro8218]

I'm not a musican but I loved the detailed breakdown. Sonic CD is one of the few cases where the CD medium truly added to the experience. Hope to see Quartz Quadrant soon!

[@lathell1233]

The “swell” section always hit my ear just right playing this back in the day. Wonderful contrasting sounds. Excellent job on the video as always good sir!

[@seronymus]

"Wake up Gary, Alex Yard uploaded a banger again!!" "Meow." 🐌

[@KonaKonaKaabisteru]

What an insane coincidence, been actually revisiting Sonic CD lately and been progressing to Tidal Tempest - which has my most beloved song in the game, if not the entire classic 2D Sonic-games. This video deconstructs the songs masterfully as always - the complexity and themes in these compositions, along their small legacy in other Sonic-games, run much deeper than I thought!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

Great to see some Time Trax appreciation. Love that OST!

[@jaredpatterson1701]

It's amazing how much thought they put into the music

[@lovestarlightgiver2402]

Tidal Tempest Present (Japanese) and Aquatic Ambience from Donkey Kong Country are some of the best songs I've heard for a water level.

[@bsharpmajorscale]

I wasn't expecting an Alex Yard video tonight! A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. That US Bad Future kinda gave me Sonic Adventure vibes. I still like the fact that he touches on all the tracks from both soundtracks.

[@OllyDee123]

I think its worth pointing out that parallel 5ths in dance music are a side-effect/feature of sampling. You'd play a chord on a synth and then sample that chord. The sampled chord would then be played up and down the range of a keyboard , giving you that ubiquitous "hardcore stab" sound. It's pretty clear that the Bad Future version of this tune (and actually all of the others) is emulating that hardcore house/techno sound of the time.

[@Rishi123456789]

The Tidal Tempest tracks are my favourite tracks in Sonic CD for both the original Japanese versions AND the American versions and that's saying something because I love every track in Sonic CD. I love the beautifully haunting tracks of the Tidal Tempest stages with the feeling of wistful yearning that those Tidal Tempest tracks have.

[@darkowl9]

I love love love all these Music Theory videos, even though I have no musical talent. You make the theory really accessible, and the way the music is applied to the mood of the zones. It really brings a new appreciation to the Sonic soundtracks.

[@crazygoji]

also thank you for pointing out the perfect 5ths thing, I think that must play into what is colloquially known as "rave stabs"

[@Pēm̐cā]

Sonic CD music is just a music genre itself I never heard of any other game ost that comes close to the uniqueness of this game.

[@keithmorrison8373]

Its a more energetic futuristic take on new jack swing and house music

[@bluekaygaming]

​@@keithmorrison8373 For SSZ, yes. What about all the others? Can't say that PPZ or CCZ is house or NJS

[@drifter402]

It's just early 90s dance music

[@SilencePlains]

This is what I needed, really like Tidal Tempest in all forms, thanks for the hard work revealing this theory about the Sonic CD soundtrack

[@SuperSMZ]

Out of every song from CD, I was hoping you'd pick this one! Tidal tempest is such a beautiful arrangement, both US and JP. Keep up the good work Alex!

[@BonitoJoe111]

YES. I knew there was some kind of musical commonality between Tidal Tempest and Tidal Plant act 2. And funnily enough both sound like they would feel right at home in Streets of Rage.

[@bimobeight]

Exactly! I feel the Streets of Rage theme from this one

[@mikeycomics]

Thank you for all the work you put into this excellent series

[@L0V3V4MP1R3]

I always been interested in music even though I never thought of myself to be neither talented nor capable enough to learn the ins and outs of music theory. Needless to say, your channel and content scratches an itch I can rarely get done anywhere else. Thank you so much for your gard work!

[@kylesparrow9996]

I'll will never get tired of Sonic CD analysis. This is my favorite Sonic game and favorite CD game. I know you only predominantly do Sonic games, but listing to this track again, I would love to hear you do Bomberman 64 tracks.

[@mr.saturn8989]

As someone who strives to compose music your videos are really enjoyable

[@insolenceboi1674]

10:24 bro dropped the hardest dirtiest ugliest edit and thought we wouldn't notice

[@MrCalverino]

this theme gets me so emotional...it take me back to the early 90's...I love doing the running man to this song!

[@darylcastillo1439]

Great analysis! Tidal Tempest flawlessly encapsulates the feeling, atmosphere and acoustics of an underwater cavern.

[@seanthomson6676]

I’m assuming the next video is going to be quartz quadrant. If so I’ll love to see how you interpret the zone from a music theory perspective. Quartz quadrant is my favourite zone by far the past present and good and bad futures are great tunes.

[@cibby6155]

Thanks for this little musical tour through time and space

[@gammaguyyt]

i vividly being quite young playing the past version of this stage in the back of my grandpa's car, it was at the echo xylophone part and that is always going to be the most nice, soothing and nostalgic part for me.

[@karentucci3079]

Your videos are always a treat! my favorite part is how you link whats going on in the stage to the way the music is written

[@bebussound7991]

Amazing video, your consistency and dedication is unmatched

[@jerppursh7570]

Y'know, it never occurred to me that I've never heard the US Good Future until this video

[@trancingdeeper]

that video transition from good to bad future was way too smooth

[@carwashconnoisseur3955]

Love tidal tempest I can’t seem to get enough it

[@duncathan_salt]

don't think I didn't catch you saying both "hydro city" and "high drossity" in this vid... you're either trying to make everyone happy, or everyone mad

[@GavGaming15]

yes new upload! Keep up the work your videos are amazing!

[@schonjon]

I've never noticed but in 6:29 it seems that Super Metroid's "Brinstar" uses the same arpeggio or at least something very close to it.

[@BraviaGames]

Tidal Tempest has one of the most relaxing vibes. I'm glad you made this video Alex!

[@Game_Hero]

Didn't expect Sonic Triple Trouble 16-bit

[@AlexYardZone]

Such a good time to be a Sonic fan.

[@Game_Hero]

@@AlexYardZone indeed.

[@MYSTRO787]

I Love this video. I Love every single thing about it. The musical theory and break down of one of my favorite sonic cd tracks. Not only the break down of the music but the breakdown of the level, present, past, and futures on a deeper level (no pun intended) and how the levels design and how some parts of the level influence and are intertwined with the music’s production. Idek if that made sense, but the fact that Im explaining it to myself and typing this out makes this whole video even more mind boggling to me and I love it even more. All the dope edits. The references and analogies to help us viewers get a grasp or some form of understanding of your breakdowns/what you are saying. You could say im overreacting but I mean it. This like my 5th time watching this video. You have talent man, for real. Just wish you covered the “heart beat” intro to the song but all good none the less. Thank you for blessing us with this gem and keep making these videos man, especially on sonic cd tracks. Liked and Subbed. (If a video got you writing an essay, yk its good and not to mention, this video was FREE TO WATCH. FREE 😵🤯⚰️)

[@MYSTRO787]

Edit: You got talent and you are VERY INTELLIGENT my friend :)

[@dontletmebrown]

Still can't believe this channel exists it's like a delicious hodgepodge of all of my interests :)

[@alexatisdell]

Really love all these videos. You're what made me think that maybe I can make music and to pick up a DAW!!

[@SSEi02]

Do it !

[@JustJohn43]

Always appreciate your takes on the US versions included

[@ObeyMrA]

Woah nice vid, I'm a fan of CD and it's music so this is a very interesting find.

[@Valet2]

The Japanese track sounds so tasty, but when you listen to the US versions, all 3 of the US songs are just amazing to the shivers!

[@ItsFelix112]

I love your videos, I learn more about music here than with my instructors lol.

[@ohiorushbaby]

These music theories just keep getting better and better. Somehow you manage to tie each one into the tapestry of Sonic's game (and media) history. It's breathtakingly beautiful!

[@lncognitro]

oh my god tidal tempest is so nostalgic (atleast the outside part. oh my god)

[@multoria]

I love this music so much, thank you for making those music theory videos for the sonic OSTs, i literally got to know more about music theory because of your videos.

[@nintenghost84]

Tidal Tempest Present JP is the single greatest song in all of Sonic. One of the best in video game history

[@jackhumphries1087]

I remember seeing a comment comparing tidal tempest present US to rouge’s level music in adventure 2, like if rouge had aquatic mine instead of knuckles.

[@fedupN]

Amazing video! Given Im largely ignorant to musical structure this was really cool. Laying the sound to the structure, actions, and level is freaking rad. I never had a chance to play Sonic CD growing up but seeing all these fans grooving on it and sharing their stories is bloody heartwarming.

[@Alex-wo1bs]

tidal tempest JP is one of my favorite themes from the games💙 please quartz quadrant too

[@mykelegin]

thank you for going over the us soundtrack aswell, the present theme is my favorite on the entire soundtrack and i didnt think it woud appear here!

[@rapidloaf]

16:13 Sonic Robo Blast 2 LETS GOOOO

[@MossySRB2]

nobody mentioned the Tidal Tempest leitmotif in Castle Eggman ;-;

[@shadic1988]

Tidal Tempest is a treat to hear. All 7 tracks

[@lostsock6850]

I love your channel so much! Literally my favorite sonic content and makes me so excited to write music

[@BladeShadowWing]

Surprised to see Time Trax OST mentioned, I love it!

[@eljaminlatour6633]

I like the bad future of Tidal Tempest(JP), it makes me feel like I'm stepping in Eggman's territory.

[@joshuaswartz4602]

Thanks for giving me a new perspective on this zone !

[@burn1none]

I only ever grew up with the US soundtrack so I really appreciate you taking the time to go over both versions

[@nickyb7571]

A Scratch and Grounder reference in 2022... God I love this channel.

[@shalpp]

US Tidal Tempest good future is 10/10 funky my man

[@KrisSystemFailure]

I used to had Tidal Tempest Past as my ringtone and as my alarm like 4 years ago, so thanks for reminding me of this hellish tune lmao.

[@mrwess1927]

Thank you for combining things I enjoy and providing an educational experience that crosses music and games!

[@crazygoji]

love Tim's time trax mission briefing theme

[@zebitus5731]

I love how much you emphasize gameplay and music, sonic cd can only be enjoyed with both sides.

[@BrandonBlume]

My favourite track from the Japanese OST. Another fantastic video.

[@Eevee860]

The chronicles ost was made by 1 guy in a week, he did good with what he got

[@dylanalexanderbrown]

So damn glad I found your channel and I've been sorta binge-watching it ngl. I don't have any experience in music mixing or theory, but I feel like I'm definitely learning it from you. THe combination of the visuals of what it looks like on sheet music versus sound in game and following along? Amazing. Some things I knew I had heard but could never articulate how, and it's brought me a whole new level of speaking about Sonic 3 and Sonic CD and their impact on me musically. Maybe a silly question, but does the i9 chord/progression/tonic sound an awful lot like a few Ghibli themes (first thought is Mononoke's Ashitaka Sekki) and potentially also a theme found in Tenchi Muyo (the anime) I wonder if that has something to do with the Japanese influence of these types of sounds in the 90s? Like 90s anime is notorious for it I feel like, or am I just imagining these connections lol

[@AlinaAniretake]

That actually your best breakdown of USA soundtracks to date, I have to say. And not because you were possitive about them, but because, you actually analyzed them. I give this review US soundtrack section 10/10.

[@rtyuik7]

i love how you use 'Visual Adjectives' for these Audio Cues (like comparing the arpeggiated chords to cave-paintings, or how the notes "sink to the ocean floor" in a particular progression)

[@theimperfectgod7140]

Hydrocity and Tidal Tempest, both very good water levels. Excellent video dude!

[@raydiazguerrero9672]

I have been playing piano for 12 years, I know what chords and the notes of the melodies are for each song of the game, but seeing your analysis, it's amazing how you can make us discover like the music tells you a history, congratulations and keep going!!! Greeting's from Mexico

[@quinn562]

Good to hear some of that US soundtrack, never was a fan of the good future but present and bad future are as excellent as they come

[@kitsugamer9916]

I mainly like the Japanese soundtrack it’s mainly the feeling that the zone songs because of the songs match the atmosphere of the zones

[@DubiousDepthsRadio]

Well it is the original soundtrack they composed the game around. And the better one.

[@shocktrauma85]

If you ever do Metallic Madness, I can't wait to hear your review of both Bad Futures. It is kinda like you said where the US Bad Future gives you a faint glimmer of hope (though it might be false hope) where the JP tells you explicitly that it's over.

[@eliancamilotorrescastro6844]

Please, stardust speedway is calling for one of your analyses

[@chronothehedghog7030]

Another execllent vid!

[@dariocaceres6750]

Since I was little I played and paid attention to the music of Sega above all, today I study music at the university and I think that a great influence was the music of Sonic, FIFA International Soccer, Shinobi and many more, in my house we listened to Steely Dan and things For the style that somehow are resolved here too, I thank you very much for sharing the musical analysis, very few channels do it

[@Poparad]

Trolling us with some damn alto clef at 1:23.

[@BHox01]

Loving the CD JP coverage. Would love to see Quartz Quadrant at some point, that one is my favorite of the stellar OST!

[@tsg_frank]

There such a good presentation in the analysis and dissecting of the musical information in the track while being cross referenced with the intentions from the design of the game as well. Incredible work here

[@JoeBrowning-n9k]

Those 16th notes with the swell effect in the past opens me up to the possibility of something in those caves in the background.

[@Redpoppy80]

12:54 Oh no no no. Alex did not call this boss one of the best in the series. Sonic CD is an underrated game, and I would love a sequel that reuses or expands this game's themes but NO ONE I know has one good thing to say about the bosses in this game save for the Metal Sonic race which is great. All of the rest of them are garbage full stop. Eggman doesn't attack you in the chase phase, is just far too easy, and when you corner him, he HELPS you beat him in this one by giving you air while he just floats around like an idiot waiting for you to get just ONE hit in to finish him off.

[@scottbrown5004]

You are pure, You are appreciated. Thank you for giving empirical data on music theory instead of being a react channel.

[@zeyogoat]

Fantastic video on some of my favorite sonic music, and enlightening connections of the music to the level design. One criticism I gotta add with love is that the credits, minutes from the end of the video and where I was following notes/keys, was majorly distracting. It totally cleaved your narrative's composition for me, especially because your points were woven throughout the video--but presented well so it was followable. That's what made the video good. I understand if you don't want the credits themselves as an afterthought at the end of the video, but by that very token, it made the rest of the video seem like an addendum itself. Keep up the great analysis and presentation!

[@AlexYardZone]

I appreciate the feedback. When I began structuring credits that way, I accepted the possibility some people would have that reaction (at least initially), but I weighed the pros and cons and determined it's a net benefit. Also figuring that anyone who watches a few of my videos will organically come to understand that the post-credits segments often contain equally important information. When you watch an Alex Yard video you watch every frame... The exact reasons for this thought process are reasons I'd like to keep at least somewhat behind the scenes, but one thing I can specify is that structuring the credits this way makes the videos more rewatchable, and more conducive to watching the videos in a continuous playlist.

[@TheOneBigRed]

As a seasoned Sky Sanctuarian myself, props on another great vid

[@broden4838]

The theory on Quartz Quadrant's US version is easy because the Bad Future is in F-Minor, while the Good Future is in F-Major

[@imaniwhite534]

Great editing and analysis! Me and my sister said that JP bad future sounds like a dirty pipe/sewer pipe, which is probably what they were going for 😆

[@Estaguy24]

Wish you’ll do the same great job with Quartz Quadrant like here, I recommend checking out the fanmade Sonic Hysteria’s versions of QQZ, NicoCW imagined cut the 2 parts as if they were outside and inside versions