I guess I was just swayed by its Celtic charm. It helps that it sounds like it was really fun to perform for everyone involved. Anyway, Bravely Default II has been announced and while that makes the fact I still don’t have a Switch all the more devastating, it is great to know that Revo is back as the composer. This is kinda why I think Mitsuda’s Xenogears OST would be better off performed by a live ensemble. When playing Bravely Default and Bravely Second back to back, the music downgrade is really grating. It’s not that Ryo is a bad composer - B2nd still has a very solid JRPG soundtrack, but not only is Revo exceptionally skilled in writing this kind of music, I feel what really elevates Default’s soundtrack is that all of it is performed by a live ensemble. It really helps elevate many of the scenes and is a key factor in building atmosphere. But of course, that would be nothing if Revo’s compositions couldn’t be summed up as basically SNES FF music on steroids, since Ryo’s ost just sounds very... anime
It's not a bad track, but of the versions I've heard, Cried's just feels off to me. Maybe because it sounds like a garage band doing a cover of it, which isn't helped by the more up-tempo second half, though I appreciate the accordion since it rarely gets much love as an instrument. I like Myth's version, but it lacks a certain flexibility the original has. I still enjoy both for different reasons, but the original will always be the definitive version for me.
I mean, that’s fair. For me, I just really like how the track turned out on it’s own, not necessarily as a representation of what the track should have been like.
Did you listen to Creid, the Celtic album? That one has an arrangement of Bonds of Sea and Fire that I really like
I still feel part of the issues is that Xenogears was one of his more overlooked OSTs at the time due to the game not being that popular. I've noticed more people have come around to it thanks in part to the game's cult status, but I've noticed his works in Xenosaga and Shadow Hearts also tend to be downplayed compared to the more commercial Chrono soundtracks. I think what really helps with Xenogears is that it really feels like Mitsuda coming into his own whereas with CT and Radical Dreamers, he was trying to prove himself to his superiors. Its the reason why I feel CC is a good composition because by now, he's not worrying as much about approval. I feel Mitsuda may feel this way because he seems to have a real soft spot for Xenogears considering how often he likes to do arrangements for it which makes me happy. I do agree with Resonant Arc that Xenogears did need a larger OST considering how large the game was. As for the OST versus some of his live arrangements, I feel it depends on the tracks. A Distant Promise works best for me as a music box theme, even though I do love the piano versions. Dance of Death is another track where I feel the muddy PS1 card works better for it than an orchestra. On the other hand, My Village is Number One and Lost...Screeching Shards are much better in the live versions. It took the Myth album to get me to like My Village is Number One. Windy Song is also an improvement with the live track. Still, I've yet to hear an official arrangement of my favorite track, Bonds of Sea and Fire, that hits me as strongly as the OST version.
I feel a lot of it has to do with what I feel is Mitsuda’s vision being kinda too big for the hardware. I feel a lot of his music for Xenogears is much better when performed live, and the Chrono Cross OST running on better synth definitely had a part in that soundtrack being more popular. For as beautiful as some of his compositions are, the early PSX sound chip really makes of them sound very muddy, for lack of a better term Thank you for the reply btw I’ll get to that soon - hopefully with a much more manageable length this time it’s funny reading through this because as I am reminded of where I was with the planning of the world and story then, a lot has changed.
I've been avoiding that video for awhile simply because that man is literally a human trashcan, but it was hilariously accurate nonetheless. I've been listening to Xenogears OST a lot lately. I really do feel it doesn't get the credit it deserves of his work.
Mmm yes. Xenogears has some very memeable lines. Also
Also... Doth Thou Desire the POWER?
I may start it up after I finish Death Stranding, assuming I don't use Romancing SaGa 3 as a palette cleanser first. I feel it will be really inspiring.
