Throwback Thursday: Grand Theft Auto IV Soundtrack Review, Part I


This review was originally published at g4tv.com on June 7, 2008.

Okay, hands up. (No, this is not a car-jacking, just an informal poll.) Who plunked down the extra bones for the super deluxe, limited edition of Grand Theft Auto IV? Granted, some of you picked up this version for the replica safety deposit box the game came packed in, but the best reason was because Rockstar, being the rock stars that they are, saw fit to include a CD called “The Music of Grand Theft Auto IV” inside as well.

Usually, game companies don’t make enticing bonus discs like this available beyond the initial run, but the really good news is, if you didn’t buy the limited edition version of the game, you can still get this album and its same mix of songs via Amazon. If you (all two of you) haven’t yet ventured into Liberty City, here’s a little look at what you aren’t hearing.

The disc is an eclectic mix of hip-hop, dancehall and even jazz fusion, kicking off with the game’s theme, an original composition by Michael Hunter that truly sets the tone for the game each time you load it up. If you are a big hip-hop fan, this CD was an absolute score, as it is filled with some bangin’ beats and from both American and Russian rhymers. The Russian hip hop is actually some of the best and most unique music you will hear in the game.



The real score here though are some of the more unusual songs that only the uber music aficionados at Rockstar Games could dig up and license for their game. The mashup of Bob and Damien Marley’s “Stand Up Jamrock” is of particular note as is the jazzy “Holy Thursday” by David Axelrod. If you want to download a good sampling of what the radio stations of Liberty City are spinning, it will only set you back nine bucks on Amazon. Rockstar went well beyond this one set of songs though. Next week, we break down the unique songs on what is my favorite GTA radio station, Vladivostok FM.

UPDATE: As of the re-publication of this article, the track "Soviet Connection (Theme from GTA IV)" by Michael Hunter is available as a free download from Amazon.

--Rick “Six Star Wanted Level” Damigella

(Ed. Note: Next week happens instantly, when you click here for Part II of the GTAIV Soundtrack review!)




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