P-Vock's Music Box: This Mansion is Mad

Hello and welcome back to P-Vock's Music Box. The spooky season is in full effect, and I am once again celebrating it by doing what I normally do around this time of year, hiding from the spooks.

I could talk about spooky horror games and their OSTs but honestly, they're just so boring. They're all very effective at what they do, but they just aren't very memorable. So instead, I'll go back to the well of spooky-themed areas in non-spooky games.

So, I say it's about time I welcome back the Bear and the Bird and make a trip to a mansion of madness.

Never before hearing this music did I think that frogs could be effectively integrated into a soundtrack, but I'm very okay with being wrong about that. Grant Kirkphope's incredible score remains unmistakenly Banjo Kazooie with the same level of infectious whimsy and high-octane charm that you'd expect, but with the spooky dials turned up for good measure. Even if I don't appreciate Halloween very much, this level is a standout for me in Banjo Kazooie and I think it is evident why when you hear this absolute jam.

Alright, let's head into the mansion for some extra fun.

This soundtrack does two things I love so well, leitmotifs and unique sounds.

One of my favourite things a video game OST can do is reuse a leitmotif and carry on an idea. A much more simplistic version of the Mad Monster Mansion melody can be heard. Throw in some added cackling as well as some creaks and other Halloween sound effects and you have precisely why I love Kirkhope's wild compositions in this title. Nothing is off-limits. If it makes a sound, he might just use it in the music. This gives his soundtracks so much individuality that I absolutely cherish.

Alright, I think it's fairly obvious that you explore a mansion in this level. Mansions have many different rooms. This includes a bathroom...

Kirkhope made a bathroom theme

I'm not sorry for sharing this. I have nothing to say. This grammy-worthy masterpiece said all it needed to say.

Alright, now I'm done. Banjo Kazooie is an absolute masterpiece that I cherish more and more as time goes on. Its soundtrack remains hilarious, upbeat, memorable, and truly timeless. This is why I will take any chance I get to share it with anyone.

If you own a Switch and have the Online service and Expansion Pack, you can play Banjo Kazooie and it is more than worth the time. So, go do that if you can.

Thanks as always for checking out my nonsense and I'll hopefully catch you back here next time with another couple of spooky suggestions from my Music Box.

Stay Brutal.