Marty O’Donnell, The Kinks & Gentle Giant Coming to CrossFade! Send Questions & Songs!

Dylan Kelly

Really really enjoyed this!

Jason Wojnar

For me, it's pretty much a combination of all those. A lot of the lyrics paint pictures or tell stories instead of having a moral or directly describing emotions. There aren't even any love songs on the album (Monica comes closest).

Woodman

Hey fellas - has Marty ever considered working in film or television as a composer? I think he'd be great at it. Thanks for such memorable and moving music, Marty!

Thom Blackburn

Hi! I have a game for Marty! It is music free association. The rules are simple: I will list a word or two and your job is to respond to that word with the first musical instinct you have. For example, if I say "Lemon Grove" you might say "woodwinds" and explain that you chose that because you are picturing wind moving through trees. 1. Cricket Lipstick 2. Florescent Tree 3. Talking Ocean 4. Sizzling Concrete 5. Aching Fingers 6. Hollow Globe 7. Corkscrew Oath 8. Coffee Cave Thanks for playing! Thom from Redmond, WA My music pick today is Absolve by The Contortionist Ps. shout-out to the game Last Stop for having a very good soundtrack!

A common and feel-good narrative in the music industry is the idea of the critical reevaluation, the redemption of certain albums or artists as the critical consensus catches up with what in hindsight was a work ahead of it's time. Does it ever work the other way? Can you guys think of an album that was lauded on release but in subsequent years seems to lose that critical esteem? (outside of individual contrarians).

Neil Walker

I've noticed in recent years a number of Americans talk about their love for Village Green Preservation Society. It's so unashamedly English in it's tone I wonder what was its main appeal to you? Is it the uniqueness of the lyrics, it's British humor or just Ray Davis' incredible songwriting? Picture Book is one of my favorite songs on the album. I've played it to American friends and as soon as they hear the riff they say "Hey that's Green Day's 'warning'"! I can't believe they didn't get sued or have to add Davis a co-writer on that track.

Michael Gibler

Hello Marty, Matt, and Jason. Hope you are all doing well! Can you guys think of any songs with a twist in them that genuinely surprised you? I have a couple examples, one being "Come Sail Away" by Styx. The revelation about the angels in the last verse is fairly surprising, definitely not something I would've guessed at the beginning of the song. Let me know if you can think of any songs like that, or like my other example. For my money "The Ballad of Bill Thaxton" by Marty Robbins has one of the most surprising, unexpected twists in all of music. It also is my song recommendation this week. https://youtu.be/az7fGqYIiL0 I'd like to ask that either you all listen to it live at the end of the podcast, or since its nearly 5 minutes long, listen to it before hand and discuss the twist if at all possible. I'd love to hear your guys' opinions on it, and any other curve balls in music that you know of! Thanks, and keep up all of your great works! Michael from Iowa

Randolph Sparks

Brian Eno is my all time favorite producer. The albums he did with David and Talking Heads are some of the best of all time

Mike Lynch

Martin, one more question please. What would you say is the most iconic theme music you've written? A: The Halo Theme. B: The (updated) Mr. Clean jingle. or C: The Flinstones Kids vitamin jingle?

Ben Hanson

If you've been watching, I'd love to hear your thoughts on 3,2,1 McCartney on Hulu. It's Rick Rubin dissecting The Beatles' master recordings. Also, what are your thoughts on Rick Rubin and who do you think is the greatest producer of all time?

Mike Lynch

Hi Martin, and welcome to Crossfade. I was wondering how you and composer Michael Salvatori began your partnership? What was it you found in each other that you knew would create a strong collaboration? ***my pick this week is from 2017 but its my SOTY*** https://open.spotify.com/track/5npzRSX95eR3RaIZQmCcU6?si=TP1dpLB7SVy1oVuZnnwHxg&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1

Marty, thank you for all you have done for gaming music, “A Walk in the Woods” is one of my favorite tracks of all time. My question for everyone is: What makes a great Sci-Fi soundtrack? For you is it World style music like tracks heard in Battlestar Galactica and Mass Effect? Is it synth-heavy stuff like what you’d hear in Blade Runner? Curious what everyone thinks.

Gentle Giants is in my top 20. Shocked to see them mentioned! Curious to hear how you discovered them and why do you think they never hit it bigger than they did.

Jonnythan 12

What would you say is your weirdest/most surprising influence? Also, have you ever been listening to music or playing a game and heard something that was clearly inspired by you? My song is Pull up the People by M.I.A. who is big one when you talk about weird influences. https://open.spotify.com/track/4KG71qNptLJNDkipBvXhRr?si=84ef29d1d1de4761