Beckett - Pixel Perfect

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Beckett’s Pixel Perfect captures the pure joy and exuberance of classic video game soundtracks from the 8 and 16-bit era. His lush mixture of distinctive sounds, ear-pleasing melodies and irrepressible energy carries me into memory and through exciting synthscapes. This album’s entertainment factor is enormous for me!

An excellent blend of new synths and old school console and arcade sounds infuses Pixel Perfect with a fun blend of nostalgia and aural pleasure. Beckett freely mixes the different audio signatures to create pleasing textures and tones that add to the spirit and youthful energy that pervade the tracks. I also take a lot of joy from the memories evoked here.

One crucial characteristic of the best video game music is strong melodic writing. Pixel Perfect allows Beckett to show off his melodic chops to good effect. He crafts clear and engaging melodies that explode with life and tease my ears with their sweetness and encouraging emotional content. I am happy that Beckett can touch me so directly with his music.

Another aspect of the album that I find engaging is the jazz fusion sensibility that infuses the album. I can hear the Japanese video game influence in that jazzy sound and as a massive fan of classic VGM it keeps me coming back to listen over and over. Pixel Perfect has me hooked.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“STARFIGHTER" comes to life as drums with tremendous weight flourish and dynamically bursting synth explodes into an actively jumping melodic pattern that accelerates forward rapidly. There’s a slight dip in which extended notes plane and spinning, elevated sounds trickle as massive bass surges.

Active bass intricately intertwines as bright synth carries a melody conveying motion and action as horns wriggle dynamically. Chimes ring out above the gnarly bass groove. The horn section is exultant as drama grows in flashing synth chords as drums and bass rebound.

The brass section soars upward as shimmering arpeggios whirl underneath and drums throb. Metallic notes flit and elevated, nasally glowing synth pleasingly evokes aerial acrobatics for me. A jazzy piano dances and drums and bass rush. Horns vault and the piano bounces in energizing motion. Brass climbs and a hectic, chiming note pattern fades.

Unique percussion sounds support a xylophone that adds warmer accents over knotty bass guitar. Hollow chimes ring out before the brass section stabs in like sunlight on a plane’s wings. Glistening brass notes call out, flying skyward before returning to the accelerative main melody. The track ends on wildly glowing horns and a tense arpeggio.

Subtle bass flows as a taut synth caries a tensely repeating figure, ramping up the urgency to open “Clock Stopper.” A computerized bleep sounds as the tense note pattern is joined by a jet engine firing up.

Powerful retro drums smack into the track to add motion as angular bass writhes. Blaring synth cuts in quickly flaring lines while the snare drum pushes on. Jazz fusion brass adds enjoyable, lively energy and light as chimes swirl.

A punchy, skittering drum solo creates speeding life and the bass is catchy and lively. Horns keep up the gleaming motion as chimes sparkle with sunlight and the drumbeat has springy life and power before it fades.

“Clear Skies” begins as resonating xylophone reverberates richly and warming chords support it. The xylophone melody is full of untroubled emotion as the lush bass below adds support. Now round-toned, smooth synth carries a melody deep with swirling air currents and relaxing feelings along with jazz inflections.

The drums add shape and the bass has an unctuous texture. I enjoy the sailing nature of the main melody, light and laid back, contrasting with the dancing xylophone. Guiding drums brush and the luscious bass flows and the track ends on gentling chords.

There’s a classic “select” sound and then 8-bit noise channel drums burst to start “Select Your Player.” A crunchy bass line is cut with flaring 8-bit arpeggiation as an active bass and drum pulse moves.

Angular, computerized notes lock into an vitality-filled melody that moves above the sharp-edged low end. There’s twangy bass and the main melody bops along, exuding fun energy before ending with flaring light.

“Sonic Junction” begins with a funky bass line that moves along with finger snaps and bursting snare drum along with solidly pulsating kick drum. The lead synth jumps into an upbeat and dynamic melody while chimes trickle and horns effectively carry blue sky energy and groovy joy.

Hollow, breezy synth pops along with lively encouragement. Panpipes call out with breathy light as they float with sunny calm above knotted bass and jumping drums. The panpipes are playful as they hop along and record scratches cut in.

The main melody has effortless cool, just like Sonic, as a cascading synth solo flips through with positive vibes while big drums and bass interlock. Chimes ring while the horns snap out with radiant gleam as chimes flare and the upbeat main melody fades.

The ‘90s arcade sensibility in “Jackin’ Daytona” is evoked from the get go with a thudding dance bass and drum pattern. Slightly fuzzed synth chords add jazz fusion energy as record scratches pop in.

A pumping piano-like synth line with dynamic chord changes builds up the energy as engines roar, crowds applaud and funky bass takes the track to an end.

I enjoy this track’s evocation of sitting down in the seat at the arcade, grabbing the wheel and putting the coins in, ready to have a blast with your friends.

“Turtles Investigate The Source” captures the musical world of old school Ninja Turtles games. Distant city traffic sounds are joined by ticking percussion and flashing synth trickling past. Glimmering chimes add more radiance as city noises shift in the background. Jangling synth notes intertwine with dramatic life through the music.

Popping drums create shuffling motion as orchestra hits punch in. Spiky, medium-high synth cuts in, carrying a melody that roams with a pleasingly loose-limbed, intrepid feeling as orchestra hits smack in below. Growling bass moves as drums hit hard and metallic notes flare. Nasal, rounded synth cries out with intense motion and sharp notes slice in with a guitar-like feeling.

A sampled voice moves with record scratching and rebounding, dancing drums. The main melody flies out again, full of irrepressible vivacity as orchestra hits keep flying out to redouble the track’s power. The drums propel the music and all of the sonic elements launch toward the end of the track.

Car doors shut, keys go into the ignition and the radio scans stations to commence “RUSH (Chase HQ Version).” A pulsing Outrun beat dances in as arpeggios ripple with crystal light. Guitar cries out with passion over the flowing drum and bass rush. The guitar-like synth carries a mellow melody as chimes flicker to create gentle illumination.

Pulsating drums and bass press on and radio messages come through to tell a dramatic chase story. Scintillating chimes ring out and the guitar melody has a glistening quality as it gives off pastel vibes above the rushing synthwave beat. The chimes add blazing light as slipping arpeggios trail.

The guitar unfurls with a smooth jazz sensibility and a silky motion that I find deeply enjoyable. Jazz organ flows along in luminous note clusters, a gliding feeling pervading the track. The drums and bass have a liquid flow and arpeggios twirl. The track’s main melody dances along once more before silence falls.

“The Search for 34 (SNES Edition)” opens as a bending, SNES bass sample is cut into by a voice over that sets the stage for the song’s tale to be told. Flaring synth rises as powering up sounds begin. The track launches with a rushing drumbeat as SNES trumpet samples jump up in a motivating melody while the percussion's solidity adds form and massive bass towers.

Arpeggios twirl out as the bass forms a surging pattern underneath, their fierce energy adding support to the exultant trumpets as drums tick along. The horns arc upward before quickly stabbing above the actively shifting bass line while orchestra hits punch. Trumpeting synth sings out in an adventurous melody that soars into the stars. The SNES sounds take me back to being a kid again.

A medium-high, brilliant synth carries a free-wheeling solo that exudes action and excitement as it whirls wildly. I enjoy the twangy funk of the bass as brassy synth flies out with mad energy. The story continues with 34’s pilot on the radio as oscillating bass moves below. The fiery brass section climbs again and bass shifts with intense life while the drums skip along. Blaring synth triumphantly matches the victorious emotions of rescuing 34’s crew as the track ends.

Lithe synth sails out with enfolding warmth to start “Congratulations.” Shimmering, organ-like synth briefly touches the music while a drumbeat begins to shape the track with a relaxed motion. Brightly gleaming, string-like synth unfurls in a melody with tender emotion wrapped up in it.

Chiming notes flicker with a charming, hopeful melody as bass pulses along with a guiding snare drum. I picture motes of light dancing on blue water in the main melody, carried on glinting synth. Flashing chords add a glow as digital-sounding notes spin in scudding arpeggios. As the track ends, the tranquil melody skips into silence.

“Thanks For Playing” opens as shiny synth wriggles out in a melody overflowing with good feelings above punchy drums and surging bass. The melody is radiant as string-like notes ripple and piano chords effectively increase the track’s celebratory quality, tinged with wistful emotion. The drumbeat bursts and raised chimes carry the track to an end.

Conclusion

Pixel Perfect is one of the most entertaining albums I’ve reviewed in 2023. Beckett has captured all of the innocent pleasure that old school video games can provide without falling into simple pastiche. I have a blast every time I play this album and how can you top that?