I find it difficult to listen to To Zanarkand, or any song that has snatches of that in it, without hearing the skies above.
What is your, and others', gripe with The Skies Above? Is it just the opera+rock mix? Maybe I've been exposed to too much j-rock, but it doesn't seem that outlandish
No, you misunderstand me, I just like it that much! I don't think there was a better voice that they could have used.
Otherworld is also awesome, its the opposite of the original because you can actually understand what they are saying.