ReMix: Final Fantasy Adventure 'Chivalry Begins'
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- Game: Final Fantasy Adventure (Square, 1991, GB)
- ReMixer(s): Big Giant Circles
- Composer(s): Kenji Ito, Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Rising Sun'
- Posted: 2010-07-27, evaluated by djpretzel
Big Giant Birthday! Happy bday to the panel's own Jimmy Hinson, who originally contributed this Final Fantasy Adventure pop vocal ReMix to Josh's Songs for the Cure '10 album. BGC writes:
"I can definitely agree that the lyrics in "Chivalry Begins" are going to strike many people as cheesy, haha. Truthfully, they were written years ago and exclusively outline the general premise for FFA, which is essentially about the (almost) love story of a young lad who unwittingly becomes the protector of the a young girl who turns out to be someone of great worth to the world as revealed later on.
When considering what to contribute to the album, I came across an older version of this song on my hard drive, and the general principle of an ordinary person taking it upon his/herself to protect/care for another seemed to fit the spirit of what the Cancer Drive is all about. Definitely a bit cheesy to be, say, heard on the radio, but I hope the message itself is enjoyable enough considering the context. :-)
As for the 80’s mixing/style (especially the guitar solo), that was pretty much the exact intent I had, so good ear! The 80's rock, I miss them. :-)"
For those of you who've been lucky enough to catch Jimmy jamming with Brandon & others at various OCR meetups over the years, it'll come as no surprise that he can hold his own on both guitar AND vocals, and this mix thankfully employs both. He readily admits to using some autotune - not the T-Pain kind, just for touch-ups - because (like the majority of us) he's not a pro singer, but it sounds pretty solid to me. The arrangement is dynamic, interesting, but also very catchy & approachable - nice blend of guitars and acoustic elements with a significant helping of synths, even working in some trance riffs towards the end. I for one think the lyrics are just fine; they might set off the cheese-o-meter when read aloud sans music, but like so many lyrics to so many songs, they sound completely natural in context. And what's more, they're heartfelt and make sense relative to the game WITHOUT explicitly being exclusive to it - always a great feat. Vocally, I'm digging the chorus the most; yes, this is probably the part that got the largest helping of autotunage, but it's also a really nice harmony, and the delayed doppelganger on each refrain works well.
Jimmy's got a very long history with FFA, and I think with this mix he's basically realized the goal of doing an album with co-conspirator Ziwtra, as they've got nine mixes between the two of them. I'm not saying I don't wanna hear more, but the body of work is substantive enough that you can think of it as a "virtual album" of sorts. This track is different from all the rest, however, not only because it's been awhile and Jimmy's upped his game (and, oh btw, co-composed Mass Effect 2), but because the guitar and especially the vocals make it unique among his arrangements, and the level of emotion & power is enhanced. While it's BGC's birthday, somehow we're the ones getting gifts; great, memorable piece!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - Crulex on September 10, 2012
Excellent work!
- Daemon Gildas on July 9, 2012
Religiously, it sounds like the sort of Christian music I was brought up with, especially with the "All I have to give you back are just my two hands/To help you find your way to heaven", which instantly made me think of Jesus. (I'm sorta religious, sorta not.)
But then the religious feelings were overblown when I realized it described my on again off again crush on a friend of mine, better than I can express in words. So I sent it to her, because I can't bring myself to say I care about her in words again. That was.......well, two minutes ago. I don't think she would have listened to it just yet, but still, she'll probably think I'm trolling her (I've confessed feelings for her in Mandalorian from Star Wars before, so I'm not sure how she's gonna react to an epic song like this)
BGC, thank you. For all of the different meanings this song can have, and for making me realize that this kind of music is truly amazing.
- StreetFlare on March 29, 2012
mrp;794228 wrote: I've never even played Final Fantasy Adventure before,
Definitely give it a playthrough sometime.
- Fudd on December 17, 2011
And damn is it good. Hope you decide to do more vocal stuff in this vein in the future, because this is definitely one of the best remixes I've heard on this site over the years. Awesome melody, great guitar work... yeah. Not much else to say as I'm not very educated when it comes to audio, but it sounds good, haha.
Cheers.
- mrp on July 8, 2011
- Melbu Frahma on September 19, 2010
Great source tune to. I didn't think anyone was gonna compare with Ziwtra's cover but you definitely matched and then lapped it.
- Less Ashamed Of Self on August 23, 2010
The guitar solo has a rather epic sound to it. The trance riffs in the last part of the song are an interesting addition; on the one hand, they sound kinda weird in a song like that, but on the other hand, the do add a certain awesomeness to it.
- Martin Penwald on August 16, 2010
- OA on August 6, 2010
Anyway, really liking this mix. To point out what others have already said (and what BGC has already admitted), I'm definately hearing the Goo Goo Dolls influence. That was basically my first thought upon listening to this song. My other thought was "This is Epic!"
And as far as the somewhat cheesy lyrics go... I listen to fantasy metal, so really, the cheesier the better :P
Awesome mix.
- DragnBreth on August 3, 2010
big giant circles;701798 wrote: both :)
That being said, I'm a little ticked off at The Crakaz for stealing all mah vocal hate. :< SAVE SOME FOR ME NEXT TIME JOE :)!!
They really should be more considerate. :P
- Mirby on July 30, 2010
docnano;701013 wrote: the mix has a catchy chorus and a pleasant ostinato on bells (or piano?).
both :)
EmpyClaw;701201 wrote: Very awesome mix: strong energy, passion, and excellent execution. I'm happy to see it on something like Songs for the Cure. One of my best friend's eldest brother passed away two weeks ago after a long struggle with Cancer. He was buried with his character sheet and dice; I get the feeling that he would have liked VG music being used to help find a cure.
Sorry to hear about that, my condolences to your friend. :(
avaris;701228 wrote: Happy b-day mix Jimmy!
I remember hearing a very early version of this on your site years ago. Was happy to see you finally finish the song off. :) Good take on a classic theme dude.
Thanks man, it's a pretty old mix for sure lol
Lady Shinigami;701562 wrote: It sounds amazing. At first I wasn't quite sure I would like it enough to listen all the way through if it had cheesy lyrics and an easy beat, but I took a look at the lyrics and . . . wow. That's all. This is an awesome piece.
I need to work harder on making my lyrics cheesier then, right? ;)
JaDE ARaN HaRuNo;701648 wrote: Got the chance to give this thread some love!
FINALLY BGC gives us vocals for one of his OC ReMixes. I only want more of them! Beautiful track, Jim. Since you have so many FFA tracks, I take it that's your favorite game?
Well, I wouldn't say it's my favorite game exactly, but I do love it a lot, and as far as Gameboy games go, it's got some of the best music on that platform, which is saying a lot, since I love a ton of GB soundtracks!
I'm extremely flattered by all the kind comments here and on youtube where people are saying "You know I don't really like vocal mixes, but hey, this is pretty good!" To an amateur singer dude like myself, that's a wonderful compliment and warmly received.
That being said, I'm a little ticked off at The Crakaz for stealing all mah vocal hate. :< SAVE SOME FOR ME NEXT TIME JOE :)!!
- big giant circles on July 30, 2010
FINALLY BGC gives us vocals for one of his OC ReMixes. I only want more of them! Beautiful track, Jim. Since you have so many FFA tracks, I take it that's your favorite game?
- JaDE ARaN HaRuNo on July 29, 2010
~LS
- Lady Shinigami on July 29, 2010
- halc on July 29, 2010
