Overview
Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream is a fan arranged album produced by members of the OC Remix community and it is directed by zircon and assisted by the founder of OC Remix; djpretzel. It has taken approximately 20 months to produce, with 42 arrangers working hard to arrange the 45 tracks that can be found as part of this release. It encompasses various genres of music, from the stereotypical “techno” that is associated with the OC community, to classical arrangements and covers a wide range of tracks from the Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack. This review will analyse the potential highs and lows of a release which since its announcement has been awaited with a high level of expectation and rightly so, with the Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack heralded as one of the finest in the Final Fantasy saga.
Disc One
Deliverance of the Heart is the first track of this release and it has been arranged by zircon and pixietricks. It is an arrangement of Anxious Heart and the result of this combination of arrangers is a piece that sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the album, with pixietricks performing her sumptuous vocals over a wonderfully crafted backing created by zircon. In most cases, it probably exceeds what people would have hoped to experience from this album and really shows the talent on display within the OC Community. It's a shame that they didn't collaborate together on more tracks though, but the workload might have been a bit too much to bear, with zircon already directly contributing to five other tracks. This brings us nicely to another gem though, in Adrenalyne Kyck. This remix is what people would probably perceive as epitomising an OC Remix. For this arrangement of Hurry!, zircon teamed up with Liontamer and Big Giant Circles to produce a track which Nobuo would surely be proud to hear. It contains all of the memorable parts from the original but adds such a level of depth and quality, with it even including a somewhat surprising vocal section. Something which probably wouldn't be associated with the original, but something which now seems like it should definitely be there.
The first disc also features some arrangements which contain different qualities, with LuIza producing what appears to be a live instrumental version of Underneath the Rotting Pizza combined with Oppressed People. While the arrangement itself in this case isn't overly inspiring, it's nice to hear these well known themes sounding as they do in this instance. Continuing on in the theme of non-synthesised instruments, Snappleman and his guitar team up with norg to give us an arrangement of Fighting which attempts to merge two distinct styles. Unlike the previously mentioned arrangement, there is definitely no shortage of artist licence, but the blend between that and the original piece is a good one as this piece really impresses, something which is generally true when talking about most of the tracks featured on disc one of this release.
Standout tracks have their score highlighted in Green!
Track Analysis
1. Deliverance of the Heart: 10/10
The overall feel of this piece is ambient, which of course suits the original. Nobuo Uematsu's composition, like all music from Final Fantasy VII was only limited by the technology available at the time, and what zircon and pixietricks have done is breathe life into Uematsu's already rich musical layers, in turn creating a style which neatly fits the track into a filmic style, setting the scene for the album perfectly.
2. Every Story Beings with a Name: 8/10
This is a solid arrangement which deserves praise for its innovation. It features some bold moves, such as heavily altering the ostinato from 'Bombing Mission', but in doing so succeeds by adding a new dimension to the piece. The only downside is that the arrangement is possibly drawn out too much, which starts to make it feel slightly monotonous by the time the thirty second fade-out happens.
3. No Such Thing As The Promised Land: 6/10
In this piece, the clearest discernable remnants of the original are the heavily distorted piano riff and the syncopated church bells and they are not heard very often throughout the duration of this 5 minute piece. In short, sephire and SGX certainly know what they're doing, but unfortunately swayed too far from the original piece to make this a standout arrangement for the right reasons.
4. Materia Junkie: 7.5/10
This is effectively two arrangements or two great original pieces merged together and it is refreshing to hear (what certainly appear to be) live instruments, in this combined arrangement. The guitars and drums sound awesome, although some of the synthesised instruments are suspect. Overall, this is a great sounding arrangement, and it's nice to hear such a faithful version of the original, but just when Oppressed People sounded like it could have done with more development, it cut out which is a shame.
5. Full Frontal Assault: 9/10
There is certainly a good overall feel for the instruments and there are some good improvised solos on both the synth and lead guitar which generate a nice balance between improvisation and the original arranged melodies. The synth lead does sound a bit under processed, and aside from a slightly abrupt ending (perhaps this is borne of not wanting the piece to end) it is a very solid piece. Although not quite up to the standard of the Black Mages, it certainly comes close.
6. Too Much Fighting: 7.5/10
With the actual 'Fanfare' to Final Fantasy probably being one of the shortest, but well known pieces, doing an arrangement based around it could have seemed a daunting task. Another Soundscape has made good use of the extended version that appears in Final Fantasy VII though and based his arrangement around what comes after the 'Fanfare', rather than the 'Fanfare' itself. The arrangement itself stays fairly consistent throughout and the changes in passage are apparent. With good, crisp sounds and solid production this track makes a fine listen.
7. Damn Those Turks!: 9/10
'Damn Those Turks' is an arrangement that just oozes quality from the outset. The stylised guitar sets the piece up perfectly for what is about to come and it doesn't mislead, with Daniel Baranowsky's musical elaborations arguably providing a more interesting listen than the original. Perhaps the only downside is that there is no definite ending.
8. Adrenalyne Kyck: 10/10
'Hurry!' is probably one of the coolest tracks on the first disc of the Final Fantasy VII OST and the same holds true for this arrangement of that piece. The quite surprising element of this piece is probably the vocal section. It is rather unexpected in comparison to the rest of the piece as to say that it doesn't seem like there should be a vocal section. It certainly doesn't disappoint though and helps to make this piece epitomise what a Final Fantasy VII arrangement album should be about. Nobuo would be proud.
9. Nomura Light: 8.5/10
Achieving the same kind of feeling that 'Still More Fighting' invokes is a very tall order and this arrangement achieves it a good portion of the time. Trying to better one of the greatest battle themes of all time is no easy task though and zircon makes a very valiant effort. The harpsichord is also a nice touch, as always.
10. Son of Chaos: 10/10
It is very difficult to find a fault with Son of Chaos as it takes the 'Shinra Company' theme and makes it sound so much more impressive while at the same time erasing all memories of the original piece. After hearing this, listening to the original just doesn't cut it anymore, especially with the choir and piano sounds Xaleph has used to such great effect, juxtaposing the crisp synth kit and bass with the lo-fi choir and piano sounds. This is definitely a top quality arrangement.
11. Lunatic Moon: 9/10
Mixing heavy metal and a pan-flute doesn't really sound like a good combination on paper, but that's what this arrangement does and it does it well. Obviously they aren't playing at the same time, but the transition between the two distinct genres displayed within this piece seems perfectly natural, as does the mixture of synthesisers and distorted guitar. Overall, this is a well thought out and well- produced arrangement.
12. motorcycle crazy: 9/10
For this arrangement, tefnek uses the recognisable features of 'Crazy Motorcycle' to generate what is a very well put together arrangement. It has a very nice blend of elements from the original piece, layered with tefnek's own techno flair. Not one to be missed if you liked riding around on that crazy motorcycle with Cloud in the game.
Disc Two
Disc two starts off in a similar vein as disc one, except this time it is the assistant director djpretzel who gets to feature on the opening track. He teamed up with Vigilante to produce a live jazz version of Tifa's Theme which is a good example of the diversity that this album contains. As Deliverance of the Heart did with disc one, Short Skirts achieves the same effect and sets the standard high for the rest of the arrangements to follow. Something which was obviously noted by Mustin and Jeremy Robson, who were given the tasks of arranging two Final Fantasy VII classics in the form of Aeris' Theme and the Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII. Both arrangements are truly excellent and really invoke a feeling of wanting even more from an album that keeps on producing top quality arrangements. Like the first disc, there are again lots of varying styles to be found. The two previously mentioned pieces by Mustin and Jeremy Robson certainly show this, with one being an orchestral piece and the other being a really mellow piece of trippy/jazz There is also the obligatory piece of sublime trance music, which this time is provided by bLiNd. J-E-N-O-V-A is definitely a fan favourite and JENOVA Celestial looks set to cement that even further into everyone's minds. bLiNd manages to create a piece that even the most avid trance hater will fail to enjoy and it just another highlight on a disc full of stand-out pieces.
Disc two stands out though as a really hit or miss collection of arrangements. There are some spectacular pieces, mixed in with some not-so-spectacular pieces.
Track Analysis
1. Short Skirts: 10/10
Short Skins is truly beautiful rendition of Tifa's Theme. It is lovely to hear such a vibrant and colourful arrangement of what seems to be an under-appreciated original theme. The choice of instrumentation for this arrangement really helps to bring the piece to life and make it feel reborn. The level of extension which is applied to the main theme is certainly a welcome addition and it helps to add an extra level of depth.
2. Valse Aeris: 10/10
If you ever wanted to ballroom dance to 'Aeris' Theme', but couldn't find the piece of music which could make your dreams come true, then your dreams really have come true now. Jeremy Robson gives a perfect demonstration of his talents with this innovative arrangement of 'Aeris' Theme' which doesn't put a foot wrong. What is perhaps the greatest achievement of this arrangement is how it encompasses the musical diversity of the Final Fantasy soundtracks, yet within an orchestral genre. This is 7 minutes 22 seconds of pure orchestrated bliss.
3. Embraced Empathy: 6/10
While Embraced Empathy is reasonably well produced, it doesn't seem to have any real inspiration throughout the duration of the piece and for the most part seems fairly bland as the piece drifts from beginning to end without any real definition.
4. Serenity: 9/10
As already mentioned, one of the pleasing elements to OC Remix's latest offering is the diversity of styles, and Serenity continues this trend with a very smooth jazzy/trippy version of the main Final Fantasy VII theme. With resonant yet sharp production, and an interesting use of vocals to percussive effect, this track doesn't disappoint. Carrying on the diverse theme, the track has an interesting number of chord changes which helps to make this remix one of the more musically interesting pieces.
5. A Life Without Parole: 8/10
After hearing this arrangement of A Life Without Parole, it just seems natural to hear 'Sandy Badlands' arranged for the piano. Dshu has done a good job of transcribing this piece and retaining the key elements of the original.
6. Scenes from a Memory: 8.5/10
While the sound quality probably isn't as good as some of the tracks featured so far on this album, the arrangement is certainly some of the finest we've heard so far. Avoiding the traps of following the key structures from the original, this arrangement introduces an impressive level of chord progression and counter-melodies.
7. Golden Fields: 7.5/10
Golden Fields takes the original piece 'Farm Boy' and certainly builds on it. Geoffrey Taucer and Tepid achieve this by completely restructuring the track whilst retaining its quirkiness. The addition a simple yet pleasing square lead along with other synths blended with the ever-present piano help to create a unique style.
8. Crystal Sermon: 6.5/10
What starts off as a slightly weak and generic start progresses nicely into a blend of dance and classical instrumentation. However, Trenthian has taken the approach of creating an overture out of this arrangement of 'Prelude', which attempts to utilise various main themes from Final Fantasy VII and ends up being a fairly un-defined arrangement.
9. Chasing the Storm: 9/10
Rellik deserves a huge amount of praise for this arrangement, because while it starts off sounding like a straight tribute to the original with a very atmospheric tone. It takes the listener by surprise when it veers off at a completely unexpected tangent, not just changing the instrumentation, but the entire piece. However, it's done in such a stylistic way that it doesn't seem un-natural in the slightest and even the varying tempo and key changes sound perfectly natural. In short, Chasing the Storm demonstrates the elements of a good arrangement.
10. Sephiroth's Wake: 8/10
Firstly, Tweek's arrangement of 'Trail of Blood' really wouldn't sound out of place being featured in a Metal Gear Solid album and this is no bad thing. Whilst the style is undeniably derivative you can't argue with the superb production and great sounds, especially with the use of panning on the drums. Although the eerie free time of the original has been lost, it has been replaced it has been replaced with an equally credible eeriness.
11. JENOVA Celestial: 10/10
The introduction of this piece just has epic written all over it. It seems so simple, yet it is oh so complicated and you can't help but smile when the J-E-N-O-V-A motif eases its way into the track. The well selected key changes help to provide a reprieve well before the piece starts to sound monotonous and overall this is just an amazingly well produced piece that wouldn't sound out of place on any professionally produced trance album.
12. Mark of the Beatsmith: 6.5/10
The style of this piece is fine and the sounds used are great, but the elements just haven't been used in the correct way. The main example of this is when the main theme in the original is used as a counter melody behind a very un-inspired scale influenced main melody, which is unfortunate as this had the potential to be a solid arrangement.
Disc Three
With the previous two discs brimming with quality, it was a tall order to expect every disc to follow this suit and unfortunately, compared to the previous discs, disc three falls a bit short. However, this isn't to say that there aren't some good pieces present on this disc, with there being good arrangements of Cid's Theme and You Can Hear the Cry of the Planets. On the whole though, disc three is a collection of pieces that sometimes seem lacking in that cutting edge and it's unfortunate that this has happened, but in an album this long it's not entirely unexpected.
Track Analysis
1. Suco de Melancia: 7.5/10
This is a solid arrangement in its own right, but it is probably a fairly stereotypical one given the source material. Perhaps a more risky approach would have given more rewards.
2. Stone Eyes: 8.5/10
'Seto's Theme' was a very emotional piece during Final Fantasy VII and Shnabubula's decision to keep this purely on piano pays a true testament to the original. It has a very real feel to it and there is just the right amount of complexity so that it doesn't go overboard. The absence of over the top complexity with regards to instrumentation means that the colour in this arrangement comes from the player, both in the way it is played and harmonic additions by Shnabubula.
3. Daydreaming Again: 7.5/10
As with other tracks on this album, the introduction of live instruments really helps to bring the pieces to life. In this case, it is done using two nylon string guitars; one playing the backing and one playing the melodies. The arrangement though, seems to focus mainly on the chord progressions from the original piece, instead of using the main melody as well. Frequently it sounded like it was going to lead into the main melody, but it didn't, which is unfortunate.
4. Alien Exploration: 7/10
Although the quirky sounds heard at the start of the arrangement to symbolise the Gold Saucer's theme are novel, the appeal quickly wears off and if it wasn't for the interesting splicing up of the main theme it wouldn't sound very at all. Attempting to use these same sounds in an uninspired version of Cid's Theme doesn't really do it any justice. The first section brings the piece up slightly and stops it from being overly generic.
5. Golden Feathers: 7.5/10
Another Soundscape's techno remix stays true to the original, and the upbeat introduction certainly kicks things off to a good start, with a fine choice of synths maintaining the jaunty mood. However, it feels as if the admittedly limited source material meant that the artist was forced to delve into a completely unrelated genre, and unfortunately where in previous remixes this has succeeded, this one feels somewhat forced. Despite this drawback, Another Soundscape demonstrates an admirable level of musical flair by managing to elaborate so much on the original's limited musical scope.
6. Midnight at Club Corel: 8.5/10
This remix is an impressive example of something we have seen all too little of so far: extensive improvisation. This is displayed by a strong lounge-jazz style, which works very well in tandem with the themes from the original, which have thankfully been kept in subtle ways. In terms of sounds, it's a perfect blend of traditional jazz instruments (notably piano, a great swing kit and bass) as well as some subtle synths. Each instrument has its chance to shine, with some great examples of improvisation whilst not straying too far from the original themes.
7. Ahead On Our Rave: 7/10
This piece is good on its own merits as an example of happy hardcore music, but as an arrangement of Ahead On Our Way it doesn't really fit the mood. The original was for the village of 'Kalm' and the mood is similar to the name so probably a more relaxing arrangement would have suited it.
8. Kweh!: 8/10
Darangen's remix of Electric de Chocobo would probably sound more at home on a kid's TV show, in terms of music style. However, it seems to work. The bubblegum style really seems to suit the feel of the Chocobo's cheeky personalities, and much of the original arrangement has been kept and indeed improvised, with variations in the original bassline. With an interesting sounding chorus halfway through, and an excellent choice of lead synths, this somewhat odd yet appealing mix is refreshingly different.
9. The Crossroads: 9/10
At the start of the track, it sounds as if Jovette Rivera is attempting to pay homage to the style of the original version, which is fair enough. However, this is not really representative of the rest of the track, which unexpectedly transforms into a metal-dance hybrid reminiscent of the Prodigy. To begin with, this works well and certainly has a lot of attitude, as well as some cool vocal effects, particularly in the chorus. The ending is somewhat weak, and it's a shame that the ending fizzles out as it does, as this is probably one of the few downers that this piece produces.
10. Fading Entity: 9/10
'You Can Hear the Cry of the Planets' is a very sparse and atmospheric original source material, but this arrangement amplifies the atmosphere and gives it a lot of extra quality. There is a good use of stereo panning, coupled with an impressive use of effects and this in tandem with a lush guitar solo makes it a very polished track.
11. Frozen Landscape: 8.5/10
Listening to Buried in the Snow was originally a very cumbersome and soul sapping experience. It's an extremely lifeless and monotonous piece, unlike this arrangement, which is pretty much the opposite. It still maintains a level of tranquillity, something that the original actually did well, but it adds so much more. There is no definable melody in this arrangement, making it quite a minimalist piece, but it works very well as an ambient trippy arrangement.
Disc Four
Disc four more than makes up for disc three as it provides a much more complete experience and the quality of arrangements is the highest seen on any of the discs featured as part of this album. There are again lots of styles that differ from each other, sometimes in the same arrangement and this is something that's been apparent throughout the whole album; it hasn't just been the stereotypical techno that people have come to expect, and arrangements like 'Jenova Returns' really show off the flair and talent of the arrangers on this project. One Winged Angel, is like the original source material a bit of an anti-climax, but that doesn't make it bad in any way.
Track Analysis
1. Sleep, My Sephy: 7/10
As with the previous piece that Pot Hocket arranged, this piece once again chooses to follow the chord progressions of the original instead of focusing on the melodies which are present. It is again a crisp arrangement using two nylon guitars, one playing arpeggiated chords and one playing a melody which has a lot of artistic licence, but it is difficult to pull the original out.
2. Collision: 7.5/10
The bleak feel of The Great Northern Cave is certainly present in this equally gloomy remix, beginning with a similarly resonant, minimalist style. When the guitars and drums come in, it's certainly a powerful combination, and the simple yet haunting lead melody is quite moving. The weakness of this remix however is a combination of the somewhat fake-sounding drum parts as well as the lack of substance. Although it sounds great, ultimately the track's repetitiveness lets it down.
3. Airships Make Me Happy: 9/10
From the beginning, this is a truly inspiring remix of the Highwind theme. All the important elements of the original have been kept, yet modified into a 16-bit style reminiscent of early 90's consoles. However, the fundamental strength of this track is its development. Like all fine remixes, this never strays too far from the original, but it's different enough to make it interesting as a piece in its own right. With several changes in terms of instrumentation, structure and tempo this mix stands out as an intelligent and well-thought out remix of a great track.
4. Hydrophone Breakdown: 8/10
This piece starts out how you would probably expect, with the sound of sonar used to depict the underwater setting. What follows this is a pretty well done arrangement of a fairly boring source material. The production sounds a bit poor though, as some of the sounds seem quite muffled, although this could have been intentional. The guitar section is a nice addition in a well done arrangement.
5. Omnislash: 9.5/10
The 'orchestrated' feel of the original version of this piece has been given a decidedly extensive makeover, making it sound reminiscent of progressive metal bands such as Dream Theater. However, it's a winning formula, with an impressive blend of heavy guitar riffs and some great-sounding synths. Although most of the original structure has been kept, with snippets of improvisations added in, the most creative element is the overall heavy feel of the piece, and the drums certainly add a lot to this. The string section towards the end provides a welcome break from the intensive onslaught, followed by a smooth guitar solo.
6. Rare Square 8.5/10
Making a remix of 'The Countdown Begins' was a questionable choice largely on the grounds of its cinematic style, having accompanied a cut scene in the original game. Despite this, Bustatunez and the Orichalcon have done an admirable job, bringing it up to date with the filmic trailer genre. An atmospheric start is carried forward in a suspended build up aided by some fine use of string samples. The limited scope of the original does of course mean that this piece sometimes feels like it repeats itself, but it's well arranged and this shouldn't really be considered as a negative.
7. Jenova Returns: 10/10
This sounds amazing. If someone was ever going to make 'J-E-N-O-V-A: The Film', this would have to be used as a piece accompanying the theatrical trailer. It blends elements from other pieces such as 'Fighting' and captivates the original J-E-N-O-V-A theme in a truly different light than previously seen anywhere before. The blends of unusual modes along with the ability to move seamlessly from major to minor means that the music really tells a story; albeit not one told in a Final Fantasy game, about when J-E-N-O-V-A used to frolics through the fields with bunny rabbits and butterflies. While it's not really what you'd expect from a Final Fantasy piece, it is an unbelievable take on an originally which has seen much arrangement.
8. Beginning of the End: 10/10
This is a truly astonishing piece, demonstrating that you don't need to change the original too much to create an impressive mix. With an almost hip-hop style opening section, the original elements are easily recognisable in this smooth blend, until things get taken to another level as the drum n' bass kicks in, and blows you away. Similarly fast-paced, this takes the original and injects it with a new lease of life. The kit sounds huge when combined with an awesome bassline, the obligatory 'Uematsu Organ' and a great guitar section work well together to cap off one of the highlights of this album.
9. Black Wing Metamorphosis: 8.5/10
This track is the ultimate culmination of the album, bringing together six arrangers working on arguably the most over-rated of source materials. The mix starts off really well, with a decidedly fun sounding 16-bit style arrangement, gradually easing in the orchestrated parts. One slight drawback is the inconsistency of the drums. The blend of choir and drums works at certain points, mainly when the drums are less obvious, taking a more subtle role. However, this is probably the only most obvious downfall of the piece, which certainly captures the dramatic close of Final Fantasy VII. The guitar has been easing itself into the mix, and finally makes a triumphant appearance with an improvised solo – which perhaps sums up the mood of the piece, in that maybe more could have been done with it.
10. The Gold Ivories of Gaia: 8.5/10
A more bombastic and soaring arrangement would have been the easy option to wrap up this album, yet a more reserved and stripped-down piano arrangement is a bold but sensible move. Refreshingly, none of the multitudinous themes really appear in their original form, and Bladiator has done a fine level of arranging, most notably the Tango-style section at the beginning. At no point does it sound like the parts have been hashed together, and the greatest success of this remix is how well what seems to be over 10 different pieces gel together. The only down side is the unusual and slightly weak ending.
Summary
On the whole, this is probably the best album that OC Remix have produced because while there are some lows, they are heavily out-weighed by the highs. zircon has done an excellent job in compiling all of these arrangements and conducting the whole product, with the assistance of djpretzel.
For the most part there is a superb level of ability shown and there are lots of differing styles present throughout the whole album, varying from pieces which feature nylon guitars, to solo piano arrangements, from the obligatory techno arrangements, to the classical; this album has it all.
The only negatives that can be found are when a few of the arrangements get a bit lost and struggle to re-create the feel of the original, while also featuring their own artistic licence. Sometimes the boundaries are crossed and it doesn't ultimately work that.
There are numerous positives to be taken out of the album though, with bLiNd probably being the star performer, with him consistently producing top quality arrangements. All of his arrangements are a must listen.
The greatest strength of this album is that it provides a solid arrangement album for the game of Final Fantasy VII, which does two things exceedingly well. Firstly, it pays a fitting tribute to the original work by Nobuo Uematsu and secondly, it demonstrates just how high the level of musical ability is within the OC Remix community. If there are any fans of the original soundtrack that are reading this right now and haven't already downloaded it, it is suggested that you go and do so now.
Kudos to the OC Remix community for producing such a stellar album.
Percentage Overall Score: 90%
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Album Coverage
