ReMix: Final Fantasy V 'My Home, My Friends'

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Final Fantasy V

Whew... you might think that with a three day weekend for most of us here in the states, we would have posted more mixes, but I've been busy with focused site development such that interrupting and finding time to post music was a little difficult. I did however have the time to catch Iron Man, which even after considerable buildup I was still happy with. Also recommend checking out OC ReMixer sephfire's recently released video on Games & Sex, which is well-made PLUS features a small excerpt from one of my mixes. Honestly, there's been so much going on that we haven't had time to talk about, and it's all coming at a time when my own personal focus continues to be on site development to make our plans for 2008 happen. It's a very frustrating division of responsibilities, but fortunately Larry's been handling a lot of the PR stuff recently, and I'm delegating more than ever to helpful folks (Bahamut, CHz, Palpable, and soon others) to assist with database tasks. There's a rough road ahead, but each week we're making consistent, gradual progress, and furthermore, there should be some fantastic album releases on the horizon.

Thus, onto the ReMix. VHD was going to title this "My Home, My Friends... My Miller Lite(TM)!!" but we convinced him to use the shortened, somewhat classier version. I kid, though... it's always great to see more mixage from Mr. Barnaba, who's covered a good variety of RPG scores with his elegant orchestral abilities. This FF5 mix combines two themes seamlessly into a Joe Hisaishi style piece, as Dan explains:

"...As the title implies, this is an orchestral arrangement of two pieces from Final Fantasy 5: 'Dear Friends,' and 'My Home, Sweet Home.'"

If you're familiar with Dan's work, the quality and emotion you'd expect is present and accounted for; if this is your first exposure, be sure to check out the rest of his repertoire, as literally everything is well worth a listen. Strings open on legato chords, a mixture of hope and melancholy, with winds joining in soon afterwards. A push at 0'54" evokes many a cinematic score, and the pizzicato/chromatic percussion duet of sorts is equally narrative; I see this as the opening piece of a film, as the camera rolls over hills and majestic mountains during the more sweeping passages and focuses on different scenes of town life during the more intimate solo bits. Brass plays a stronger role in the section beginning around 2'26", where hits introduce a march tempo with rolling snare and string runs.

We talk about transitions a lot - it makes sense, since this is a website focused on arrangement - and whether a given piece has solid or somewhat awkward transitions can definitely affect the overall listening experience, not to mention influence the judges' decisions. What's so cool about VHD, and this mix in particular, is that not only are the transitions almost transparent, but they bridge ensemble and solo sections, often with very different tones, so they're doing quite a bit of work, too.

We didn't really have an FF5 piece in this specific genre/style, which should be very accessible to film score buffs or anyone into FF orchestral; there aren't a lot of impresario passages with flurries of notes or brash displays of sequencing technique, but rather a cohesive, deliberate arrangement that's both classy and emotional, displaying a refined sense of direction and timing as well as very solid production. Awesome stuff.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 12 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
It's a shame that this hasn't gotten many comments, Vampire Hunter Dan manages to make solid music.
I definitely like this take though. I find it hard to place my finger on why, but perhaps it's because of the semi-dramatic approach it starts off with, and then a more mechanical/playful section, to then further on with a mix of My Home Sweet Home and Dear Friends. Someone with more theory knowledge can probably pinpoint how the song does things nicely, but it has a great flow to it.

- Bahamut on November 9, 2009
This remix nearly brings me to tears, then it picks me right back up and ends with a flourish. It's delicate yet majestic, and the balance in instrumentation and in arrangement is simply marvelous. I've always been a sucker for the harp, so its entrance seals the deal for me. Though the first 2:20 is out-of-this world beautiful, the rest of the song also superb, and the melding of the two themes toward the end wraps things up nicely.
I understand the complaints of the transition after 3:00, but I don't mind it. I envision this being played in the closing scene of a ballet: perhaps a wedding as Dhsu mentioned, at 2:20 an entrance by possible antagonists who eventually reveal their approval of the occasion, at 3:15 some wistful remembrances of several prior adventures that took place with the guests on hand, a short procession at 4:22, and a closing starting at 4:50 with a fitting happily-ever-after retreat of the couple that somehow still leaves open the possibility for future adventures.
I'm no expert on orchestral works, to say the least, but I find what you have crafted here to be truly phenomenal.
Thank you, Mr Barnaba.

- K.B. on December 6, 2008
One of the best sources in the history of Final Fantasy and video gaming in general. You certainly brought it justice (I tried too but ended up raping the source totally instead...) and for that I thank you, OCR and the world needed this. Great stuff!

- Another Soundscape on December 6, 2008
The source tunes are two of the most beautiful melodies in Final Fantasy V (and the FF series in general) and I'm glad to hear them getting the orchestral treatment. A shame to see this with so few reviews, but understandable as the game never had a prominent North American release.
I'm actually a little surprised I didn't review this arrangement myself before now. The "Home Sweet Home" section is epic and sweeping, and probably wouldn't sound out of place if you heard it while watching Braveheart. The transition provides drama and variety while preparing listeners for the march-like rhythms of the "Dear Friends" section, which in my opinion would be perfect for a Final-Fantasy-themed wedding.
Dan never skimps in terms of arrangement or sample quality, and "My Home, My Friends" is an excellent example of his skill. Definitely recommended.

- Dhsu on December 2, 2008
VHD does orchestra very well, and this one isn't going to disappoint.
There's a great use of dynamics throughout, and some excellent sections. The mood shifts from each one, each covering a different emotional range, with a pretty great ending.
Very nice balance and arrangement, very strong work.

- OA on August 28, 2008
DramaNoMore;411654 wrote: I have a complaint: There is this great "evil" part that begins around 2:20, but at 3:00 it shifts onto a totally diferent mood with no transition at all.

Seconded. Considering how smooth everything else in this remix works together, this transition was really lackluster.
Other than that, everything else in this piece comes together beautifully. In other words, it's exactly the quality-orchestra-arrangement you expect when you think about Vampire Hunter Dan.

- Martin Penwald on June 19, 2008
Thought I reviewed this already. Anyways.
I like how this was slowed down and made more dramatic. It really brings out the feeling of longing. On the opposite side, having the more 'quirky' sections kept the mood a little lighter, in a good way.
I don't know the source of the 'dark' part of the song, but I can't say I really like it. It was too far removed from the rest of the piece.
I don't know if it's just because I'm playing things a little quiet, but I felt like the volume could use a boost.
Overall, I like the piece, just some detracting factors lessened my enjoyment a little.
Nicely done.

- DragonAvenger on June 12, 2008
Awesome. The string work and chord progression are the highlights for me along with the intro.

- avaris on May 28, 2008
First of all, I really loved this piece.
Now, in an atempt of constructive criticism, I have a complaint: There is this great "evil" part that begins around 2:20, but at 3:00 it shifts onto a totally diferent mood with no transition at all.
Other than that, this whole piece is gorgeous, really.

- DramaNoMore on May 27, 2008
This reminds me a fair amount of a more dramatic Jeremy Soule. Or rather, like a more dramatic version of Jeremy Soule's ambient tracks from the Elder Scrolls series. Perhaps maybe mostly for the first part. At some points, it works really well - at others, I think it's a bit too much - not enough down time and too much "cymbal crash! Strrriiiiiiings!" The intro especially seemed to be getting off to a wonderful start, and then suddenly we had runs in the strings and woosh! Drama! I would have liked to hear the slow part really play with some chords and melodic ideas. Also, the piece feels like it stays in a certain pitch range for the majority of its duration, but I might be wrong on that. Still, I would have liked to hear more contrast in highs and lows.
But! That's not enough of a problem to bring down the really great aspects of this piece. Easily Vampire Hunter Dan's best work that I can remember. I do wish that he would have developed the slow sections a lot more and ultimately increased the length of the song that way, but his ideas here are creative and well executed. His use of brass here is also flawless, and THAT alone is worth almost infinite praise on OCR.
We need more stuff like this!

- artemisjaeger on May 27, 2008
Very good job on this one.

- Scaredsim on May 27, 2008
What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

- djpretzel on May 26, 2008

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