ReMix:Shining Force CD "Five-Sided Square" 3:47

By Quinn Fox

Arranging the music of one song...

"Open Plains"

Primary Game: Shining Force CD (Sega , 1994, SCD), music by Motoaki Takenouchi

Posted 2006-10-01, evaluated by the judges panel


Quinn Fox returns more than a year since his last mix with our first coverage from Shining Force CD. This relatively laid-back electronica piece is laden with purer synth tones that are occassionally mixed with lo-fi effects, juxtaposed against mysterious, enveloping ambient pads and layered, downbeat-heavy drums. Malcos writes:

"Very atmospheric, ambient sounding piece. The arrangement is very engaging, with the textures ever changing. This is definitely something different, and treads that fine line between quirky and weird - I could see why Liontamer thought that this could end up being an overall yes or no. I did think the hats were a touch too loud, and there were times when I thought that perhaps relying on slightly altered drumloops was making the percussion elements boring - but as soon as that thought entered my head, the groove changed. Very original, very good, very quirky."

I'd tend to agree that some more variance in the percussive department - a stuttering effect, fill, or filter sweep, for example - would have helped delineate between the mix's sections. What's particularly cool here is the interplay between the different synth textures, bells, and pads, and the harmonic and counter-melodic ways in which said textures are utilized. JJT provides a succinct one-liner:

"This mix is deceptively simple, well written, and displays a wide palette of sonic textures."

Couldn't have said it better myself; good stuff from Quinn, merging rudimentary, almost chiptunish textures with more dynamic, evocative ambient for an enjoyable and interesting listen.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Eino Keskitalo
on 2023-08-08 08:51:37

I'm surprised I haven't commented on this before!

I checked out this mix ages ago because I was familiar with the music from SF1 and 2. I loved it! This is a chill piece with an interesting progression and a lovely, lovely synthy sound to it.

But since then I've played Sword of Hajya - the original Shining Force Gaiden 2 for the Game Gear, and there was one tune on that that was my particular favourite - amazing, just amazing. I didn't recall for sure if this ReMix was arranging the same source material - and sure enough it is! It's a very, very creative take on it too.. So good!

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-RK-
on 2010-12-11 03:49:52

God this is a great track, the attention to detail is great. This is some of the most creative instrumentation I've ever heard, and I personally think the arrangement is fantastic, possibly even genius, but I don't want to gush.:P

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WesternZypher
on 2010-11-07 20:14:29

Like powdered creamer, this is insta-zen - add beat, stir, and: enlightenment (or at least an artificially close suitable approximation)

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tweex
on 2009-10-20 13:06:37

And for our last/most recent Quinn Fox piece, we return to his very chilled out sound. I like it. Some commented that it took too long to develop but the dynamic shifts and slow build works wonderfully for me. The chip samples sound excellent in this context. The arrangement is phenomenal. The rhodes piano sounds fantastic. The dissonant underlying chords adds a dark almost foreboding tone to the piece and I really like it. The brief break down is a nice dynamic shift. The piano sounds great. Excellent work, as usual, Quinn and I hope we get to hear more from you in the future!

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OA
on 2007-12-17 11:50:14

Takes awhile to get filled out sufficiently, but once it does, it stays that way.

I was sure after the first listen whether or not I liked the track itself, though the production and sound choices were all good, with perhaps the exception of the lead sound; I think it needs to be a little more edgy.

I also think that the mix wanders a bit too much; maybe it's just the mood im in, but I think it should have a little more direction. The transitions are the culprit here i think, as the sections themselves are strong, but without something connecting the parts, it feels aimless to me. Otherwise it's a good mix.

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Master_Yoshi
on 2006-11-09 21:54:13

I for one did not find myself getting bored of this. I don't know why, but something about the atmosphere and groove of it just keeps me interested. Each of the repetitions of the theme seems to be a little different every time, and I thoroughly enjoy this piece.

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Fiendofthenorth
on 2006-10-12 12:10:28

Like many other people complain, this song does develop slowly, and does sound a bit minimalist. Fortunately, I very much like the minimalist and ambient quality of this remix, and fell in love with this song right from the start. The slow way the melody wanders throughout the song lets me sit back and just listen, totally letting my mind enjoy some awesome quality calming music. 9/10, an awesome song I will listen to many a time in the future.

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nycpntr
on 2006-10-02 20:08:56

Nice work, like a cloud. I enjoyed when you started to mess with the harmonies surrounding the source material towards the end. The end itself is a nice climactic one. I feel like you could have "had your way" with the original a little more, sounded a little to "safe" but then again i'm friends with shnabubula so i guess that explains that. All in all nice work, kudos on that complex ambient patch that takes the stage in the beginning and end.

8)

-sigmund abeles

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Tepid
on 2006-10-02 19:39:54

This song is just plain awesome. Nice work again Quinn!

Love the riff at 1:24, real smooth.

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Pink
on 2006-10-02 12:19:16

This is one of those mixes where I can't really decide whether I like it or not...

The production has noticeable holes and isn't balanced in a few spots... but on the other hand the song is quite peppy and enjoyable. Sadly it has the feel of one of those songs you tire from quickly. This probably could've used a bit more refinement before being submitted and it would've been just that much better.

This sort of song doesn't really appeal to me too much, it just tends to get lost in the background instead of drawing out my attention. It'd be one of those songs that I'd give a 3 out of 5 stars if I heard it on the Ormgas stream.

This song isn't too bad though, it's pretty average and certainly isn't terrible. It's worth a listen, who knows, you might like it!

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Ness757
on 2006-10-02 00:33:56

It's been awhile since we've heard from Quinn Fox. It's good to know that he's still alive and in the music mixing business. Like all the other mixes he's done, this one is amazing. It's quirky, nostalgic (all the 8-bit sounds), and an overall great tune.

The only drawback is I can see myself getting tired of it really fast and I don't like that stuff in the middle of the song too much.

8.5/10 :)

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antacid03
on 2006-10-01 23:10:12

This is an oldie. I remember seeing this on vgmix2 when it was still around, though I'm not sure if this is a remastery of it, since I don't remember that one too much :roll:

I am glad to see another Shining mix posted. Keep them coming!

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-RK-
on 2006-10-01 21:15:11

Damn this is cool/sexy/smooth. Great structure, despite being VERY minimal at times, it never feels empty, and flows from moment to moment with ease, with some trippy sounds to boot.

Fantastic.

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Sam Ascher-Weiss
on 2006-10-01 20:19:30

I love this Remix. Mindbending interpretation of an excellent source. Now this site has two Motoakimixes. Somebody needs to tackle the Jewel Master soundtrack and bring the count up to three. GREAT WORK!

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sgx
on 2006-10-01 19:47:08

I used to put SF CD in my discman all the time way back when. Interesting mix. Glad to hear SFCD represented (this song is also in SF for Gamegear, btw).

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Shining Force CD (Sega , 1994, SCD)
Music by Motoaki Takenouchi
Songs:
"Open Plains"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Hip Hop
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Synth
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Shining_Force_CD_Five-Sided_Square_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,913,101 bytes
MD5:
4114568d7e702c0f2215c3a36d08c0a8
Bitrate:
170Kbps
Duration:
3:47

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