Well, this is my first review of Yasunori Mitsuda's work, the CC OST. I know he has composed for Chrono Trigger and Xenogears in addition to this, but I dunno what else. Maybe the smaller titles like Threads of Fate and Vagrant Story. I must say the mood-enhancing pieces he creates are far superior to Uematsu's in all respects. But his ingenuity falls somewhat short. However, Time of the Dreamwatch may argue that point. I was also surprised at the amount of harp in the pieces, a considerable amount. Yeah, well, as you know, each track is reviewed separately below. Oh yeah, this is the best OST out there. Soak it up and enjoy it.
DISC I
01 - Time's Scar (2:28) 12/10
Wow, what a way to begin! This starts out nice and slow, somewhat reminiscent with a flute, then transforms into a pulsating piece while still keeping a slow, eerie melody, now with the violin. The violin is powered by the thumping drums and bass, becoming very suspenseful. I can still visualize the opening FMV on the game with this track. And then, it slows down to a violin solo, and then speeds back up to a quick pace. It's an instant mood enhancer and provoker and sets the tone for the game well. Excellent, Mitsuda.
02 - Between Life and Death (2:38) 8/10
The boss music of CC. This is a pretty well done piece. What's odd about it is that the pulsing part of the song is somewhat high pitched and the melody is lower. And there's some weird low pitched chanting, I think. And it's mostly strings too.
03 - Home Arni (3:22) 8/10
After two upbeat, pulsing piece, this is a welcome change. Nice, peaceful, and laid back, Home Arni is the other half of Chrono Cross's image, slow and peaceful, while the other, more forceful side was displayed quite well in the previous pieces. This is nice guitar work with a bass nicely accompanying it.
04 - Field of Time ~ Home World (3:26) 6/10
Just a guitar and drums, now here's a familiar tune for you all. *cough* chrono trigger *cough*. It's a nice melody for the overworld. It doesn't really set any mood or anything, it's just there for you to enjoy.
05 - Lizard Dance (2:41) 7/10
Here's a fun piece. The Lizard Rock song is pretty cool. Sounds like upbeat Hindu music. Nice use of the tabla (think jungle drums) and the upper winds to create a fun, light piece.
06 - Reminiscence (3:24) 8/10
Hmm, a Mitsuda piano solo... It's not bad for its purposes, sounds peaceful, and well, reminiscent. Relaxing and nice to listen to as well.
07 - Dreams of the Shore ~ Another World (2:22) 10/10
Wow, the violin in this piece is really powerful. I think this melody is taken from the Radical Dreamers text game (as a lot of CC stuff seems to be). This is a great song, giving a mysterious mood with the choir and accompaniment and the violin makes it sound really great. Much better than the Home World theme.
08 - Another Arni Village (3:32) 8/10
Hey, this is a nice rerendering (not quite a remix) of the Home Arni theme. Of course, it makes sense because both villages are essentially the same. It's much slower, and is, well, whaddya know? Another piano solo! All the better. Keeps the peaceful melody of Home Arni.
09 - Sang of Feeling (2:51) 5/10
This isn't that great of a song (sang?) It's supposed to be kinda sad, but the instruments are not right, or the melody. I don't really know, but it's not good. They sound kinda synthesized; maybe that's it.
10 - Lost Fragments (3:12) 10/10
A nice, slower, much sadder rerendering (not remix) of the Time's Scar theme. The violin melody is A+, nice and slow, and deeper too, making it much sadder. The guitar accompanies it nicely. The second part is full guitar, with a few ornaments on the second half of Time's Scar. And it still retains the sadness from the violin. The two alternate until the end.
11 - Indulging Drowning (2:00) 7/10
Um, this doesn't sound that sad. Well, I assume it should be sad because the title is rather melancholy itself. It sounds more mystical and an explorative piece with the fast piece and the playful flute. It changes into a slow refrain for a while, but is soon back. It's not a bad piece, but it doesn't really fit anywhere except maybe background music.
12 - Another Termina (2:42) 7/10
Now this is a lively piece. Odd percussion with those odd fanfarish instruments make it sound lively and bustling. Fits the busy city of Termina well. I don't really know how else to describe this, but its just a lively piece and you'll have to hear it for yourself.
13 - Leaving the Body (3:43) 9/10
This piece is another excellent sad piece. The harp melody in the beginning is simple, slow, and sad, and then strings enter later to make the song even deeper. The result is a nice, slow, and somewhat sad piece that goes along well with its scenes.
14 - Shadows' End Forest (3:25) 7/10
What can I say? This is THE forest piece. When you walk in a forest, you expect to hear some orchestra playing this piece off to the side. Or it's playing in your head. Ok, maybe I exaggerated a little, but the xylophones and choir samples make this an exotic and mysterious piece and the constant cres. and dims. of the piece give it a wavy effect.
15 - Snake Bone Room (2:54) 3/10
Blech. This is supposed to be mysterious, but it's just an absence of music, permeated with a few notes here and there. It can scarcely be called music.
16 - Victory Springs Gift (0:56) 7/10
The victory music of the regular battles. Speaking of which, why haven't I heard the regular fight music yet? Anyways, I expected to be like Chrono Trigger's victory music, but now I remember it had none. It's good, starts out loud and then softens to a flute solo.
17 - Lost Child of Time (3:23) 4/10
A mysterious piece. Unfortunately it sounds like Snake Bone Room. A few notes here and there, with a lot of silence in between. Of course, it does give a bit of a creepy effect.
18 - Another Guldove (3:25) 8/10
This is another relaxing piece, like all the town themes so far (save Termina). It's just a guitar accompaniment until an oboe comes and plays a soft, lilting melody. It's a relaxing piece, nicely done.
19 - Hydra's Swamp (3:10) 6/10
This is a kinda funky piece, with the odd bass and percussion in the background. It sounds pretty mysterious as well. The flute melody also goes well with the percussion to make a decent song.
20 - Dream's Creation (1:34) 7/10
I think this is the game over music. It's kinda sad and reminiscent. Not bad at all. It's sounds like a music box. Those tiny music boxes that make music. It carries the Radical Dreamers song theme (Disc III, track 15).
21 - Voyage ~ Another World (2:31) 10/10
Ah, this is a really nice piece. It's just bass, guitar accompaniment, and piano melody. The melody is wonderfully made, the accompaniment complements it perfectly, and the piece keeps a peaceful, relaxed tone throughout. Another wonderful song.
22 - Phantom Ship (2:00) 2/10
Ugh, another crappy mysterious song. As most of Mitsuda's crappy mysterious pieces, silence with noise in between.
23 - Death Volcano (3:39) 5/10
Um, this is a really, uh, mundane? song. It's nothing, just... whoa, ok, just kidding. It starts out slowly and then grows louder. It sounds kinda forlorn and desolate. And then it goes back softer. Hmm, not really much of a song, just goes from soft to loud and back.
24 - Ancient Dragon's Fort (3:54) 4/10
Starts out eerie, and then turns into a jazz etude. ?? Whatever. I don't get it. And then it turns mysterious for a while, and then.... back to jazz. The jazz isn't half bad, but it's out of place.
25 - Overcome One's Grief (0:20) 3/10
Acapella! Heh, just kidding, it's mostly sad soprano choir. Goes with an FMV, it seems.
DISC II
01 - Start of the Dream (0:41) 6/10
This is a rather short and exotic piece. Exotic and pretty dreamy too.
02 - Ravine Cleft Dimension (1:56) 7/10
This is another peaceful song. It's just a harp, nicely played and soft as well.
03 - Home Termina (3:37) 5/10
This is a slower version of the Another Termina. I don't like it as much as the Another Termina, particularly because of the choice of the instruments. I don't really like that nasal accordion thing in the back. That kinda spoils it. Once it goes though, the song is ok.
04 - Dragonrider (3:01) 9/10
This is a much faster and more militaristic version of... Leaving the Body! Not quite what you'd expect, but here you go. Punctuated brass and strings give the military beat, and the melody is speeded up, but not hurried. There is a brief second part to the song, and it slows down and is smoother, and then picks back up.
05 - Voyage ~ Home World (3:22) 10/10
Wow, this is a much bigger and louder version of the Another World. While Another World voyage was more peaceful and tranquil, this is more explorative and adventurous. It's not too loud as to be annoying, but .... fuller. And you know what, that melody sounds like an electric guitar! From a piano to an electric guitar! The accompaniment keeps the melody in check, and does a good job of just being there and going with the flow.
06 - Home Guldove (3:58) 9/10
This is another song that has been picked up and moved along. With bass and percussion, the guitar still remains slow and peaceful. It is more upbeat, but still good for a town theme and a welcome change after all the slow town themes so far.
07 - Home Marbule (2:55) 7/10
It's just a piano playing accompaniment with some oboe? sounding thing with the melody. Then the flute plays the second half of the melody. Nothing special about this song, but its nice and somewhat playful, which may be somewhat misleading.
08 - Zelbess (2:42) 9/10
Whoa, this is a funky song! Mitsuda does an excellent job with the guitars to jazz up the piece and giving the flute a jazzy melody. It sounds like a resort, which is exactly what the Zelbess is (well, resort ship). The percussion also does a fine job of moving along the piece. Mitsuda's ingenuity shines here.
09 - Sleight of Hand Group (1:30) 7/10
Sounds rather mystical, but in a comic fashion. The flute and guitar trade off with the drums and this is as innovative as the previous song. The melody really sounds mystical. Not bad.
10 - Nap (0:13) 1/10
Good night. That was quick.
11 - Chronomantic (3:17) 11/10
This is a worthy remix of the Chrono Trigger theme. Much better than the Home World theme. With a guitar and violin playing a melody slow and somewhat sadly, the accompaniment and especially the hand drums really spice it up, and help this song become lighter. Xylophones also appear from time to time and liven it more. But the amazing rerendering of the Chrono Trigger (Memories of Green) is the best part of the song.
12 - Predicament (2:46) 10/10
This is a cool song. A fast piano starts, then is joined by fast drums, and then a flute plays a punctuated melody. Then the melody is absent for a while, with just drums and a violin. Then the song rises back into the original. Did I mention there's bass choir in here? There is! It seems like they say "Zoom" every once in a while. It's really weird.
13 - Optimist (2:18) 7/10
Hey, this is a playful song. Just odd percussion drums... but then other instruments come in and liven it up. This sounds like a children's show song! It starts out funky, then becomes march-like, except with a playful melody.
14 - Ghosts' Island (3:11) 6/10
Bassoon and drums come together with a flute and chimes to produce quite an eerie piece. It starts with the bassoon and drums playing a low melody, then the flute comes in for a bit, then the chimes play for a while, then silence. And then it begins again.
15 - Death Sea ~ Tower Of Ruin (3:09) 9/10
Finally, a good, mysterious Mitsuda piece. The piano plays a slow chilling melody, and the accompaniment makes it mysterious. The brief bass also contributes. After a while, strings and chimes come and play the melody. Then a timpani comes in for a while, producing a cool effect. And then it repeats.
16 - People Seized With Grief (3:26) 9/10
Yes, it is a sad song. And its all strings, all the way. Actually, for the most part it sounds valiant and kinda heroic, but it starts out sad and hopeless. Ok, there are a few other instruments here and there. Overall it's a great mood enhancer. Mitsuda is excellent with the strings.
17 - Previously Lost Lamp (0:32) 3/10
A guitar so far, nice and slow, and somewhat sad.
18 - Earth Dragon's Island (3:16) 5/10
It's just piano so far. Now a flute comes in. The piano makes a nice mysterious feel. Then a trumpet/oboe? comes in with the melody for a while. Nothing remarkable, it's mostly the pedaled piano.
19 - World's Navel (2:58) 9/10
A pretty upbeat song so far, with xylophones and a flute, and drums too. It then changes to strings, then piano for a while. The accompaniment is done really well, a good pace-setter. Really fast. The flute melody isn't that great though. But the piano part is done really well, kinda Chrono Trigger-ish. That's what really strikes me. It's also really a different piece; because it's a fast Mitsuda piece, that's actually novel. I mean, xylophones with tribal drums and a piano? Whoa.
20 - Gale (2:03) 1/10
Oh god NO!! This definitely has to be the worst battle music ever! Those are extremely annoying strings!! They create no mood but that of repulsiveness. Mitsuda is trying to be musical and poetic with guitars with a fast bass in a fast battle situation?? Oh, thank goodness its over.
21 - Victory Summers Cry (0:52) 7/10
Not bad. Starts out the same as Victory Springs Gift, then the louder trumpets play the soft flute melody from Victory Springs Gift.
22 - Another Marbule (2:59) 7/10
Starts out nice and slow with an oboe melody, then chimes echo for a while. Then the oboe returns to play the second half of the Marbule melody. And then it repeats. It's done quite nicely, the oboe sounds nice, relaxed and the chimes reflect that same quality.
23 - Fairies Way For Magic (0:12) 2/10
What? Why did they bother putting this in here? It's a singer with a fragment of the Marbule theme.
24 - Etude 1 (0:12) 1/10
What? Why did they bother putting this in here either? A guitar with the same fragment.
25 - Etude 2 (0:12) 2/10
Or this one? Why did they bother putting this in here? See Etude 1.
26 - Magical Dreamers (3:30) 3/10
Electric guitars and tribal drums with the slow Marbule theme? Why is Mitsuda butchering it so? Aaaahhh!!!
DISC III
01 - Garden of the Gods (2:44) 8/10
A solo soprano choir and a harp is all that makes it up, so far. More choir joins in later, but the harp is still the only instrument. The harp plays nice arpeggios while the choir sings an eerie, mysterious, even mythical, yet comforting melody. The two go along well to create a theme that really fits the legend, the myths of the Dragon Gods.
02 - Chronopolis (4:12) 10/10
This sounds pretty futuristic, Mitsuda isn't bad at techno music, but I wouldn't imagine him doing this kinda stuff. But then again, most of Xenogears and 2300 AD of Chrono Trigger come to mind. It's kinda creepy, eerie, and the percussion is what makes it futuristic. The piano's repeating arpeggios really strike a chill, and the strings are there, just a nice echo at this point... It then speeds up somewhat, bit more percussion, bit louder, then slow again. That slightly faster part kinda spoils the tension the song makes, which is really good.
03 - Fates ~ Gods of Destiny (3:10) 2/10
?? What the hell? It starts out with jazzy percussion, then this weird wind instrument plays some weird Celtic tune. It's pretty stupid. Then the wind thing goes away, and the piece somewhat induces hostility, until a high organ comes in and charms you as little as the wind thing. Now its xylophones doing the same thing. Ugh, the wind thingy again!! Ahh!
04 - Jellyfish Sea (2:55) 6/10
Geez, what a quiet piece. Really slow. It sorta ebbs and flows like the ocean, with the louds and softs in the songs. I can't hear much but a piano with some bass instrument I can't pick out, that's doing the ebbing and flowing. Man, falling... a..slee...pppyyy...... *bounces back up* Not that it's bad, it's so quiet and almost, relaxing... man. A good good-night song.
05 - Orphan of Flame (2:44) 8/10
Organs... ominous... toll bell... also ominous, a lone choir person, with toll bells, organs, and strings, very ominous. Well, if ominous is the objective, it certainly gave me a chill there. Even while it's not in the game. And it certainly is different from Jellyfish Sea. Yes, the incessant pounding of the snare drums is also ominous. Man, everything here is ominous, eerie, freaky.
Well done, Mitsuda.
06 - Star-Stealing Girl (3:48) 7/10
A little touching piece. Piano, and a flute. And now a violin replacing the flute. Each instrument playing whatever it feels like. It seems like a good piece, but the two lines don't go together, like they're playing different scores. And now some weird instrument has also decided to play its own heart out. So you now have 3 songs jumbled together. Do you like that kinda stuff? I don't really.
Later...
Well, I kinda changed my mind. It's not that bad, but it's still not wonderful either. There are
better 'touching' pieces in the OST than this one. I'll bump it up... a point.
07 - Time of the Dreamwatch (4:01) 13/10
Bravo! This piece is amazing! Thumping drums and a bass clarinet with the sole note followed by some flutes, still building up with the strings, louder, louder until the Another World melody is played, slow and lilting by the strings, to the background of the thumping drums. It gets better when brass come in and play another part of the melody for a while, still with the thumping bass, now joined by a soft, subtle xylophone. The brass builds up further into a bit of the Chronomantic theme! Amazing, still played by brass!! Then the piece builds up more, and then finally lets back into the Another World theme. Wow, that was a brilliant piece. Clearly Mitsuda's best song ever. The rerendering of 2 songs in one, flawlessly, smoothly, bests even Uematsu's ingenuity. Beats out Time's Scar, even! Simply amazing. Amazing!
08 - Dragon's Prayer (5:37) 7/10
Um, why is this so long if it's only in one part of the game? This is the Tower, the uh, Tower. Just some low bass note, a high pitched note, and a lower melody by strings. Pretty boring, but somewhat ominous. It breaks... whoa, this is better. Harp arpeggios definitely enhance the eerieness, and an oboe melody is always appreciated. A tambourine shakes now and then. The harp arpeggios change and now its a musicbox playing short notes. And slowly it transitions, arpeggios+musicbox softer, and the low bass louder, and its back to the older, and slightly more boring melody. For the patient, it turns out to be an ok song.
09 - Tower of Stars (2:26) 7/10
Wind, and an echoing toll bell. Now strings are in there, looks like they're with the ominous melody for now. Is that somebody moaning or something? Not a moan, but not a song either. Really freaky. But I guess that's what we're supposed to feel.
10 - Frozen Flame (2:54) 8/10
An oboe plays a nice melody, backed up with a jumpy bass line and really fast harp arpeggios, and random piano chords. It sounds kind of eerie, and also somewhat sad. Now a choir is there in lieu of the oboe, but it comes back soon to repeat. It's not a bad song, well done, with the exception of those random staccato piano chords and other chords.
11 - Dragon God (3:21) 9/10
Now THIS is a last boss piece! The solo choir person says some stuff, but the thumping drums and the strings are what are captivating. The violin comes in with some rather repetitive melody, but its a fighting piece. The piece changes somewhat and the violin plays a rather Mistuda-ish melody, slow, but the bass line still keeps it going. Now the bass line is solo for a while. The toll bell is what is prominent here. Then it repeats. From what I've typed, it doesn't seem that good, but it really is a good piece.
12 - Into a Time of Darkness (0:42) 1/10
Just noise. Lots of noise. What a last boss theme. Oops, spoilers.
13 - Life ~ Faraway Promise (6:32) 10/10
The chimes.. the Element chimes... and again... Now again faster.. to make the beginning of the song! Now the strings and bass come in to make it more grandiose. And a violin melody that carries a really familiar melody, that I can't point out right now. Of course, the Radical Dreamers song! Also found in Dream's Creation and Fragments of Dreams. And then the accompaniment leaves, leaving strings playing it again, not too hot. And now the oboe plays it, beautifully, fully, with strings backing it up. The oboe part is great, but the strings leave something to be desired. After a while it repeates.
14 - Reminiscence (1:39) */*
Um, isn't this song already in the OST? Check Disc I, track 06.
15 - Radical Dreamers ~ Unstolen Jewel (4:34) 14/10
An acoustic guitar, with a few scratches, opens this up. The scratches sound kinda alright with the piece, kinda setting the tone. Then, oh, amazing, the soloist sings. It's in Japanese, but it still sounds amazingly awesome. Incredibly better than Uematsu's vocal work, that I can say right off the bat. This song fits right in the mood of the game, very sad and reminiscent, somewhat nostalgic. It's enough to make me rush down to my Playstation and play it again. (In fact, that's how I got started on some CC faqs...) I wish I could say more about this fantastic piece. Mitsuda is incredible with just a guitar and a singer! 2 things!! A duet! Far superior to Uematsu's work. It's great, I would just say this over and over. Ahh, this is perfection as far as video game music goes. Emotional, well-done, and musical. Perfect Mitsuda strikes home again. I think it even beats Time of the Dreamwatch. That was a tough decision.
16 - Fragments of Dreams (2:00) */*
Um, this song was also previously played. Check Disc I, track 15. It's good he put this last instead of Radical Dreamers, else I would have gone crazy because it was so SAD!! Well, this is the same melody anyways....
And now... the toughest part of the review... top 10 songs.
10 - Predicament
09 - Chronopolis
08 - Life ~ Faraway Promise
07 - Lost Fragments
06 - Voyage ~ Another World
05 - Dreams of the Shore ~ Another World
04 - Chronomantic
03 - Time's Scar
02 - Time of the Dreamwatch
01 - Radical Dreamers ~ Unstolen Jewel
This is the best OST I've ever reviewed, save the FF7 OST. I just thought I'd sum it up in a sentence. Yes, I guess FF7 edges this out by just a bit. No, I changed my mind. This is
better.
END!