Thoughts on the track selection for GTA V's soundtrack

[ForeverBlowingBubblz]

 

This, in my opinion, is the second worst soundtrack in the series (GTA III being the worst). Non-Stop FM is utter garbage. Who in the right mind thought it was a good idea to put Hall&Oates and the Pet Shop Boys on the same station as Fergie, Britney Spears, and Rihanna? If GTAIV Liberty City DLC got Vice City FM, why couldn't GTA V get something similar? No jazz either. Huge disappointment.

 

I actually enjoyed Radio Mirror Park and Soulwax FM (call me a hipster, whatever). The country station was ok (as long as it's not modern country, I'm happy. Modern Country needs to be wiped off this planet permanently). West Coast Classics is also decent (but Playback FM is FAR superior). I can't stand whenever you enter a taxi and you hear that East Los FM. IT'S f*ckING GARBAGE. I was kinda hoping for KJAH FM...but...instead.... we get a Worldwide FM which is terrible. And then there's Los Santos Rock Radio..... (smh)

 

To be fair half the songs are decent on LSRR and it's not necessarily bad, but, like Non-Stop FM, they don't belong all on the same station. I mean, I just find it strange to see Simple Minds on the same station with Def Leppard (both great imo) Why is there two Bob Seger songs? (One of which, "Hollywood Nights", is god awful). A lot of these songs are just bland or even crap. Don Johnson's "Heartbeat" is a song bashed by many classic rock fans. Is Rockstar trolling us? "Higher Love"? Are you sh*tting me? Could've chose a better Stevie Nicks song, I mean please. And that song "If You Leave Me Now" (sigh, facepalm x3). Again, not terrible. But I would choose LCRR, KDST, Radio X, or VROC any day over this.

 

Lastly, the Talk Radio just doesn't deliver as much laughs. Does anyone remember Gardening with Maurice or Lazlo interviewing OG LOC or Big Smoke? I was in f*cking tears. Lazlo turned into this unfunny douche which was a bit sad for me. So yeah, a bit disappointing Rockstar.

right now let's talk about how radio works:

You gotta play sh*t that most people will listen to. now you and I, we're not most people. I am assuming from your post that you too are a fan of Jazz music, but it's not popular, it doesn't sell, and you can't put that on the radio. Not enough people will listen. Just like in san andreas, Somebody Up There Likes Me shouldn't be on the same station as Strutter, seeing as SUTLM is philly soul, not rock. Do I complain? No! It's two great songs to listen to, and they fit the ATMOSPHERE OF THE GAME! See? It's about the songs being suitable for radio (Meaning music for the uneducated) and suiting the atmosphere of the game, because the radio tracks are part of the soundscape of the game. And if you don't like it you can just not listen to it You cannot let your own narrow-minded musical taste influence your judgement of the game. If anything's wrong with it, it's definately the story.

 

I agree with your remark of the Jazz. Yeah, the genre truly only targets an audience that probably doesn't play this kind of game in the first place. Everything else you mentioned is BS. Somebody up there and Strutter are songs I can easily see being played on the same station. If I'm so narrow minded, then tell me how I was able to listen through all the entire San Andreas and Vice City stations without changing the dial? I guess, in your case, you would think it's a coincidence huh? I'm sick of changing the station constantly in this game. Too add. As someone else mentioned, mix stations are a TERRIBLE idea.

Edited March 8, 2014 by ForeverBlowingBubblz

[Sir Winthorpe Herrington]

There is a few good songs here and there, but most of it is sh*t. Every time I steal a car the first thing I have to do is change the radio.

[ShinobiFixer]

The supposed "techno" in soulwax is not even anywhere close to REAL techno IRL. It should be replaced with Drumcode Radio with Adam Beyer as the host.

 

Rebel Radio is dope though. Everything else is old & tired for me. West Coast Radio is cool but there's just no gangbanging in this game to make that music feel right.

 

And I'm from Southern Cali... this soundtrack is wack as f*ck. They got Big Boy but no Kevin & Bean.

Edited March 8, 2014 by ShinobiFixer

[ForeverBlowingBubblz]

The only thing I had my hopes up high for in GTA V was the radio selections. I was hoping it would be much better than GTA IV but was disappointed with V's radio as well, it's only slighty better, IMO. The only stations I like are Radio Mirror Park and The Lowdown. Los Santos Rock Radio, Space 103.2 and West Coast Classics are so so, they have a few good songs. I agree with you about Non Stop Pop. It was dumb to put those songs on the same station.

Yeah. I forgot to mention I actually enjoyed Lowdown FM. It brings back memories of the music I'd listen to in the car as a kid back in the 90's. So props to whoever chose the track selection for that station.

[ForeverBlowingBubblz]

LS Rock Radio and Radio Mirror Park - Good songs, and my favourite stations.

RLS - Mostly crap (except hood' gone love it)

Rebel radio - mostly good songs (like convoy and are you sure Hank done it this way?), but one really bad song, get out of my car.

Non-stop-pop - Mostly crap, but some ok songs.

Channel X - Mostly OK songs, but the mouth don't stop is very good. SA's radio X is better, though.

That Mexican station (forgot the name ) - Mostly crap (the BEEP BEEP song), but one or two good tracks.

Vinewood Blvd - Generally good, but could be better IMO.

You're a lot like me. I would have to say that Radio Mirror Park is my favourite (and I'm a classic rock person). The best songs being Set Up, Heart in the Pipes, and Colours. (IMO)

I still listen to LS Rock Radio, but 1/4 of the songs are complete sh*t. My favourite are the songs by Julian Lennon, Small Faces, Simple Minds, and Queen. For the Elton John song, I was kind of hoping Rockstar would choose his hit "I'm Still Standing" rather than the overplayed "Saturday's Alright for Fighting". Also, anyone that says the Simple Minds is a one hit wonder group is probably an American. They've encountered a lot of success in the UK, Ireland and many other European countries.

Channel X is OK but a huge let down compared to Channel X in SA as you mentioned. (Like yourself though, I love that song by Fear).

Rebel's alright

There was ONE SONG on East Los FM that I actually considered tollerable (I forgot what it's called). But the rest just annoy the f*ck outta me. I swear, the BEEP BEEP song is like the official Mexican troll song that Rockstar deliberately put in the game.

Vinewood FM is alright.

Edited March 8, 2014 by ForeverBlowingBubblz

[B Dawg]

 

Wow dude, you thought TLAD Radio Broker was bad? I liked it a lot, much more darker and heavy vibe that fit the dlc really well, tracks like "hell on wheels", "command" and that Blonde Acid Cult track was the stand out.

I can't explain it but Radio Broker on the DLC package was a HUGE let down for me. It was just sooo much worse than the GTAIV one.

 

LET DOWN!?

 

 

 

Seriously, this is one of the best songs I've ever heard in a GTA game. On the DLC station I didn't really like the 'Dance Girl' song.

 

IV's 'Inside The Cage' and TLAD's 'Get Ready To Die' FTW