Traveller - Music

[Infojunky]

No thanks.

I use the EVE-Online soundtracks, reminds me of happy times playing Eve, and carries that feeling of open space and asteroid belts into my game ....

Wow, gonna have to Grab those......

 

[ssheftall]

Isn't that just so typical. That alot of people were prefer the classical sci/fi thems music to metal.

Quite the opposite. It seems that far more people prefer metal or hard rock with gaming than anything else. So "Isn't that just so typical" might better describe yourself, perhaps?

Source of your data on this?

Actually, I prefer soundtracks that are "lyric-less" for my games. Most people I've played with over 25+ years are similar in taste.

-S.

 

[Malakor]

I rather like a lot of David and Diane Arkenstone stuff, it gives a"serenity" feel to the music, and mix in a few action movie soundtracks and standard classical

 

[invisible_al]

A friend of mine has just pointed out E S Posthumus who do soundtracks for movies that don't exist.

The soundtrack for Ergo Proxy is also a recent find, I recommend it.

 

[Garrand]

First let me say that I'm a HUGE Slough Feg fan (have every album!)...

Second, I definiely think Slough Feg/Traveller is very evocative...of a specific sub genre of SF...that of the '80s Space Opera (which is what I associate Traveller with).

I really like the Halo soundtracks, but I have a lot of trouble dis-associating that with the HALO game (specifically the HALO 3 ST). This could also be because I'm a big HALO fan.

One cool soundtrack (if you can find it) is the tracks from the Mechwarrior II & Ghost Bear Legacy PC games. I use these all the time when playing btech (to the point I can't use them for anything else... ).

Slough Feg has a few songs in other albums that could be lifted (Startport Blues on Atavism, as well as a few tracks from Hardworlder)...

BTW, I don't think I'd ever describe them as a cross with BOC and Pink Floyd(!). Definitely a throw-back band to classic late '70s/'80s (non-Hairband) metal. Reminds me of Iron Maiden more (in terms of themes and song structure) than Pink Floyd(!). I describe Slough Feg as a Celtic influence Epic Metal Band...

Damon.

 

[GypsyComet]

Another anime soundtrack set that works for Traveller is "Last Exile".

Thanks to 2001, "The Blue Danube" will always be associated with space docking maneuvers.

Other snippets include "Midnight Run" (from the 70's movie of the same name), "Drops of Jupiter" by Train, "Speed" by Bond, "The Songs of Distant Earth" (whole album) by Mike Oldfield, "Spaceman" by Babylon Zoo, "Battle without Honor or Humanity" (and the rest of the CD "Electric Samurai") by Tomoyasu Hotei (its the "Yakuza processional" from Kill Bill 1), several tracks from "Demon Days" by the Gorillaz, and the themes to the original Battlestar Galactica and the later version of Jonny Quest.

 

[Klaus Kipling]

Other good stuff.

Macross/Robotech soundtrack
Evangelion soundtrack (the combat theme is most excellent)


Sonic Attack by Hawkwind for some old school trance-rock vibes.

Floodland by the Sisters of Mercy (god electro stuff - they're other stuff, along with the Neph, are good for fantasy or Cthulu games).

I have been enjoying the Goran Bregovic's Weddings and Funerals Band, sort of Serbian folk music who did the interval at Eurovision - basically drum and brass - and rather fun for that ethnic Solomani feel....

 

[nightlamp]

Slough Feg is awesome, definitely one of my favorite new-ish metal bands. There are a couple Traveller-themed tunes on Down Among the Deadmen too, "Traders and Gunboats" (which references the Sword Worlds and the Solomani Rim) and "Psionic Illumination."

That said, I pretty much stick to dark ambient music for my games-- Lustmord (Where the Black Stars Hang, etc.), Robert Rich, Rapoon, Klaus Schulze, early Tangerine Dream, Oöphoi (especially the collabs with Tau Ceti), that sort of stuff.

 

[Jeff Hopper]

For me, moody kinds of techno music stir up the more "in space no-one can hear you" flavors of Traveller in me.

For me it depends on the music and the band. Anything by Tangerine Dream works for me, the rest has to listened to and decided upon individually.

 

[Jeff Hopper]

Oh, and for those who like anime type soundtracks, Yokko Kanno is the songwriter to look for. She did Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell, and many other favorites.

 

[GothiousRex]

I'd recommend the following tracks.

'War' by :Wumpscut: to get one pumped for a ground pounding

'In the Night' and 'Black Death' also by :Wumpscut: have good atmosphere.

'Pursuit' by Icon of Coil is good for a chase.

'Blut Royale' or 'This is My Rifle' by Combichrist are good too.

'Adrenaline Rush' by Leather Strip.

'Hellraiser' by Suicide Commando.

'Plasticity' or 'Vigilante' or 'Millenium' by Front Line Assembly.

'Thieves' or 'Flashback' or 'NWO' by Ministry.

'Wish' by Nine Inch Nails.

'A Forest' by the Cure is good for a freaky feel.

the various Aliens soundtracks are marvelous too.

Star Wars music works too.

 

[Yogah of Yag]

One word: VANGELIS. 8)

 

[TrippyHippy]

I've actually, curiously, found that Blondie's Parallel Lines makes a good soundtrack - with it's New Wave sensibilities and all.

Anyhoo, don't forget Vangelis and Kraftwork, and early Prodigy (the Experience album).

 

[TrippyHippy]

Although I would add that Vangelis' Bladerunner soundtrack is bloody expensive.

 

[Yogah of Yag]

Although I would add that Vangelis' Bladerunner soundtrack is bloody expensive.

THIS one does not look all that bad. You might have been looking at the 3-disk jobbie that has gotten some witheringly bad reviews on amazon US. I've got the 1-disk version and its good except for track 7 (IIRC) which is cringe-worthy.

I think Beaubourg is brilliant 70's-spacey electronica, but only available in catastrophically expensive Japanese import, AFAIK. Not your typical Chariots of Fire new age elevator musak. :wink:

Mask is one of my favorites and is grand as is the terrific Opera Sauvage. YMMV.

 

[RedBeardSean]

One word: VANGELIS. 8)

Particularly Albedo, though he has a lot of good stuff to use out there. Similarly Jarré.

 

[kafka]

I always use music to highlight mood. Favorties include the Aliens Soundtrack, Blitzgrieg Bop (Ramones), parts of the New & Old Doctor Who incidental music, and lots of Cthulhu related stuff.

 

[lastbesthope]

Blitzgrieg Bop (Ramones)

Hey Ho, Let's Go! :lol:

LBH
(Pag's Payback)

 

[kafka]

Blitzgrieg Bop (Ramones)

Hey Ho, Let's Go! :lol:

LBH
(Pag's Payback)

Yup, it provides a good inspiration piece when the players are about to make a break for it...whether the initiation of combat, strategic retreat, etc. Ironically, enough or just repressed memory - Space Above & Beyond used music to the same effect as I do.

 

[Valarian]

The soundtrack from the Firefly series would probably be another good CD to play while gaming