If you are a lion, you're no longer wild.
Written: Aug 29 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Fans of the Final Fantasy series will likely love this album...
Cons: ...but there's no way in Hell anyone not familiar with the series will enjoy it.
The Bottom Line: If there was ever an album made just for the fans, this is it. Don't expect the uninitiated to care one iota about it, though.
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| rader6795's Full Review: Black Mages V.2: The Skies Above by Original Sound... |
Nobou Uematsu is one kooky fella.
Renown to the legion of Final Fantasy Fans (Final Fanatics, if you will) as the primary composer, he's breathed life into every title in the series this side of Final Fantasy X-2. His ability to adapt different musical styles to the videogame worlds, blah, blah, blah... the guy's good.
If you've played a Final Fantasy game, you know his work. If not, well, then you may as well leave now. You see, dear friends, this CD would not be for you.
The Black Mages, Uematsu's pet project, is a cover band. Of course, they're covering Uematsu-composed music, so one could say they're merely translating it from whatever musical style it is (be it Celtic in Final Fantasy IV or classical symphony in Final Fantasy VI) into hard rock. But, semantics aside, it's worth restating to let sink in that this is a hard rock album. Kooky.
At the very core of The Black Mages II: The Skies Above is the very same theme of the first album: battle anthems. However, The Skies Above has learned a trick or two along the way and it's not as contrived as, say, the "Draw" battle system.
The album opens with "The Rocking Grounds," a song from Final Fantasy III. The song ushers in an appropriate opening, with the sound rising and building until a cymbal clash kickstarts the album.
One must believe the song purposefully chosen for the title alone. The Black Mages have come to rock this mess around.
"Zeromus" (from Final Fantasy IV) continues to keep pace, but fails to take it up a notch. Which, considering the album takes a step back for breathing room in Final Fantasy IX's "Vamo' Alla Flamenco," is simply inexcusable. By the time we get to "Hunter's Chance" (also from FFIX), you may very well be asleep.
I say to you, Uematsu, "Here I am! Rock me like a hurricane!" And he says to me, "No, dear friend, we are but a gentle breeze on a mild autumn day."
Luckily, the album finally takes off at "Otherworld" from Final Fantasy X. The quick tempo combined with new vocals by Hamano Kazko finally take the album into that rocking territory. The contrast just seems to work.
The album cools off with a rather jazzy cover of "Matoya's Cave" from Final Fantasy. This, I believe, is the first track that is not a battle theme and it is rather refreshing.
However, the good times don't last as Final Fantasy VIII's "The Man with the Machine Gun" brings nothing new to the table. The same can be said for "Maybe I'm a Lion."
"Battle with the Four Fiends" from Final Fantasy IV saves the day. It serves as a very nice lead-in to the titular track, "The Skies Above."
While "The Skies Above" is not as grandiose as "Dancing Mad," it's an impressive composition in its own right. The operatic vocals over what's essentially a power ballad provide another interesting contrast. It's no "Tommy" but who really wants to hear about some Helen Keller wannabe rocking a pinball machine, anyway?
The album's closing song, "Blue Blast," is an original track from Uematsu. It's remarkable in the fact that it's an original track, but unremarkable since it's indistinguishable from any other battle anthem on the album. I suppose that's the point entirily, but this would have been the perfect chance to further his hard rock experiment. Instead, it's more of the same when it could have been something truly special.
All in all, if you're a fan of Uematsu, the Final Fantasy series or the original Black Mages, then you'll love this album. Otherwise, The Black Mages II - The Skies Above caters to a niche inside a niche inside a niche inside a niche.
And deeply within the nichiest of niches, I reside, as I roll down the road rocking my geek pride.
Recommended:
No
Great Music to Play While: Driving
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Epinions.com ID:
rader6795
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Member: Terry Rader
Location: noun - a point or extent in space
Reviews written: 107
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About Me:
If you can't beat them, join them. Look for game reviews on the horizon.
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