Final Fantasy X-2: Vocal Collection – Paine March 4, 2009

Track Listing

1. Nemuru Omoi…
2. Misty Eyed
3. Nemuru Omoi… (Instrumental)
4. Misty Eyed (Instrumental)

1. Nemuru Omoi…

Just like the other vocal collections, the first track is based of their individual theme.  Paine’s doesn’t seem to fit her as much as the other two because Paine is shown off as the dark member with a bad past and what we get is a jazzy pop tune to fill in.  I like Megumi Toyoguchi’s vocals in this song because it’s quiet and smooth unlike Mariko ‘s (Rikku) girly singing.

2. Misty Eyed

I actually don’t recognize the tune Misty Eyed is originally based off of but the track feels very urban.  It even goes on and starts off in English, but I doubt Megumi is singing during those parts.  It’s smooth but Megumi’s weak vocals kind of destroy the songs part.  ~Somedays I just wanna touch myself~?  Oh this song just went horny….I guess it’s alright, but just seems a little confusing, especially in the lyrical sense of the song.

 

 

The final (no pun intended) of the vocal collections, Paine was the most strangest.  It doesn’t exactly capture the character that is her.  She’s dark, sarcastic, and doesn’t exactly equate for many conversations until way later in the game.  I initially was expecting something electronica, but seriously jazz?  Nemuru Omoi… was an interesting vocal over her theme and was the best.  Misty Eyed however was hit with translation errors…I mean those English lyrics was so out of bounds and just so odd…

Final Fantasy X-2 Vocal Collection – Rikku December 10, 2008

Track Listing

1. Hadashi no Kiseki
2. Without You
3. Hadashi no Kiseki ~Instrumental~
4. Without You ~Instrumental~

1. Hadashi no Kiseki

Obviously if you’ve played FFX-2 or even FFX you should know about Rikku being all peppy and silly.  Now the first thing you’ll notice is that this is a vocalized version of “Rikku’s Theme”.  It’s has the most poppiest tones between the 3 vocal collections, but it is also the worst sung of the three.  Sung by Rikku’s seiyuu, Marika Matsumoto.  To be honest, her seiyuu vocie kind of killed the song.  She should stick to the talking parts.  The music was quite explosive and pop, even more so than “real Emotion” so expect this to be candy-coated.

2. Without You

Then we get another pop track, but I don’t recognize the original tune that this was based off of.  It’s a little less bubbly than “Hadashi no Kiseki” and Marika does a little better singing, but you can still hear the seiyuu-ness throughout the song.  There’s a guitar solo and wow, did that surprise me. 

 

 

Rikku’s Vocal Collection was definitly the worst of the three.  Like Marika’s vocals are pretty bad for seiyuu.  Luckily the music was pretty cool and quite what we needed between Yuna’s and Paine’s. 

Final Fantasy X-2 Vocal Collection – Yuna October 27, 2008

Track Listing

1. Kimi e
2. Morning Glow
3. Kimi e ~ Instrumental
4. Morning Glow ~ Instrumental

1. Kimi e

Yuna’s theme has been given lyrics and also had the most drastic changes between the ladies.  The song has a melancholic feel in which the original was more happier.  Aoki sounds very pretty given the fact that she’s a seiyuu.  The chorus adds more vocals but I thought they sounded off for some reason.  Still it’s one of the better sung ballads.

2. Morning Glow

Taken fron “Eternity” I quite loved Aoki’s rendition of it.  It flowed seamlessly great throughout and her vocals were definitly a quite soothing as well.  I’m not exactly certain if the song was a ballad or a pop track, but it definitly left a mark on me.  One of the best tracks of the vocals tracks of the entire FFX-2 era.  The best thing has to be the lively chorus…One of the best!

 

 

Yuna’s vocal collection is pretty much all ballads and definitly sounds different from the other two members.  Aoki has such a charming and sweet voice that just emulates passion within the songs.  Best one of the 3

Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission Original Soundtrack October 4, 2008

Track Listing

1. real Emotion (FFX-2 Mix)
2. 1000 Words (FFX-2 Mix)
3. Seal of the Wind ~The Three Trails~
4. Last Mission No.1
5. Last Mission No.2
6. Last Mission No.3
7. Creature Creation
8. Flash Over
9. 1000 Words (Orchestra Version)
10. Kimi he

1. real Emotion (FFX-2 Mix)

This would be the version that the Americas would hear.  Sung by Jade Villalon from Sweetbox.  This is also the shorter version.  Lyrically it makes more sense then Kumi’s English version, and it sounds more sexed up which I’m pretty sure pleased a lot of fans of the game.  I do love both English versions though.

2. 1000 Words (FFX-2 Mix)

Though, this is where Jade shined the most.  I mean her voice is calm and beautiful, leaving the song in a more comfortable side of things.  Jade’s version is way better than Kumi’s version because there’s o language barrier and the lyrics flow more smoothly.  I must say this is Jade’s most powerful ballad.  Great song!

3. Seal of the Wind ~The Three Trails~

A piano line starts off before we het into this soft track.  There’s something about the song though that really captured me.  It might’ve been the interesting strings or synths that were used.  Like it gradually gets more louder and profound the longer time passes then goes back into this graceful line.  Why this wasn’t in the game before the International version beats me.

4. Last Mission No.1

It sounds vey jazzy which is pretty surprising.  Like it’s full of interesting emotions like sneakiness and fun and yet, somehow it combines to make things seem serious too.  All the random lines and bits really did make the song.  I mean it might come off as messy, but to me it just made the song for me.

5. Last Mission No.2

Why is this sounding just like the previous?  I mean it’s the same premise just this time with an awesome saxophone solo.  Which always takes the cake.  I guess you can say the explosions of sound also lighten up the song, but IMO it’s just a more brassier “Last Mission No.1″

6. Last Mission No.3

The final LM track is actually a darker synth song which surprised me a lot.  Like there’s some pretty anxious drum playing and a simple yet effective synth line.  Somehow though, I found this to be a little on the repetitive side since it loops quickly.  So it really didn’t have a lasting effect on me personally.

7. Creature Creation

It sounds primarily familiar to Timber’s theme from FFVIII.  No idea why, but the basic sounds just sound like a watered down version.  Though it is for the enemy creation area, the song sounds pretty simple and doesn’t totally destroy the song itself.  In that regard, it also loops pretty quickly…It’s ok…

8. Flash Over

I don’t knowwhere it was used but the synth driven track is awesome.  Like it has a pretty good beat and the in and out synth really drive the track good.  Then it quiets and a some interesting instruments play a line before the loop back into the synth line.  I think this was a boss theme, if it was that’s awesome!

9. 1000 Words (Orchestra Version)

Like she couldn’t get any stronger, Jade does for with the orchestrated version.  Which in my opinion was definitly cool.  Luckily I’m getting tired of listening to all of these different versions of this ballad.  Seriously, I know it’s friggin awesome and all but I think there’s like how many versions?  8 versions, Yeah, that’s too much.

10. Kimi he

Yes, Kimi he is the only new vocal track and it’s by Yuna’s seiyuu, Aoki Mayuko which to be honest sounds pretty.  The song’s music is yes, “Yuna’s Ballad”.  The song is obviously a ballad, if you haven’t noticed.  Aoki sounds pretty good singing to it, though having a chorus like that sounded weird, but in the end it was a pretty good song.

Tracks Recommended

1.  Flash Over
2. real Emotion (FFX-2 Mix)
3. Seal of the Wind ~The Three Trails~
4. 1000 Words (FFX-2 Mix)

To be honest, there wasn’t anything too special about this release really.  I mean yea, the English versions of real Emotion & 1000 Words were on it but it was also on Sweetbox’s release of “Adagio”.  then came Kimi he, which was released on a pseudo-single…Rest of the songs weren’t anything fancy.  I’d stick with the original soundtrack of the game.

 

 

Final Fantasy X-2 Original Soundtrack – Disc 2: 2/2 September 26, 2008

Track Listing

1. Aeons
2. The Farplane Abyss
3. Eternity: Orchestra Performs
4. 1000 Words (FFX-2 Mix)
5. Nightmare In the Cave
6. Party
7. Vegnagun Awakens
8. Clash
9. Struggle to the Death
10. Destruction
11. Demise
12. 1000 Words (Piano Version)
13. Ending – Until We Meet Again!
14. 1000 Words (Orchestra Version)
15. Epilogue – A Reunion

1. Aeons

Or mostly known as the boss battle theme against them.  This song is very dark and somewhat messy of a track.  I mean it sounded like “Turmoil” but led nowhere, so this track already fails as it is.

2. The Farplane Abyss

There’s some tension laid out here being the Farplane’s theme.  It’s kind of cool with the strings playing.  Then you hear the strings play “1000 Words” which was so odd and yet kind of clashed against the dark background.  So I found this so interesting.  It has a climax before leading back into the quiet start.

3. Eternity: Orchestra Performs

Somehow, I like this rendition a lot more.  I mean there’s some flute and some beautiful orchestration and yet it keeps the interest with it’s pop roots as well.  Though I really didn’t know where they played this at, I kind of thought it stood out from the rest of the CD altogether.  Nice

4. 1000 Words (FFX-2 Mix)

Koda Kumi or Jade in everywhere else returns for this shorter version of said song.  It’s still the emotional ballad and when it’s played in the game it’s just powerful and quite a sight to watch.  I thought it fit in the game so well and definitly made the game feel quite calm before the start of the 5th chapter.

5. Nightmare In the Den

A wondrous piano solo.  I actually like the life of this song took.  It’s mysterious and dark yet somehow foreboding an epic battle to come.  Eventually after the piano run-through the main song starts to play and is once again like the last two songs so it’s nothing new here.

6. Party

A march style represents the Crimson Squad.  It sounds like a damn anthem which bores me to death…I thought of the other and the one on the 1st CD and to be honest this was the most boring of them.  The chants didn’t really help the song out either.

7. Vegnagun Awakens

That same piano line starts the song up but this becomes the boss theme.  Interestingly, I thought the organ lines was pretty nifty and made a very sinister theme.  Since, supposedly Shuyin is the SPOILER (man at hand).  Still, it’s a great way to start the final boss with a demonic organ track.

8. Clash

Oddly this song is what the title says.  It’s many ideas clashing, which isn’t a bad idea at first but there’s already too many songs that has this damn idea and they failed so what makes this any better?  Not much really…

9. Struggle to the Death

Another demonic tune and a little more interesting, it’s still clashing but with staccatoed strings and some odd random voices.  Another one of those tracks that you really don’t understand really and left you thinking WTF was I just listening to?

10. Destruction

This one makes so much sense.  The strings actually playing a very tense line and then this tuba comes in and really shot the song up good.  The climax does return the clashing sounds but they aren’t as random and lame as it was used.  I think this was the Final Boss Theme.  Which was so good.  Definitly an awesome tune.

11. Demise

More like a continuation of “Destruction”, there’s not really much to it until the keyboard line which sounded like something from Final Fantasy 8.  Though it goes back and loops quickly so it didn’t really leave much of an impression on me than the previous song.

12. 1000 Words (Piano Version)

Yes, it is what you think it is sort of…It’s an instrumental version played by you guessed it…the piano.  So I kind of liked the melody and I noticed it pretty quickly put without Kumi or Jade this song just lands on boredom and straight up being taken and made it bleh….Use the lower piano notes more!

13. Ending – Until We Meet Again!

The ending is a pretty flute opening until the strings come in.  Then it gets pretty odd for this game.  It’s like Disney happy practicully with its huge orchestration and moving melody.  Even though it finishes pretty quickly I thought they did a good job with this piece.

14. 1000 Words (Orchestra Version)

Another version *sigh*…I already reviewed this track on Kumi’s album and even then this was a pretty good track.  Now with the orchestra behind her voice actually fits the track pretty nicely.  Maybe, a little louder so she won’t be covered by the music, but this was a better version overall.

15. Ending – A Reunion

Playing ”Besaid” in an orchestrated fashion.  This is obviously where Yuna reunites with “him”.  I kind of thought that whole scene was just tacked on for some reason.  I mean it really didn’t make any sense at how or why they decided to bring him back for the end.  Luckily it did finish the story and the music was pretty too.  Sweet story. 

Tracks Recommended

• Eternity: Orchestra Performs
• Destruction
• Ending – Until We Meet Again!
• Vegnagun Awakens

Ugh, so many 1000 Words tracks…..Anyway we finish off the soundtrack with a lot of pretty strange tracks.  The whole “clash” theme didn’t really work for me as most were during the final boss scenes.  I enjoyed the 1st CD more all in all, but since I’m all done with this soundtrack I can breath a sigh of relief XD

Final Fantasy X-2 Original Soundtrack – Disc 2: 1/2 September 24, 2008

Track Listing

1. The Gullwings March
2. The Colossus
3. Shleep Tight
4. Disquiet
5. Trois Souris au Chateau Leblanc
6. Rikku’s Theme
7. Chocobo
8. Paine’s Theme
9. Bevelle’s Secret
10. The Bevelle Underground
11. Yuna’s Ballad
12. Your Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings
13. Joost leave it tae us!
14. Labyrinth
15. Turmoil

1. The Gullwings March

 Babies crying, random fanfares and flute lines?  There’s just so much going through this march-style track used on the Celsius.  One can say this is amessy track but for what it’s worth it does makes sense and you won’t hear it as much as you think.  On the soundtrack though it just is odd to start off the 2nd disc like this.

2. The Colossus

As opposed to all of the happy songs there’s got to be a dark track.  The Colossus is pretty evil too with strings being the major point of the song.  There’s some rather loud moments as well to coincide with the strings.  I wouldn’t say this is Vegnagun’s theme but it surely is “The Colossus”

3. Shleep Tight

Yea, it’s your sleeping theme.  So you know it’s really short and very sleep-like in sound as well.  Nothing new to report from here.

4. Disquiet

 Another really creepy tune.  There’s some interesting strings at the beginning but when the song really starts there’s some growling perhaps?  Either way it’s a very tense track with a lot going for it.  Very cool

5. Trois Souris au Chateau Leblanc

Another interesting track.  There’s some ethnic sounds in it.  It really does retain the sneakiness of where it’s played as well.  The thing was also to sneak by hence the name which means “3 Mice in Leblanc’s Chateau”  I wonder who the three mice in question are?  Hahaha.  Very nice for a sneaky theme.

6. Rikku’s Theme

Back in the poppy side of things, Rikku’s Theme is very lively and happy with some major brass playing then a nice xylophone line comes in.  This is actually my favorite character theme in this game.  Very true to Rikku who is always happy and giddy though she is a little on the dumb side of things XD

7. Chocobo

Ok, so we’ve all heard the chocobo theme at one point or another right?  Well this track doesn’t even have the melody just so slowass beat and random chocobo squawking and some chick blabbing so random crap like I don’t know what she’s saying!!!!.

8. Paine’s Theme

Interesting that her theme takes on a more lounge style.  Mostly being played by piano and xylophone.  Somehow I didn’t feel like this should have been her theme as it doesn’t fit her character at all.  Eventually I did come around to liking this track, but it really isn’t Paine.  Oh they play a small piece from “The Gullwings March” as well too!

9. Bevelle’s Secret

Holy chanting takes it’s course for this song.  Somehow there’s evil lying afoot and you can tell just by hearing the chords being sung by the choir.  There’s little beckground music but when it plays it does show a more darkside to it.  It’s very short before looping so it’s just kind of a moment thing.

10. The Bevelle Underground

I would’ve put this as the hurry theme because it just has that sound to it.  Though it’s played where you would think it would be.  The whole tense sound works for this song and really sounds nice played by bass.  There’s a snippet of guitar before the loop which was cool.  Other than that nice track.

11. Yuna’s Ballad

As you can tell, this would be just playing by a piano.  I’m pretty sure there’s a line from “Yuna’s Theme” played here as well.  This time they changed it to make it more sad and melancholic.  I kind of thought it wasboring since they really didn’t add anything beyond…oh well.

12. Your Friendly Neighborhood Gullwings

The 2nd Celsius theme comes in as a funky tune.  There’s actual gullwings making sounds and its just so good to hear.  Sadly, the song doesn’t have as much pizzaz as the other two Celsius tracks.  I do like the more relaxed feeling this song brings though so it’s just there I guess?

13. Joost leave it tae us!

Another funky tune with it’s odd rhythms and such.  The song though doesn’t go anywhere for me until the fanfare shoots in.  Bass comes in and is loud and pretty sweet to listen to while the keyboard plays a small melody before the loop happens.  Not really my song though.

14. Labyrinth

Cave theme.  It sounds just as sneaky as “Trois Souris au Chateau Leblanc” but this time there’s some fluttering strings.  It’s weird that the song goes from loud to really soft and that’s the entire song until the loop back to loud.  So this song pretty much is weird all-around.

15. Turmoil

Wow, this was a pretty kickass track.  With some brass kicking force.  I’m pretty sure it was used in a boss battle, but who’s really paying attention?  This song was dark and very evil and with the brass exploding so we wouldn’t get bored that really worked!  Awesome end to the 1st half

Tracks Recommended

• Rikku’s Theme
• Turmoil
• Trois Souris au Chateau Leblanc
• The Colossus
• The Bevelle Underground

You canreally tell the difference between the two discs.  The 1st was all happy and town themes and maybe a few here and there dark tracks.  This disc is definitly the opposite with majoirty being the darker themes and less happy even though the are still there.  Overall the 1st half was short and kinda bleh to me.

Final Fantasy Original Soundtrack X-2 – Disc 1: 2/2 September 15, 2008

Track Listing

1. Besaid
2. Kilika
3. Luca
4. The Mi’ihen Highroad
5. Mushroom Rock Road
6. The Youth League
7. The Machina Faction
8. Guadosalam
9. The Thunder Plains
10. Macalania Woods
11. Bikanel Desert
12. New Yevon
13. The Calm Lands
14. Zanarkand Ruins
15. Sphere Hunters
16. The Temples
17. Dischord

1. Besaid

Besaid Island is always such a beautiful and serene place to walk around in.  I like the piano line and the whole peaceful sound to it.  There is however little change to it and kind of sounds same after a while, if you know what I mean.  Still, very nice.

2. Kilika

Kilika is also another serene track, which more or less sounds tropical.  The great thing though is that it’s playful at the same time.  Eventually it hits that sameness again which once again, puts it in a bad place, but I do love the serenity here again. 

3. Luca

I always liked Luca as a whole from both games.  The beautiful scenery and all the fun packed into a city.  Even the music is just as noticeable.  There’s accordion that’s featured prominently more than anything else, which is new.  It loops shortly though, which kind of ruins the moment, but I still like it either way

4. The Mi’ihen Highroad

Something always bothered me with this song.  It’s bouncy but it just kind of has this blandness to it also.  Short loop too.  I guess it fits because chocobos are found here, where you hear them chirp before the loop.  Not the most best track.

5. Mushroom Rock Road

Weird is the march style for this next track.  Then again it is near Youth League headquarters.  I do like the woodwind melody and such.  Once again though there was just something missing here.  Maybe a little more form could have helped.

6. The Youth League

Another military-like anthem.  It’s more darker and in-your-face than let’s say “Cactus Jack”.  Still, I don’t like these kind of anthems because eventually they’ll do something bad or in this case make a big decision.  I do love the grand feeling though which is something that hasn’t happened in this game yet.

7. The Machina Faction

Guitar plays the role for this funky tune, which is located at Djose Temple.  Not only does it not fit the area so much, it doesn’t really make sense being there at all.  The song sounds repetitive and kind of goes nowhere.  Poor Gippal.

8. Guadosalam

Yep, Guadosalam sounds the most ethnic from the bunch of town themes.  The underground feeling and the sitar produced sound was great.  The beat was even too, not a surprise that I like this track a lot.

9. The Thunder Plains

Another quick tune.  Where it’s synth thats used mostly.  It sounds oddly calm for such a place.  There’s some interesting moments to the song, but once again fails to go anywhere or build up to anything particular.  Alright, for being this area’s theme.

10. Macalania Woods

I know the woods was dying, but they could have done so much with this track.  All it is just ethereal sounds producing a hollow feeling.  Then there’s some dissonant strings that play a haunting melody which was a nice part and then goes back being quiet.  So it fits the area this time which is good enough for me.

11. Bikanel Desert

What a hot mess we have here.  The guitar was so overbearing with the rest of the track.  I know there were other sounds and a phone ringing before the loop?  WTF!?  Still, they could have quieted the guitar down a bit.

12. New Yevon

More politely, the town theme of Bevelle.  Another one of the religious sounding tracks also.  There’s a choir singing with violins, and asian strings also heard in the before the loop.  Another uber short track that really didn’t show anything interesting.

13. The Calm Lands

Here, finally we get a nice and calm track (haha).   Starts off with some synths before a high-hat comes in with a soothing piano line.  Then more drums and synths complete the song with a kind of refreshing sound.  Then again look at the events happening at the Calm Lands in this game, the song shows off fun.

14. Zanarkand Ruins

Final main city theme is the ruins of Zanarakand.  Which starts out with what is bagpipe perhaps or maybe some odd synths.  Which is very surprising.  Then a soothing piano line replaces the bagpipe.  I guess the dead city needed a boost in liveliness.

15. Sphere Hunters

You’re going to hear this a lot on the missions.  It’s mainly strings playing a melody and some up and down synths.  So there’s nothing too much to really apprehend here.  Though maybe, it’s a little tense since there’s a steady beat to it.

16. The Temples

How obvious do you have to be to figure where this is played.  Some very haunted chanting going in this track.  Creates an uncomfortble track.  Then again when fayths live here, you’re gonna need a dark track to show feeling.  Then it just ends…weird.

17. Dischord

A very tense situation has happened and this would be the song you’d be hearing most of the time.  There’s some interesting rhythming properties used here.  Brass is actually a powerhouse in this track with piano being the main beat.  Everything else is coming and going at various moments which is so funny.  Then when it ends…the CD ends…o…firggin….k.

Tracks Recommended

• Guadosalam
• The Calm Lands
• Dischord
• Besaid
• Luca

You know I like my town themes and such but I found myself liking FFX’s ones better.  Then again maybe if some of these had more effort put into it, I might have changed my mind.  A lot of them had capabilities to be good, but w/e.  The last 3 tracks seemed to be an odd way to end the 1st disc…since most of this half was town themes or important area tracks.  It’s ok though.

Final Fantasy X-2 Original Soundtrack – Disc 1: 1/2 September 12, 2008

Track Listing

1. Eternity: Memories of Waves and Light
2. real Emotion (FFX-2 Mix)
3. YRP, Fight! No.1
4. Yuna’s Theme
5. YRP, Fight No.2
6. Mission Complete
7. We’re the Gullwings
8. Mission Time!
9. Mt. Gagazet
10. YRP, Fight! No. 3
11. Game Over
12. Anything Goes for Leblanc!
13. Let Me Blow You a Kiss
14. Shuyin’s Theme

1. Eternity: Memories of Waves and Light

Maybe it’s me, but I never really connected with the startup track, which was is a piano melody with ethereal tones to it.  It really is a nice song, but it wasn’t like “Overture” from FFVIII.  I guess it does its job being where it is.

2. real Emotion (FFX-2 Mix)

A shortened version of said song that I reviewed earlier.  I thought it was a WTF moment in all of FF’s history being such an upbeat vocal track.  Koda Kumi sounded great in the song and showed some awesome skills as she was the motion capture artist to Yuna here which was friggin sweet to see in the PV as well.

3. YRP, Fight! No.1

Obviously, if you’ve already played the game, you will immediatly tell that this is a pop-flavored soundtrack.  The first battle track is a little repetitive in the face the brass sounds the same the whole time.  The synth lines was pretty cool, but just came out lame as hell.

4. Yuna’s Theme

Yuna’s Theme…It starts with some funky beats and then a keyboard melody starts and it sounds so calm for some reason.  It’s a simple theme, but it really did show how open and free Yuna has become since FFX.  Definitly a track to remember.

5. YRP, Fight! No.2

I like the dark side of this battle theme.  There’s some menacing synths that played a hectic role in the track, even though the song is pretty short as it is. The minor tones it hits really did mae the battle seem more important and cooler IMO.  Better of the fight tracks.

6. Mission Complete

Yeah, huh? Ohhhh, it’s after you win.  This one has some keyboard again, but I’m feeling disappointed that the usual “Battle Fanfare” isn’t part of the soundtrack which depressed me bunches.  I do like the music after the main sound which sounded lounge-like…Nakata eat your heart out.

7. We’re the Gullwings

The Airship Celsius’s theme for a chapter or two.  I thought it brought the sound of flight to a nice pop side.  The guitar sounded pretty nice playing in the song or was that keyboard?  Then brass comes in for a little bit of the melody before the loop back.  I enjoyed this theme a lot, very simplistic.

8. Mission Time!

Gearing up for a mission never sounded this good.  Electric Guitar is the prominent feature while the synth plays bleeps and bloops.  Though there’s very little to it the track did make you feel good.  The guitar solo before the loop was so sweet, I loved it good.

9. Mt. Gagazet

Our return to this mountainous region where the Ronso tribe lives is still one of the surprising tracks early on this half of the CD.  Accordion played to a tribal sound.  Even for much this place played a part of both X & X-2 the music pieces are so fitting.  Very strong track.

10. YRP, Fight! No.3

Another battle track?  I think it was a boss theme at one point as well, Not good at remembering these 3 tracks.  The song sounds a bit repetitive in the background and the song loops too early.  I do like the fact the guitar is featured mostly, but the song was just uhm lacking.

11. Game Over

15 seconds of a piano playing some notes.  Not really what I call big…It’s definitly not as good as the one from VIII.  So this fails as a game over sequence should’ve tied in “Eternity” IMO.

12. Anything Goes for Leblanc

Yep it’s Leblanc’s, Logos’s and Ormi’s theme and it’s the most japanese-influenced song especially when the song gets faster.  The slow part sounds mysterious and sneaky as well, which fits their personalities.  Though the fast part, maybe is how good they are perhaps.  Kind of different, but nice.

13. Let Me Blow You a Kiss

Boss theme when YRP goes against Leblanc’s group.  You can obviously hear the similarities from the last track laced in here.  What also was interesting is that took the pop sound and also mixed it together creating a nice battle theme.  Another high-quality track.

14. Shuyin’s Theme

I stopped here since the next few tracks are city themes.  This is also the first dark-stringed track.  The final boss’s theme.  There’s a sense of loneliness and at the same time there’s a twinge of anger.  It’s also the first track to not have pop elements included which is a nice surprise.  A very emotional dark track. 

Tracks Recommended

• Let Me Blow You a Kiss
• Shuyin’s Theme
• YRP, Fight! No.2
• We’re the Gullwings
• real Emotion (FFX-2 Mix)

Can you believe it, this first half of the first CD was so different to what FF music lovers are used to.  One track was sinister enough and it was definitly a turnaround.  Though I’m quite baffled at the fact the usual fare seems to be lacking somewhat.  Battle Theme’s aren’t as interesting as they were back in X.  no battle fanfare?  WTF man…

Final Fantasy Original Sountrack – Disc 4 September 9, 2008

Track Listing

1. Mods de Chocobo (feat. N’s Telecaster)
2. Ride On
3. Truth
4. Lunatic Pandora
5. Compression of Time
6. The Castle
7. The Legendary Beast
8. Maybe I’m a Lion
9. The Extreme
10. The Successor
11. Ending Theme
12. Overture

1. Mods de Chocobo (feat. N’s Telecaster)

We get another Chocobo tune and it’s used mainly when riding one across the world map of the game.  It’s got a pretty nifty surf flair to it and it sounds cute and catchy.  There’s some voicing in it, but all it is is just ~oooo’s~.  A nice start to the beginning of the last CD.

2. Ride On

I didn’t remember the 1st 20 seconds of the tune.  After that though it becomes one of the more memorable tracks because it’s overuse as the Ragnarok’s flight music.  It really does capture the sense of flying and the use of synths won me over pretty quickly.  Though in the game, one can get mildly annoyed from its repetitiveness

3. Trust

Harpischord takes over for this eerie track.  It’s kind of melancholic if you really think of all the instrumentation.  It is Edea’s theme if you really think about it.  Really infuses the Sorceress’s Theme well here and did its job.  Though its placing is a bit strange after the whole happy feeling tracks.

4. Lunatic Pandora

Definitly an important piece for an important area of the storyline.  Like “Silence and Motion” it’s mainly synth, but this time it’s a cold and menacing track.  The descending line really sounds freaky.  The chords can be a little strange to someone who isn’t used to Nobuo Uematsu’s work, but this really shined.  Nuthin like psychotic synth music put to a floating pillar…x.x

5. Compression of Time

Strange little tune.  I think sax is featured mostly, but these haunting voices and cold synths really put an emphasis to where this was featured.  During the battle of the various Sorceress’.  It’s another track that where the placing was perfect after.  The voices are so oddly soothing though…nice track.

6. The Castle

For being a castle practically in the middle of nowhere the beginning is happy and full of life before the pipe organ really introduces the castle.  It really brought the usual fare of how an evil castle is supposed to sound like.  With dissonance everywhere.  Then there’s a synth line which kind of was like WTF and the song got kind of cute for a little bit.  Definitly an outlandish song for me.

7. The Legendary Beast

Striking violing starts up the 1st of 3 final battle themes.  Another march style-like beat really makes the song have a purpose and beat.  The pulsing everywhere got your blood pumped up for this battle which isn’t as needed as the other two fights.  Somehow later in the song, I lose focus of the song as it really doesn’t do anything for me. 

8. Maybe I’m a Lion

A darker final battle tune shows up with tribal sounding drums and electric guitar.  Both are new to the factor in this game.  The main melody sounds pretty cool.  Funny how this song is slower than “The Legendary Beast”.  Really, this song made the 2nd part of the final battle so cool.  Why do I hear synths that sounded like “Under Her Control” as well.  Hahaha, so random, but it did its job pretty well.

9. The Extreme

WTF…with the beginning has a warped sounding “Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec” and then starts quietly with some acoustic guitar and piano.  As it is the last of the final battle themes, I thought it was a bit unorthodox at first, but eventually I’ve concluded that it makes a battle more calmer and less hectic.  Oh wait, then it starts getting fast with synths and piano/strings doing the melody.  By this time, I already like it more than the other two.  Longest track on this CD being almost 7 minutes.  Did a very good job as a final battle tune.

10. The Successor

Was this the song played when Ultimecia was trying to pass her powers onto Edea?  Well whatever, it’s just piano playing a melody which is the Sorceress’s theme.  After all the epic final battle themes, to get this track kind of seems like a downer, but it does complete the story.  Not the best but it did make more sense in the game.

11. Ending Theme

“Eyes On Me” gets featured again for the Ending Theme and I thought there was a more orchestral feel to it.  It did make the song seem more important and beautiful.  Faye once again proves to be a great artist and English is so well.  Smooth lyrics and strong vocals…No wonder this song was given so many awards.  Nice ending.

12. Overture

The start-up music is the final track?  Wow, I did find it’s forceful beat and militaristic sound a very sure way that the game would be good.  Loved the low notes at the start…very cool.  Really made the game so awesome and set up the awesomeness of the game.

Tracks Recommended

• Compression of Time
• Overture
• Ride On
• The Extreme

The final album only had 12 tracks but is just as long as the other 3 cds.  In the end it started out silly and free and ended on a serious not, nice move Square.  Still this is my favorite Soundtrack of the FF series.  Alot of memories caught on this one.

Final Fantasy VIII Original Soundtrack – Disc 3 September 6, 2008

Track Listing

1. The Spy
2. Retaliation
3. Movin’
4. Blue Sky
5. Drifting
6. Heresy
7. Fisherman’s Horizon
8. ODEKA de Chocobo
9. Where I Belong
10. The Oath
11. Slide Show Part 1
12. Slide Show Part 2
13. Love Grows
14. The Salt Flats
15. Trust Me
16. Silence and Motion
17. Dance with the Balamb-fish
18. Tears of the Moon
19. Residents
20. Eyes On Me

1. The Spy

The oddest song to start with happens on the 3rd disc with The Spy.  Another sneaky track which has some sounds that sound like “Martial Law” from D. 2.  It really doesn’t spark anything but I do like the funky jazz feeling that the song shows off.  I just wish there was more to it again.

2. Retaliation

A very nice track this is indeed.  Albeit, very short but it does make some epic sound in it which is great.  The horns/strings make a very suspenseful drive and then the strings end it off on a very sad note.

3. Movin’

Another very strong track appears.  I’m not sure where it’s played, but I think it’s when Balamb GARDEN moves for the first time.  The sense of a march is apparant here and in its concept it fails because I don’t know why you need a march style to say, oh yea this place is moving.  Then it gets this beat where it sounds like a factory…now that’s where it got good.  Now as a track by itself it totally rules.  Smart track here.

4. Blue Sky

A short song, but also with a short scene.  It’s a graceful and valiant tune.  They could have made is longer as well.  This is Rinoa’s scene and only appears if she’s in the main 3.  So it’s kind of a hit-miss track.  Though it’s a pleasant tune.

5. Drifting

The most boring track is right here.  Not only that it doesn’t grasp my attention, it makes me want to press next.  All it is is strings playing phrases and nothing else really.  It does fit the title however since it does sound like drifting…into sleep maybe HAH.

6. Heresy

Oh yea, this is very evil with the organ playing long and short notes, it really possessed a dark quality, that’s ranging to vampiric status.  Though there isn’t too much of a change, It really puts a mood into your thoughts.  Probably the scariest track on this disc so far.

7. Fisherman’s Horizon

Kind of a twist into this song.  This just like “Breezy”, this has a very calm atmosphere and some beautiful instruments.  I know it’s synth but the harmonica sounding synth plays so well into the song.  To even include a pan flute was even smarter and give some soothing sounds all around.  It is a town theme as well.  I think this game had some of the better town themes than all of the others.  Beautiful.

8. ODEKA de Chocobo

It’s the chocobo theme but in 8-bit!  Yeah, it’s totally cute and playful and most of us have heard the main melody at some point throughout the various Final Fantasies.  This song was just here for pure randomness and especially to cause an interlude from FH to our next track.

9. Where I Belong

The “Ami” theme returns again but in almost a saddening tone to it.  Then again it’s played by some kind of different sounding piano.  Maybe it’s just me but I think it’s like a music box kind of sound.  The strings come in and gave some hope into the music which was much appreciated.  I think this was, however the weakest of the “Ami” tunes.

10. The Oath

A quite longing tune comes together and to be honest it’s melody is just as sad sounding as the previous.  The instrumentation was there, but there was just nothing that really stood out for me as anything special.  It is a smooth track though, I’ll give it that.

11. Slide Show Part 1

Another Laguna song that was part of a dream sequence.  I thought it was funny and the song sounds just as funny if not more.  Though the song is pretty quick when it loops so it’s nothing too spectacular.  The piano playing like a Western was an interesting catch.  The only thing that bothered me was the movie clicking sound.  That was a bad choice.

12. Slide Show Part 2

Then after the 2nd tie through it leads almost unnoticebly into the 2nd part which took out the annoying clicking and it sounded fun keeping its Western roots intact.  I like pianist in this song.  They kept the bounce and manages to keep fun in its meaning. 

13. Love Grows

Love Grows is a nice example of a love theme.  Interesting is they use the melody of “Eyes On Me” in a more loving kind of way.  The woodwinds also sound beautiful playing a different part of the song.  This I think was the scene where Squall was carrying Rinoa to Esthar.  So it was a charming and lovely scene with the right music.

15. The Salt Flats

I thought winter track when I heard this.  There a feeling of serenity with this song, but the striking notes are also appealing since it was like pushing an emotion to the listener.  Some of the chords also provided some sort of uneasiness also which was interesting.  Way to convey the cold!

15. Trust Me

Trust Me has some bouncy instrumentation and the pan flute adds some childish moments.  Another “Ami” track…it does its job very well.  It’s where Laguna saves Ellone in Esthar.  So it did it’s job well.  Though I kind of wished it was a little longer.  I mean I was hoping for more stuff again…

16. Silence and Motion

Esthar’s theme.  Not only is the city of Esthar pretty to look at its music is just as pretty.  Combining orchestrated sounds with the futuristic bleeps and bloops.  This song has the most fantastic of melodies consisting within a 3/4 time signature.  I’m in complete awe with this track because I never thought it could be done.  More or less be implemented in the city of Esthar.

17. Dance with the Balamb-fish

Something is wrong when you place a song that’s a waltz in space.  I would have never have guessed it would’ve been especially for its title.  I do like the interesting beats for this quirky waltz.  The strings sound lively and the brass is bouncy.  Moon dancing perhaps?  Nahhhh…

18. Tears of the Moon

Ok, everyone seems to know this track as the moment Hell broke loose and Rinoa revived Adel.  That was a jaw-dropping moment to see this whole scene.  The song was as dark and menacing as well.  Another of them short songs that pack a punch, it really made an impact.  Luckily it was short enough for me to like it.

19. Residents

Yeah, the Ragnarok did have “residents” and this song proved to be a nice track.  The plucked strings mixed with evil low synths…Not really much to the song by itself.  Later before the loop the song had some bounce and kind of contradicted the song itself.  Making the Propagators look like cakewalks (which they weren’t)…So the song kind of failed its purpose.

20. Eyes On Me

Faye Wong was the lady to give this song some life and she did an awesome job doing it as well. I love the arrangement to the song.  A true love ballad with the simple of musical arrangement that turned into a grandiose song.  Her voice sounded pretty and with the infamous love scene happened it really stuck out in my mind.  Squall proposing to protect Rinoa at all costs even though she’s a *SPOILER* a sorceress. 

Tracks Recommended

• Silence and Motion
• Fisherman’s Horizon
• Movin’
• Eyes On Me
• Tears of the Moon

Yea, this disc changed moods at various times.  There was no song that had the same mood throughout which was funny.  Some of the songs were random while the important ones were placed after these random moments.  Though the songs are placed chronologically in-game…There could have been more connections around it and couldve been more fluidity.