ReMix: Xenogears 'When the Smoke Clears'
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- Game: Xenogears (Square, 1998, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): Geoffrey Taucer
- Composer(s): Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'The Treasure Which Cannot Be Stolen'
- Posted: 2009-10-19, evaluated by djpretzel
The second I heard (and understood) the concept behind Humans + Gears, I wondered whether Taucer would be doing something for the Humans half. I heard someone complain once that describing music as 'organic' is pretentious or silly or what not, but I disagree... when something is humanized, emotional, and performed with soul, I think calling it 'organic' - especially to disambiguate from quantized, sequenced electronica - is completely appropriate. Furthermore, in this instance, it literally makes sense, given the album's dichotomy between homo sapiens and mechs. Point being, Jeremy's JUST the artist you want contributing to the organic side of the equation, and he's put together an intimate, emotional arrangement of 'The Treasure Which Cannot Be Stolen' - project director Avaris writes:
"There really isn't much to say about this mix. It's breathtaking and thought provoking. I am honoured to say the least that Taucer made this mix and has waited patiently for it to be released. This mix encapsulates one of our main goals behind the project. And that was to make emotional mix that people could feel connected to. I'll stop talking because Jeremy's words describe his mix far better than mine ever could."
And what are those words, exactly? The artist writes:
"This mix is a very emotional one for me, and I think the story behind it is worth telling. As most (if not all) of you know, I coach gymnastics. It's far more than a job to me; the gym is my home, the kids I coach are my family. Back in October of '06, a hazmat plant next door to the gym exploded, and much of the town was blanketed in toxic fumes. For three terrifying days, I had no way of knowing if my kids were ok, and no way of contacting them to find out. That weekend, my girls had a competition at another gym. At that point, most of them had been forced to evacuate their homes, and didn't know when they'd be able to go back. That meet was the first I saw of them after the explosion, and I think seeing them all there made me more relieved than I'd ever been about anything in my life. The fact that, in spite of all that had happened, they still showed up, still came together, and on top of it all performed beautifully, made me more proud of them than I can ever describe. Their perseverance and dedication in spite of the explosion were absolutely inspiring. I started on this track when I got home from that meet. It was awhile later before I actually got to recording it or posting it anywhere, but it has still been driven by that original inspiration all the way. This song is dedicated to my kids, whom I love more than anything."
I'm gonna shut up now because honestly, that's one of the most moving stories behind a mix that I've ever heard, and the music matches & mirrors the emotion. Superlative.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Hats off to Jeremy for giving us this exceptional piece of music.
- relyanCe on October 26, 2009
Emunator;605065 wrote: That's an Irish Whistle... I think that's what you're talking about, anyway :-P
I really have no words for this mix other than what I posted in the album review thread. Absolutely stellar and the story behind the mix only makes it better. This takes a lot of the ideas from "Destined for Greatness"'s first sections and puts them center stage for a mix that's emotionally engaging and very personal.
Missed this earlier.
I actually did this mix before "Destined for Greatness;" in fact, the reason I ended up doing "Destined for Greatness" in DADGAD tuning was because my guitar was already tuned that way from working on this track.
- Geoffrey Taucer on October 24, 2009
- metalsnakejuice on October 23, 2009
ziwtra;606292 wrote: Easily my favorite track from the album.
The urge to let the world hear this track kept me going past the finish line with all the various parts of this project.
I.... wow.
Comming from you, I take this as very high praise indeed.
- Geoffrey Taucer on October 22, 2009
The urge to let the world hear this track kept me going past the finish line with all the various parts of this project.
- ziwtra on October 22, 2009
- Catharsis on October 21, 2009
MessagesFromEarth;605849 wrote: I teach English in Japan and I live out in the countryside. I first heard this in the morning as I was doing the half-hour walk to school. As I walked along the winding road that went up hills and down into valleys this song came on my mp3 player. Perfect for a brisk Autumn morning walking sleepy country roads past houses where the kids are just leaving to go to school. [b]When I listen to this I feel like everything is right in my world. I feel like I'm home.[/b]
Wow. This is almost exactly the idea I was trying to get accross in this mix. The feeling of being home, of being with family.
This comment absolutely made my day. Thank you!
- Geoffrey Taucer on October 21, 2009
- Lucentas on October 21, 2009
- MessagesFromEarth on October 21, 2009
- yosefu on October 21, 2009
- jintoreedwine on October 20, 2009
Will be listening to this song for quite some time dude!
- avaris on October 19, 2009
Damn. I love this one a lot. Great real instruments, flawless execution... you're amazing dude.
Well done, worth every second of the effort.
- Less Ashamed Of Self on October 19, 2009
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