The_Mighty_KELP

I realized that what I said may have been taken the wrong way - that I dislike this song. That's far from the truth. This remaster is easily one of my favorites of OA's remixes, and that's saying a lot. I've listened to it several more times, and my original comparison critiques still hold true - I especially dislike the weaksauce ending - but it's an awesome song. It's just compared to the original, I like many aspects of the original better. But does this remaster score big on its own merits? Heck yeah. You can bet it's gonna be in my Awesome Playlist along with the original. I think I figured out what I didn't like with the opening - it sounds too... organic. The synths. I much prefer the original's opening; it sounds darker, more mechanical, with its straight strings and throbbing bass. Job very well done, OA, thanks a ton. =D

So I'm totally psyched that not only this remix got posted, but that OA actually took my advice and even remastered it, and of course that I actually got credited for the former two actions. I actually like the original better in some ways. The opening bass notes sound darker and straighter, and it's louder as well, making the piece seem more... evil, I guess. The remastered version's bass seems to be a bit understated. The bass is really what makes this piece for me, and it just seems too bright (in comparison, anyway) in the remaster. Remastered has much nicer drums, and I like the synth beats going in the background. The strings are more powerful, too; I love the new strings throughout and how they're much more of a presence. The lead guitar sounds even more chaotic than it used to which is nice at some points, but the ending is just disappointing; you can barely hear its cool riff, and the octave higher note is almost nonexistent, which in the original makes the ending for me. I haven't listened to the remaster enough yet to decide which I like better, but I'll probably be sticking with the original. The remaster has some tempting new strings and synths, but the original's bass and atmosphere are just, well, better, in my opinion. I dunno. I could still swing the other way. On a positive note, it's easy to tell how much OA has improved since then. His production skills have definitely skyrocketed. P.S. It's not just one of the catchiest, it's quite possibly the greatest vocal remix from a video game of all time. But that's just me.

Can we PLEASE not turn this musical review area into a religious flame war? If it offends you, then leave the site and never come back. If you're that sensitive, we probably won't miss you. I'm a Christian myself, and I don't like seeing my Lord's name taken in vain, but that won't stop me from enjoying this remix. I'm just gonna re-name the MP3 anyway. =p Haven't actually listened to the mix yet. Knowing DrumUltimA, it's sure to be great. I thoroughly enjoyed his xylophone remix on Thieves of Fate (get that thing posted, already!!), so I'm sure this will be awesome as well! =D

Start to finish, this was awesome. I love this type of synth; hope to hear more of it in the future. The drums sounded fine to me. I kinda liked them the way they are. They didn't sound lo-fi at all. The piano at the start is really cool. I liked the transitions you did. My favorite part is definitely when the synth lead takes the main Tal Tal theme. I can never get enough of that melody. =D Looking forward to hearing more from you!

I totally agree how each and every track of VotL was epicly awesome. VotL remains one of my most favorite albums, and this track is one of my favorites. One question: is this a remaster of the original? Or is this straight off the album? I'm assuming it's straight off, so I'm not gonna bother redownloading it, unless I hear otherwise. PLEASE PM ME IF THIS IS A REMASTER. This is such a faithful recreation of the original tracks, only much more awesome. I love the electronica and sound effects used throughout. The alarms and train squealing really take you back to the opening scene, don't they? One of my most favorite moments is at 3:02, when the strings and voices do a call-response thing. Sweet. The percussion throughout never gets boring, even if you specifically listen to just it. There's tons of variety and syncopation. I love it. At 3:59 is another one of my favorite moments, when there's those synths running wild over the place. Overall, very high quality and excellently crafted. Extra points to BCG and thanks to zircon for his help!

OHHhhhhhh.... if you ever find out a way, I want 6 million shares of stock.

Geez, OA, is there ANYTHING you aren't totally awesome at??!?! Cant' wait for the project release... gonna pwn so much....

I like it! The change looks good. P.S. For the first time, I'm able to see a picture of good ol' djp on his remixer page. Seriously, I never knew what he looked like before... anyway, you're really handsome!! I'm serious!

Exactly as I suspected, I've had no time to write nearly the amount of reviews that I would like to. I'm lucky I have some free time to write this following review. Hopefully I'll get less busy after the Christmas season. Big Giant Circles is one of my more favorite remixers, and this is one of his best. An excellent remix of an excellent source tune from an excellent game (with an excellent title, no less!), Amanda's Tear has some very good points. I love the opening, and when the strings come in at 0:15, it's simply gorgeous. The percussion at 0:28 is very nice. Sorta distant but with some punch; it fits this style perfectly. The melody from 0:34 to 1:02 is nice, and I like the synth-y running pattern all throughout. When the backup strings and everything else comes in at 1:02, this remix hits my personal favorite point. This remix is mostly orchestral, and sometimes I find myself wishing it had stayed that way and not had the electric guitar at 1:43. I do like this other direction BGC took it, though. In fact, I like it better in some ways, although it certainly would have worked as just orchestra. The electric guitar wavers on the held notes to a point that's juuuuust shy of being obnoxious. Any more and it would've lowered my enjoyment of the piece. I'm glad BGC knows when to quit. I'm a sucker for a good turn, and the turn at 2:00 is no exception. I love it. So awesome. When the guitar drops out at 2:11 and the violin takes the melody again, I must commend BGC for not having it hold that note for too long. Again I say, any longer would be obnoxious. I like how at 2:39 most of the instruments have dropped and it's gotten quiet, and then at 2:53 the strings come back in. I really like the strings in this piece. They're gorgeous. I don't know why some people think the ending is abrubt -- it seems very well thought out and a natural end result of the melodic line, to me. In fact, I like the ending quite a lot. It's hard to hear on low volume, but the piano notes near the very end (similar to the ones in the introduction) wrap up this entire piece for me. Overall, it's a very beautiful orchestral/electronic remix that has some very beautiful points and is an enjoyable listen. Highly recommended -- 4.60 out of 5.00. Reviews written: 3 out of 600+.

I'd love you to! If you have any remixes from any other tracks from the game, I'd love to hear them, too. This game's soundtrack pwns.

There's a Tales of Phantasia remix project coming up?!??! I finally have a reason to continue living!!! I cannot believe how well my dreams have been realized. I'll find that remix you mentioned straightaway and eagerly await the project!!

Oh, COME ON!!!! I can't BELIEVE that OCR has been around this long and this track is still ignored. Me, I played the fan-translated SNES ROM long before the GBA port came out, so I've been crushing on this song for a really long time. Now that the GBA port is out, no one has any excuse to not buy it, as it's probably one of the top ten RPGs of all time. Tales of Phantasia's soundtrack is also one of my most favorite soundtracks ever, with "Fighting Spirit" holding the title of "Best Boss Battle Music EVAH". Just go listen to the original... you can find it somewhere online, I bet. Not having YouTube access on this computer, I can't link you to a video which might contain the original. My request is for a rock remix of this song. I think Sixto Sounds' style would fit it perfectly, as it's an awesome rock song, which he seems to do quite well. There are many other people that could do it well, too. I want my remix!!!

Well, I have news for you, Shnabubula. I played the game long before ever coming on OCR, and I did like the original soundtrack. Your remix captures the essence of the original perfectly, and (of course) makes it even better. So, the review. I really like the synth at the very start, but I'm glad you have some piano start at 0:08, otherwise it might sound bare. The original soundtrack has quite a unique sound that really lives up to the game's title, Harmony of Dissonance. At 0:17, when the running piano part comes in (and who knows what else), it almost starts to sound dissonant, but for some reason, it doesn't. I still don't know why. Are those... coughing sound effects at 0:17 and 0:22? At 0:25, when that... thing... comes in. What IS it? It sounds like a cross between a synth with a cold, a chipmunk, and a whale. I swear, I have no idea what it is. Sounds good, though. =p And then we finally get melody at 0:34. Yay! The highly odd-sounding voice (?) that accompanies it could've been left out without damaging the mix (maybe even improving it, imo), but it works. I must say that whenever I play it out loud I get some strange looks from my family. I like how at 1:08 the other instrument takes over the melody. I like it better. At 1:25, the mix gains a bit more depth. I've listened to it a bunch of times, but I still can't pick out WHY it does. Good work, anyhow. The section from 2:15 to 3:25 is my personal favorite, and contains some of your best work yet, Shnaby. I especially love how at 2:22 the *searches for description, fails* thingy comes in with the high note running pattern just like in the original, and it sounds awesome and makes the entire mix worth listening to. At 2:30, that same instrument really goes wild and picks up some serious speed. Awesome. At 2:49, everything comes together in a glorious display of dissonance that somehow works and is pleasing to listen to. The drum bridge at 3:26 is great, and I like how the synth comes back in at 3:29 and repeats over and over the first phrase of the melody. Everything starts winding down at 3:42, and the high note at 4:15 with the other synth coming in below it on melody works perfectly. 4:58 is another section reminescent of 2:15, and then promptly goes into the ending. The isolated voice at 5:17 (if only I could understand what it's trying to say!) and last note remind me of a technique used in classical music, when the entire band will pause (or just fade or hold a single note) and have a single instrument play a note or two, then all come back for the ending. Leroy Anderson's Christmas Sleigh Ride is a perfect example of this. 'Nuff said. I like this mix, despite all the quirkiness and lack of organization in some places. 4.25 out of 5.

Hey, I'm new here. I introduced myself over on the newbie introduction thread, so check me out if you wish. This is my first review, so let's see how I do! I like the introduction. Some nice, lush chords are a good way to go. I always like hearing source material early on, and I like how JJT plays through the main melody once, before having a little bridge at 0:38. The pause at 1:28 is nice. I like how he then transitions into Searching Friends. The drawn-out note at 2:08 is perfectly beautiful. The repetition of the same note/rhythm from 2:11 to 2:40 or so gets kinda boring, but I like how it then changes back to the best rendition of Setzer in this mix. JJT has a long wind-down for this mix, from 3:18 to the end at 4:00, but the leading bass melody really helps keep it interesting, right up 'til the last note. The ritard at 3:48 is perfect. Overall, an excellent mix. Not one of my most favorite piano solos, but it's got some good moments. I give it... 3.5 out of 5 stars. Above average.

Hello, I am The_Mighty_KELP. I've been lurking around OCR for years, without ever bothering to create an account or do any forum posting. I've always been incredibly interested in the remixes on the site, though, and I've been noticing that many of the non-djpretzel reviews don't really say anything much. They might just say "I liked it", but they often don't go into any detail. I have created my account so that I may give some more detailed feedback from my position as a prominent musician and music-lover. Thanks!