ReMix: Final Fantasy VIII 'The Lost Horizon'
- Game: Final Fantasy VIII (Square, 1999, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): destructo
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Shiro Hamaguchi
- Song(s): 'Blue Fields'
- Posted: 2004-04-28, evaluated by djpretzel
My apologies to Chris Webb, aka destructo - his mix's title seems to have had an unintended subliminal effect on me as it got lost in the shuffle for a bit. Without further ado, this mellow ambient-synth-jazz hybrid reworking of "blue fields" from Final Fantasy 8 intros with what I could have sworn was NI Absynth but is apparently a Maelstrom patch in Reason. The very first seconds might suggest a strict electronica track, but the mellow, reclining jazz feel that comes in, with a nice brush set, warm, dark piano, upright acoustic bass, dynamic strings and percussion, takes things in a less expected but welcome direction. The declining triplets at 1'08" and other such touches are what take the already rock solid instrumentation and mixing and add arrangement polish and that lil' bit o' sumthin', and in general the piece is very clear, coherent, and reticent. I think the last minute could have been better spent on having an additional solo voice do some more substantive melodic work, instead of putting emphasis on the pads, but I dig the ritardando ending that leaves a mysterious footprint and sense of closure at the same time. All in all, a very worthwhile effort that doesn't trip up anywhere and while not taking an amazing number of risks presents a distant, lush soundscape that's informed by a jazz structure. Promising first submission well worth exploring.
I love it completely.
- Nantalith on September 4, 2010
When the piano finally does come back with the quick notes at 2:20ish. You feel doused in a world not of your own while you listen to this piece. Needless to say, that's why we all listen to music like this, yes?
8.75/10.00
(I'm not qualified to judge [U]your work[/U], this is how much -i- Enjoyed this song.)
- [Lyrics] Serotriptomine on February 23, 2010
The piano writing is smart and the rest of the instruments, while they're not high-quality powerhouse samples, get the job done. Later in the mix the arpeggios start reminding me of "Frame of Mind," which I'm pretty sure destructo was part of. I can definitely feel the similarities between those tracks.
I feel like pointing out, though, that the piano writing seems almost identical to the arranged version on the official FFVIII piano album. I don't know if it was intentionally the same or not, but I actually did a double take to make sure I wasn't listening to the official arranged version by accident :?
- Emunator on December 3, 2009
Not a perfect mix, but very enjoyable and charming. I really like this one. :-)
- OA on December 2, 2009
I remembered my times going through the fields of FF8, riding the train, lookin for chocobos....wow....such a sweet melody that makes you reminisce all those good times....
Thank you..!
- LadyReemz86 on July 16, 2009
The woodwind is pretty and lends it an Eastern vibe, while the piano is especially resonant. Everything sounds great throughout and flows between ambient transitions seamlessly.
It's definately a little mix, but it still has all the variation and arrangement ideas you'd want to hear in a full, orchestral rendition.
Good to see music that isn't afraid to be small on the site.
- Marmiduke on July 2, 2009
- Hy Bound on December 2, 2008
I thought I was listening to the .hack series soundtrack for a second.
- kwansoo87 on June 6, 2008
In all honesty this should have been in the game instead...
- KogeJoe on January 24, 2007
But, the part of this mix that really strikes me is the piano line. The warm, dark tone . . . I just love it.
Overall, this mix is a great one to listen to. The underplayed Asian tone definitely gives the mix a unique, distant feel. But at the same time, it feels so familiar. It's very accessible. Anyone can sit down and listen to it, and enjoy it.
Very subtle. Very relaxing. Very nice.
- hylian90 on October 28, 2005
- Bummerdude on October 28, 2005
beautifully done, like the calm.
- pixlz on May 24, 2004
The style of the piece is beautiful, incorperating all the aspects of the original while adapting to a lovely new style. I now feel content to sneer on the original :x . The subtle changes throughout the piece take away the monotony of the original, and the interactions between the instruments work very well :)
Again, well done . 10 thumbs up:)
- sivvus on May 11, 2004
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the