ReMix: Final Fantasy X 'Summoner's Love'
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- Game: Final Fantasy X (Square, 2001, PS2)
- ReMixer(s): DragonAvenger, EFields
- Composer(s): Junya Nakano, Masashi Hamauzu, Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Besaid Island'
- Posted: 2006-12-24, evaluated by the judges
Well, it's Christmas eve; hopefully those of you celebrating have gotten the vast majority of your holiday shopping done and are reclining in the fire-warmed comfort of your living rooms, drinking spiked nog and listening to Bing (Christmas without Bing and Story ain't Christmas). Before I proceed with the writeup, some housekeeping items:
- BGC started a cool little initiative to review mixes that haven't been reviewed in awhile - very cool.
- www.vgmusic.com recently celebrated their 10th anniversary. The site has done an amazing amount of work over the last decade to popularize game music on the web; hats off to their staff, past, present, and future, for a fantastic accomplishment.
- Armchair Arcade recently published a pretty cool Introduction to Videogame Music that makes for an interesting read.
Right then, we've got an excellent FFX vocal mix from newcomers DragonAvenger (vocals) and EFields (arrangement) that the panel dug. Perhaps it's just an aspect of the Winter holidays that almost anything begins to sound like Christmas music, but once again this piece seems very seasonal, reminding me of some bits off the Toys soundtrack at times. DA's vocal style is a bit different; it's a sound I've heard on numerous J-pop recordings, a bit higher and wider than it is round. I can't say it would work in every context, but it works here, and that's what's important. She writes:
"I've been wanting to do a remix to Besaid Island for some time now. I finally got around to commissioning EFields (With dinner at Denny's) to arrange the piece for me, and I received a beautiful result (probably worth more than the dinner). I asked him to take the melody line twice as fast as normal, and to make it have a "pop song" feel, as well as add anything he felt like doing. The lyrics came after, based on Tidus and Yuna, the scenery of Besaid, as well as the love scene later in the game. This song has a special dedication to my parents, who just celebrated their anniversary a couple of weeks ago."
Sweet. I have to say, nobody's ever commissioned me via chain restaurant, but it's a great idea. Will ReMix for food! The beneficiary of said Denny's supping, EFields, writes:
"I wanted a remix that was significantly different from the original composition, but one that also strongly evoked the notable characteristics of the original. I mostly used a warm synth pad, a gentle synth lead (which was later deleted and replaced by voice), an unintrusive bass, and a soft tribal beat. Unfortunately, the beat is a loop, so it comes off as a little repetitive, but I tried to blend it nicely through mixing and using different loops. The occasional high-toned bells in the background are my attempt at evoking rays of sunlight coming through the clouds. At the end of the piece, the drums cut out, leaving enveloping chords and a final repetition of the main vocal theme. The music dies away peacefully."
It's a sort of wintry synth pop motif, I'd say - the intro suggests perhaps trance, but when the drums enter you know it's gonna be more of a Top 40 thing; the percussion has that distinct looped feel, ala Jagged Little Pill, etc. Pads are warm and enveloping and consume a majority of spectrum bandwidth, but there's also a tine bell patch that specifically reminded me of Hans Zimmer's Toys work. It's exciting to see new vocal mixes, new mixers, and new approaches, and while the panel pointed out some issues, this mix does meet each of those criteria. BGC particularly enjoyed the audible mouse click at the very conclusion of the vocal recording:
"rofl, dude, leave the mouseclick. that's classy. or classic, rather. whatever, either way, that's awesome.
seriously, that's trademark.
Very pretty vibe. Nice warm synths, nice cool drum groove. Very pretty vocals. Giving me chills, now."
So, an interesting mix concept that Denny's helped birth but that DragonAvenger and EFields deserve all the credit for, somewhat seasonal, with unique vocals and deceptively simple lyrics that sing better than they read. Regardless of what you think of Tidus, this is an enjoyable nugget of icy-warm pop that goes down easy; looking forward to hearing more from both of these artists.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the DA's vocals are like a cozy, soft blanket, just wrapping you in a
perfect mood listening to this.:smile:
- WesternZypher on October 27, 2010
- WesternZypher on October 27, 2010
Elegant sound complete with a floaty vibe. I have to say I like how
things have turned out here, but I'm not totally sold on specific
elements. I think the vocals were a real gamble. These could have
cut the legs out from under this whole thing and made it a
dispicable mess. Thankfully, that isn't the case. But it still
leaves me with a jarring vision of how horrible this could have
been.
I think the problem lies with the narrow range of the vocals. DragonAvenger seems content at singing this in one specific way without chamging it up at all. Again, the instrumental aspects of the mix manage to make this work, and perhaps that was the intended reason for these vocals.
The instrumental portions are fantastic and are the sole reason this is a success. I can hear the island influence, but also a fresh and very satisfying synth rhythm.
Yes, the vocals do conjure up a J-Pop sensibility, but sometimes even J-Pop artists start to tread over the 'just plain flat sounding' line. This mix is as close to that line as I'd want to hear on OCRemix. I'm happy if people can make it work well creatively (as is done here, and with many other examples), but I think if you've got the talent to give those vocals more range, do so.
- Marmiduke on June 2, 2010
I think the problem lies with the narrow range of the vocals. DragonAvenger seems content at singing this in one specific way without chamging it up at all. Again, the instrumental aspects of the mix manage to make this work, and perhaps that was the intended reason for these vocals.
The instrumental portions are fantastic and are the sole reason this is a success. I can hear the island influence, but also a fresh and very satisfying synth rhythm.
Yes, the vocals do conjure up a J-Pop sensibility, but sometimes even J-Pop artists start to tread over the 'just plain flat sounding' line. This mix is as close to that line as I'd want to hear on OCRemix. I'm happy if people can make it work well creatively (as is done here, and with many other examples), but I think if you've got the talent to give those vocals more range, do so.
- Marmiduke on June 2, 2010
Wow, great mix that I totally missed for some reason, I guess
that's the beauty of OCR though, it's the gift that keeps on giving
if you dig through the vaults (and haven't... already heard
everything, which is rather hard to do anyway).
I have to say that like the writeup mentioned this almost sounds like J-Pop but in English obviously, under the circumstances it works perfectly though. Besaid was one of my favorite tracks from the game, just so incredibly peaceful, and yet for some reason I never really considered how it might sound in this context (answer: awesome).
- ZealPath on February 7, 2010
I have to say that like the writeup mentioned this almost sounds like J-Pop but in English obviously, under the circumstances it works perfectly though. Besaid was one of my favorite tracks from the game, just so incredibly peaceful, and yet for some reason I never really considered how it might sound in this context (answer: awesome).
- ZealPath on February 7, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrbbgw9Kgag%22
Is a great video someone made for this track.
Na na na na na na na na
This is a pretty good mix.
- OA on January 28, 2010
Is a great video someone made for this track.
Na na na na na na na na
This is a pretty good mix.
- OA on January 28, 2010
I <3 this song so much. Back in March I set myself a goal of
listening to every song on the site and rating them in itunes
(about 1500 down so far!)... a bunch of other songs have made me
want to post comments but this is the one that finally motivated me
to create an account.
EFields's instrumental mix is very chill and soothing - just like the original Besaid Island (although I didn't even realize this was a Besaid Island remix the first time I heard it). I like his use of percussion too - although it's nothing elaborate, I think he uses exactly enough to keep things interesting... I know if I were trying to make something like this I'd be tempted to just go crazy with those synth pads. But what sets the song apart is definitely DragonAvenger's vocals. As djp said, her singing style is definitely reminiscent of some Asian pop music (so much that I originally thought she was singing in Japanese) but I think it really works here. I think she just perfectly conveys the mood this song is going for and matches EFields's work really well. Finally, the "let me be in your story" line at the end strikes me as completely brilliant and haunting.
- Kaxon on July 13, 2009
EFields's instrumental mix is very chill and soothing - just like the original Besaid Island (although I didn't even realize this was a Besaid Island remix the first time I heard it). I like his use of percussion too - although it's nothing elaborate, I think he uses exactly enough to keep things interesting... I know if I were trying to make something like this I'd be tempted to just go crazy with those synth pads. But what sets the song apart is definitely DragonAvenger's vocals. As djp said, her singing style is definitely reminiscent of some Asian pop music (so much that I originally thought she was singing in Japanese) but I think it really works here. I think she just perfectly conveys the mood this song is going for and matches EFields's work really well. Finally, the "let me be in your story" line at the end strikes me as completely brilliant and haunting.
- Kaxon on July 13, 2009
A lighthearted, relaxing ballad with nice vocals. Reminds me of the
beach, which is always a desirable thing.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
This reminds me of my Maple Story days. I'm loving it. Definately a
killin, laid back, vibe. Well done.
- The Runaway Five on October 12, 2008
- The Runaway Five on October 12, 2008
Somehow I missed this track, but after doing some random searches I
found it and downloaded it and.... im happy.
The besaid theme kicks in right away and even though at many times the original score hides in warm watery pool that is this track the style and warm vibes still keep you in the Besaid mood.
The vocal caught me off gaurd and seemed out of place the first sentence but as soon as those warm strings accompanied the vocals it easly turned into OCR's top finest
definitely a track that makes you reminisce the good old times we had defeating Sin.
- 2Radical on May 19, 2008
The besaid theme kicks in right away and even though at many times the original score hides in warm watery pool that is this track the style and warm vibes still keep you in the Besaid mood.
The vocal caught me off gaurd and seemed out of place the first sentence but as soon as those warm strings accompanied the vocals it easly turned into OCR's top finest
definitely a track that makes you reminisce the good old times we had defeating Sin.
- 2Radical on May 19, 2008
The intro evokes U2's Where the Streets Have No Name and Tears for
Fear's Everybody Wants to Rule the World.. I have to admit I like
that. While no section made me go "whoa!", the backing is solid
throughout.
Lyrics are a bit flat, but they work really well in the context and the whole evokes a definite beachy, sunny, lovey-dovey warm imagery. Personally I'm a bit meh with them but I have to admit they work. It's also hard to hear the lyrics, they could be more clearly sung in my opinion. Singing could be more confident/stronger (I don't mean louder) and the pitch is not superb (especially the lowest notest which start the verses), but it's ok. Just something to work on. The vocals work best in the later half of the middle break 02:54-03:04.
--Eino
- evktalo on March 26, 2008
Lyrics are a bit flat, but they work really well in the context and the whole evokes a definite beachy, sunny, lovey-dovey warm imagery. Personally I'm a bit meh with them but I have to admit they work. It's also hard to hear the lyrics, they could be more clearly sung in my opinion. Singing could be more confident/stronger (I don't mean louder) and the pitch is not superb (especially the lowest notest which start the verses), but it's ok. Just something to work on. The vocals work best in the later half of the middle break 02:54-03:04.
--Eino
- evktalo on March 26, 2008
Great choices in instruments to bring together a lovely
piece.
And I must comment on the lyrics, they are incredibally beautiful. Good work.
- Forgotten on July 21, 2007
And I must comment on the lyrics, they are incredibally beautiful. Good work.
- Forgotten on July 21, 2007
ShrikeArghast;254917 wrote: I really wish this hadn't ended up being the only thing we ever heard from DragonAvenger. I love this song... it's dopey and makes me think of my grilfriend.
You haven't checked the WIP boards lately. I have something in progress, as well as a mix to be posted that I was a part of. I'm definately still making new stuff!
Glad everyone liked the piece who's commented!
- DragonAvenger on April 5, 2007
ShrikeArghast;254917 wrote: I really wish this hadn't ended up being the only thing we ever heard from DragonAvenger. I love this song... it's dopey and makes me think of my grilfriend.
You speak in the past tense as if this came out 6 years ago and she was never to be heard from again. What gives, bro? :lol:
- Liontamer on April 5, 2007
I really wish this hadn't ended up being the only thing we ever
heard from DragonAvenger. I love this song... it's dopey and makes
me think of my grilfriend.
- ShrikeArghast on April 5, 2007
- ShrikeArghast on April 5, 2007
I definitely liked this track from the game.
I can imagine that this one would be a hard one to remix and arrange. EFields did a good job of varying the song and arrangement up, though. There's not much to the original song, so good job.
The vocals are DragonAvenger's best, I think. The added echo and reverb really helps. The lyrics are written very well. They really match with the instrumentation. It's got a chill vibe going on.
The only thing that I don't really like is the ending.. and this is probably more a matter of taste. The abrupt ending kind of threw me off.
I was expecting the instrumentation to slowly fade and decrease in volume, but it just ended with a vocal line.
I would recommend anyone to download this and add it to your collection. It's definitely worth a listen. I'll always have it in my collection.
I hope to see more from Efields and definitely more from DragonAvenger. Keep up the great work!
- Degree on April 2, 2007
I can imagine that this one would be a hard one to remix and arrange. EFields did a good job of varying the song and arrangement up, though. There's not much to the original song, so good job.
The vocals are DragonAvenger's best, I think. The added echo and reverb really helps. The lyrics are written very well. They really match with the instrumentation. It's got a chill vibe going on.
The only thing that I don't really like is the ending.. and this is probably more a matter of taste. The abrupt ending kind of threw me off.
I was expecting the instrumentation to slowly fade and decrease in volume, but it just ended with a vocal line.
I would recommend anyone to download this and add it to your collection. It's definitely worth a listen. I'll always have it in my collection.
I hope to see more from Efields and definitely more from DragonAvenger. Keep up the great work!
- Degree on April 2, 2007
