Editing Minecraft – Volume Alpha

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name         = Minecraft – Volume Alpha
| type         = soundtrack
| artist       = [[C418]]
| cover        = Minecraft – Volume Alpha.jpeg
| alt          = Close-up image of a Minecraft grass block rendered in 3D, viewed from the corner.
| released     = 4 March 2011
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Electronic music|Electronic]]<ref name="theboar">{{cite web |last1=Hornsey |first1=Jamie |title=The lasting power of Minecraft's procedurally-generated music |url=https://theboar.org/2018/01/minecraft-c418-soundtrack/ |website=The Boar |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref>|[[Ambient music|ambient]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Adam |title=Gaming's Best Ambient Tracks |url=https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/837-gamings-best-ambient-tracks/ |website=Pitchfork |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=20 September 2022}}</ref>}}
| length       = 58:59 (digital and CD)<br />38:08 (vinyl)
| label        = {{hlist|[[Independent record label|Independent]]|[[Ghostly International|Ghostly]]}}
| prev_title   = Life Changing Moments Seem Minor in Pictures
| prev_year    = 2010
| year         = 2011
| next_title   = 72 Minutes of Fame
| next_year    = 2011
| misc         = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = [[Music of Minecraft|''Minecraft'' soundtrack]]
 | type       = soundtrack
 | prev_title =
 | prev_year  =
 | title      = Minecraft – Volume Alpha
 | year       = 2011
 | next_title = [[Minecraft – Volume Beta]]
 | next_year  = 2013
}}
}}

'''''Minecraft – Volume Alpha''''' is the second [[Album|studio album]] and first [[soundtrack album]] by German electronic musician Daniel Rosenfeld, known by his pseudonym [[C418]]. It was digitally released on 4 March 2011 [[Independent music|independently]] as the [[Music of Minecraft|first installment of the soundtrack]] for the video game ''[[Minecraft]].'' Since 2015, the album has been physically released by record label [[Ghostly International|Ghostly]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Pangburn |first=DJ |date=30 June 2015 |title=Minecraft's Composer Explains Why the Music Is 'So Weird' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/d73q5a/minecrafts-composer-explains-why-the-music-is-so-weird |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Patston |first=Manning |date=2020-06-18 |title=Minecraft fans alert: C418's legendary soundtrack is getting a physical release |url=https://happymag.tv/minecraft-fans-alert-c418s-legendary-soundtrack-is-getting-a-physical-release/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Happy Mag |language=en-US}}</ref>

''Volume Alpha'' comprises most of the music featured in the game, as well as other music included in trailers and instrumentals that were not included in the game's final release.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Minecraft - Volume Alpha, by C418 |url=https://c418.bandcamp.com/album/minecraft-volume-alpha |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=C418 |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the album peaked at number five on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Dance/Electronic Albums]] chart, and was nominated for the category at the [[2022 Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards of 2022]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=2022-05-15 |title=Here Are the 2022 Billboard Music Awards Winners: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-billboard-music-awards-winners-list-1235071133/ |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |access-date=2022-05-19}}</ref>

== Background ==
In early 2011, Rosenfeld began collaborating with ''Minecraft'' creator [[Markus Persson]] through internet forum [[TIGSource]]. He was given responsibility for developing the music and sound effects of the still in-development game.<ref name=":4" /> Rosenfeld was forced to adapt to [[Java (programming language)|Java]]'s "terrible [[Sound module|sound engine]]" and took inspiration from ''[[Dwarf Fortress]]'' in creating the soundtrack, due to its "lovely guitar music" despite the game's "basic [[ASCII art]] for imagery".<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=2014-11-07 |title=How Daniel Rosenfeld wrote Minecraft's music |url=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/nov/07/how-daniel-rosenfeld-wrote-minecraft-music |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

== Composition ==
Deciding to "work with experimental simplistic [[acoustic music]] that doesn’t actually tell you anything about the game”, a key objective of Rosenfeld's work was to be unobtrusive, explaining "I almost hoped that [players would] only notice [the music] when something interesting happens in the game".<ref>{{Citation |last=Bleep |title=C418 - Minecraft Volume Alpha. Bleep. |url=https://bleep.com/release/61782-c418-minecraft-volume-alpha |access-date=2022-09-20}}</ref>

Rosenfeld composed the soundtrack using [[Ableton Live]] along with "a ton of extra software and plugins" and synthesisers including a [[Minimoog|Moog Voyager]].<ref name=":3" /> He took inspiration from the soundtrack of ''[[Blueberry Garden]]'', which he described as "piano music [recorded with] a really terrible microphone on top of the piano". Experimenting with this technique, Rosenfeld claimed the final release consists of "about 80 percent electronic and 20 percent acoustic".

Track 18, "Sweden", is the most popular song in the soundtrack of ''Minecraft'', being certified Gold in the US.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Tsai |first=Raymond |date=2019-05-17 |title=Review: German musician known for Minecraft soundtrack C418's latest, 'Sweden' |url=https://highschool.latimes.com/south-torrance-high-school/review-german-musician-known-for-minecraft-soundtrack-c418s-latest-sweden/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=HS Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> In April 2021, it was also the most streamed [[Video game music|video game song]] on [[Spotify]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Matt |title=Spotify's 25 Most Streamed Game Songs: Smash Hits, Snubs And Surprises |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2021/04/09/spotifys-25-most-streamed-game-songs-smash-hits-snubs-and-surprises/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> The track begins with a slow piano [[chord progression]] that turns into a [[melody]] as strings appear. The strings then stop as the piano [[Modulation (music)|changes keys]] alongside horns. [[Pizzicato]] strings then repeat the main theme before a [[glockenspiel]] and the piano finish the song.<ref name=":02" />

== Release ==
On 21 August 2015, the first physical releases of ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha'' were released by record label [[Ghostly International|Ghostly]], as an [[LP record|LP]] and [[Compact disc|CD]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fact Magazine |date=2015-06-23 |title=Minecraft soundtrack to receive vinyl release this summer |url=https://www.factmag.com/2015/06/23/a-minecraft-soundtrack-coming-this-summer-on-vinyl/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Fact Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The LP version features a much more sparse track listing compared to the original digital release.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Cox |first=Jamieson |date=2015-06-23 |title=One of Minecraft's soundtracks is getting a fancy physical release |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/6/23/8835851/minecraft-soundtrack-volume-alpha-ghostly-physical-release |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

The album's artwork features a 3D model of a block of grass from ''Minecraft''. On some vinyl pressings, [[lenticular printing]] is used to give depth to the blocks in the image. Since the first pressing, Ghostly has re-pressed the album several times due to high demand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ghostly label announces reprint of Minecraft Volume Alpha Vinyl |url=https://www.theongaku.com/posts/minecraft-volume-alpha-vInyl |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=The Ongaku}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Allmusic">Kellman, Andy "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=mw0002859604|pure_url=yes}} Minecraft – Volume Alpha Review]", [[AllMusic]], retrieved 21 March 2018</ref>
}}
Andy Kellman of [[AllMusic]] praised its replay value, stating that "none of the recurring elements is pronounced or simple enough to become fatiguing with repeated play".<ref>{{Citation |title=C418 - Minecraft Volume Alpha Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0002859604 |language=en |access-date=2022-09-20}}</ref>

''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' wrote that "Minecraft's huge audience makes the contents of Volume Alpha some of the most influential pieces of music of recent times. Some of the loveliest, too."<ref>{{cite journal |date=20 November 2015 |title=Mojo Magazine - November 2015 |url=https://ia804508.us.archive.org/24/items/mojo-november-2015/Mojo%20-%20November%202015.pdf |journal=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] |page=89 |access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>

Keith Stuart of ''[[the Guardian]]'' praised the album for acting as the "perfect accompaniment" to ''Minecraft''. Stuart compared his compositions to those of [[Brian Eno]] and [[Erik Satie]] because of their minimalistic, ambient qualities.<ref name=":3" />

Praising "Sweden" in particular, Raymond Tsai of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called it "a low-key, quiet piece" that is "easily enjoyable" and acts as "an embodiment of the aesthetic of [[Survival game|playing in a survival world]]". He remarked its "lonely vibe" made it an "[[Extraversion and introversion|introvert]]'s anthem" and praised its mixture of sadness and grandiosity.<ref name=":02" /> ''[[Digital Trends]]'' called it "Sweden" of the "simple classics" of the game's soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Gurwin |first1=Gabe |last2=Hicks |first2=Michael |date=2021-10-24 |title=The Best Video Game Soundtracks of All Time |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-video-game-soundtracks/ |access-date=2023-05-21 |website=Digital Trends |language=en}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
''Minecraft – Volume Alpha'' has been cited as a popular album for studying, especially for teenagers and young adults.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drewel |first=Izzy Fonfara |title=Music of Midterms: Students' favorite songs for studying |url=https://marquettewire.org/4072777/radio/music-of-midterms-students-favorite-songs-for-studying/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=Marquette Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brookes |first=Tim |title=Video Game Soundtracks Are Great Background Music for Focus |url=https://www.howtogeek.com/782366/video-game-soundtracks-are-great-background-music-for-focus/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=How-To Geek |date=27 February 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, the [[University of Delaware]]'s magazine ''The Review'' called the soundtrack "arguably the best ambient album to be released this decade", citing “Sweden” and “Mice on Venus” as "perfect ambient songs for studying".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tridone |first=Evan |title=Five fantastic albums to put on when studying {{!}} The Review |date=12 May 2019 |url=https://udreview.com/five-fantastic-albums-to-put-on-when-studying/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The album has received enduring praise from listeners for encompassing "nostalgia in its purest form".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hornsey |first=Jamie |date=31 January 2018 |title=The Lasting Power of Minecraft's Procedurally-Generated Music |url=https://theboar.org/2018/01/minecraft-c418-soundtrack/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=theboar.org |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2018, Jamie Hornsey of ''[[The Boar (newspaper)|the Boar]]'' wrote "I can’t think of another game where the memories are as vivid as these", citing C418's ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha'' as a key factor.<ref name="theboar" />

== Track listing ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
'''Digital download and CD (58:59)'''
# "Key" – 1:05
# "Door" – 1:51
# "Subwoofer Lullaby" – 3:28
# "Death" – 0:41
# "Living Mice" – 2:57
# "Moog City" – 2:40
# "Haggstrom" – 3:24
# "Minecraft" – 4:14
# "Oxygène" – 1:05
# "Équinoxe" – 1:54
# "Mice on Venus" – 4:41
# "Dry Hands" – 1:08
# "Wet Hands" – 1:30
# "Clark" – 3:11
# "Chris" – 1:27
# "Thirteen" – 2:56
# "Excuse" – 2:04
# "Sweden" – 3:35
# "Cat" – 3:06
# "Dog" – 2:25
# "Danny" – 4:14
# "Beginning" – 1:42
# "Droopy Likes Ricochet" – 1:36
# "Droopy Likes Your Face" – 1:56
{{col-break}}

'''LP (38:08)'''

'''Side A'''

# "Subwoofer Lullaby" – 3:28
# "Living Mice" – 2:57
# "Moog City" – 2:40
# "Haggstrom" – 3:24
# "Minecraft" – 4:14
# "Clark" – 3:11

'''Side B'''

# "Mice on Venus" – 4:41
# "Dry Hands" – 1:08
# "Wet Hands" – 1:30
# "Sweden" – 3:35
# "Cat" – 3:06
# "Danny" – 4:14
{{col-end}}

'''Notes'''
* Songs from this album featured in ''Minecraft'' do not take the track names on C418's release. Instead, for example, "Subwoofer Lullaby" is known as "hal1", and "Minecraft" is "calm1".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coles |first=Jason |date=2020-12-23 |title=The best songs in Minecraft |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/top-minecraft-songs-lyrics-music/ |access-date=2022-09-20}}</ref>
* "Droopy Likes Ricochet" and "Droopy Likes Your Face" are taken from C418's 2010 album, ''[[Life changing moments seem minor in pictures|Life Changing Moments Seem Minor In Pictures]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minecraft Volume Alpha |url=https://c418.org/albums/minecraft-volume-alpha/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=C418 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* "[[Oxygène]]" and "[[Équinoxe]]" are references to [[Jean-Michel Jarre]]'s 1976 and 1978 albums of the same name.

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+List of awards and nominations for ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha'' 
!Awards
!Year
!Category
!Result
!Ref.
|-
|[[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]]
|[[2022 Billboard Music Awards|2021]]
|Top Dance/Electronic Album
|{{Nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=2022-05-15 |title=Here Are the 2022 Billboard Music Awards Winners: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-billboard-music-awards-winners-list-1235071133/ |access-date=2022-09-20 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

== Charts ==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha''
! scope="col"| Chart (2022–2023)
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2023-07-03|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|date=3 July 2023|access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref>
| 26
|-
{{album chart|Flanders|158|artist=C418|album=Minecraft - Volume Alpha|rowheader=true|access-date=23 July 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|Wallonia|154|artist=C418|album=Minecraft - Volume Alpha|rowheader=true|access-date=18 December 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|40|artist=C418|album=Minecraft - Volume Alpha|rowheader=true|access-date=15 July 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|UKDigital|91|date=20230630|rowheader=true|access-date=1 July 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardIndependent|45|artist=C418|rowheader=true|access-date=25 July 2023}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardAlbumSales|84|artist=C418|rowheader=true|access-date=14 December 2022}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardDanceElectronic|5|artist=C418|rowheader=true|access-date=14 December 2022}}
|}

== Release history ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Release history for ''Minecraft – Volume Alpha''
!Region
!Year
!Format
!Catalogue
!Label
!Ref.
|-
! scope="row"| Various
| 2011
| Digital download, streaming
|–
| Independent
| <ref name=":5" />
|-
! scope="row" rowspan="2" | United States
| rowspan="2" | 2015
| LP
| GI-243 LP
| rowspan="7" | Ghostly
| rowspan="2" | <ref name=":6" />
|-
| CD
| GI-243
|-
! scope="row"| United States, Europe
| 2016
| LP <small>(second pressing)</small>
| rowspan="2" | GI-243 LP
| <ref name=":0">{{Citation |title=C418 - Minecraft - Volume Alpha |date=February 2016 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/8089200-C418-Minecraft-Volume-Alpha |language=en |access-date=2022-09-20}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | United States
| rowspan="2" | 2020
| LP <small>(third pressing)</small>
| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=C418 - Minecraft Volume Beta {{!}} RECORD STORE DAY |url=https://recordstoreday.com/UPC/804297836010 |access-date=2022-09-20 |website=recordstoreday.com}}</ref>
|-
| CD <small>(reissue)</small>
| GI-243
|-
|2022
|LP <small>(fourth pressing)</small>
| rowspan="2" |GI-243 LP
|<ref name=":0" />
|-
! scope="row" | Various
|2023
|LP <small>(fifth pressing)</small>
|<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jerry |title=Minecraft - Volume Alpha vinyl soundtrack reprinted |url=https://www.theongaku.com/posts/minecraft-volume-alpha-vInyl |website=The Ongaku |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Minecraft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Minecraft_-_Volume_Alpha}}
[[Category:2011 albums]]
[[Category:Video game music]]
[[Category:Electronic albums by German artists]]
[[Category:Ambient albums by German artists]]
[[Category:Minecraft]]