(9/10) 6) Living by the Sword ( Written by Conqueso) It's actually difficult not to smile when you hear it regardless of whether you have been listening to Radiohead intensely beforehand! It is an effective and vivid portrayal of Vivi's innocence and goodness but also a very scenic introduction to Alexandria. Its lovely melodies as presented by pizzicato string passages provide a nice light-hearted touch. (9/10) 5) Vivi's Theme ( Written by Chris)Īlthough it may not match the standards set in the Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version, this is still one of the strongest character themes in the game and one that always brings back fond memories of strolling through Alexandria whenever I listen to it. I would've enjoyed a little more elaboration, but it gets the job done admirably nonetheless. That is exactly what this piece is trying to do and it does it well. When I hear this piece, I imagine beholding a huge spectacle for example an amazing sight that I've never seen before. This track, while only just under a minute long, really gives you an idea of just how sprawling Alexandria really is. (6/10) 4) The Skies of Alexandria ( Written by Tim) There are numerous superior arrangements of this theme later in the soundtrack. However, the theme is quite unsuccessful in achieving its in-game purpose thanks to its dull and unmemorable nature. There are attempts to both build up dramatic tension with the use of tremolo strings but this is all very 'tongue in cheek' thanks to its comical melodies. The integration and introduction of "Tantalus' Theme" heard later in the soundtrack is therefore very appropriate. This track introduces us to Zidane and the Tantalus crew for the first time. (7/10) 3) Strategy Conference ( Written by Chris)
The piece ends a bit too soon though for my taste.
One minute you'll hear a peaceful melody, and then suddenly it shifts into a thundering bass section. Like many pieces on the Final Fantasy IX Original Soundtrack, this tune instantly ties in with the main vocal theme, "Melodies of Life." While not a particularly awe-inspiring melody, it does score points for its varying themes. (8/10) 2) Memories Washed Away in the Storm ( Written by Tim) It seems a shame that the majority of its direct arrangements throughout the game fail to meet this one's success. Although melodically it is reasonably strong, it offers far more intrigue beyond this, but demands a lot of in-depth listening in order to fully appreciate. Not only does it introduce us to one of the main themes in the game, but it also makes the setting for the medieval style of game with its fascinating use of ancient instrumentation. For this reason, I have a lot of respect for it. This title theme is far more appropriate in style than the title themes for most of the other games in the series. Track-by-Track Reviews Disc One 1) The Place I'll Return to Someday ( Written by Chris) By the end of the album, his styles had become worn out and he was literally exhausted this made the Final Fantasy X Original Soundtrack suffer and showed that a Final Fantasy album could not sustain this again. While this Original Soundtrack was one of his strongest albums, it is largely the explanation as to why it was necessary for him to take a more low-key role in the mainstream Final Fantasy albums in the future. He worked alongside other Square Enix composers for the scores for Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XI, and the upcoming game Final Fantasy XII. This soundtrack was the last mainstream Final Fantasy album Nobuo Uematsu produced as a solo composer. Indeed, its quality ranges from musical masterpieces like "Vamo' Alla Flamenco" all the way down to utter tripe like "Ceremony for the Gods." Unfortunately, many were also disappointed by its huge level of inconsistency. Many were impressed by its massive length, its whole host of memorable themes, and its huge diversity of musical styles. The Final Fantasy IX Original Soundtrack has been greeted with a rather mixed level of acclaim since its release. Final Fantasy IX Original Soundtrack :: Forum ReviewĭigiCube (1st Edition) Square Enix (Reprint)