ReMix: Front Mission 'Infinite Natalie'

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Front Mission

Imagine all the Natalie you could possibly handle, and multiply that times a hundred, and you still wouldn't have Shnabubula's latest ReMix, at least in name. The ReMixer has had some very interesting, unorthodox submissions to date, and is prolific as well as multi-influenced, having now ReMixed FF9, Guardian Legend, Evermore, and this, our first Front Mission post. The ReMixer writes:

"This mix is a medley of "Force Stall" and "Natalie" from front mission. Both of these songs were written by Noriko Matsueda and not Yoko Shimomura. "Force Stall" (the song at the beginning and end of this mix) is the reason I started to really get into Matsueda and I have now listened to basically everything she's ever done..... so I'd just like to ask that if the remix happens to make it onto the site it should only say Noriko Matsueda in the original composer section (normally no matter who wrote the actual song being remixed all composers involved in the game are usually listed)."

Despite this request, it is currently and for the foreseeable future a "limitation" of our database that ALL composers for a given game be listed. However, I think the desire here was to make it clear that the pieces covered by this mix were composed specifically by Noriko Matsueda, and that the ReMixer is a big fan of Noriko Matsueda and wanted to emphasize that fact. Perhaps by repeatedly emboldening Noriko Matsueda's full name, I can simulate the requested effect of giving specific credit to Noriko Matsueda. Worth a try, at least. Now, if you felt like the ReMixer's most recent FF9 effort was a little too 'out there', this should be more accessible, at least to fans of orchestral. Judge Oji accurately, in my estimation, suggests that this would be right at home on a Front Mission arranged album. It's an essentially percussionless (timpani rarely, for accentuation) piece that strongly relies on ensemble woodwinds and a deliberate, nested chord progession to achieve a contemporary, evolving symphonic mood. In some of the intonation and style, this reminds me a bit of Israfel's work, and he had good things to say in judging the piece:

"Excellent orchestration and your use of counterpoint and harmony shows a great deal of maturity. Those wondering why I keep harping on about form in some of my other comments would do well to listen to this mix- there are a limited number of musical ideas here and each is fully developed to give the piece a very satisfying and "complete" feel. Great all the way through and the section from 4:15 to the end in particular is very well done, in my opinion. Fantastic work."

It's rare to hear a mix that so exposes solo clarinet, flute, bassoon, and oboe, and the ReMixer pulls it off with quite lovely dynamics and, as Israfel mentions, counterpoint. There's also a fanfare trumpet that reminds me of Yuzo's Actraiser title screen tunage. I think it's fair to call this a more mature orchestral composition, as while it's not immediately catchy or bombastic in the way classic John Williams-type pieces are, it's quite intricately structured. Larry points out that some of the winds do get a bit "shrill" at times, which Ari echoed by indicating certain parts were at times too loud, and I'd say this is the single biggest nitpick I could throw Shnabubula's way. Other than that, though, it's a very refined, rich arrangement of some more esoteric Squaresoft territory. And did I mention that both pieces covered happened to be by Noriko Matsueda?? Good stuff from the versatile but consistently provocative Shnabubula.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 12 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
My jaw is dropped right now...
Shnabubula, you are awesome.

- DramaNoMore on July 17, 2008
A very careful and considerate arrangement from Shnabubula. Quite different from lots of his other (likewise excellent!) outings, maybe even surprising, but the guy obviously doesn't compromise on the main sector of his strengths (in my opinion): beauty. This is indeed a beautiful track. Subtle, perhaps, nearly understated. Everything is in it's right place and there's not an arbitary note in sight. A remix I will try to study in purposefulness. Not necessarily a piece of music to loop endlessly, but listen once with total attention.
I'm not a big listener of classical, but this piece reminds me some of the work from Finnish composers that I've liked, actually it just might trump those pieces.
--Eino

- evktalo on December 7, 2007
Very high quality work, but I feel that it didn't really go anywhere. There were a lot of great moments, but I never felt like there was a whole to the piece. The sound quality is fantastic, however, very nice job making everything sound so natural.
I guess my take on it is that it never becomes more than a sum of it's parts, no matter how fantastic the individual parts are.
Maybe this style is just too subtle for me to properly appreciate?

- OA on December 28, 2006
Very good use of solo instrumentation and winds in a small ensemble setting. Unfortunately, when you put these kind of woodwinds together that closely (and they are electronic) it's hard to differentiate which one is which. Other than that, the arranging is high quality, and keeps a flow from one side to the other. Again reminds me of Stravinsky's Octet.

- bladiator on June 22, 2005
I like it. Its a bit slow for my tastes though (I guess im too used to the more Faster music in Frontmissions. And yes i still have it.its not a wonder we have frontmission 4)
What i would personaly love (And i hope the rest of you would agree) is to have someone remix the Final Boss Organ music.
Other than that. Im definatly putting this peice into my easy listening Folder.
Wow. if you put it into a loop, you cant really tell when its hit the end and starts again.

- I3lack Templar on December 7, 2004
Downloaded this last week. Now, for some reason when the song finishes, I just keep on replaying it. Maybe it's because of the continuing build-up. Long story short, it gets quite addictive. Good, no, Great Job.

- underthesun on December 4, 2004
Since i haven't played the game i can't know the original tune it's based from , but most Squaresoft games made in the mid-90's had excellent music in them. And i like this effort really , the drums remind me alot of Super Metroid's tunes (the ones that had this sort of drums in them).
Good job here ,Shnabubula :D

- RimFrost the Tourianist on November 29, 2004
Quite different from this artists most recent mix from FF9, it kind of caught me off guard, but with good intent.
This song really brings a sort of Cinderella, A Sword in the Stone, fairy tale epic type feel. The main rhythm in this song is very this way and that, like said before, and is very interesting. The drums really set the piece in place with their straight forward, subtle, intimidating beat.

- Souliarc on November 28, 2004
My god only two reviews for this post?
Well I gotta say this is something I take a liking too expressively. It's nice to see a song that doesn't throw in new instruments all over the place and do many interesting things to keep the listener at it's best.
There were times (my jsut be my headphones) where yeah some of the woodwinds would shrill and screech my ears, but that okay because i love woodwind and if you love it you dont care if it hurts you (haha man, im bad with this).
The end was rather sudden, but then again it was probably appropriate.
But the rest of the song was just great, the use of strings was nice. Not much else to say really but good job.

- RoeTaKa on November 28, 2004
Wow...a very interesting composition...it sways this way and that, making the song have a flowing feel to it. The drums at certains parts and the chromatic scales of the horn (if you can call it that) are also very intriguing...This song gives me a feeling of flying, but as if I was very troubled by something, trying to make up my mind on what to do.
Very well done.

- PianoMan on November 27, 2004
This is a nice take on one of my favorite themes on the game. Sound Quality is top notch, and orchestration is spot on. Good work from who is becoming the one to watch.

- k u n g f u c h i c k e n on November 27, 2004
What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

- djpretzel on November 27, 2004

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