It’s always delightful to hear exciting new music when I return to my listening docket! Today, readers and listeners, we have Ryan Richko’s soundtrack to Telepath Tactics–a potpourri of sweet and wonderful pieces that will soothe the heart, excite the brain, and tickle the senses. Oh, how these scrumptious treats cause my ears to tingle with such anticipation!
Ryan Richko isn’t a name that you would expect to enter a conversation on videogame music (Telepath Tactics being his first full game score), but that might change over time when you listen and consider the careful attention Mr. Richko has given to his compositions. Delightfully, there are many to choose from that pique my interests, since the score is filled with pieces using orchestral samples, vocals, and acoustic instruments (even exotic ones!). Personally, I’d like to begin with the aural wave of warmth and beauty we can call track two, “Sisters.”
In the beginning of this piece, the woodwinds take great care carrying the melody, dovetailing it and playing alongside one another — all while an entrancing percussion ostinato envelopes the melody. Soon, a cello takes the melody, accompanied by a piano, only to pass it to the woodwinds once again. And suddenly, at 1:24, the music pulls back, allowing the solo stringed instrument to take the melody once more, quietly soaring over the shimmering strings below, like a swan gliding over glistening waters. This aural landscape is seen as a top-down view until 1:40, where the full scenery is revealed in its total grandness — through the beauty and strength of the music. The crescendo to that climax in this track alone makes this soundtrack a worthwhile purchase. Sempre dolce.
Of course, if you’re an epic track lover like myself, than you’ll be pleased to know Richko — as well as contributing composer Nick Perrin — has you covered! Tracks like Perrin’s “Main Theme” are bombastic, making for an excellent presentation to this game. Richko’s “Foul Servants” and “Against All Odds” are also excellent treats. One particular track that stands out is Richko’s “Onslaught,” which I greatly adore! With a booming percussive introduction, accompanied by spicy string dissonance and gradual instrumental layering, I was pleased at the initial tension “Onslaught” presented. However, at 1:16, the music takes a very interesting turn, as some of the instruments pull back, allowing a beautiful melody — played on acoustic guitar — to take center stage. The guitar is then accompanied by a soaring flute, carrying the theme to greater heights, until the melody is finally released to the strings above, revealing the grandness and beauty of the piece. Chills travel down my spine with every listen, and I applaud Richko for handling this song so wonderfully!
Since there is plenty of variety in Richko’s Telepath Tactics OST, you’re bound to find something that will please the senses. If you’re looking for something softer in nature, then you’ll adore “A Quiet Village” and its lulling woodwinds and strings. Perhaps you’d like something more foreign in nature, in which case I’d recommend “Among The Lissit,” as it contains the playing of a didgeridoo (one of my favorite instruments!) and even gets a little dance-like towards the middle.
I can go on describing each track in greater detail or snippets; however, I think it would do you well to give Richko’s soundtrack a purchase and listen. I hope to see Richko’s name on future game projects, as I’m curious to see what else he has to offer in regards to musical styles and instrumental diversity. I await that day with great anticipation.
