ReMix:Final Fantasy VI "Umaro Uematsu" 3:13

By Quinn Fox

Arranging the music of one song...

"Umaro"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2004-01-07, evaluated by the judges panel


Well, it's somewhat ironic or at least mildly amusing that, after my optimistic, enthusiastic prognostications about OC ReMix's future for 2004, I came down with the worst case of the Flu I've ever had. I've been in bed the past four days and gotten literally nothing done, drinking water and orange juice and taking different colored pills for all my many ailments, including but not limited to: headache, bodyache, sinus congestion, cough, fever, and general feebleness. I learned a couple things - watched a one hour A & E special on geishas, some international news broadcasts, and channel-surfed through tons of horrible daytime television. I still can't figure out, however, why anyone watches the show JAG. Perhaps, if I get the Flu again next year, I'll have sufficient time to form a hypothesis. Actually, I'm still recovering, but I'm restored enough to post Quinn Fox's latest. The ReMixer writes:

"I foolishly said that I wouldn't submit any more Final Fantasy stuff, but who can deny the great source material? Yet again, Final Fantasy VI takes over my hobby. It's Umaro's theme in a fast, quirky, synth-rock style, with lots of additions. I tried not to get pretentious with this, but aimed for just having some fun, and giving the listener a crazy picture of Umaro."

Fun and crazy sound about right; while lacking in the production/polish department, the arrangement is certainly decisive, direct, and... chromatic. The recording is actually a bit dated relative to some of Quinn's recent mixes and involved some limiting factors, but there are still specific highlights like the electric piano and some of the electric guitar screeches and falls that add panache and a bit o' sheen. Not sure if I dig the fade in intro, but the ending works. Judge Protricity writes:

"There are a few mastering issues that could be better... volume issues mostly. It's very moving. Guitar sounds fake, but works. Reverb is a little heavy. Really like the drums. Pretty borderline, but I'm going with yes because it's not short and does what it is meant to do."

So, while it may not be Quinn's best to date, it certainly has something to offer for FF6 fans, addresses less explored territory from a ubiquitous soundtrack, and in just over three minutes packs in some solid, discrete variations on a theme.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Nutritious
on 2009-12-14 02:33:46

Not sure how I'm feeling about this one. I see what Quinn is going for with almost a mazedude-like quirkiness to it. I think this suffers in the production realm, however, with a lot of residual noise and big balance issues. When things pick up it's a bit fatiguing on the ears. I can appreciate a good attempt at something this ambitious, I just thing the execution needs some work to make me want to keep this one on my playlist.

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tweex
on 2009-10-20 12:52:15

Holy crap! Quinn Fox steps out of his bubble and does something completely new! Regardless of the sound, kudos for trying something different. Interesting idea with the quick fade in at the beginning. Even though that's unconventional, it didn't feel awkward to me. The high of the track is what holds this mix back so much. It just doesn't feel/sound like it breathes at all. The arrangement is were it's at. The constant shifts and dynamic changes keeps this bad boy fresh. The guitars could have had a lot more meat behind them since this really is a metal track. The bass has a great crunchy rock sound to it. Very nicely done there. Not the best I've heard from Quinn, but again, it's awesome to hear him trying something very new.

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OA
on 2008-05-23 12:27:36

Pretty awesome arrangement, but waaaay too much reverb.

Samples are decidedly lofi, but great drum programming, the beats are great, and there is a ton of stuff going on.

I love the constant shifts in the sections to keep this moving along at a pretty frantic pace, and with improved samples and production, this really could be a gem. The hard hitting and heavily syncopated sections are awesome, and really good rocking.

Brilliant arrangement, bleh production. Still good enough for listening. Check this one out. :-)

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Bummer
on 2005-10-11 02:40:57

I´m divided. Should I love this remix because of the funny redo of Umaro, a dumb person that don´t know how to shave, with some nice instruments that drove out some real insaneness? Or should I not because of the fact that it sounded to overdone with maybe too much instruments, some of them that weren´t the best choice?

Still, I´m surprised that Quinn came back. I thought he would dedicate the rest of his remixes to Phantasy Star?

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Angelus Laminarum
on 2004-10-26 21:42:03

Wow, another strange one... this has a serious psychotic feel to it, but there's also that sense that something big is about to come out of its hole and kick your ass... I likes! Crazy, demented, strange, urgent, and ominous...

Keep it up!

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Krythan
on 2004-08-30 17:48:25

I love this mix! The fade in opening makes me feel like I just rounded a corner to find someone fighting a killer clown...whimsical, yet serious. :D

9/10 in my book! Nice work.

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Oddity
on 2004-02-14 22:13:44

This just keeps on changing like a mofo, and pretty much every single thing people said negative I think added to the piece...I guess it's just my style. Sounds like a child's song? I don't think of playing with cheap toys when playing this song...I feel like turning into a giant ape and rummaging through some rich family's mansion. Sure the event I just described could be made cartoony like one of those silent black and white ones, but who said cartoons had to be for children? Sure the cartoon I am describing could be drawn like one, but that doesn't mean it can't have some violence! I WANT TO SMASH THAT RICH GUY AND HIS STUPID FAMILY! THIS POST MAKES NO SENSE SINCE I AM LISTENING TO THIS SONG AT THE SAME TIME TOO AND I AM EXPRESSING MY RAGE AS AN APE WHAAAAARRR!!!!

Oh wait, I was listening to Gitaroo Man - Resurrection.

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JorJorMogBoi
on 2004-01-11 01:13:32

I like it. Especially the beginning (not the fading in, but the music itself) and also when it repeats. It's funky and cool and stuff! I agree with the drums being teh awesome as well.

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Troika
on 2004-01-10 17:27:23

Yuck, sounds like Child's Song. :\ *closes media player*

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Shhteve
on 2004-01-09 22:50:10

Well, this track wasn't exactly what I would call outstanding.. although it does hold well on its own, since it's a lot different from what OCR's been getting lately. I like the pace of change, we need more songs like this. 8)

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Psycrow
on 2004-01-09 02:28:59

I think Nobuo Umaro would've been a better name.

Phoebe: "...and guess what we're gonna call it?"

Rachel: "Relaxi Taxi!"

Phoebe: "Uh! The name was the best part!"

Rachel: "I came up with it!"

Phoebe: "YOU DID NOT!"

Rachel: "Huh?"

Phoebe: "No, you came up with Relaxi CAB... that's no good!"

Rachel: "First of all, it's not Relaxi CAB... it's Relaxi Cab. Like Taxi Cab."

Phoebe: "Oh. That IS better."

I like the comparison someone made to a mad scientist's theme in a cartoon btw :P

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Suikiogiaz
on 2004-01-08 13:25:24
What was the original?

Umaro's theme.

Umaro:

umaro.gif

Anyhow, I really like this remix, I suppose my only complaint, which has already been mentioned, is that it ends to abruptly.

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The Orichalcon
on 2004-01-08 02:15:50

I'm listening to this again at a higher volume now. The only problem I can see is a little too much reverb. This is AMAZING. I love it!

What was the original?

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stFalcon5
on 2004-01-07 21:33:08

Feels like a mess of a remix to me.

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Elex Synn
on 2004-01-07 15:52:18

La-la-la. La-la-la. :)

Wee, this is a fun one. :D

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VI (Square , 1994, SNES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Umaro"

Tags (0)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_6_Umaro_Uematsu_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
3,175,698 bytes
MD5:
f09c2d3b200fca16788ed5b9c95589ec
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
3:13

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