Aurora Borealis (esp_-_aurora_borealis.xm)

Overall Impression (7/10)

The name doesn't say it all.I was somehow expecting a moody and slow tune when I read the name.
Reminds me alot of a christmas carrol or something written for Sega Megadrive (as I mentioned before).Or it ould have worked out perfectly in a game with cute and cuddly enemies that empties you cute heartshaped energy-bar by throwing cotton-clouds on you.
It's a nice tune anyway and works quite nicely in the background.But not as a tune that you play just to get some kicks out of it.

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (5/10)

I don't know if theres so much to say about it.No big surprises when you check the tracking.But I guess that is not needed either.The arrangement is nice and keeps a constant flow without getting uninteresting.
The big surprise for me is that the tune is 1.7mb big!!! Is he using 96khz samples?It sounds like a 80k tune.......not 1.7mb.
The samples are very clean though,but could have been edited better because it causes some clicks in when I play it.....maybe my computer that messes it up ,but anyway.

Development (6/10)

A quite straightforward tune starts slowly and comfortable and stays that way all through.But it never get boring.Towards the end of the song there's a small
break with some "orchestral" stuff that is quite nice too.
No big twists or turns but just as well a nice song that can keep you occupied for a while.

Creativity (7/10)

The composer seems to have put a bit of both mind and heart into this one and gotten out with a nice result.
I don't really know how to value the creativity in this tune, but I can say that it's a nice break from all the trance and techno-stuff that floats around here on the mod-scene and that is a sign of creativity for me.
So a bonus point for not making techno! ;)

Enjoyment (6/10)

This is a song that can blend into the beckground quite well.I think if you get it to play on the right time (like christmas morning or something) this could become a huge hit because it kinda puts you into a christmas mood.
So the replayability depends on moment and mood.
You can either turn it off at once, or have it on for hours.

Additional Comment

Needs major trimming on the samples.To use 1.7mb for a tune with sounds like this is not very needed.