Not being a gamer myself, I can’t say that the release of the complete soundtrack for the Portal 1 and Portal 2 video games, Portal 2: Songs To Test By (Collector's Edition) really meant anything to me. The idea of a 4-disc set of computer game soundtrack didn’t exactly enthuse me, if I’m honest. And yes, the music contained herein does sound like the soundtrack to a computer game, old school style. At least, some of it does. Much of it’s in an entirely different league. And even the tracks that do sound like a computer game are, in fact, rather good.
This is music of movement, of action. It’s also remarkably varied, with the different tracks – all of which are comparatively short – marking dramatic changes in tempo and style. ‘9999999’ is an orchestral work with a keen ear for the epic, building dramatic tension in its rich layers. In terms of soundtracks, a lot of it’s more filmic than computer game, and what’s more, there are some cracking titles: ‘Concentration Enhancing Menu Initialiser’ ‘Adrenal Vapor’ ‘Turret Wife Serenade’ are but three examples.
Disc 2 features some warped space-age electro rock in the form of ‘You Will Be Perfect’ (which frankly pisses on Muse), and Disc 3 goes all-out on the space-age sci-fi electronic noodles, culminating in the 6 parts of ‘Robot Waiting Room’
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Disc 4 contains 13 tracks that featured on the original Portal which are unavailable elsewhere. It concludes with two versions of ‘Still Alive’ - the original and ‘JC Mix’ version, which features completely different vocals. The former version of the award-winning track features the vocal talents of (former) opera singer Ellen McLain. Incongruous doesn’t come close, especially in the context of the four discs overall, but it’s a lovely little piece of pop and rounds off a fascinating musical journey. While it may have greater significance for those who’ve played Portal, you don’t have to be a gaming nerd to appreciate and enjoy this.
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