ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Theme of Frog's'
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- Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Select Start
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'Frog's Theme'
- Posted: 2007-02-01, evaluated by the judges
- Album: Featured on Select Start
It took us ages to get a version of this piece from multi-talented multi-instrumentalist group Select Start at 192kbps, which is our current (and imo quite acceptable, with LAME) ceiling for encodes. Now that we have it, short though it may be, the band's arrangement of Frog's theme (in case the ever-creative mix title didn't give that away) is here, and rather good. Things intro with solo flute, but eventually flesh out to a more elaborate ensemble that introduces some nice harmonies alongside Mitsuda's amphibian anthem. Larry writes:
"It's short. That's about the only criticism I had. Hey, what can I say, I'd enjoy a few more minutes worth of this. Throughout the variations of the theme, there were some great changes in the texture and energy level (e.g. :26 & 1:06). The melody stays pretty conservative, but the presentation is personalized, you have all the other parts supplementing the melody with some swanky new harmonies and other new writing, plus it's played live. Brief, but it gets the message across nicely."
There was some panel apprehension regarding the flute part and what appears to be a single take approach, although this does add to the live feel of the performance. As with much of Mitsuda's work, there's a distinct Celtic bent to the source material, and it's accented effectively here with the live instrumentation, particularly the flute intro and violins; SS's arrangement style and instrumental arsenal in general work well with Mitsuda's oeuvre, and this is no exception. As Mr. Oji writes, the salient shortcoming here, if anything, is the piece's short length; I'm the last person to call for arbitrary padding, but I think it would have been relatively straightforward to add some 'stuff' in the same line and keep things substantive at the same time. Regardless, it's great to see live musicians putting together larger ensembles like SS and producing organic, flowing tracks like this; YM and Frog would both be happy, I'd bet. Be sure to check out more of their work at www.selectstartband.com.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the ohoo, the mix that was posted right before my debut mix! While it
may not mean anything to anyone else, it somehow means something to
me. XD
Select start absolutely pwned at magfest 6, and this specific track os one of their standout arrangements. At less than 2 minutes, the track is pretty brief, but it really has a nice feel due to the all live performances. The flute does seem a bit under pressure, but it's a pretty demanding part, and a second take might not have been an option. Either way, it's a great mix and I'm excited to hear some new material by them. :-)
- OA on December 11, 2009
Select start absolutely pwned at magfest 6, and this specific track os one of their standout arrangements. At less than 2 minutes, the track is pretty brief, but it really has a nice feel due to the all live performances. The flute does seem a bit under pressure, but it's a pretty demanding part, and a second take might not have been an option. Either way, it's a great mix and I'm excited to hear some new material by them. :-)
- OA on December 11, 2009
Celtic instruments + live + one of my favorite video game themes
from one of my favorite video games of all time = instant
classic.
If there's one beef I have, it's the fact that the flute at the beginning lasts a little too long for my tastes before the real meat of the piece starts in.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
If there's one beef I have, it's the fact that the flute at the beginning lasts a little too long for my tastes before the real meat of the piece starts in.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
I realize this is Frog's theme, but after watching Prince
Caspian yesterday and then listening to this, I can't help but
think of Reepicheep and his men (er, mice?).
- LuckyXIII on May 19, 2008
- LuckyXIII on May 19, 2008
Remix 7/1522
[URL="http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?p=265071#post265071"]OCR01549
- Chrono Trigger 'Theme of Frog's'[/URL]
Beginning with a sound more like the original track, Jethro Tull would not mind this at all. Good smooth live Celtic through and through
Score 10/10 "awesome"
- FlamingTP on April 28, 2008
Beginning with a sound more like the original track, Jethro Tull would not mind this at all. Good smooth live Celtic through and through
Score 10/10 "awesome"
- FlamingTP on April 28, 2008
Listening to this the first time, I was pretty dubious of the flute
intro. It wasn't the timings that bothered me; it was just that it
was so similar to the original that I wondered where you could take
it. I had a suspicion, and it turned out being exactly on the
money. The mix blows up from small scale to much bigger, not unlike
Hans Zimmer's theme for Tortuga in Pirates of the Caribbean 2. This
is basically Frog's Theme as it was meant to be heard, and that's
something I've always wanted.
- mDuo13 on April 28, 2007
- mDuo13 on April 28, 2007
Authenticity.
That's what all the small imperfections remind me of : this is not a ReMix done on a computer or using synthesizers, this is an actual band playing live. And although I have great love for computer-bred pieces and admiration for their authors, I must take my hat off to Select Start for their work since live recordings are a completely different ball game, where you can't just correct a mistake in a few clicks and that every sound you hear is actually played by a musician (no sound effects, no possibility of adding up several layers of the same instrument, etc).
Yes, this piece is a tad too short (the only true problem as far as I'm concerned).
Yes, there are some irregularities in the flute intro's timing.
Yes, the instruments aren't *perfectly* in tune.
But if you were sitting at the Prancing Pony in Bree, a mug of ale in your hand, hobbits running around while a tall guy sitting in the corner eyes you from the dark depths of his hood whilst smoking his pipe, wouldn't all these slight imperfections be there too ? Don't you feel they add to the organicness of the music ?
I just ordered Select Start's CD, because being in a band myself, I realize just how much even the slightest support and recognition from listeners means (and it's very reasonably priced). Looking forward to hear more from them !
- Darth Mamdouh on April 17, 2007
That's what all the small imperfections remind me of : this is not a ReMix done on a computer or using synthesizers, this is an actual band playing live. And although I have great love for computer-bred pieces and admiration for their authors, I must take my hat off to Select Start for their work since live recordings are a completely different ball game, where you can't just correct a mistake in a few clicks and that every sound you hear is actually played by a musician (no sound effects, no possibility of adding up several layers of the same instrument, etc).
Yes, this piece is a tad too short (the only true problem as far as I'm concerned).
Yes, there are some irregularities in the flute intro's timing.
Yes, the instruments aren't *perfectly* in tune.
But if you were sitting at the Prancing Pony in Bree, a mug of ale in your hand, hobbits running around while a tall guy sitting in the corner eyes you from the dark depths of his hood whilst smoking his pipe, wouldn't all these slight imperfections be there too ? Don't you feel they add to the organicness of the music ?
I just ordered Select Start's CD, because being in a band myself, I realize just how much even the slightest support and recognition from listeners means (and it's very reasonably priced). Looking forward to hear more from them !
- Darth Mamdouh on April 17, 2007
i haven't really heard a classical frog mix. Not to much difference
from the original which i like when it comes from classical, good
work..definateley. i will definately check out the site
- Faduger on February 23, 2007
- Faduger on February 23, 2007
You did it dude ... with that tune you made me cry :p been ages
since i played chrono for the last time and always love that frog
song ... the flute was a big surprise and even if the end varies
from the original i find it the best part as it rejuvenates the
original tune IMHO
in 5 words
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
- SoulCraft on February 23, 2007
in 5 words
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
- SoulCraft on February 23, 2007
You know how in anime how certain characters have specific theme
songs for when they do something heroic or something to that
effect? Well basically, what I'm saying is, if there was a Chrono
Trigger anime (and I mean an official one. Not some obscure OVA
thing or something to that effect) then this is what we'd hear
everytime Frog had a big fight scene.
Please make more of these for other characters' themes. It's good. Really, really, good.
- Falcovsleon20 on February 20, 2007
Please make more of these for other characters' themes. It's good. Really, really, good.
- Falcovsleon20 on February 20, 2007
its very well made in the sense that it is a professional sounding
work, but it is simple, not many instruments and subtle tones(not
that there is anything wrong with that) so you might want to add a
few more things to the remix to make it extra special. other than
that,very good job! -The Lone Ranger
- The Instrumental Light on February 15, 2007
- The Instrumental Light on February 15, 2007
I had never heard your work before and have never had a satisfied
remix to the theme. When i first heard the flute i wasn't sure if i
was going to be disappointed or not. As soon as the entire band
kicked in i found my happiness. Thank you for that. Glen would be
proud.
- Faduger on February 15, 2007
- Faduger on February 15, 2007
cobaltstarfire;231236 wrote: I don't really like the flute solo,normaly I don't care about out of tunedness if it fits the song, but the intonation and fingering is very sloppy here and feels more like a giant mistake, it hinders the song more than it helps.
However once things get going after the intro it isn't quite so bad, and the lack of tuneing between the instruments seems to give it a better (more organic?) feel than if the tuneing had been perfect.
Overal I like it, its kindof short, and I wouldn't really say its a direct cover of the original either. A pretty good arrangement though, baring the flute solo anyway...
Edit: Oh yeah, since people are mentioning it, the problem with the flute solo has little to do with recording ability if you ask me, its the musician playing it that is weak, the solo would be good if it had been executed a bit more skillfully. Because really...that little bit should not be difficult for a moderate level middle school/highschool student to play.
Well you do have a point there, the flute solo is a bit sloppy, and I do agree that it mixes well with the rest of the music once it gets going.
- HoboKa on February 9, 2007
I don't really like the flute solo,normaly I don't care about out
of tunedness if it fits the song, but the intonation and fingering
is very sloppy here and feels more like a giant mistake, it hinders
the song more than it helps.
However once things get going after the intro it isn't quite so bad, and the lack of tuneing between the instruments seems to give it a better (more organic?) feel than if the tuneing had been perfect.
Overal I like it, its kindof short, and I wouldn't really say its a direct cover of the original either. A pretty good arrangement though, baring the flute solo anyway...
Edit: Oh yeah, since people are mentioning it, the problem with the flute solo has little to do with recording ability if you ask me, its the musician playing it that is weak, the solo would be good if it had been executed a bit more skillfully. Because really...that little bit should not be difficult for a moderate level middle school/highschool student to play.
- cobaltstarfire on February 9, 2007
However once things get going after the intro it isn't quite so bad, and the lack of tuneing between the instruments seems to give it a better (more organic?) feel than if the tuneing had been perfect.
Overal I like it, its kindof short, and I wouldn't really say its a direct cover of the original either. A pretty good arrangement though, baring the flute solo anyway...
Edit: Oh yeah, since people are mentioning it, the problem with the flute solo has little to do with recording ability if you ask me, its the musician playing it that is weak, the solo would be good if it had been executed a bit more skillfully. Because really...that little bit should not be difficult for a moderate level middle school/highschool student to play.
- cobaltstarfire on February 9, 2007
Thin Crust;230781 wrote: I don't know why the previous reviewers had such a problem with the flute in the beginning. It was slightly shaky at some parts, but hardly noticable if you didn't look for it. That being said, I think this mix is awesome. It is simple and captivating. Catchy in the best way possible. I sincerely wish there was a lot more stuff like this on the site but alas, there isn't. 9.2/10 Great work.
Some ppl just don't understand that even the best musicians out there can't record their music 100% efficiently. I'd say this is as damned close as a non-profit musician can get to being superb.
- HoboKa on February 8, 2007
