Time capsule

That I'm of the 'older' kind might be seen by the fact that the venerable FIFA series still bore the addition 'Football' in its name during my time. 2003 was the release year, and for 11-year-old Mattis, one of the most fruitful in terms of video games. After all, not only was he gifted with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - The video game, but also with FIFA Football 2004 and NBA Live 2004. Retrospectively, this expensive pacification suggests that my parents either wanted a bit more time for themselves or actually believed that my enthusiasm for sports would be increased by NBA and FIFA ... probably the former. None the matter.

The game was a dream come true for me back then – like almost every game – even though I played it with a keyboard, which meant movements were only possible at 45-degree angles. Looked stupid, but still rocked. However, the fascination for the ball-kicking sport never really caught on with me, even though I can still recite parts of the Bayern Munich squad from back then to this day, thanks to this game. And I still thrive on my memory of that one game where I scored a goal from the center line with Jens Jeremies – something I've never managed to do since.

As is customary with EA's sports games to this day, the soundtrack of FIFA Football 2004 offers a good cross-section of the musical pop culture of the time and proves to me that it was better back then since when I listen to the scores of current installments, my earlobes curl up. Similar to a Need for Speed: Underground , we are offered a selection of genres here that are supposed to make us wanna kick.

Through the album, I stumbled upon one-hit wonders like Caesars' Jerk It Out, L.S.F. by Kasabian, and Guten Tag by Wir sind Helden. Additionally, familiar names like The Stone Roses, Kings of Leon, The Dandy Warhols, and Lostprophets appear – at least these names are familiar to me. Unlike with classical soundtracks, individual enthusiasm will vary significantly here. I'm just not a fan of Electro/EDM; others might prefer the Latin/Salsa influence. It's a time capsule to the year 2003, nothing more and nothing less.