Search - Nobuo Uematsu, Shiro Hamaguchi :: Final Fantasy VII: Reunion Tracks

Great FF7 souveneir, nice tour of Uematsu's score

Chris Adamson | Marietta, GA USA | 01/21/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, some basic info: this is a one-disc set, 19 tracks, 68:11 total running time. The first 16 tracks are totally synthesized, sounding just as they would coming from the PlayStation's audio outputs. Tracks 17-19 are performed by a small orchestra (the CD booklet picture shows about 25 musicians). The booklet contains an interview (in Japanese) with composer/arranger/producer Nobuo Uematsu.Essentially all packaging is in Japanese, but English song titles can be gleaned by placing the disc in a computer with an internet connection and a CDDB-compatible audio application, like "iTunes" for the Mac. I'm assuming CDDB data is copyrighted, so I can't simply copy the track list into this review.As a "highlights" album, this disc of course can't cover all the bases from the 70-minute game and its complete soundtrack, which I think was a 4-disc set. It does do an admirable job of covering some of the catchier melodies, like "Valley of the Fallen Star" (Red XIII's theme), "Farm Boy", and the battle themes "Fighting" and "Still More Falling". Most of the melodies hold up despite the limited expressiveness of the synthesizer, although some ("Bombing Mission", "Rufus' Welcoming Ceremony") sound a little cheesy for their lack of real brass.So, in saving the best for last, the game's three most important themes are given the orchestral treatment. The "Main Theme", heard on the game's world map, contrasts a soothing anthem with occasional minor-key counter-melodies. "One-Winged Angel" recreates the music for the final battle with Sephiroth as a powerful gothic march with a live chorus chanting in Latin. This rendition is much more powerful than the actual game music, and was briefly featured as part of an unlockable mini-movie in the game "Ehrgeiz". The disc concludes with the hopeful "Aeris' Theme", which with piano, strings, and ultimately horns, sounds almost totally different from the warbling pseudo-woodwinds heard in the game."

I know I'm bucking the trend, but...

Chris Adamson | 05/26/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"...I really don't like the orchestrations all that much. There. I said it. Now, let me explain. I've always liked Nobuo Uematsu's music because it is more melodic than classical music, and more complex than pop music. And, it's more emotional than either of those two; I like to think Uematsu's music triggers pure emotions instead of images in your head. While I really like the orchestration of One Winged Angel (real instruments blasting away at the notes sounds far better than the ... midi version), I don't like the orchestrations of Aeris' Theme and the Main Theme as much because I think they add too much "noise." For example, I loved the beginning of the original Aeris' Theme because the melody was so simple, yet moving, and played by a solo piano. But the beginning of the orchestration starts with a segment from the middle of the piece, and when the piano solo does come, it's backed up by strings and such, so it isn't really that "pure" melody that I love. The Main Theme is a little better, adding another round of the melody that does make the piece more exciting, but again, it takes the focus off of the simple meldoy that Uematsu composed. Going back to the midi versions, it was like I had rediscovered the pieces, as if they were "restored" to their simplistic glory. Now I'm not saying that I think the orchestrations are bad; they've just changed the original piece. And although I don't like them, I've found that most people do. Plus, with the other tracks taken from the original soundtrack, it isn't a bad purchase if you don't plan on getting the full soundtrack."

Skip the the last three tracks ...

Olaf the Bear | Seattle, WA | 02/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"... because that's all you need to hear. Absolutelyincredible. Aeris' Theme, The Overworld Theme and the most evilvillian music ever- One Winged Angel have all been arranged to a fullorchestra.The rest of the tracks are just mediocre in comparison,but the OST to VII was solid anyway, so they're good to hear.Butunfortunately, unlike the Final Fantasy VIII Arranged album (which isalso sold on amazon ... GET IT), 90% of these tracks are old and justrecycled off the original soundtrack. If you're a diehard fan and mustown everything, get it... those three songs are incredible. If youthink paying [this much] for three songs is too much, well- then passon this one."