Album Review: More Friends - Music from Final Fantasy

[The-Real-Link]

Album Review: More Friends ~ Music from Final Fantasy

More Friends, what can I say? Can I say that this album was awsome? Yes I can! The More Friends album is a live recording of the More Friends concert at the World Symphony Orchestra in Los Angelis (May 16, 2005). This album is truely phenominal. This orchestral concert shows just what Nobuo Uematsu is truely capable of. The inclusion of several "suprises" made it even more exciting! The following is a track by track review of the album.
Track 1 - Final Fantasy VII Opening ~ Bombing Mission: Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. This piece provided an amazing start to an amazing concert. Shiro Hamagichu's Orchestral Arrangement of the Final Fantasy VII opening is amazing. It evokes pure adreneline as the opening bass line gets stronger and stronger until the tension is almost unbearable. Just at that moment the whole orchestra bursts into the theme. This piece is filled with excitement from beginning to end and is, I say again, an amazing start to the concert. This track gets a 10/10


Track 2 - Aerith's Theme: Aerith's Theme has been, and will probably always be, one of Uematsu's most beloved pieces of music. While this track is similar in sound to most orchestral performances of the piece, it has just enough extra flavoring to make it stand out. The orchestra and the conductor (Arnie Roth) really milked some emotion out of this piece. You can almost feel the spirit of Aerith floating through the lifestream as Cloud stands below in tears. This piece is not only a perfect follow up to the dramatic opening, but helps set the mood for the rest of the performance. This track gets a 10/10


Track 3 - To Zanarkand: A very unusual arrangement of "To Zanarkand". Unusual because it is not a piano solo like most performances of the piece. This time the whole orchestra is involved. And guess what, it's absolutely stunning. The piece flows very well and it brings out the sad nature of Final Fantasy X. By far one the most beautiful, most heart-wrenching pieces Uematsu has ever written, To Zanarkand is the absolute definition of the emotions felt by Tidus and Yuna, Wakka and Lulu, and everyone one else in this tragic tale of friendship and betrayel, and love and sacrifice. This track gets a 10/10


Track 4 - Don't Be Afraid: This riveting battle theme from Final Fantasy VIII works very well in an orchestra setting. The performance gives you a sense of imminant danger. You can almost feel the baddies breathing down your neck as your adreneline starts pumping, and you feel ready to grab a gunblade and jump into the fray. This piece is very well arranged and stays exciting throughout the the whole performance. The only downside is the length. It's a little on the short side. Clocking in around two and half minutes. I guess Squall just fights a little too well for those bad guys. This track gets a 9/10


Track 5 - Terra's Theme (Tina's Theme): Breathtaking. That's the only word that can describe this amazing march-like theme. You'll find yourself with an irrepressible sense of courage, honor, and valor as you listen to this epic piece, from an epic tale. This track gets a 10/10


Track 6 - Swing de Chocobo: There's two things that just about every Final Fantasy soundtrack has in common, a memorable story of music, and the chocobo theme. This is Arnie Roth's personal take on the playful melody. Arranged in the style of the swing music from the 20's and 30's this piece is pure fun from beginning to end. You'll find youself tapping your feet and ready to dance before this piece is over. Whether or not you grab someone and do the jitterbug is up to you, but this is just "swinging" in my opinion! This track gets a 10/10


Track 7 - Final Fantasy: This is where it all began. This is the Final Fantasy Theme. When it comes to nostalgia, it doesn't get much better than this. This absolutely beautiful epic is the musical liquid that engulfs everything that Final Fantasy is about. Courage, honor, valor, joy, love, sadness, friendship, compassion, kindess, mercy, and grace. This orchestral arrangement serves it absolute justice. This track gets a 10/10


Track 8 - Rocking Grounds: This is where the first of the suprises was unveiled. Just when you though it couldn't get any better guess who shows up? The Black Mages! In their deput on North American soil they marched out on stage and blew the minds of everyone in the crowd (As you tell by the wild applause on the recording.) Rocking Grounds is their take on the first boss battle theme from Final Fantasy III (Anyone remember the big turtle guy?) and trust me.....it rocks! This track gets an 9/10


Track 9 - Maybe I'm a Lion: Just when you though The Black Mages blew you away. They quite literally rock your heads off. Guitar solos, Organ solos (played by Uematsu himself) and more abound in this absolutely amazing rock tidal wave. The Black Mages literally rocked the whole blasted amphiteatre. This song should be elected the Video Game international anthem! The CD is worth to money for this track alone!This track gets a 10/10


Track 10 - Suteki da Ne: After that megablast of raw energy we get a bit of a much needed slowdown. This track is breathaking to say the least. I get goosebumps every time I listen to it. It highlights Uematsu's amazing ability at composing amazingly beautiful vocal tracks. It perfectly encompasses the tragic romance of Tidus and Yuna. Guest singer Rikki does a very good job at singing. Her voice gets a little bit squeaky at times, but she gets some pretty amazing vocal power out of that tiny little body! The track is in it's original Japanese, but is so well written that you can almost feel the words without understanding them (unless you speak Japanese of couse.) This track gets a 9/10


Track 11 - A Place to Call Home ~ Melodies of Life: Another of Uematsu's amazing vocal work, this time from Final Fantasy IX and sung by Emiko Shirotori. Her voice is a little deeper and projects a little better than that of Rikki. A beautiful piece that is full of emotion and simplicity. The instrumental accompaniment is very well arranged. The song is in the original Japanese with an English interlude. Overall it's a stunning and beautiful piece. "Forever and On...Melodies of Life." This track gets a 10/10


Track 12 - Darkness and Starlight (Maria and Draco): Suprise number two. We get the absolute pleasure of not only hearing the fabulous Operetta from Final Fantasy VI played by a full orchestra, but it is the first time that is was ever sung in English! The various Opera singers present in this piece sung as glorious and beautifully as should be expected by opera professionals. Again, this is a piece that highlights Uematsu's musical guiniess. From Draco's heart-wrenching call for Maria's love, to the climactic dual for her hand, this is a breathtaking and absolutely spine tingleingly beautiful piece. This track gets a 10/10


Track 13 (Finale) - One Winged Angel ~ Advent Remix: What better way to end a Final Fantasy concert than with a riveting performance of "One Winged Angel?" Well, this isn't just any performance of the song. This breathtaking finale includes not only the entire World Festival Symphony Orchestra, but The Black Mages, and The CSUF University Singers as well. It is by far the most amazing performance of "One Winged Angel" ever! If you own only one version of "One Winged Angel" this is definatley the one! This track gets a 10/10

Summary

This album is absolutely amazing! It is by far the most amazing performance of Uematsu's work that I've ever heard. It highlights Nobuo Uematsu's musical brilliance and originality. This is truely an epic and moving performance of some of the most beloved video game music of all time. From beginning to end this album did not let me down in the slightest. It is worth three times the amount I paid for it! If you buy only one CD in your entire life, let it be this one. You won't regret it! This Album gets an overall score of 10/10

[Davey]

Copy and paste this into the end of post.

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[/waste of free time]

[The-Real-Link]

What are you calling a waste of time. My review, or the CD? I listen to music while I'm doing my school work or drawing. It helps me concentrate, and keeps me from getting distracted.

[Davey]

Just that you did such an in depth review. I think I just said that because I was tired and didn't want to read it all.

[KefkaticFanatic]

He's being a douche.  Ignore him.

[Brassman388]

Yo, Mr. Real-Link ..Suppose you wouldn't mind giving me a copy of the album would ya. I'm also a huge fan, but don't have the necessary means of being able to get myself a copy. Your generosity will be GREATLY appreciated

Thanks