This article is about the soundtrack. For the achievement, see Bits and Pieces (achievement).
Bits and Pieces

Album:

Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack

Composer(s):

Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Length:

7:01

Previous:

The Office of Naval Intelligence

Next:

Skyline

 

Bits and Pieces is the tenth track (Disc 2 Track 1) in Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack, and plays in the Halo 3: ODST campaign level Mombasa Streets. It is composed of From the Ashes (0:00-2:32), Dead or Gone (2:32-3:28), Premonition (3:28-4:57), and Something Like Sorrow (4:57-7:01).

OverviewEdit

From the AshesEdit

From the Ashes (2:32) opens with the piano repeating the same note joined by a high strings playing clear and long chords while maintaining a tint of sadness. High strings turn to short melodies while the piano turn to short note progression. Low strings enter with a rolling melody in accompaniment. The piano returns to the opening progression and short melody with the strings before ending with single piano notes akin to the opening. The piece plays in the campaign level during the cutscene following the level ONI Alpha Site, then continues into the gameplay sequence afterwards. The piece has a short reprise as From the Ashes (reprise) in the later track Finale.

Dead or GoneEdit

Dead or Gone (0:56) features crisp and quick solo percussive beats. The rhythm would be reused, albeit with higher tempo, with strings in Love At Long Range (from the later track Skyline). The piece plays randomly when roaming in Mombasa Streets.

PremonitionEdit

Premonition (1:29) is ambiance featuring digital sounds and synth effects. The piece plays randomly when roaming in Mombasa Streets.

Something Like SorrowEdit

Something Like Sorrow (2:04) fades in with percussion and piano in a steady, almost-tribal, rhythm in accompaniment with improvisations with a solo saxophone. The piece plays randomly when roaming in Mombasa Streets, but, much like Pounding the Pavement (from the earlier track Neon Night), the soundtrack version is noticeably shorter than the in-game version, which features additional improvisation snippets from the saxophone.[1]

Production notesEdit

  • This track title may be a reference to the various beacons players can find in Mombasa Streets to trigger the flashback levels. Alternatively, it may refer to the debris and scraps left behind in the aftermath of the daytime battles in New Mombasa.
  • The name Dead or Gone is likely a reference to what Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck said in the ViDoc Desperate Measures, "The Covenant have found Earth. They own New Mombasa. Anyone that could've driven them off is dead or gone."[2]

SourcesEdit