Best Soundtrack of the PS1 Generation?

[Wolf Kanno]

I disagree, though, that IXs music isn't as memorable. For that matter, the VIII songs that you mentioned aren't the ones that stood out to me: Balamb Garden totally sticks, as does Man With the Machine Gun (even though the latter is an example of music not "fitting" the moment, at least for me). And I would suggest that if you asked the average FFVII player, they wouldn't remember as many songs outside of the big 2 or 3 as you imply.

Notice how the themes you listed are all tracks that are played repetitively in the game's OST. Most action takes place in Balamb Garden which is why it is familiar. You also mention a distinct battle theme, but could you hum Roses and Wine or Junction off the top of your head if I asked you to do it right now with no reference? Do you remember where The Successor played in the game? What theme plays in Dollet after the invasion when you visit their normally?

I also disagree with VII only having a few memorable themes. I don't even like VII but I remember themes like Mako Reactor, Under the Rotting Pizza, On that Day Five Years Ago, Trial of Blood, To Become a Great Warrior, and Lifestream. While I would agree that not every track is pure gold and instantly memorable, I feel the majority of its soundtrack is both distinct and memorable because the game does a better job of fitting the music with the moment. I didn't really see that with VIII or IX, not as well at least though the exceptions are stunning when they did.

Dude, I can name a dozen unrelated amazing tracks from the VIII soundtrack. Not just Liberi Fatali, but Balamb Garden, FH, Triple Triad, Force Your Way, Blue Fields, Timber, Martial Law, Succession of Witches...that's an absolutely killer soundtrack.

Again, mostly repeatable themes you remember, most of which are a map theme, a battle theme and a mini-game theme. Succession of Withes happens to be a leitmotif of Liberali Fatali so you are kind of proving my point. No one talks about Tell Me which plays in a early defining scene for Quistis and Squall which the theme itself is a leitmotif of the track Ami and goes back to my point that the most memorable tracks are repetitive pieces or re-arrangements of the same theme.

Honestly, I am not trying to make some objective observation, simply stating why I don't adore either soundtrack as much as the ones I do. I like VIII and IX's OSTs, they just don't give me the full impact like V-VII where I feel the themes are nestled deep into the scenes they happen in so every track is like replaying that awesome game.