path: root/album/homestuck-vol-5.yaml

Album: Homestuck Vol. 5
Directory Suffix: vol5
Date: June 13, 2010
Date Added: November 15, 2019
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/album/homestuck-vol-5-6-with-the-felt
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuBmOO4muV8
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6_yub4_EV2SVvGuBwOxgN4aMhISOZito
Cover Artists:
- Lexxy
Cover Art File Extension: png
Track Art File Extension: png
Cover Art Dimensions: 722x713
Color: '#00aaff'
Groups:
- group:official
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
- Squiddles
- Skaia
Additional Files:
- Title: Album booklet
  Description: >-
    Credit booklet with some extended album cover artworks, also. Includes credits for tracks by [[artist:soluslunes]] which were later removed; the album download stopped including this booklet.
  Files:
  - Homestuck_Vol5.pdf
- Title: What Pumpkin site banner
  Description: >-
    Banner on ["about the albums"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100616162425/http://www.whatpumpkin.com/albums.html) page.
  Files:
  - vol5.jpg
Commentary: |-
    <i>Andrew Hussie:</i> ([MSPA news post](https://web.archive.org/web/20100719132135/http://www.mspaintadventures.com:80/?game=autosave&s=6&p=001901), excerpt)

    Homestuck Vol. 5 is here. To call it a mega-album is an understatement. <b>IT HAS 71 SONGS.</b>

    And before I get carried away talking about it, we're releasing this under a new VERY SERIOUS AND LEGIT RECORD LABEL, which is called [What Pumpkin](https://web.archive.org/web/20100616151859/http://www.whatpumpkin.com/). I thought this would be a much tidier container for all these crazy music projects we're cranking out. Oh and there will be more.

    The idea I had for volume five was to gather up a lot of music that had been accumulating, and stuff it all into this monster album. Like, WAY more songs than would ever be sensible to put in an album and still call it an album. The result is something so audacious, it just might be COMPLETELY MINDBLOWINGLY INCREDIBLE. You be the judge. I already know your verdict though.

    Additionally the concept was to make a huge soundtrack that touches on the magnitude of the story that has been swelling steadily for more than a year. The soundtrack is meant to evoke all the things taking place that we perhaps aren't seeing in this universe, or that could happen, but that the linear focus of the narrative simply can't contain. You're invited to imagine the bigger story the album is telling.

    Bear in mind this album is not merely a giant song dump. I feel like I arranged this mix pretty carefully. And on top of that, <b>it is a seamless album.</b> There are transitions between songs built into the songs, so it all runs together as a cohesive whole. It's all equalized and mastered very well. <b>There is nearly three solid hours of music to listen to.</b> And it is less than fifteen dollars.

    Now it seems like I can never release one of these things without thanking my knuckles to a bloody pulp as I rain blows of merciless gratitude on everyone around me, and for good reason. Lots of people worked their asses off on this thing. It always seems like such a simple idea. Hey lets make an album! All this music is right here it'll take like two seconds to ram it out. Wrong stupid! So here I am assuming the flying crane position of indebtedness while I meditate on the fact that I'm about to snap the spines of fifty helpless thank ninjas in cold blooded succession.

    Thanks to [[artist:cindy-dominguez|Cindy]] who worked forever on the new website and uploaded a million giant high quality songs which take forever to upload as it turns out and also hounding everyone for their files and stuff. Thanks to [[artist:clark-powell|Clark Powell]] for doing great mastering/equalizing work on all the songs, and thanks to [[artist:toby-fox|Toby Fox]] for doing <i>additionally great</i> work of a similar nature. Thanks to all the musicians for lighting a fire under their bone bulges to get high quality files to us and of course not being able to help themselves from making all these killer upgrades to the music itself in the process. And thanks to [[artist:lexxy|Lexxy]] for the ultraslick cover art!

    I am never going to stop listening to this thing. Never. They'll have to send the cadaver dogs into my fucking unibomber shack cause I ain't coming out, and the fire ants will be wondering how they're gonna eat the rotting pulp in my skull with these headphones blocking my earholes like that.

    <i>Cindy Dominguez:</i> ([whatpumpkin.com news post](https://web.archive.org/web/20100615225737/http://www.whatpumpkin.com/))

    We're kicking this thing off ("this thing" being [whatpumpkin.com](https://whatpumpkin.com)) with the launch of Homestuck Vol. 5, the latest in a wicked-sweet line of albums for MS Paint Adventure's Homestuck. This means you can stop doing the antsy pants album dance; it's finally here! For a while now I've heard some of you dudes saying "But, but there have only been a few songs in Homestuck so far! There are not nearly enough tunes for another album!" And you're right. There haven't been that many featured Homestuck songs since the last album. But far be it from us to not do something because we don't have enough of something. We managed [to] scrape together enough stuff to fill in the gaps and produce a complete album, with a tidy 71 total songs.

    So why all the songs you haven't heard in Homestuck? This album is serving a bit of a different purpose than the previous albums. The idea behind Vol. 5 is that you are listening to the soundtrack of the game/story on a much broader scale. You're hearing scores for scenes and situations that are happening in the bigger picture, but that we are just not seeing in the visual depiction of the adventure. This music is meant to be evocative of all the things that are happening in the story while we're not looking. And it's incredible.

    Before I wrap this up, I need to give major kudos to all the musicians involved for pulling out all the stops on this album, to [[artist:clark-powell|Clark "Plazmataz" Powell]] and [[artist:toby-fox|Toby "Radiation" Fox]] for giving me a huge hand in prepping this monster album, and to [[artist:lexxy|Lexxy Douglass]] for taking on the album cover art on short notice and delivering a beautiful work of art. And also I think I'll sneak in a thanks to [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] for busting his ass all the time to produce the vehicle that supports all this amazing music.

    <i>Homestuck:</i> ([whatpumpkin.com side blurb](https://web.archive.org/web/20100615225737/http://www.whatpumpkin.com/))

    The fifth official Homestuck album, and is just rife with music. Has songs that span Acts 2 to 5, plus brand new tunes.

    <i>Homestuck:</i> ([whatpumpkin.com "about the albums" blurb](https://web.archive.org/web/20100616162425/http://www.whatpumpkin.com/albums.html))

    The fifth official Homestuck album, and which is totally insane and exploding with music. Has songs that span Acts 2 to 5, plus about a billion brand new tunes you haven't heard before.

    <small>[Gorgeous](https://web.archive.org/web/20110718035318/http://www.whatpumpkin.com/images/vol5_front.png) album cover art by [[artist:lexxy|Alexandra "Lexxy" Douglass]]</small>

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (from [new Homestuck album!](https://web.archive.org/web/20100618035217/http://www.iambowman.com/), 06/13/2010)
    Volume 5 is out today, and along with it is the official What Pumpkin site, which I have just found out is the [[artist:what-pumpkin-games|name of our indie record label]] just for the [[group:official-discography|MSPA soundtrack albums.]] Like, right just now. Shows how in the loop I am!

    Anyway, this Volume is a little bit of an oddity in that it's hyper-long and is consisted overwhelmingly of tracks that have not appeared in the comic whatsoever, so you might not be quite so initially motivated to purchase it as you would for one of the soundtracks proper, however, I assure you, there is some really great material on there. The album hits the tip of the creative iceberg that has been the MSPA music project (which I guess is now formally What Pumpkin records) and shows only a fraction of the endless piles upon piles of "other" music that exists on the not-so-secret music forums.

    [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] has been definitely at a crossroads with the music - the response to his open casting call for the music project over a year ago almost immediately exploded with music, initially with the pretense that we were going to be creating short loops (as in the strife themes such as [[Showtime (Original Mix)|Showtime]]). However, when the comic started to operate more cinematically and less like an adventure game, more and more the concentration became on how our music could be used to create the numerous extensive flash-animated cutscenes, some of which fans have awaited and anticipated for days on end.

    This pretty much imploded with the [[flash:1149|end of Act 3]], when Andrew informed us all that he was going to cut back on the animations after spending a week working on the accompanying animation for [[Sburban Jungle]] day and night on end. Since then, the focus has drifted to various new sectors which I guess will just have to be a surprise to all of you. Either way, consider the new album an outlet for you to sample music inspired by and written for Homestuck and as a chance to support this new community that Andrew has shepherded.

    *(<b>TRACK 8</b>: Continued in [[Happy Cat Song!]])*

    *(<b>TRACK 9</b>: Continued in [[Hardchorale]]!)*

    *(<b>TRACK 30</b>: Continued in [[track:how-do-i-live-bunny-back-in-the-box-version]]!)*

    *(<b>TRACK 35</b>: Continued in [[Ruins (With Strings)]]!)*

    *(<b>TRACK 56</b>: Continued in [[Greenhouse]]!)*

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> ([Michael Guy Bowman Talks About His Homestuck Music](https://youtu.be/85VXWZTg-vo?t=1081), adapted to text, 7/20/2024)

    *(Continued from [[track:how-do-i-live-bunny-back-in-the-box-version]])*

    That was one of the pieces that was on Homestuck Volume 5. By that point, people were really starting to cross-polenate - the musicians were talking to each other a lot more. [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] was bold enough to say like, hey, y'know, you've all written so much music that's probably never going to be used in the comic because there's more of it than he actually needs at the rate he can produce animations... Let's just say, all these albums are like, standalone expansions upon the concept. Let's not limit it to this [[album:midnight-crew-drawing-dead|"fake band"]] idea. So, suddenly, the albums go from like ten tracks lasting twenty minutes or so, to like, this fifty track monster. *(Caption in post: "71 tracks, actually")* So that was like, a cool shift for us, that suddenly created a lot of creative freedom, and kind of - had us starting to think, you know, this is more than just a little soundtrack, it's kind of a little label.

    <i>Lexxy:</i> (cover artist & booklet editor, [DeviantArt](https://www.deviantart.com/lexxercise/art/Homestuck-Vol-5-167501453), 6/13/2010)

    On Wednesday this past week, I was offered the task of illustrating the album cover for the Homestuck Vol. 5 Soundtrack, and this is a preview of the result! Since this album is a whopping *71 tracks long,* featuring a wealth of unreleased original songs as well as remixes and the latest [S] tracks, I decided to go the extra mile and produce a small PDF album insert with a full track list of each song title and its artist. The images shown here are the wraparound illustration that makes up the front and back covers and a modified version of the background that was faded to put behind the inner pages.

    I might make the plain background into some desktop wallpapers to share, but if you want the nice, big print-quality version of the first one, you'll have to buy the album! It's not expensive, and you'll be supporting the musicians who help make Homestuck such a unique and awesome webcomic!

    Today also marks the launch of MSPA's official record label, What Pumpkin?, so check it out!

    <i>Quasar Nebula:</i> (wiki editor)

    Track art on these tracks has been uploaded from the [Homestuck Vol. 5 Anthology](https://sollay-b.tumblr.com/post/188094230423/hello-a-couple-of-years-ago-allyssinian)! The official release of Vol. 5 didn't come with track art; this collaborative project organized artists to submit their own original art for the album. The art was originally shared in a huge colection on tumblr on 4/13/17 and has now been collected here for viewing convenience and discoverability!

    (Check out the [Vol. 5 Anthology Presentation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyxgBfhPEG8) for an awesome animated showing of the anthology art and original tracks!)

    <i>allyssinian:</i> (anthology announcement, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/154730733932/vol5anthology-homestuck-vol-5-track-fan-art), excerpt, 12/20/2016)

    Homestuck Vol. 5 Track Fan Art: Call for Artists!

    Hi everyone, @allyssinian here! Over the last few months, I came to the realization that out of all the albums for homestuck, Vol. 5 is the only numbered album to not have individual track art, which is a shame because Vol. 5 has some of the best music for the comic!

    That’s where we come in: as a collaboration between [[artist:cityinthesea|@cityinthesea]] and I, we will be hosting a track fan art anthology! There will be one piece of art per track, for all 65 songs (above is an example of [[track:endless-climbing|039- Endless Climbing]], by @allyssinian).

    The final deliverable will be a free downloadable file of all the images. Because of issues with copyright, this is an unpaid fan project, but we hope you enjoy participating all the same!

    <i>Vol. 5 Track Art Anthology:</i> ([Tumblr set #2](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159528808107/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have), [set #3](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159531042667/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have), [set #4](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159533259415/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have), [set #5](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159535479078/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have), [set #6](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159537863827/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have), [set #7](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159540270055/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have), [set #8](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159542834944/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have), 4/13/2017)

    Hey everyone! It’s 4/13, and that means we have the official release for the Vol. 5 Anthology Fan Anthology! Please enjoy the hard work of all the lovely artists who participated.

    <i>Sollay:</i> (anthology team, [Tumblr](https://sollay-b.tumblr.com/post/188094230423/hello-a-couple-of-years-ago-allyssinian), excerpt, 10/2/2019)

    Hello! A couple of years ago, [[artist:allyssinian|@allyssinian]], [[artist:cityinthesea|@cityinthesea]] and I (but first of all ally, lest we forget) gathered a large group of artists to draw the missing art of Volume 5, but the collective download link is no longer up and none of us has access to the official Tumblr account anymore, so I’m making this post now to share a new one!

    <big><i>[&gt;&gt; Download Homestuck Vol 5 Anthology](http://www.mediafire.com/file/p60lh3ku3fzvj10/HS_Vol_5_Anthology.zip/file)</i></big>

    We had a fantastic time and the results were absolutely amazing! I recommend checking out each of the aritsts that took part on this fan project, although time has passed and some of them may have changed their names and are probably going to be harder to find, unfortunately.

    Unfortunately, for some reason, the first post has been deleted. Kind of an empty gesture to make up to that, but the credits for that one are, in this order: [[artist:linde-enge|linde-enge]], [[artist:seiii-tan|seiii-tan]], [[artist:cityinthesea|cityinthesea]], [[artist:fizzmouth|fizzmouth]] and [[artist:sollay|sollay-b]].

    <i>Homestuck:</i> ([Bandcamp download blurb](https://web.archive.org/web/20100615165450/https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/album/homestuck-vol-5))

    Includes full album cover art and musician credits pages by the singularly talented Alexandra "Lexxy" Douglass.

    <i>Homestuck:</i> ([Bandcamp credits blurb](https://web.archive.org/web/20100615165450/https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/album/homestuck-vol-5))

    Ladies and Gentlemen, your musicians:

    [[artist:clark-powell|Clark "Plazmataz" Powell]]<br>
    [[artist:toby-fox|Toby "Radiation" Fox]]<br>
    [[artist:andrew-huo]]<br>
    [[artist:alex-rosetti|Alexander Rosetti]]<br>
    [[artist:malcolm-brown]]<br>
    [[artist:mark-j-hadley|Mark Hadley]]<br>
    [[artist:david-ko]]<br>
    [[artist:michael-guy-bowman]]<br>
    [[artist:kalibration|Robert Blaker]]<br>
    [[artist:seth-peelle|Seth "Beatfox" Peelle]]<br>
    [[artist:robert-j-lake]]<br>
    [[artist:solatrus|Jeremy "Solatrus" Iamurri]]<br>
    [[artist:erik-scheele|Erik "Jit" Scheele]]<br>
    [[artist:steve-everson]]<br>
    [[artist:soluslunes|Jared Micks]]<br>
    [[artist:buzinkai|George Buzinkai]]<br>
    [[artist:nick-smalley]]<br>
    [[artist:perry-sullivan]]<br>
    [[artist:james-dever|Tyler "Seppuku" Dever]]<br>
    [[artist:gabriel-nezovic|Gabe Nezovic]]
Banner Artists:
- Lexxy
- Niklink (edits for wiki)
Banner Dimensions: 1100x203
Banner File Extension: png
Wallpaper Artists:
- Lexxy
- Niklink (edits for wiki)
Wallpaper Style: 'opacity: 0.75;'
Wallpaper File Extension: png
Default Track Cover Art Date: April 13, 2017
---
Track: Homestuck Anthem
Artists:
- Clark Powell
Duration: '3:14'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/homestuck-anthem-2
- https://youtu.be/C-tawUqS2rc
Cover Artists:
- linde-enge
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Sheet music by Miff (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Homestuck Anthem - Miff (piano).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Miff (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Homestuck Anthem - Miff (piano).mid'
---
Track: Skaian Skirmish
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '2:09'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-skirmish-2
- https://youtu.be/_EB_Y3biviY
Cover Artists:
- seiii-tan
Art Tags:
- WV
- Carapacians
Referenced Tracks:
- Skaian Skuffle
- Lotus
---
Track: Savior of the Waking World
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '2:26'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/savior-of-the-waking-world-2
- https://youtu.be/juQcAEkvzdQ
Cover Artists:
- cityinthesea
Art Tags:
- John
- Gate
Referenced Tracks:
- Doctor
- Penumbra Phantasm
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Sheet music by Gamehunter
  Files:
  - 'Savior of the Waking World - Gamehunter.pdf'
- Title: Piano score by Imgood
  Files:
  - 'Savior of the Waking World - Imgood (piano score).pdf'
- Title: Piano score by klug
  Files:
  - 'Savior of the Waking World - klug (piano score).pdf'
- Title: Piano score by min min
  Files:
  - 'Savior of the Waking World - min min (piano score).pdf'
- Title: French horn score by silverseer
  Files:
  - 'Savior of the Waking World - silverseer (French horn).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Qpmz234
  Files:
  - 'Savior of the Waking World - Qpmz234.mid'
- Title: MIDI by min min (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Savior of the Waking World - min min (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>cityinthesea:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/160163184436/cityinthesea-saviour-of-the-waking-world-my))

    *saviour of the waking world*

    my one of two pieces for the vol 5 anthology project! aka my favourite track maybe of all of HS (or at least, favourite leitmotif)

    there’s a bunch of really rad pieces made for the project, [treat your eyes here](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/)

    this was really neat to see come together by all the artists, please check them all out if you can!!
---
Track: Clockwork Melody
Artists:
- Clark Powell
Duration: 0:35
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/clockwork-melody-2
- https://youtu.be/0s4JjBz-pr4
Cover Artists:
- fizzmouth
Art Tags:
- Dave
- Lil Cal
Referenced Tracks:
- Endless Climb
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Sheet music by EuniverseCat
  Files:
  - 'Clockwork Melody - EuniverseCat.pdf'
- Title: Sheet music by Geekthras
  Files:
  - 'Clockwork Melody - Geekthras.pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by IronInvoker47
  Files:
  - 'Clockwork Melody - IronInvoker47.mid'
- Title: MIDI by Twix Stix (from Sburbmon)
  Files:
  - 'Clockwork Melody - Twix Stix.mid'
---
Track: Heirfare
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
Duration: '2:42'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/heirfare-2
- https://youtu.be/P1_QCWUi2wQ
Cover Artists:
- Sollay
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Davesprite
- Jadesprite
- Battlefield
Referenced Tracks:
- Showtime (Original Mix)
- Showtime (Piano Refrain)
- Harlequin
Commentary: |-
    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://albatrossthesoup.tumblr.com/post/20545830112/my-vol-5-music-commentary), excerpt)

    This piece is one of the strongest examples of how much better my old music could have been if I had used better samples. But I had nothing but cheap stuff at the time, so I think this one suffers a lot. Personal regret aside, I composed this as an ode to John, so it features the themes from [[track:showtime-original-mix|Showtime]] and [[Harlequin]]. I wanted something big and dramatic, so I went the semi-orchestral route, and completely transformed the context of the two melodies I used to suit the mood of the piece. In particular, Harlequin seems almost unrecognizable unless you’re paying attention or have a good ear. I think its attempt to come off as big and noble is a little heavy-handed at times, but it would definitely be a fun one to come back to and update.

    <i>Sollay:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159969890431/sol-lay-my-second-piece-for-the-vol-5-anthology))

    My second piece for the Vol 5 Anthology project!!
---
Track: Jade's Lullaby
Artists:
- David Ko
Duration: 0:48
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/jades-lullaby-2
- https://youtu.be/7gD-IPfN6FU
Cover Artists:
- Kibbynbits
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Squiddles
---
Track: Aggrievance
Artists:
- Mark J. Hadley
Duration: '3:01'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/aggrievance-2
- https://youtu.be/RcI76YVobAI
Cover Artists:
- rose-ebottles
Art Tags:
- Rose
- Underlings
- LoLaR
Referenced Tracks:
- Aggrieve
Commentary: |-
    <i>Mark J. Hadley:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    Since Aggrieve was the first song I wrote for Homestuck, I also imagined it would be the first thing I would remix. That turned out not to be the case (I remixed Harlequin first), but I went ahead with it anyway. I also figured it might come in handy in case there was ever another strife scene with Rose post-entry, but those became rare after a while, except for special situations.

    <i>rose-ebottles:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/160188427695/rose-ebottles-heres-my-piece-for-the-vol5))

    Here’s my piece for the vol5 anthology I did for the song aggrievance! It was really fun to do and everyone’s pieces are fantastic
---
Track: Happy Cat Song!
Artists:
- Toby Fox
- Michael Guy Bowman
Duration: 0:34
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/happy-cat-song-2
- https://youtu.be/oLxeExkmGWs
Cover Artists:
- strife-kind
Art Tags:
- Rose
- Jaspers
- Earth
Referenced Tracks:
- Chorale for Jaspers
Commentary: |-
    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (co-composer, from [new Homestuck album!](https://web.archive.org/web/20100618035217/http://www.iambowman.com/), 06/13/2010)

    *(Continued from [[album:homestuck-vol-5]]!)*
    
    Radiation, or [[artist:toby-fox|Toby]] as I've never actually had the chance to refer to him, sent me his midi arrangement of Happy Cat Song, a sort of lighthearted version of [[track:chorale-for-jaspers|Chorale for Jaspers]], so I loaded VSTs for each part and balanced it, along with adding a "meow" sample in for good measure. The effect of it reminds [[artist:tavia-morra|Tavia]] of arriving in a village in "final fantasy or chrono cross or something and it's initially all peaceful and then by the end of the game it's totally raped and pillaged." So the calm before the storm then? MEOW

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (co-composer, from [Music and Stuff](https://web.archive.org/web/20110326020456/http://www.iambowman.com/music.html))

    A lot of tracks on <i>Volume 5</i>. There's a few different [[Chorale for Jaspers|"Chorale"]] arrangements on here, of which I participated in two - for "Happy Cat Song!" I produced and provided vocal samples, and for [[Hardchorale|"Hardchorale"]] I brought the house down with a series of loud meows that almost got me evicted from my apartment (the video does exist, I promise).

    *(Continued in [[track:how-do-i-live-bunny-back-in-the-box-version]]!)*

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (co-composer, [Michael Guy Bowman Talks About His Homestuck Music](https://youtu.be/85VXWZTg-vo?t=1200), adapted to text, 7/20/2024)

    There was another, like, twenty second *(Caption in post: 35 seconds)* Toby Fox-produced [[Chorale for Jaspers]] that was called "Happy Cat Song!" - I really only set that into the program, into FL Studio, and chose the synth patches for it, like, hardly anything else. I think he expected me to go somewhere with it, and... I was just like... I don't know what to do with it. So, twenty seconds, somehow ended up on an album!
---
Track: Hardchorale
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
- Toby Fox
Contributors:
- Michael Guy Bowman (meows)
Duration: '2:54'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/hardchorale-2
- https://youtu.be/ldhG6Rx8OOE
Cover Artists:
- floralmarsupial
Art Tags:
- Jaspers
- Cats
- 'cw: body horror'
Referenced Tracks:
- Chorale for Jaspers
- Squiddles!
Commentary: |-
    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://albatrossthesoup.tumblr.com/post/20545830112/my-vol-5-music-commentary), excerpt)

    I’ve always considered the creation of this song a “classic story”. It came about in a strange, almost fateful way, and I think the final product reflects that. It was the first thing that [[artist:toby-fox|Radiation]] and I worked on together, and it was through Hardchorale that our friendship started. He approached me with a MIDI file he had made, intending it to be a sort of “boss battle” arrangement of [[Chorale for Jaspers]] in the style of [[Harleboss]]. He asked if I would be interested in producing it, since at the time he was just starting out and had no means to do so. I agreed, Chorale being one of my favorite Homestuck tunes. So I produced it in a DAW to make it sound “good”, and relative to the MIDI file it sounded great, and we were both really happy with it. Radiation got [[artist:michael-guy-bowman|Bowman]] to record some heavy metal meows, which he apparently almost got kicked out of his apartment for recording and claims to have video of, though I have yet to see it. Once I found out it was going to be on Vol. 5, I added a section to it (roughly the last third of the piece) and at the very end sneaked [[track:squiddles|the Squiddles theme]] just because I could. I realize that was more of a narrative than a commentary, but it’s the history behind this piece that I find fun to talk about more than the piece itself.

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, from [new Homestuck album!](https://web.archive.org/web/20100618035217/http://www.iambowman.com/), 06/13/2010)

    *(Continued from [[track:happy-cat-song]]!)*

    Harchorale was another [[track:chorale-for-jaspers|Chorale]] arrangement by Alexander and Toby for which I contributed more vocals. The morning after I recorded the yelping and yowling for this arrangement, I received an ultimatum from my apartment complex, saying that if they ever received another noise complaint they would evict us so hard we would probably go blind. I know [[artist:richard-gung|Richard]] has footage of me recording this somewhere, so I'll surely post it when I find it.

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, from [Music and Stuff](https://web.archive.org/web/20110326020456/http://www.iambowman.com/music.html))

    A lot of tracks on <i>Volume 5</i>. There's a few different [[Chorale for Jaspers|"Chorale"]] arrangements on here, of which I participated in two - for [[track:happy-cat-song|"Happy Cat Song!"]] I produced and provided vocal samples, and for "Hardchorale" I brought the house down with a series of loud meows that almost got me evicted from my apartment (the video does exist, I promise).

    *(Continued in [[track:how-do-i-live-bunny-back-in-the-box-version]]!)*

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, [Michael Guy Bowman Talks About His Homestuck Music](https://youtu.be/85VXWZTg-vo?t=1184), adapted to text, 7/20/2024)

    Hardchorale! They arranged out a heavier version of [[Chorale for Jaspers]], and were like, "can you contribute meows to this?" and I was like, sure! I got a noise complaint from my neighbors because, I think I'd left all the windows open. I was just screaming. (laughs) Whoops on that.
---
Track: An Unbreakable Union
Artists:
- Kalibration
Duration: '2:30'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/an-unbreakable-union-2
- https://youtu.be/jc_q5lCjw0Q
Cover Artists:
- cityinthesea
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Becquerel
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'An Unbreakable Union - Unknown.mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>cityinthesea:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159956686110/cityinthesea-an-unbreakable-union-my-second))

    *an unbreakable union*

    my second piece for the volume five anthology! i tried to capture sinister vibes and big…ness? of this track, rather than base it on [[flash:980|the flash it went with]] ^^; imagine a camera shake in here or something

    [other pieces can be seen here!](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/)
---
Track: Skaian Ride
Artists:
- Andrew Huo (composition)
- Seth Peelle (arrangement)
Duration: '3:04'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-ride-2
- https://youtu.be/tD_AfVeEyu4
Cover Artists:
- awildcale
Art Tags:
- Jane
- Jake
- Roxy
- Dirk
- Prospit
- Skaia
- Earth
Referenced Tracks:
- Aggrieve
- Showtime (Original Mix)
Commentary: |-
    <i>Andrew Huo:</i> (composer, [Bandcamp rerelease about blurb](https://web.archive.org/web/20130530033449/http://andrewhuo.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-ride), excerpt)

    Symphonic piece made in Sibelius 5. Composed for MS Paint Adventures.

    <i>Andrew Huo:</i> (composer, [Bandcamp rerelease credits blurb](https://web.archive.org/web/20130530033449/http://andrewhuo.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-ride), excerpt)

    Composed by Andrew Huo. Mastering by Seth Peelle using Garritan Personal Orchestra.

    <i>awildcale:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://the-cale.tumblr.com/post/159561376331/skaian-ride-heres-my-piece-for-the-vol-5-anthology))

    [skaian ride](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-ride-2)

    heres my piece for the vol 5 anthology project! the song is super peaceful and calming to listen to, i highly recommend it. also, the alpha kids! remember [[flash-act:a6i1|act 6 intermission 1]]? i thought, why couldnt this have happened during more peaceful times? maybe with the kids doing stuff they liked to do instead

    [check out the other artists and works here!](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com)

    <small>#jane crocker #roxy lalonde #jake english #dirk strider #guns #man if i forget a tag im sorry im kinda sick lol</small>
---
Track: White
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '1:25'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/white-2
- https://youtu.be/AmsR9n_5xKk
Cover Artists:
- RainbowCookiz
Cover Art File Extension: jpg
Art Tags:
- PM
Referenced Tracks:
- Liquid Negrocity
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Piano score by silverseer
  Files:
  - 'White - silverseer (piano score).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by silverseer (piano)
  Files:
  - 'White - silverseer (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>RainbowCookiz:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/rainbowcookiz/159075789231/here-is-the-finished-piece-for-my-album-cover))

    Here is the finished piece for my album cover work!

    If you don't know what I'm talking about, there was a big [Homestuck Vol. 5 Album Cover thing](https://rainahkretva.tumblr.com/post/154740296473) made by two people who wanted other artists to make art for Vol. 5 songs, since they didn't have any.

    I was assigned to draw for the song [White](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jwNE8kdLRA)

    Hope yall like itt

    <i>RainbowCookiz:</i> (original anthology artwork)

    <img src="media/misc/white-bonus.jpg" width="300">

    <i>RainbowCookiz:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/rainbowcookiz/159142773116/rainbowcookiz-here-is-the-finished-piece-for-my))

    made cooler

    <i>Quasar Nebula:</i> (wiki editor)

    The "made cooler" post has the cover that's literally cooler (in blue tones), and the artwork anthology download includes that version, so it's the main artwork on this track page. The original version is in the commentary above!
---
Track: Octoroon Rangoon
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '2:11'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/octoroon-rangoon-2
- https://youtu.be/mkCprHAqw8w
Cover Artists:
- enjistier
Art Tags:
- Jack Noir
- Horrorterrors
Referenced Tracks:
- Liquid Negrocity
- The Ballad of Jack Noir
- Penumbra Phantasm
- Non Compos Mentis
Sampled Tracks:
- track:im-a-member-of-the-midnight-crew
Lyrics: |-
    Make her a member of the Midnight Crew!
Review Points:
- Date Recorded: August 8, 2024
  Field: Referenced Tracks
  Notes: |-
    See reference discussion, where ruby transcribes the piano at 1:05 in this track and compares with [[Penumbra Phantasm]]. Makin contested, saying he couldn't clearly hear the second half of that transcript in the track, but others agreed the reference is present here. Celeste added, however, that they were "convinced its supposed to be a nod to [[track:savior-of-the-waking-world|SOTWW]] based off the later instrumentation".
  Reference Discussions:
  - Date: July 2, 2024
    Annotation: "#music-discussion"
    URL: https://discord.com/channels/749042497610842152/749067042250031214/1257691332286222418
---
Track: Pumpkin Cravings
Artists:
- Seth Peelle
Duration: '3:57'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/pumpkin-cravings-2
- https://youtu.be/jnq_L-yTdxs
Cover Artists:
- freckledOctopus
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
- 'cw: eye horror'
---
Track: Welcome to the New Extreme
Artists:
- Robert J! Lake
Duration: '3:18'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/welcome-to-the-new-extreme-2
- https://youtu.be/kWVQH0Z5u08
Cover Artists:
- Xagave
Cover Art Dimensions: 1036x1000
Art Tags:
- Rose
- Dave
- Lil Cal
- Birds
- Gate
- Derse
Referenced Tracks:
- Sburban Jungle
Commentary: |-
    <i>Xagave:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://freckledoctopus.tumblr.com/post/159662103553/forgot-to-post-this-individually-but-this-was-my))

    forgot to post this individually, but this was my contribution to the HS album [volume 5 Anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159528808107/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have)! the song I was given was Pumpkin Cravings which was described as representing both Homestuck and MSPA as a whole —so to try and fit the song I thought combining both Problem Sleuth and HS was the way to go ^_^

    <small>#i had fun contributing to this though i admittedly rushed at the end because of my school projects taking up most of my time</small>
---
Track: Crystalanthemums
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
Duration: '1:27'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/crystalanthemums-2
- https://youtu.be/gNuqEgNlqnM
Cover Artists:
- Chumi
Art Tags:
- Jade
- LoFaF
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Piano score by Purple1222119
  Files:
  - 'Crystalanthemums - Purple1222119 (piano score).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Twix Stix (from Sburbmon)
  Files:
  - 'Crystalanthemums - Twix Stix.mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://albatrossthesoup.tumblr.com/post/20545830112/my-vol-5-music-commentary), excerpt)

    I composed this one intending it to be the theme of Jade’s land. This is the reason [[artist:erik-scheele|Jit]] has gone on the record as saying [[track:crystamanthequins|Crystamenthequins]] was intended to accompany Jade’s island being destroyed/her entering her land (I’m pretty sure that’s how he described it) was because of this song. It’s actually a really simple tune, and I’ve wanted to expand on it for ages but never got around to it. The entire piece consists of the same simple chord progression, but it’s a good, if played out, progression. That and the beautiful harmonies one is guaranteed to find with it is why I think this is one of my more popular songs. It’s not as well-composed as I’d like it to be, but it is definitely catchy. And [[artist:toby-fox|Radiation]] was responsible for the name, jokingly calling it “crystalanthemums” after I described it as sounding like a crystalline flower. I decided that was as good a name as any, and I’ve had the pleasure of infecting its two remixes with such silly-sounding titles.

    <i>Chumi:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://chuchumi.tumblr.com/post/159546207889/heres-my-entry-for-the-volume-5-anthology-i-was))

    here’s my entry for the [volume 5 anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/)! i was lucky enough to be able to draw for [crystalanthemums](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8GVlwRrXC8)! (do yourself a favor and check out everyone else’s AMAZING art and the video pls…)

    i owe a HUGE thank you to the organizers, [[artist:sollay|sollay]], [[artist:cityinthesea|city]], and [[artist:allyssinian|ally]], for inviting me to join and organizing the whole thing in the first place!!! i was so honored to be a part of this project! as a fan since 2012, it’s sort of been one of my dreams to draw art for a song!! i really can’t thank them enough for this amazing opportunity :’)

    my thought process is below the cut!

    crystalanthemums is my favorite song of volume 5, and one of my favorite hs songs in general. I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN I GOT THE EMAIL SAYING I WAS DRAWING FOR CRYSTALANTHEMUMS IASFNNFM,FGD

    as one of the most reoccurring motifs in newer songs, it serves as sort of a base that was built upon! the song itself is calming and a little bit melancholy, but it is also the beginning of many things that are truly excellent!

    it was a mishmosh of ideas but i tried my best! i decided to draw jade falling from sky the after events of [[flash:2927|[s] jade: enter]]. in the flash, we see her entering lofaf with calm music as she looks up at the snow after a hell of a lot of explosions.

    crystalanthemums’ melody sort of reminded to me the peace that comes after something exciting. you miss the adrenaline rush, but you don’t hate the quiet either. her entering the medium also marks the beginning of her journey through sburb, from island child to god!

    her looking up at the dark sky, surrounded by a glowing aurora and snow that she’s never seen before… that sort of mystifying emotion!

    not gonna lie, i felt a lot of pressure whilst making this! i was drawing for a song that had nearly 80,000 views on youtube… served as a building block for many amazing songs in the future… MY FAVORITE SONG THAT I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO SINCE 2012…. but i’m pretty happy with my result, and i hope you guys think it’s great too!!

    <i>Chumi:</i> (art anthology WIPs, [Tumblr](https://chuchumi.tumblr.com/post/159546207889/heres-my-entry-for-the-volume-5-anthology-i-was))

    <img src="media/misc/crystalanthemums-wip1.png" width="300">

    <img src="media/misc/crystalanthemums-wip2.jpg" width="300">

    <img src="media/misc/crystalanthemums-wip3.jpg" width="300">
---
Track: Skaia (Incipisphere Mix)
Artists:
- Solatrus
Duration: '5:06'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/skaia-incipisphere-mix-2
- https://youtu.be/IaT2a68dyJo
Cover Artists:
- razzberrysheep
Art Tags:
- Skaia
- LoWaS
- LoLaR
- Prospit
- Derse
- Veil
Referenced Tracks:
- Skies of Skaia
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Piano score by almostsix
  Files:
  - 'Skaia (Incipisphere Mix) - almostsix (piano score).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Skaia (Incipisphere Mix) - Unknown (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Solatrus:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    My Skaia remix was actually done before I joined the music team.  I had first made [[track:doctor-deep-breeze-mix|a remix of Doctor]] (which you can hear [here](https://homestuckgaiden.bandcamp.com/track/doctor-deep-breeze-mix)), which apparently really caught the attention of the team, in part thanks to Blueberry.

    Anyway, just as I do now, I streamed music pretty regularly back then, and I'd often times do some improvisational piano over the rest of the mix I made for Incipisphere. Of course, one of those improv sessions (though not a live one) is what made it into the final mix.

    Ultimately, [[artist:toby-fox|Radiation]] told me it would probably be a good idea to not release Incipisphere Mix anywhere, and then eventually I got a private message from [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] saying he wanted a .wav of it.

    And the rest, I guess, is history?

    Oh, and one more thing: AndrewNeo, the guy who runs skaia.net, named both my Doctor remix and my Skaia remix.

    <i>Solatrus:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://thisisthehomestuckmusicteam.tumblr.com/post/26717876635/solatrus-song-commentary-friday-except-its), 7/7/2012)

    Let's have a bit of history before we jump into things with this song.

    <b>A Bit of History</b>

    I've been writing music among the longest out of all of the team members (9 and a half years now), but definitely not <i>the</i> longest. However, I definitely have to say I've improved more over the past two years than the seven years before that just from working with so many talented people.

    But the difference in improvement between then and now is a story for another day. Let's zip right just before I joined the team. While Skaia (Incipisphere Mix) is my first official Homestuck song, [[track:doctor-deep-breeze-mix|Doctor (Deep Breeze Mix)]] is my first Homestuck-related song, which you can download [here](https://homestuckgaiden.bandcamp.com/track/doctor-deep-breeze-mix).

    The reason I'm mentioning my Doctor remix is because it <i>very much</i> helped put Incipisphere Mix on Volume 5. From what I was told, it turned a few heads on the team. Kind of hilarious to go back and look at the thread, because multiple of my chums posted just after I did and I wasn't even aware of who they were at the time. Then again, I was still VERY new to the community at the time. My very first post on the MSPA Forums was of a WIP of my Doctor remix.

    Blueberry eventually put me in contact with [[artist:toby-fox|Radiation]], and I was told not to release my Skaia remix anywhere. That made me very curious! And then not too long after that (a few days, I think), I received a message from [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew Hussie]] himself on the forums saying he wanted the lossless master of Incipisphere.

    "Oh snap! I'm a guest artist on Volume 5!" ... And the following day I see a new subforum sitting there and I found out I was invited to join the team. Exciting times, indeed.

    <b>The Song Itself</b>

    Now, I'm sure people are wondering why I went with doing a remix of [[Skies of Skaia]]. Well, simply put, I really liked the chord progression, and I really enjoyed one of the remixes that was formerly in the discography. Because of both, I decided I wanted to do something with a bit of a heavier sound to it, but keeping consistent with the light and vibrant tone qualities.

    The bassline and drums definitely helped give the song a much heavier feel than the original, showing an earlier example of what I feel has become my typical contrast in music. I very much enjoy contrasts in all art forms. Unexpected contrasts that are executed well just really made me happy. I can't say I'm particularly happy with the bassline now, but back then that was pretty appropriate for my skill level, plus having an arpeggiating sound that I really used to do too much.

    There’s also this really amusing sound effect which is actually this sample ([dead link](http://www.solatrus.com/static/music/misc/opr00LGU.wav)) played backward and faded in.

    Of course, the comments I see the most on this song are on the improvised piano part. Before I was on the team I started doing a regular broadcast on the skaia.net internet radio, and I'd improvise over this song pretty often back then. I eventually figured out a few parts that I wanted to keep consistent, and I did a bunch of takes to finally get to what you hear in the final song. Of course, MIDI never seems to record very accurately, and I'm not actually the greatest at piano (!!!), so I had to do some fine-tuning on the note timings to make them actually sound precise. But those really fast runs were definitely real, and, no, don't ask me to play it again. I won't be able to. It was a really good day for me.

    Until next time!
---
Track: Sarabande
Suffix Directory: true
Additional Names:
- Rooftop Waltz (original name)
Artists:
- Erik Scheele
Duration: '2:18'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/sarabande-2
- https://youtu.be/bkzYLa9iR6Q
Cover Artists:
- Sollay
Art Tags:
- Rose
- LoLaR
- 'cw: alcohol'
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Sheet music by Erik Scheele (original composer)
  Files:
  - 'Sarabande - Erik Scheele.pdf'
- Title: String orchestra arrangement by MarimbaMaestoso
  Files:
  - 'Sarabande - MarimbaMaestoso (score).pdf'
  - 'Sarabande - MarimbaMaestoso (violin 1).pdf'
  - 'Sarabande - MarimbaMaestoso (violin 2).pdf'
  - 'Sarabande - MarimbaMaestoso (viola).pdf'
  - 'Sarabande - MarimbaMaestoso (cello).pdf'
  - 'Sarabande - MarimbaMaestoso (bass).pdf'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Erik Scheele:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    I'll never really know what happened to produce this. Not really, never. I wish I could remember if there was some thought process behind it, some sort of inspiration, but I really can't remember any. Most likely, that was for the better.

    What I mean is, I used to do a lot of improvisation after theater classes, instead of practicing, while my mother would clean up the various classrooms that were used. There was never really any inspiration for things that I can remember, and they were just a lot of off-the-cuff experiments of a sort, I guess. Some probably turned out great, and there were probably more than a couple days where nothing happened. I can remember trying to emulate different video game soundtracks or bits from them, but that was never really a norm. The only thing I'd ever think regularly was how no one would ever actually hear the improvisation I was playing, and I was okay with that. This was before college, anyway.

    My point is, improvisation rarely had a point, so it's really impossible to nail down if there was any reason for playing Sarabande that night. The way it went about, I just played the piece, exactly how it was recorded, aside from one little mistake. Then I stopped, went "Okay yeah, that was good", packed up, and left. A while later, I needed to play things for the composer concert, so I performed it from memory, and that's where the recording came from.

    It's kind of gained a status among the fandom for being music for when John reads Jade's letter, which I think is a rather good place for it to go. Although, I think I actually called it "Rooftop Waltz" at one point, for Rose/Dave shipping stuff, buuuuut I'm rather glad that the "purpose" and title is changed now. "Rooftop Waltz", that's such an awful cheesy love title, plus, the piece really is a sarabande. I mean literally, it fits the genre fairly well, plus my composition prof called it "a perfect sarabande", so there we go.

    <i>Sollay:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/160081839912/sol-lay-my-first-piece-for-the-vol-5-anthology))

    My first piece for the Vol 5 Anthology project, plus desktop version :)

    <i>Sollay:</i> (alternate artwork)

    <img src="media/misc/sarabande-bonus.jpg" width="375" warning="alcohol">
---
Track: Clockwork Sorrow
Artists:
- David Ko
Duration: '1:04'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/clockwork-sorrow-2
- https://youtu.be/fMn4Iehh2A4
Cover Artists:
- Prince
Art Tags:
- Dave
Referenced Tracks:
- Clockwork Melody
Commentary: |-
    <i>Prince:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://catprinx.tumblr.com/post/159545290361/heres-what-i-did-for-the-song-clockwork-sorrow))

    Here’s what I did for the song Clockwork Sorrow for the @vol5anthology!!!

    Thanks so much for letting me participate in this!
---
Track: Phantasmagoric Waltz
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
Duration: '1:43'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/phantasmagoric-waltz-2
- https://youtu.be/WnqZR9rzEJA
Cover Artists:
- Dzu
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
- Prospit
- Derse
Commentary: |-
    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://albatrossthesoup.tumblr.com/post/20545830112/my-vol-5-music-commentary), excerpt)

    This is exactly what it sounds like. I went for a whimsical, dreamy feel with this one, expressed through the ¾ meter, waltz patterns, Lydian mode, and ringing, bell-like timbres. There’s not a lot going on in this one, though I think it’s charming in a childlike way. It was the first piece I made upon my return to the music team (I was in it since the beginning, but never made anything worthwhile and left for a few months since I was starting my first year of college).

    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, "extra comments in reply to a Tumblr question", via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    For some reason waltzes, Lydian mode, harps, and bell-like timbres seemed like the most appropriate ways to evoke dreams for me. I was inspired to make it ever since seeing Jade's dream self, and how appropriate that it was included in [[flash:1720|Dave's dream in Derse]]!

    For those not around since the beginning of that page or who don't know the history, it was originally full of [[artist:bill-bolin|Bill Bolin]] tunes (a former music team member who left on very bad terms) and we had to replace them with existing material. One of the things [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] put in there was Phantasmagoric Waltz, and now that page has the additional comedy of Dave and Rose jamming out to...a sweet, slow-paced romantic dance? I can dig it.

    For the record, that's not a cell phone vibration, whatever you are hearing is there just by chance.

    <i>Dzu:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://dzueni.tumblr.com/post/159588803092/20-phantasmagoric-waltz-heres-the-piece-i), excerpt)

    Here’s the piece I did for the [Homestuck Volume 5 Fan Anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/)! Go check the rest out if you haven’t already they’re so goddamn cool u guys

    <small>#rotate this drawing to the beat of the song for maximum effect</small>
---
Track: Sunslammer
Artists:
- Seth Peelle
Duration: '3:05'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/sunslammer-2
- https://youtu.be/DJ5crJDYtDg
Cover Artists:
- Aeritus
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Underlings
- LoFaF
- LoHaC
- LoWaS
Referenced Tracks:
- Sunsetter
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Sheet music by EuniverseCat
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - EuniverseCat.pdf'
- Title: Sheet music by Veritas Unae
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - Veritas Unae.pdf'
- Title: Piano score by invisibleForce
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - invisibleForce (piano score).pdf'
- Title: Piano score by lugiaa
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - lugiaa (piano score).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Seth Peelle (original composer; piano)
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - Seth Peelle (piano).mid'
- Title: MIDI by cookiefonster
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - cookiefonster.mid'
- Title: MIDI by lugiaa (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - lugiaa (piano).mid'
- Title : MIDI by Twix Stix (from Sburbmon)
  Files:
  - 'Sunslammer - Twix Stix.mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Aeritus:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://aeritus.tumblr.com/post/159537850591/oh-hey-i-can-finally-upload-this-d-this-is-my))

    oh hey i can finally upload this! =D<br>
    This is my piece for @vol5anthology, my song was Sunslammer

    It has been a lovely experience work togheter with such amazing artist, really inspiring!!!

    You should totally check out the other artist’s work they’re all amazing and everybody put a lot of effort in every piece!
---
Track: Lotus Land Story
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '1:52'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/lotus-land-story-2
- https://youtu.be/O7qf5KhmM-I
Cover Artists:
- fenkko
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Lotus
Referenced Tracks:
- Lotus
- Doctor
Commentary: |-
    <i>fenkko:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://fenkko.tumblr.com/post/159538809157/i-made-a-fan-cover-of-lotus-land-story-piece-for))

    i made a fan cover of lotus land story piece for @vol5anthology! please check out the rest of the art, everyone has done [such amazing work](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159528808107/hey-everyone-its-413-and-that-means-we-have)
---
Track: Chorale for War
Additional Names:
- Battle Chorale (original name)
Artists:
- Steve Everson
Duration: '1:37'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/chorale-for-war-2
- https://youtu.be/5nzzYzdm8sI
Cover Artists:
- appulsprite
Art Tags:
- Dave
- Jade
- LoFaF
- 'cw: blood'
Referenced Tracks:
- Chorale for Jaspers
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Chorale for War - Unknown.mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Steve Everson:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/tenebrais/22073497978/ooo-commentaries-could-you-give-some-commentary), excerpt)

    This one predates my time on the music team! It started life as a midi called Battle Chorale (obviously, a pun on "battle royale"). It was pretty popular, if I recall correctly, though there wasn't a lot of fan music around in those days to compare to. Some time after joining the team, one of the other musicians created their own hard rock [[track:chorale-for-jaspers|Chorale]] remix by that same name! So I updated my old one under a new name, and [[artist:alex-rosetti|Albatross]] and [[artist:toby-fox|Rad]] created their [[Hardchorale]] remix too. Battle Chorale never made it to publication but these two survived.
---
Track: Electromechanism
Artists:
- SolusLunes
Duration: '2:41'
URLs:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTV70M0NCLk
Commentary: |-
    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds description](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/300457))

    2010! \\o/

    Also, new shinies for you.

    Fuck all if I can figure out what genre this is. Want to give it a shot and let me know? :D

    (also crank the bass)

    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds comment](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/300457))

    > Ever considering making your own genre?
    >
    > I think you should seriously think about making a new genre, since this awesomeness can't fit in anywhere.

    See, but making a new genre seems presupposing to me, I'm assuming I'm breaking all new ground.

    This song isn't really a new genre per se, it incorporates bits from Trance, DnB, Funk, and of course Techno. It's more of a mishmash that is impossible to categorize.
---
Track: Unsheath'd
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
Duration: 0:56
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/unsheathd-2
- https://youtu.be/GBlD4tBCGmE
Cover Artists:
- egosweetheart
Art Tags:
- Dave
- Davesprite
- LoHaC
Commentary: |-
    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://albatrossthesoup.tumblr.com/post/20545830112/my-vol-5-music-commentary), excerpt)

    I based this off a short tune I wrote as a composition exercise. It turns out the tune was really short, since this song clocked in at a little under a minute. I had intended it to be associated with Dave, hence the style and Hip-Hop sounding lead. Not much to say about this one either other than I should definitely use this theme in the future for something more worthwhile.

    <i>egosweetheart:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://egosweetheart.tumblr.com/post/159532007962/ok-yall-i-havent-had-any-time-for-art-recently))

    ok y’all, i haven’t had any time for art recently, but here’s my piece for the [volume 5 anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/)!! it’s unsheath’d, the euphimism song. happy 413 you nerds

    <small>#dave strider #dave sprite #various other daves</small>
---
Track: Versus
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '2:03'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/versus-2
- https://youtu.be/d3JKaZpfJjE
Cover Artists:
- demfury
Art Tags:
- Dave
- Dave's bro
- Lil Cal
- Birds
- Earth
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Versus - Unknown.mid'
---
Track: Planet Healer
Artists:
- Seth Peelle
Contributors:
- Toby Fox (various material)
- Erik Scheele (various material)
Duration: '1:39'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/planet-healer-2
- https://youtu.be/VQjHlYSM_jo
Cover Artists:
- Meruz
Art Tags:
- John
- LoWaS
Referenced Tracks:
- Doctor
- Penumbra Phantasm
Commentary: |-
    <i>Meruz:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://meruz.tumblr.com/post/159541441776))

    Planet Healer piece for @vol5anthology !!! i submitted this a month ago and im still changing my mind on the colors ugh!!!

    John doing the windy thing to put out the fire on the sea of oil felt really climatic when I first read it. That entire sequence on that rock actually.. I especially loved his conversation with Rose and then the troll convos with “the one that hates you and the one that likes you” lmao. GOOD STUFF

    <i>Meruz:</i> (alternate artwork)

    <img src="media/misc/planet-healer-bonus.jpg" width="300">

    <i>Buzinkai:</i> (composer of [[Doctor]], [YouTube comment](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yobugCRpyvQ&lc=UgzLinqOptZag02tVmN4AaABAg))

    I will say, as the writer of this song, that this is incredible. I must admit that I'm going through hard times in my life, but to see something like this come up, it's a beautiful thing. I wrote the song just trying to express my emotions at the time, I was, yes, playing Cave Story, but I wanted to make something I loved to listen to myself, and to know it has touched so many others is more than I could have ever dreamed of. So I thank [[artist:seth-peelle|you]] for taking your time to do your own take on it. Thanks.

    <i>Buzinkai:</i> (composer of [[Doctor]], [YouTube comment](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yobugCRpyvQ&lc=Ugwqj0C2pDRf0V4oUT54AaABAg))
    I wrote the [[Doctor (Original Loop)|original version of this song]] using similar software, PXTone, which was written by Pixel of Cave Story fame, so you are correct. Thank you for liking the original, and this remake is quite fantastic, It means so much to see how [[track:doctor#referenced-by|my song has been taken and adapted through other people.]]
---
Track: Bed of Rose's / Dreams of Derse
Additional Names:
- Bed of Rose's (earlier MSPA credit)
Artists:
- Mark J. Hadley
Duration: '1:43'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/bed-of-roses-dreams-of-derse-2
- https://youtu.be/D5_LohYeVjk
Cover Artists:
- Seagrot
Art Tags:
- Rose
- Horrorterrors
Referenced Tracks:
- Aggrieve
Commentary: |-
    <i>Mark J. Hadley:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    John had [[track:skaian-dreams-remix|a "sleep and recover hp/mp" type theme]], so I wrote one for Rose as well. Naturally it uses part of the theme from [[Aggrieve]]. When it came time to put it on the album, I didn't really want to leave it as short as it was, so I added the Dreams of Derse section to lengthen it, imagining what the cold, far orbit of Derse might be like.

    <i>Seagrot:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/dumbbitche/159551398865/my-bed-of-rosesdreams-of-derse-piece-for-the-vol))

    my [bed of rose’s/dreams of derse](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/bed-of-roses-dreams-of-derse-2) piece for the [vol 5 anthology project](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/)..! w a bit of flair. happy 413 yall

    <small>#this project turned out soooooo well thanks everyone. vol 5 is hands down best album</small>

    <i>Seagrot:</i> (alternate artworks)

    <img src="media/misc/bed-of-roses-dreams-of-derse-bonus1.gif" width="300">

    <img src="media/misc/bed-of-roses-dreams-of-derse-bonus2.gif" width="300">
---
Track: Skaian Flight
Artists:
- Kalibration
Duration: '1:30'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-flight-2
- https://youtu.be/1pXdGOSIvEs
Cover Artists:
- Aryll
Art Tags:
- John
- Skaia
- Gate
Referenced Tracks:
- Skaian Ride
Commentary: |-
    <i>Aryll:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://aryll.tumblr.com/post/159548324165/oh-hey-i-can-finally-post-this-i-had-the-honour))

    Oh hey, I can finally post this! I had the honour of doing track art for the amazing [Volume 5 Anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/). It’s a simple piece since I was super tight for time, but I like it. I hope you do too!

    And a happy 413, everyone!
---
Track: How Do I Live (Bunny Back in the Box Version)
Additional Names:
- How Do I Live - Bunny Back in the Box Version (earlier MSPA credit)
Artists:
- Michael Guy Bowman
Contributors:
- Nick Smalley (guitar solo)
Duration: '3:43'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/how-do-i-live-bunny-back-in-the-box-version-2
- https://youtu.be/gUHzNBepsJI
Cover Artists:
- copiko-art
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Jade
- Karkat
- Rabbit
- Consorts
Referenced Tracks:
- How Do I Live
Lyrics: |-
    How do I
    Get through one night without you?
    If I had to live without you
    What kind of life would that be?
    Oh, and I
    I need you in my arms, need you to hold
    You're my world, my heart, my soul
    If you ever leave
    Baby that would take away everything good in my life
    Without you
    There'd be no sun in my sky
    There'd be no love in my life
    There'd be no world left for me
    Oh, and I
    Baby I don't know what I would do
    I'd be lost if I lost you
    If you ever leave
    Baby that would take away everything that's real in my life
    And tell me now
    How do I live without you?
    I wanna know
    How do I breathe without you?
    If you ever go
    How will I ever, ever survive?
    (Nick Smalley on guitar, ladies and gentlemen!)
    (Yeah)
    (Play that shit!)
    (Mmm)
    (I hear ya, I hear you in here)
    (In my heart)
    (Mmm, so good on my eardrums)
    (Yeah)
    (You got that Telecaster twang)
    (Twangin' into my soul)
    (Alright now, let's bring it back here, now)
    (I need somethin' with a little soul)
    (Casey, take us there, bring it back!)
    (Alright, come on now!)
    And tell me now
    How do I live without you?
    I wanna know
    How do I breathe without you?
    If you ever go
    How will I ever, ever survive?
    (Oh, it's- it's done. Oh.)
Commentary: |-
    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, from [new Homestuck album!](https://web.archive.org/web/20100618035217/http://www.iambowman.com/), 06/13/2010)

    *(Continued from [[track:hardchorale]]!)*

    God knows this is the dumbest thing I've ever created (at least for MSPA). But maybe it's also the most awesome thing because of that? In the process of creating this, I ended up learning a lot about the recording process, but let me tell you, if I ever EVER have to perform this song again, I am officially dropping the key signature a few steps - this song stretched my range pretty dangerously and it shows. Fun fact: did you know [[artist:diane-warren|Dianne Warren]] also wrote [[track:i-dont-want-to-miss-a-thing-aerosmith|"Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"]] from Armageddon? She has like the best career ever, writing the cheesiest, most epic love songs ever for some of the most ridiculous action movies of all time.

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, from [Music and Stuff](https://web.archive.org/web/20110326020456/http://www.iambowman.com/music.html))

    *(Continued from [[Happy Cat Song!]] & [[Hardchorale]]!)*

    "How Do I Live" is, of course, about the stupidest thing I've ever made - I actually put a lot of work into it, retaking the vocals and guitar parts entirely before extending the song an extra verse. Nick's drunken air guitar solo remains intact, of course.

    *(Continued in [[Ruins (With Strings)]]!)*

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, Bowmantown Discord, excerpt, 7/29/2017)

    I put that recording on the forum and knew it was a little bit of a risk, because [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] didn't want to use tracks with vocals. But, I knew if anything would be the exception, this would probably be it.

    Also, [[artist:joseph-aylsworth|Joseph]], who recorded the guitar on [[track:harlequin-rock-version|harlequin]], was missing, and when I solicited an awesome guitar solo, Nick responded out of the blue… And was the only response… So I used that

    I don't think anyone's ever seen from Joseph again

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, [Michael Guy Bowman Talks About His Homestuck Music](https://youtu.be/85VXWZTg-vo?t=1011), adapted to text, 7/20/2024)

    How Do I Live was another glaring exception to the "no vocals" rule. I think that was another one where I knew it would make [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] laugh, so I went for it, even if it wasn't really what was called for. But, I knew that he had a special fascination with Con Air. I, on a whim, made the How Do I Live track, done, y'know, stupidly and sarcastically and with this idea that "I'll do it dumb just to do it," and... (laughs) I think I might have tried a little harder.

    And I realized, y'know, how far How Do I Live was going to go. As the cosplay and convention scene for the comic built up, we saw, y'know, videos of people showing up to places where Andrew was tabling, and singing at him. *(Caption in post: "please send me this if you can find it")* When they're performing it in large groups of people in costumes, I'm hearing the notes I sang come out, rather than the notes that were on the original recording, and that was, like... one of those surreal things where it was like, oh my god, I can't believe who this has reached! I could tell that Andrew hated having people sing at him. No regrets there, a lot of fun.
---
Track: Dupliblaze COMAGMA
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '2:24'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/dupliblaze-comagma-2
- https://youtu.be/YsG54QnsMLc
Cover Artists:
- Shoutloaf
Art Tags:
- Dave
- LoHaC
Referenced Tracks:
- Atomyk Ebonpyre
- Drop It Like It's Hot
- Beatdown (Strider Style)
Sampled Tracks:
- Drop It Like It's Hot
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by IronInvoker47 (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Dupiblaze COMAGMA - IronInvoker47 (piano).mid'
Lyrics: |-
    Ready

    Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot
    Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot
    Drop it like it's hot<br>Drop it like it's hot
Commentary: |-
    <i>Shoutloaf:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://shoutloaf.tumblr.com/post/159555360401))

    my piece for the [homestuck vol. 5 anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/)! vol. 5 is the only album without individual track art; until now ; ) the song i drew for is dupiblaze COMAGMA!

    make sure to check out everyone’s contributions, it was so fun to be part of this!
---
Track: Moonshatter
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '1:17'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/moonshatter-2
- https://youtu.be/pGgEeNu-WpY
Cover Artists:
- madragingven
Cover Art File Extension: jpg
Art Tags:
- Dave
Referenced Tracks:
- Harlequin
Commentary: |-
    <i>madragingven:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159979498444/madragingven-since-its-413-and-all-of-the))

    Since it’s 4/13 and all of the entries for the [Homestuck Vol. 5 Track Art Fan Anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/) are posted, I thought I’d put my piece up here.

    My track was [Moonshatter](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/moonshatter-2)!

    Mack sure you check out the other entries and happy 4/13!
---
Track: Sunsetter
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '1:32'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/sunsetter-2
- https://youtu.be/DooIE-BKSGo
Cover Artists:
- Raddical
Art Tags:
- Dave
- Earth
- 'cw: body horror (abstract)'
Referenced Tracks:
- Hawkeye
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Sunsetter - Unknown.mid'
---
Track: Lotus
Artists:
- Seth Peelle
Duration: '1:39'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/lotus-2
- https://youtu.be/yc32rRerfgc
Cover Artists:
- tea-rezi
Cover Art Dimensions: 2162x2130
Art Tags:
- Carapacians
- Lotus
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Piano score by infinityMechanism
  Files:
  - 'Lotus - infinityMechanism (piano score).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Lotus - Unknown.mid'
- Title: MIDI by Twix Stix (from Sburbmon)
  Files:
  - 'Lotus - Twix Stix.mid'
---
Track: Ruins (With Strings)
Artists:
- Erik Scheele
- Michael Guy Bowman
Duration: '3:09'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/ruins-with-strings-2
- https://youtu.be/j0vdgsVJGHQ
Cover Artists:
- ghostpressure
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Lotus
- Frog Temple
Referenced Tracks:
- track:ruins
- Sburban Jungle
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Piano score by Erik Scheele (original composer)
  Files:
  - 'Ruins (With Strings) - Erik Scheele.pdf'
- Title: Sheet music by EuniverseCat
  Files:
  - 'Ruins (With Strings) - EuniverseCat.pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Kieros (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Ruins (With Strings) - Kieros (piano).mid'
- Title: MIDI by Twix Stix (from Sburbmon)
  Files:
  - 'Ruins (With Strings) - Twix Stix.mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Erik Scheele:</i> (co-composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    This one is really hardly me, honest, it's all [[artist:michael-guy-bowman|Bowman]]. [[track:ruins|Ruins]] was this piano recording I'd put up back when I still hardly knew how to record anything, and then Bowman just went and added magic to it. And the piano track, that's just another one of those "improvisations out of nowhere", no real purpose or theory-thinking beforehand to delegate anything to it. Especially the descending-thirds, no way I could have just thought about that and been like "Yes that is a good thing to be doing", it was just spur of the moment thinking.

    <i>Erik Scheele:</i> (co-composer, [Tumblr](https://erikscheele.tumblr.com/post/21217208124/ruins), excerpt, 4/16/2012)

    [[track:ruins|Ruins]] was one of the first things I contributed to the music forum after getting on the team, a small improvisation based around descending seconds which was made back when I still had no idea how to record things properly. Since Earth was kind of a gigantic wasteland planet at that point (and it still is, today), I conceptually tied my recording in with that, and called it Ruins.

    Of course, I really doubt that Ruins would have gotten anywhere if it wasn't for [[artist:michael-guy-bowman|Bowman]], who pretty much surprised me sometime before Volume 5 with an updated version of my recording, which made the piano sound better and added a lot of other instruments to it, really adding a lot of depth and atmosphere to an otherwise-shoddy recording. And then, when Volume 5 came around, it was released as "Ruins (With Strings)", which is what you just heard [[flash:4825|in the update]]!

    I know I've got a better recording of Ruins kicking around here somewhere, I'll have to see if something can be done with it.

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (co-composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    Really it's the "(With Strings)" part that is my doing. When [[artist:erik-scheele|Jit]] was first inducted to the team, he did not have access at the time to a proper recording environment or midi controller that he could apply a high-quality piano sound to, so he had recorded his piano demo for [[track:ruins|"Ruins"]] on what I'm guessing is an on-board laptop microphone. I thought the composition was really great but knew that it would sound too unpolished to make the cut onto a Homestuck album, so I resolved to write a string accompaniment around his composition.

    By applying an incredibly enormous amount of reverb to the piano part, I hid the low fidelity of the original recording and made it sound as though it was hauntingly played to the listener from the other end of a cave. Given my lack of any truly convincing string samples, I chose instead to use deliberately mechanical strings, gently de-tuning them to sound a bit reminiscent of early string synthesizers, somewhat inspired by ["Crystal Japan"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AELO0h04P5k), a creepy instrumental by David Bowie.

    Some of the other elements of the ambiance (the wind, the really high notes that echo for a long time) I drew from the soundtrack to World of Goo, specifically the track ["Jelly"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qznYSE7J4ZQ) which I noticed bore a strong resemblance tonally to Jit's composition. To seal the melancholy, I doubled the piano melody on guitar using a very cool, muted sound with a lot of echoes and pitch bends. I signed the tune by adding a cadence from [[track:sburban-jungle|"Sburban Jungle"]] at the very end.

    Really, the track should probably be listed simply as "Ruins" if not for the fact that there is not official piano rendition of the piece. I think it would be really cool to hear such a version of the tune if Jit ever found himself recording material in a studio again (as he did for [[artist:james-dever|James's]] piano suite [[album:sburb|Sburb]]).
    
    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (from [new Homestuck album!](https://web.archive.org/web/20100618035217/http://www.iambowman.com/), 06/13/2010)

    *(Continued from [[track:how-do-i-live-bunny-back-in-the-box-version]]!)*

    Erik's piano piece [[track:ruins]] was one of those tracks where I just kind of went browsing the forum, looking for somethign to contributed to, and lo and behold it showed up. It was a very evocative piano piece despite being recorded without any particular wealth of gear. Either way, I chose sort of a synth-ish, distant string sound and a couple of other tricks (there are two guitar parts buried in that arrangement) in order to compliment the ambient noise from his recording and stuck in a reference to [[Sburban Jungle]] at the end for good measure. The effect is satisfyingly ambient and I can imagine listening to it while driving a long distance on a rainy day.

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (from [Music and Stuff](https://web.archive.org/web/20110326020456/http://www.iambowman.com/music.html))
    "Ruins" by Jit was fun to arrange - did that one pretty much on a whim, hoping to imitate the quality of the World of Goo soundtrack.

    *(Continued in [[Greenhouse]]!)*
    
    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> ([Michael Guy Bowman Talks About His Homestuck Music](https://youtu.be/85VXWZTg-vo?t=1139), adapted to text, 7/20/2024)

    I also arranged strings for a piece by Erik Scheele, which was called "Ruins". He had submitted [[track:ruins|Ruins]] to the forum, and I said, well, here's my, you know, decoration - my production on top of it, I said, this is Ruins *with strings,* and for whatever reason it was just published on the album as as, you know, "Ruins" - in parentheses - "(With Strings)". Which, I was just like, *yeah,* it's really just Ruins... but you know... whatever. And I like that it had that Myst-like interactive element that went with it. That felt like something that touched home for me. I'm already a big Myst fan, and I would have loved to be somebody making music for Cyan, and so it was sort of a fulfilment of that dream.

    <i>ghostpressure:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://ghostpressure.tumblr.com/post/159560433261/my-contribution-for-the-volume-5-anthology-ruins))

    my contribution for the volume 5 anthology, ruins with strings, plus sketches for Drama. this was fun and everyones stuff turned out so great its a really good collection!!

    <small>#that i cant @ bc mobile!! #i don't plan shit so this was like.. ok!!</small>

    <i>ghostpressure:</i> (art anthology WIPs)

    <img src="media/misc/ruins-with-strings-wip1.png" width="300">

    <img src="media/misc/ruins-with-strings-wip2.png" width="300">
---
Track: Ectobiology
Artists:
- David Ko
Duration: '1:39'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/ectobiology-2
- https://youtu.be/3dS73kM5EIE
Cover Artists:
- Kirvia
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Jade
- Dave
- John's dad
- Cats
- Squiddles
- Rabbit
- Lil Cal
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Putnam (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Ectobiology - Putnam (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Kirvia:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/160134003103/kirvia-this-was-my-piece-for-vol5anthology-my))

    this was my piece for @vol5anthology; my song was Ectobiology. please consider checking it out as it has 64 more wonderful pieces by talented artists! happy 413!
---
Track: Upholding the Law
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
Duration: '1:44'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/upholding-the-law-2
- https://youtu.be/xrKUOCR55sA
Cover Artists:
- vorpos
Art Tags:
- AR
- Frog Temple
- Ruined Earth
Commentary: |-
    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://albatrossthesoup.tumblr.com/post/20545830112/my-vol-5-music-commentary), excerpt)

    I consider this an important piece to myself, but not to Homestuck music in general. Actually, it’s probably the lowest quality thing I have ever released as Homestuck music. It’s just sloppy. But there’s a bit more to it than that, and that lies in its instrumentation. This was the first piece I ever composed where I explored colorful and playful orchestration. The xylophone and pizzicato strings that I was playing around with would become my bread and butter a couple years later. I’m not currently known among the Homestuck musicians as being an orchestral composer, but I’ve reached the point where there’s nothing I like composing more than fully orchestrated pieces. At least as far as soundtrack music goes. And not just fully orchestrated either, there’s a certain sense of color I love exploring and I like making lighter sounds despite using a bigger and more imposing ensemble. I haven’t released anything that showcases that yet, but I definitely will be in the future, so I think that’s something to be excited about.

    <i>vorpos:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vorpos.tumblr.com/post/159546278177/i-finally-get-to-upload-this-now-heres-my-piece))

    i finally get to upload this now! here’s my piece for Upholding the Law, which can be found in the @vol5anthology!!

    happy 413, everyone, and make sure to check out the other amazing track art by all the wonderful fantastic artists!!
---
Track: Underworld
Artists:
- Steve Everson
Duration: '2:25'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/underworld-2
- https://youtu.be/TzVrxUlBYOA
Cover Artists:
- Koukouvayia
Art Tags:
- John
- Tumor
Commentary: |-
    <i>Steve Everson:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/tenebrais/19896197965/could-you-do-some-commentary-on-your-homestuck), excerpt)

    My other favourite from Volume 5. It started life as a theme for the Aimless Renegade, inspired by a [[track:desperado|"Desperado"]] theme which I believe was written by [[artist:bill-bolin|Bolin]] back when he was still part of the team. I wasn't really running on any particular goal of contributing so much as liking the style and wanting to make something similar. Imagine the piece as it is now played by some sort of mariachi band and you might have the right idea of what it originally sounded like. Naturally, it didn't quite fit. I liked the melody but it just wasn't working for the whole desert hero thing. So I flipped through my library of voices (small though it was back then) and came across the more electronic one that plays the melody now. I re-tooled the accompaniment to fit, and it became a piece that I always considered a theme for Derse. Hence its title.

    <i>Koukouvayia:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://koukouvayia.tumblr.com/post/159549489998/happy-413-heres-the-full-version-of-the-thing-i))

    Happy 4/13, here’s the full version of the thing I did for the Volume 5 anthology project! I was assigned the song Underworld.

    <small>#this was tricky because the song has no leitmotifs so i had to figure out what underworld might have meant #i thought the closest thing would be when john travels to the center of the skaian battlefield to retrieve The Tumor</small>
---
Track: Crystamanthequins
Artists:
- Erik Scheele
Duration: '3:10'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/crystamanthequins-2
- https://youtu.be/9YhdlvBqG5w
Cover Artists:
- Jenny
Cover Art Dimensions: 1500x1495
Art Tags:
- Aradia
- Terezi
- Vriska
Referenced Tracks:
- Crystalanthemums
- Mannequin
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Piano score by adamus
  Files:
  - 'Crystamanthequins - adamus (piano score).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Crystamanthequins - Unknown.mid'
- Title: MIDI by adamus (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Crystamanthequins - adamus (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Erik Scheele:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    Probably the thing I'm best-known for off of Volume 5, which is slightly ironic given how rushed it was. No kidding, I finished it up the night that [[artist:andrew-hussie|Hussie]] was rounding up tracks to go through, and threw it in as a last-minute thing, "hey I just finished this can it go in??" deal. I mean, I'd had inspiration for it earlier, but never got around to making it until it was almost too late!

    Yeah, this one definitely had inspiration. To answer a quick question you might have though, no, I didn't know about the trolls beforehand, or what Hussie was going to do with the music. I didn't even find out until [[artist:alex-rosetti|Albatross Soup]] told me about it, a few weeks before it happened. Moreso, the inspiration came from a sudden image I had one night during the summer, in which Jade's planet, at that time unknown, was highly unstable, and Noir had purposefully upset the balance in order to try and destroy her planet. So the entire first bit is her trying to save her inhabitants, while Crystalanthemums plays. The reason for having that motif, well, I'd had this very strong feeling that it should be Jade's planet theme. So, it got used.

    (The mental images of one of the kid's planets getting broken/torn apart like I'd imagined still give me the shivers. I still love Hussie so much for creating a villain that actually did something upon gaining obscene amounts of power; rather than just retreating and launching some master plan, he actually went around and started doing shit with his powers. Not something you even really see in Hollywood villains nowadays, far as I know. The protagonists and antagonists are always very separated, no interaction between one or the other, nothing like what Noir does. At least, that was my experience at the time.)

    As for the second bit, well, I'd wanted to make an "industrial, heavy action, stuff going to shit" remix of Perrybob's [[track:mannequin|Mannequin]] for quite some time, and it seemed to fit to transition over to that. In my head, the action was going to shift from Jade's planet to LOHAC, where unspecific action was going to take place. I really don't think I gave the Mannequin section enough time to develop, or really do much, but time constraints dictated I give the music over to the volume 5 collaborative -right then and there-, so it had to be cut off. Mannequin's really great, though, you should give it [a listen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAyPFa3nEK4&feature=youtu.be).

    Also, as a sidenote, my like for Beck is rather shown in this piece, as is evidenced by my direct attempt to semi-recreate main beat in [Replica](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwSzYOiCinc) to transition between the two sections. #MUSICSECRETSSSSSSSS
---
Track: Endless Climbing
Artists:
- Perry Sullivan
Duration: '2:12'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/endless-climbing-2
- https://youtu.be/zBh8V5EonSs
Cover Artists:
- allyssinian
Art Tags:
- Rose
- LoLaR
Referenced Tracks:
- Endless Climb
---
Track: Land of the Salamanders
Artists:
- David Ko
Duration: '1:44'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/land-of-the-salamanders-2
- https://youtu.be/bfKXw-kSnq8
Cover Artists:
- Kisbys
Art Tags:
- John
- Consorts
- LoWaS
Referenced Tracks:
- Doctor
- Sburban Jungle
- Showtime (Original Mix)
- Dissension (Remix)
- Aggrieve
- Vagabounce
Commentary: |-
    <i>Kisbys:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://clock-heart.tumblr.com/post/159537592103/kisbys-heres-the-piece-i-made-for))

    here’s the piece i made for @vol5anthology !! my song was [land of the salamanders](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/land-of-the-salamanders-2)! all the other artists did a wonderful job with their track art and i recommend checking out the blog to see the other fantastic pieces!
---
Track: Medical Emergency
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
Duration: '2:08'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/medical-emergency-2
- https://youtu.be/aCci9GxbsSM
Cover Artists:
- Nolvini
Art Tags:
- John
- 'cw: blood'
Referenced Tracks:
- Savior of the Waking World
Commentary: |-
    <i>Alex Rosetti:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://albatrossthesoup.tumblr.com/post/20545830112/my-vol-5-music-commentary), excerpt)

    [[artist:toby-fox|Radiation]] gave me a MIDI of [[Savior of the Waking World]] to remix shortly before he figured out how to do it himself. It’s based on a prototype of that song and goes in a completely different direction, complete with a cheesy electric guitar synth. I think the opening ended up sounding really cool, but the rest of it just sounds kind of dumb in its execution, not that the material itself isn’t good.

    <i>Nolvini:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://nolvini.tumblr.com/post/159613597019/my-piece-created-for-the-vol5anthology-the-song))

    My piece created for the @vol5anthology!<br>
    The song I had was [Medical Emergency](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/medical-emergency-2)<br>
    [Everyone did such an amazing job, I’m glad to have been able to participate in this!!](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/participants)

    <small>#holy shit!!! #everyone was so good #i felt embarassed hah #i'm glad i got chosen even tho i was a runner up #i felt honored ;u; #props to everyone #please check them out ahhhhhhh</small>
---
Track: Shatterface
Artists:
- SolusLunes
Duration: '2:37'
URLs:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJQJbjvZXfo
Commentary: |-
    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds description](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/286756))

    oh god how did this get here i am not good with dnb

    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds comments](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/286756))

    > its not really DnB
    >
    > It would make a nice hiphop track if you slowed it down a little and turned down the synth. I like the panning of the drums although the pan on that beepy synth was unnecessary.
    >
    > Overall its a pretty good song but definately not DnB.

    I have NO IDEA what to call it. Really.

    ffs I need my own genres.

    Also, "that beepy synth" was actually three seperate synths, one panned left, one right, and one centered. :D

    > Nice!!
    >
    > Its not DnB but sounds good like 8bit style good work! I like it!

    I never know how to categorize my songs. They're normally very strange and don't fit particularly well into a genre.

    > <i>(Box-Killa:)</i> I think I might actually give you a proper review, just to let you know that I am actually not some dumb ass who can just midi rip. But anyway lol...
    >
    > This is definitely not drum and bass, but I can sort of tell you were going for it. Possibly something techno or experimental/misc? I suppose everyone is better at different things. Like for instance, I know you can create some really good melodies and bass lines. You also have some nice structure and arrangement with your songs in general.
    >
    > I suppose on the modern sort of effects/repetitive/all that sort of stuff, isn't where your skills really lye. Not to say you can't create some really awesome sounding synths.
    >
    > For starters this is way to slow for any sort of dnb association, second of all the bass doesn't really sound all that drum and bass like.
    >
    > You should be able to take away all other instruments except for the drums and the bass and it should still sound awesome. Really, the sound of the bass and the high speed flowing drums is what gives a dnb song a dnb feel, in my opinion any who.
    >
    > This has a real nice melody to it and some really nice alternating drum patterns and it is a good song but it isn't that catchy and doesn't excite any strong emotions. Take a Paragonx9 song for instance. It does have some strong drum arrangements and usually a kick ass reese bass, but it also has some kick ass video game type melodies. It has building up and climax's and all that sort of stuff.
    >
    > This song on the other hand, compared with "she" for instance, doesn't have much going for it. Maybe you could have at least sped it up for some sort of climax, or taken away the drums for a while, for some sort of breakdown.
    >
    > Well I am no master of dnb but I hope I helped you out :D

    lulz, I know you're not just "some dumbass who can midi rip", I mean, srsly, the Synthesis remix made me lol harder than most anything ever :D

    I've listened to your music (ninja listening ftw!) and you're probably better than I am.

    But yes, I was going for DnB- it's something I've never done before, I kind of did no research at all, it was effectively "RAWR LET'S DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS".

    Sounds like how I write most of my music.

    But yes! You have helped me! For I intend to continue writing... um... whatever this is... and possibly getting closer to actual DnB!

    That kinda seems to be my main problem- I can't do mainstream, no matter how hard I try to. And goddamn, I do try. :p

    (Also please note that the description was only a semi-joke. I really have no idea how this got here.)

    > Grood
    >
    > I saw the ad on MSPA! The song is awesome and fitting for Homestuck!
    >
    > But couldn't you just have PM'd the guy on the forums rather than spending actual real money for real on an ad? :S
    >
    > Also it isn't really D&B but this is a good thing in my opinion

    I'm not going to say anything at the moment, but the ad accomplished exactly what I wanted it to :D

    > Nice, Nice...
    >
    > What's up with haxxing your way into MSPA?<br>
    > Really though, it's a good song, and the ad was funny. You should listen to the works of HalcyonFalconX, you know, the one who did the music for Epic Battle Fantasy?

    I thought it'd be hilarious.

    And you know, at one point, HFX and I had a collab kind of going. That thing kind of died abortively, and we should finish that. It'd be epic.

    > And now I can see Dave jumping on the rooftops slicing imps... D:

    YES

    YES YOU CAN

    THAT WAS MY EXACT MENTAL PICTURE
---
Track: Clockwork Contrivance
Artists:
- Clark Powell
Duration: '4:33'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/clockwork-contrivance-2
- https://youtu.be/b3VZo6aQyoc
Cover Artists:
- Ghostcrebs
Art Tags:
- Dave
- LoWaS
- 'cw: blood'
Referenced Tracks:
- Clockwork Melody
---
Track: Get Up
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '1:18'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/get-up-2
- https://youtu.be/RG-gwMm7vcg
Cover Artists:
- reinardfox
Art Tags:
- John
Referenced Tracks:
- Penumbra Phantasm
- Doctor
---
Track: Vertical Motion
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '1:32'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/vertical-motion-2
- https://youtu.be/RCMpwY8pirw
Cover Artists:
- inariijane
Art Tags:
- Rose
- Gate
- LoLaR
Referenced Tracks:
- Endless Climb
Commentary: |-
    <i>inariijane:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/159913568451/inariijane-this-was-my-piece-for-the-volume-5-fan))

    This was my piece for the volume 5 fan anthology for the rad song vertical motion! Happy 413!!
---
Track: The Beginning of Something Really Excellent
Artists:
- Robert J! Lake
Duration: '5:27'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/the-beginning-of-something-really-excellent-2
- https://youtu.be/h23WFhv2Sms
Cover Artists:
- a-vodka-mutini
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Prospit
---
Track: Pyrocumulus (Kickstart)
Artists:
- Robert J! Lake
Duration: '3:02'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/pyrocumulus-kickstart-2
- https://youtu.be/KYc4reXiKfE
Cover Artists:
- thespacemaid
Art Tags:
- John
Referenced Tracks:
- Skaian Skuffle
---
Track: Skaian Skuffle
Artists:
- Andrew Huo
Duration: '2:11'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-skuffle-2
- https://youtu.be/P0Es-6hSihA
Cover Artists:
- innocuoussketches
Art Tags:
- WV
- Jack Noir
- Carapacians
- Battlefield
Referenced Tracks:
- Skies of Skaia
Commentary: |-
    <i>Andrew Huo:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    Skaian Skuffle was made with the intent of turning [[Skies of Skaia]] into a battle theme. The bass progression matches Skies of Skaia's, with more bounce to it, and the melody of Skies of Skaia was quantified/simplified into a repeating motif. It was mostly composed by feel the rest of the way. I actually had writer's block for a while after I reached about 1:02, and it never really got resolved, which is why 1:21 onwards feels kinda awkward and not so great. I kinda wish I could go back and redo it so it sounds better. But what [[artist:toby-fox|Radiation]] did with it turning it into [[Skaian Skirmish]] worked really well. There was some vague artistic direction from [[artist:andrew-hussie|the Big Man]] that helped with this a little bit. If I remember correctly, it was something along the lines of "okay, maybe you can bring it down a bit in the middle, then ramp it up for the big finish." So I tried to do that using a new bassline, using wandering skips of third and fourth rather than downwise step in an attempt to mirror Skies of Skaia's original melody, as well as scrambling the repeating sixteenth note motif based on the original melody. Like I said, though, I would say it worked out awkwardly rather than well. It does create a certain mood, which, like I said, Radiation capitalized on. Whoops, I just repeated myself, but in more detail the second time. What's that called in literary device terms? Amplification? Yeah, let's go with that.

    <i>innocuoussketches:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://innocuoussketches.tumblr.com/post/159539323467/heres-my-piece-from-the-vol-5-anthology-fan))

    Here’s my piece from the [Vol. 5 Anthology fan project](http://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/) and illustrated art for the track [Skaian Skuffle](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/skaian-skuffle-2).  You should check out all of the art from the project because it’s really gorgeous!
---
Track: Throwdown
Artists:
- Steve Everson
Duration: '1:36'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/throwdown-2
- https://youtu.be/pe-4Gsc6TMI
Cover Artists:
- Gene
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
Commentary: |-
    <i>Steve Everson:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/tenebrais/22073497978/ooo-commentaries-could-you-give-some-commentary), excerpt)

    Man, this track goes way back. I'm talking years. One of my really early midi compositions. It sounded like the coolest shit when I was 14. It's practically unchanged besides being synthesised with non-midi voices. Same instruments and all.

    It's got a bit more of an... ironic appeal to it now. Still sounds pretty cool though

    <i>Gene:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://trainwreckgenerator.tumblr.com/post/159539420619))

    the piece i did for Throwdown for the @vol5anthology hell yeah hell yeah
---
Track: Darkened
Artists:
- SolusLunes
Duration: '2:37'
URLs:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPttUUIpuNE
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by IronInvoker47 (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Darkened - IronInvoker47 (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds description](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/235775))

    Those of you that have come here seeking mainstream are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off track here.
---
Track: Valhalla
Artists:
- Kalibration
Duration: '3:06'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/valhalla-2
- https://youtu.be/fPKk7ZAvbbk
Cover Artists:
- Alina James
Cover Art File Extension: jpg
Art Tags:
- Jack Noir
- The Felt
- Felt Manor
- 'cw: blood'
---
Track: Amphibious Subterrain
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '1:40'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/amphibious-subterrain-2
- https://youtu.be/b1fKvjP5ego
Cover Artists:
- dazed-squid
Art Tags:
- Consorts
- LoWaS
---
Track: Light
Suffix Directory: true
Artists:
- Erik Scheele
Duration: '4:27'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/light-3
- https://youtu.be/dmJDWAQSQBs
Cover Artists:
- allyssinian
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
- Earth
Referenced Tracks:
- Showtime (Piano Refrain)
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Dohmb
  Files:
  - 'Light - Dohmb.mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Erik Scheele:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    This one, man. Not really as well-known as the other three, I don't think, but I'm still happy with various aspects of it. Not really any specific inspiration, I just started out with the thought of wanting to make a contrasting piece to [[Black]]. Especially with the opening piano line, but overall, something more pure and light. Of course, by the time I got around to finishing it, [[artist:toby-fox|Radiation]] had already stolen the title [[track:white|"White"]], so I called mine "Light" instead.

    About the middle section, I think that needs a bit of talk about it. I'd just been talking with a friend about Homestuck, telling him about the numerical motif 413, and telling him various examples, and he went and said "Yeah, that could be a chord progression too", and I was like "whooooooooooooooooah". So I used it as a chord progression. For the first while, though, I had this dual guitar line instead of [[track:showtime-piano-refrain|Showtime]], and it was sorta eeeeenh and I didn't know where to go from there. It sat for a while, then suddenly one day in church I was like "oh holy shit showtime would work so well in there". It was like suddenly remembering you left a cake in the oven on 500 degrees for the last two nights, that sort of realization. So it went in, and it worked much better than the stupid two-guitar thing.

    413 as a motif, I've used it in various ways. Not saying anything, though, not even sure about spoiling its use in Light. If you ever analyze various bits of music, though, you might notice it popping up, or other little fun bits. That's all I've got to say about that.
---
Track: Softly
Artists:
- Robert J! Lake
Duration: '3:04'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/softly-2
- https://youtu.be/h8AOosBD-fA
Cover Artists:
- Mika B.
- Rune
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Becquerel
- Earth
- Frog Temple
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Softly - Unknown.mid'
---
Track: Greenhouse
Artists:
- Michael Guy Bowman
Duration: '2:50'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/greenhouse-2
- https://youtu.be/QZlsdtFRPWc
Cover Artists:
- creepyknees
Art Tags:
- Jade
- Squiddles
- Earth
Commentary: |-
    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, from [new Homestuck album!](https://web.archive.org/web/20100618035217/http://www.iambowman.com/), 06/13/2010)

    *(Continued from [[Ruins (With Strings)]]!)*

    Greenhouse ended up being an exercise in what I could do with a handful of new pieces of equipment. Having acquired [[artist:tavia-morra|Tavia's]] old, barely used electric guitar and keyboard, this is the first composition I've really gotten to do a lot of recording for instead of just point and click sequencing. When I listen to this song, I imagine this is what Jade hears every time she starts her computer. Which would be a good song to write!

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, from [Music and Stuff](https://web.archive.org/web/20110326020456/http://www.iambowman.com/music.html))

    *(Continued from [[Ruins (With Strings)]]!)*

    "Greenhouse", of course, is the easy winner amongst the tracks I contributed. I think the spontaneity is what makes it really work - I just wrote it as I recorded each little piece.

    <i>Michael Guy Bowman:</i> (composer, [Michael Guy Bowman Talks About His Homestuck Music](https://youtu.be/85VXWZTg-vo?t=1129), adapted to text, 7/20/2024)

    Homestuck Volume 5, I did Greenhouse, which was dedicated to the location that Jade Harley lived in.

    <i>creepyknees:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://creepyknees.tumblr.com/post/159546453749/a-testament-to-jades-living-space-my-piece-in))

    > *“a testament to jade’s living space”*

    my piece in the [homestuck vol. 5 fan anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/), for the song [greenhouse](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeyH3RkQFpk)!

    <small>#my daughter jade harley whom keeps loaded pistols lying around next to her tricked out tamagotchis #her carpet is full of crumbs of pure uranium</small>
---
Track: Space Prankster
Artists:
- David Ko
Duration: 0:50
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/space-prankster-2
- https://youtu.be/Vho9Rgk2kHQ
Cover Artists:
- kindergraph
Art Tags:
- John
Commentary: |-
    <i>kindergraph:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/kindergraph/159546407960/here-is-my-contribution-for-the-vol5anthology))

    here is my contribution for the @vol5anthology homestuck fan project!! i did track 52, [space prankster](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/space-prankster-2)! i had SO much fun drawing this and there were so many incredibly talented artists working on the anthology and everything came out looking so good ;___; HAPPY 4/13 EVERYBODY I LOVE HOMESTUCK
---
Track: Ecstasy
Artists:
- Steve Everson
Duration: '2:48'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/ecstasy-2
- https://youtu.be/JKBuMqKSu68
Cover Artists:
- aranciart
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
- Cats
- LoFaF
- LoLaR
- LoHaC
- LoWaS
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by IronInvoker47 (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Ecstasy - IronInvoker47 (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Steve Everson:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/tenebrais/19896197965/could-you-do-some-commentary-on-your-homestuck), excerpt)

    Probably remains my favourite of my pieces, while also being one of the ones with the least real thought put into it. The whole thing was written more or less on the fly. The chord pattern is one that I'd liked for several months, possibly even a year or two, without ever having come up with something good enough to write to it. Then, one evening while I was in the shower (all of my best ideas come from the shower) my mind pulled together a half-remembered bassline from an obscure-ish Sonic the Hedgehog game and a brief snippet from an old quiz show called Catchphrase, and strung them into the main harmonies of the piece. From there I just lay an improvised piano melody on top.

    When I presented it to the music team it was pretty well-received, and with some of their guidance the whole piece ended up pretty polished.
---
Track: Snow Pollen
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '2:10'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/snow-pollen-2
- https://youtu.be/xFTuVM3nACY
Cover Artists:
- Rozenn-blog
Art Tags:
- Jade
- LoFaF
Referenced Tracks:
- Lotus
---
Track: Endless Heart
Artists:
- SolusLunes
Duration: '6:43'
URLs:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CrsS_rwjYI
Referenced Tracks:
- Heart of the Creator
---
Track: Candles and Clockwork
Artists:
- James Dever
Duration: '2:34'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/candles-and-clockwork-2
- https://youtu.be/gTNWsk3dKqc
Cover Artists:
- Quibbs
Art Tags:
- Dave
- 'cw: corpses (abstract)'
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Sheet music by Veritas Unae
  Files:
  - 'Candles and Clockwork - Veritas Unae.pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Candles and Clockwork - Unknown.mid'
---
Track: Can Town
Artists:
- Alex Rosetti
Duration: '1:40'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/can-town-2
- https://youtu.be/-BP2X5opz4M
Cover Artists:
- taqibun
Art Tags:
- WV
- Serenity
- Can Town
Commentary: |-
    <i>taqibun:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/160078120033/taqibun-my-contribution-to-vol5anthology-i))

    My contribution to @vol5anthology !

    I am glad to participate in it and everyones pieces there turned out amazing
---
Track: Plague Doctor
Artists:
- Steve Everson
Duration: '1:13'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/plague-doctor-2
- https://youtu.be/SnVdIDSx5-I
Cover Artists:
- ghostecutioner
Art Tags:
- John
- Tumor
- Prospit
- Derse
Referenced Tracks:
- Doctor
Cover Art File Extension: jpg
Commentary: |-
    <i>Steve Everson:</i> (composer, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/tenebrais/22073497978/ooo-commentaries-could-you-give-some-commentary), excerpt)

    I'm sure you all know the story behind the [[Doctor]] remixes. During the Intermission [[artist:andrew-hussie|Andrew]] wanted a remix of that [[flash:3079|to use for LOWAS]] and everyone jumped at the chance. This was my contribution. It's a pretty straight transcription to different instruments. Nowadays I find that a little disappointing. I started writing a new version not long ago; maybe one day I'll finish it and post it here.
---
Track: Enlightenment
Artists:
- Steve Everson
Duration: '1:15'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/enlightenment-2
- https://youtu.be/h0UVwLDYneI
Cover Artists:
- Sigourney Martin
Cover Art Dimensions: 1000x1001
Art Tags:
- John
- Gate
- LoLaR
Referenced Tracks:
- Aggrieve
- Endless Climb
---
Track: Doctor Remix
Artists:
- Gabriel Nezovic
Duration: 0:58
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/doctor-remix-2
- https://youtu.be/EhVwra6X4B0
Cover Artists:
- imflare
Art Tags:
- John
- Horrorterrors
- LoWaS
- 'cw: blood'
- 'cw: corpse'
Referenced Tracks:
- Doctor
Commentary: |-
    <i>imflare:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/imflare/159914301809/i-had-the-honour-of-participating-in-the))

    I had the honour of participating in the @vol5anthology fan project, and i got to illustrate the track ‘Doctor Remix’!! here is my piece, and please check out everyone else’s contributions too!
---
Track: Biophosphoradelecrystalluminescence
Artists:
- Robert J! Lake
Duration: '3:39'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/biophosphoradelecrystalluminescence-2
- https://youtu.be/R6H0bLgRNpo
Cover Artists:
- the-nothing-maker
Art Tags:
- Jade
Commentary: |-
    <i>the-nothing-maker:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/160030220119/the-nothing-maker-this-is-the-drawing-i-did-for))

    This is the drawing I did for the track Biophosphoradelcrystalluminescence of HS Album 5 !! I’m still so proud to have been selected ahah ^^ Check the wonderful covers that people made on @vol5anthology !! Happy 4/13 !

    <i>the-nothing-maker:</i> (full-size anthology artwork)

    <img src="media/misc/biophosphoradelecrystalluminescence-bonus.jpg" width="275">
---
Track: Switchback
Artists:
- SolusLunes
- Buoyant
Duration: '4:48'
URLs:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWShvBb3Zwo
Commentary: |-
    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds description](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/229170))

    Awesomesauce collaberation between [[artist:buoyant|SBB]] and I.

    Five it because it's awesome.

    <i>Buoyant:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds comment](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/229170))

    yes

    The wang-bing is misplaced in relation to the third yogga of the xomp-gong, that must be fixed, other than that it's probably the best song ever made.

    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds comment](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/229170))

    Well goddamn, I'm pretty sure the third yogga was what you were responsible for.

    <i>nightsurfer:</i> ([Newgrounds comment](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/229170))

    Well obviously i fived it!

    That was awesome! It started off nice and ambient. Whatever that piano sounding thing was... it was pretty awesome. I wasnt expecting such a beat, even though the genre is techno. With the ambient feel it had at the beginning, it surprised me a bit. I love 3:27 though, that was really awesome. The main melody went very nicely with the rest of the song. I liked how it wavered (maybe need a different word?) at times.

    So, basically, an awesome song. Everything fit very nicely. 10/10 and 5/5!

    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds comment](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/229170))

    That synth and melody is SBB's awesome brainchild.

    I totally love it.
---
Track: Song of Life
Artists:
- Steve Everson
Duration: '2:09'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/song-of-life-2
- https://youtu.be/L6IjePPeB0E
Cover Artists:
- arosoup
Art Tags:
- Jade
Commentary: |-
    <i>arosoup:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com/post/160150012524/arosoup-this-is-my-art-for-the-vol-5-anthology))

    This is my art for the [Vol 5 anthology](https://vol5anthology.tumblr.com)!! This art is specifically for [Song of Life.](https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/song-of-life-2) Everyone was super nice and it was real fun animating some art for the video!! Have a happy rest of the week everybody I’ve been too lazy to post this on 4/13.
---
Track: Cathedral of the End
Artists:
- SolusLunes
Duration: '2:02'
URLs:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ipyUF_7yWA
Commentary: |-
    <i>SolusLunes:</i> (composer, [Newgrounds description](https://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/310155))

    An epic ambient piece.

    Perfect for the end of the world.

    Also FEEL THE TIMPANI
---
Track: Descend
Artists:
- Toby Fox
Duration: '4:25'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/descend-2
- https://youtu.be/HE1JZZYUZYM
Cover Artists:
- queenoftheantz
Art Tags:
- John
- Jade
- Jack Noir
- Skaia
Referenced Tracks:
- Upward Movement (Dave Owns)
- Sburban Jungle
- Beatdown (Strider Style)
- Mutiny
- Skies of Skaia
- Showtime (Original Mix)
- Aggrieve
- track:jackknive
- track:liquid-negrocity
- track:guardian
- Harlequin
- Explore
- Chorale for Jaspers
- track:underworld
- track:three-in-the-morning
- track:non-compos-mentis
- track:pumpkin-cravings
- Vagabounce
- track:skaian-skuffle
- Doctor
- Penumbra Phantasm
- Endless Climb
- Atomyk Ebonpyre
- track:lotus
- track:problem-sleuth-theme
- track:dirgeish
- track:fear-of-the-heavens
Sheet Music Files:
- Title: Sheet music by EuniverseCat
  Files:
  - 'Descend - EuniverseCat.pdf'
- Title: Piano score by Kurama101
  Files:
  - 'Descend - Kurama101 (piano score).pdf'
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by cookiefonster
  Files:
  - 'Descend - cookiefonster.mid'
- Title: MIDI by garret866 (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Descend - garret866 (piano).mid'
- Title: MIDI by Kurama101 (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Descend - Kurama101 (piano).mid'
- Title: MIDI by Max Wright (piano)
  Files:
  - 'Descend - Max Wright (piano).mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Toby Fox:</i> (composer)

    No one asked, I just wanted to make... THE ULTIMATE SONG... COMBINING EVERYTHING... (obviously I could do better now but it was a pretty cool thing)

    Fun fact: It was originally called "Ascend."

    <i>queenoftheantz:</i> (anthology artist, [Tumblr](https://queenoftheantz.tumblr.com/post/159914402779/here-is-my-piece-for-the-vol5anthology-i-got-to))

    Here is my piece for the @vol5anthology!

    I got to do the cover for Descend which is and AMAZING song, so lets just say I was more than happy!

    <small>#before any confusion #its a solely fan based thing not official homestuck track art #just a fan thing since vol 5 doesnt have art</small>
---
Track: Homestuck
Artists:
- Mark J. Hadley
Duration: '2:27'
URLs:
- https://homestuck.bandcamp.com/track/homestuck-2
- https://youtu.be/FUwG73ATI7k
Cover Artists:
- Snilm
Art Tags:
- John
- Rose
- Dave
- Jade
- Squiddles
- Earth
Referenced Tracks:
- Homestuck Anthem
MIDI Project Files:
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Homestuck - Unknown A.mid'
- Title: MIDI by Unknown
  Files:
  - 'Homestuck - Unknown B.mid'
Commentary: |-
    <i>Mark J. Hadley:</i> (composer, via [early commentary collection](https://hsmusic.wiki/media/misc/commentary-collection.txt))

    [[artist:clark-powell|Plazmataz]] came up with [[track:homestuck-anthem|a melody]] to use as an anthem for Homestuck, which she then used in Homestuck Anthem. While that was a very driving melody, I opted to come up with something that might be more suitable for credits (opening or end) or a title screen. I really like how this came out; it sounds a bit moody, but still optimistic, which is what I was aiming for.