I think Uematsu tried a lot more things with FF VIII's soundtrack. The whole time compression and witch stuff really lent themselves well to new kinds of music composition. However, I still think that on the whole I prefer VII's music.

FF music that moves me...
"Celes's Theme" from FF VI; "Aerith's Theme," "Judgement Day," "Interrupted by Fireworks" from FF VII; "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec," "Silence and Motion," "The Mission," and the world map theme from FF VIII; "You're Not Alone" from IX; a whole lot from FFX, though particularly the ending theme, "Someday the Dream Will End," and "Silence Before the Storm," "Eruyt Village" from FF XII.

All of these songs either make me bawl or give me an adrenaline rush...or both at the same time.