ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'The Frontier'

main

download

Download MP3
7,659,520 bytes, 5:16, 192kbps

Play Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube

Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
ReMixer(s): Jared Hudson
Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
Song(s): 'Chrono Trigger', 'Guardia's Millennial Fair'
Posted: 2004-11-23, evaluated by the judges

Gamers have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, it would seem, with Half-Life 2, Halo 2, Metroid Prime 2, and the Nintendo DS's debut rounding out the last couple weeks rather nicely. When giving thanks for the above, as well as whatever plentiful eats you and yours have prepared, you can include this mix, Jared Hudson's first in over a year, on your lists. Mr. Hudson laments the downside of composing with more realistic soundsets:

"Anyways, I have to build a stronger computer. Apparently 1.5GB of ram is still not anywhere close to enough (must also get 2nd computer up and running). I think my computer crashed about 12 times before this thing got done. High quality samples can be a curse in disguise."

Very big orchestral sound and a gung-ho, Hollywood scoring-style arrangement, with extensive usage of horns on rhythmic backing, and flute/strings doubling a fast-paced xylo counter-melody, while timpani emphasize the accents. Like a really cool, whizz-bang robot, what's impressive here is the sheer number of moving parts; it's similar in this respect to the mixer's own Xenogears ReMix from awhile back, but more polished, with a greater variety in dynamics and overall richer presentation. Some of the judges thought individual bits of the percussion or horn riffs here and there went on a wee bit longer than they should have, but the unanimous take was that Jared did an excellent job interpreting Mistuda's originals, and really refined his already formidable knack for compelling, thorough orchestral arrangement and mixing. zircon says:

"Top-notch samples, great rearrangement, solid mastering; anyone reading this should take notes, as this is the perfect example of a great orchestral ReMix."

Fanciful overture-type transitions and counterlines, dramatic percussion with a superb utilization of chromatic percussion in particular, and a satisfying (if slightly cheesy w/ the last-minute vocals) ending - the pilgrims never had it so good. Great comeback mix from Hudson that proves he's not only maintained every bit of his game-arranging skills, but polished them in the meantime as well.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite, Chrono Trigger remix. I love it so much I could listen to it on repeat all day! The beginning reminds me of something from Disney World. The attention to detail and quality is incredible, it is like it is performed live. The mixture of instruments is also perfect in my opinion.
It is crazy to think this is back from 2004 considering how high quality it is compared to some others from around then.
Jared where are you?! This can't be your final remix!!!!

- Skurvy_Pirate on April 5, 2011

Pretty nice brass- not every attack is solid, but the fact that overall it's sounding pretty natural is a great skill limitus. Well done. :-)
Arrangement is way hot, with a lot of great ideas thrown in, and a solid mixing job as well.
This is some fantastic work, definitely a keeper.

- OA on January 26, 2010

I've loved this remix from the time it was posted and still going. I love the 'frontier' sound, like one of the old frontier movies. It's fantastic, and one of the more original CT mixes on the site. Please download this if you love old Western movies, and even if you don't, it's an amazing remix in it's own right, something I never get tired of listening to.

- MechaFone on April 7, 2008

All Chrono Trigger music is truly amazing, and I say this remix truly deserves a medal.

- shenroc on March 6, 2006

I posted a review of this nearly a year and a half ago, and I gotta say, the novelty of this song still hasn't worn off. If I got stuck on a desert island and could only bring with me a CD of 10 remixes, this would still be one of the first ones to go on the disc.

- Sinewav on March 6, 2006

One of the best philharmonic remixes
I´ve heard. The climax at the end was great!
You who reads this: DOWNLOAD IT!

- Bummerdude on September 12, 2005

Dude wrote: I love this song. It definitely captured a feeling of exploration, like soaring around and looking at stuff from real real high. Like, from a plane or airship of some sort. Very cinematic feeling to it.

This is really all I had to say. It really does feel like you're flying around the world in Epoch, looking at all the things from above, so tiny at that height.

- SixthFlyingMan on February 13, 2005

Nothing else can be said except this guy is the master of the mix. The people who run this board should change his title to that.
Every piece he has done has set a new benchmark for others to try TRY to achive. Once again Perfection personified.

- Hyperion5182 on December 9, 2004

I don't know how you do it Jared. Everyone can learn a thing or two from you. Great mix.

- PhoebusApollo on December 9, 2004

I love this song. It definitely captured a feeling of exploration, like soaring around and looking at stuff from real real high. Like, from a plane or airship of some sort. Very cinematic feeling to it.

- Brim on December 6, 2004

I've had it up to here with unoriginal CT mixes, so I was a little tentative downloading this, but those opening notes were sure a pleasant surprise! And - surprise! - I liked the rest of it, too. I really like that you didn't bring in an obvious direct port of the game melody until later, at the climax of the piece. Good effect. Very American-orchestral style, especially on percussion use.

- fisherman on December 5, 2004

1:42 - 3:16 - Awesome original composition here, and that's just one part of the track.
You could take the noticable CT stuff out of the picture completely and this arrangement would still shine as an excellent piece of music.
When accounting for everything that's present here, this becomes one of the small percent of orchestrated songs I really like (I have tough standards).
Jared, this kicks ass. :D

- Kaleb.G on November 30, 2004

Very nice. I was sold at the very beginning, and kept attentive throughout with an interesting kind of stacotto (sp?) rhythm. Good stuff.

- Strife. on November 30, 2004