Yeah, another Uematsu thing here. I am sorry to say that this OSV was less impressive than most others, mostly because almost all of the pieces neither sucked or ruled, but were mediocre (6-8/10). The 4th disc here was definitely superb. There was quite a lack of militaristic and forceful pieces in this OSV and it seemed to be more classical and less techno, as FF9 is compared to FF7 and 8. The battle pieces in this OSV are the most solid I have ever heard, but the boss battles failed. Uematsu's music is less overpowering than in FF8, which I just finished reviewing.

This track-by-track review takes a look at each track, rating it out of 10. Unfortunately, only 1 song achieved a 12, and 3 I guess got an 11. The ratings are based mostly on how much it bores or pleases me, standing-alone. If a good piece has a low score, it's probably only because it is only good within the game.

DISC I

01 - The Place I'll Return To Someday (2:11) 6/10
Hmm, what's this? I hear 3-4 flutes. They combine quite nicely, produces a nice, tranquil overture, but gets kinda boring after a few listens.

02 - Memories Erased In The Storm (1:15) 7/10
This is the opening FMV music. Quite different from all the other opening sequences. FF8 was brash with Liberi Fatali, FF7 was ominous with the Opening Theme. This starts out also tranquil with flutes and orchestra, but near the end, brass comes to build it up to a climax.

03 - Battle Strategy Conference (1:37) 3/10
Ominously boring. You think something creepy is about to happen with the string trill and the slow, plucking, melody, but then a sax comes in and just snaps you out of the mood. And then xylophones do the exact same thing.

04 - The Skies of Alexandria (0:54) 8/10
This is the last part of the opening FMVs. Majestic, grand with the Prima Vista above the skies, and has bits of THE FF prelude in it as well. Pretty good, even for a short song.

05 - Vivi's Theme (3:10) 8/10
Bouncy, upbeat, and playful, like the child Vivi is, or should be. The bass is the bouncy part, and the sweet flute and clarinet melody does sound like a child's music box or something. Interesting percussion also adds to the effect. It's a pleasant track, also because it's been a long time since character themes have resurfaced in the Final Fantasies. (You don't suppose they could have done this for Chrono Cross, eh? =)

06 - Feel My Blade (2:41) 9/10
Oh my god! Oh yeah, this is the opening to the play. This play allowed Uematsu to really go wild, I mean, a story within a story reflecting to the larger story? Deep. Whoa, the 2nd half of this almost sounded like FF7's battle theme for a while. Yeah, this is the play battle music. It's pretty wild. It's fully orchestral and gives an urgent effect, fast-paced with the bass and the brass melody.

07 - Vamo' Alla Flamenco (1:52) 7/10
Vamo' Alla Flamenco! Yes, that's what the guy in the background is saying. Very Spanish, with the guitar and that percussion thingy. It is INSANEly annoying when you are playing Chocobo Hot And Cold searching for Chocograph #19! Grrr.... Wow, the guy in the background even sounds Spanish! Shouldn't it sound Japanese? Oh well.

08 - Decisive Action ~ Search For The Princess (3:13) 3/10
Doesn't sound very decisive at all. Some sorta synth guitars are all this song is, playing random notes that somewhat harmonize. Boring right from the start, but wait! Then a flute takes the melody, then a trumpet, which doesn't help it at all!

09 - Jesters of the Moon (3:20) 10/10
Hell yeah! This is the best piece so far! The jazzy piano comes in quite boldly, then is backed up with a high-hat, then a full percussion! Wow, this is awesome! It's a perfect description of Zorn and Thorn, the bumbling cronies of the fat Queen Brahne. I dunno what else to say, it's so simple! Just a piano and percussion.

10 - Steiner's Theme (2:26) 7/10
Haha! This is almost predictable. The bumbling Steiner in his bulky armor, clumsily chasing after Zidane. A really low bass gives the piece its clumsy touch, while various instruments in a minor key play what is supposed to sound like a serious melody, but the bass is just too much. While Vivi's theme is light and humourous, Steiner's is dark and humourous.

11 - Prima Vista Band (1:44) 7/10
Another scene from the play. Probably when Garnet escapes and crashes through the band. I can't really remember. It has some familiar fragments of melodies in it, but I can't really tell what they are. It's also fully orchestral, I think, rather light and bouncy, a decent piece.

12 - Stolen Eyes (2:50) 5/10
When Garnet reveals her identity to Zidane. I guess it's supposed to sound really romantic with the lead characters meeting each other. There's a familiar theme, I think it also appeared in the 2nd track, uh, the Memories Erased in the Storm. It's another nice, slow piece.

13 - Tonight (0:15) 3/10
A preludish sort of song. A fanfarish sort of melody. WAY short. I guess it's better as a mood enhancer.

14 - Your Warmth (0:33) 2/10
Another short orchestral segment of the play. Rather boring, and short. I guess it's better as a mood enhancer.

15 - Mistaken Love (3:34) 4/10
Your Warmth, but louder and longer. And then becomes rather ominous with the brass, then back into Your Warmth. It's much better in the game as a mood enhancer.

16 - Queen of the Abyss (1:30) 7/10
This is another great mood enhancer. Boy, that's a series. It goes with Queen Brahne's deplorable, treacherous acts of heresy that the group finds out about. Dissonant strings and some sort of electric piano. Gives it a rather awkward feel. Still, it conveys the feeling.

17 - Awakened Forest (2:28) 8/10
This is a nice piece. The arpeggios in the background and the staccato strings give a nice exotic effect to this piece. The slow, lilting melody by various instruments, flute, oboe, add to the effect and gives it a nice overtone. The staccato gets on my nerves after a while. Whoa, this changes pretty drastically into bass and a low choir. Changes as drastically as Evil Forest does.

18 - Battle 1 (2:39) 9/10
YEAH! THE entrance to the battle. Done by guitars! The guitars pulsate with the straight eighth-note rhythms and then the percussion takes over at times. The brass and synth punctuates the melody perfectly, adding to the pulsating, suspenseful effect. Uematsu continues the tradition of excellent battle tunes. Sometimes, the guitars seem to slow down a bit. Is that just me? It seems at a bit slower pace.

19 - Fanfare (0:56) 8/10
YEAH! THE FF fanfare is back. Finally, after eons of torture from FF7 and FF8, THE fanfare is back. It's a slower rendition of it, using winds rather than brass. Fits quite nicely.

20 - Memories of the Day (2:26) 6/10
Save Garnet, or not? Sounds reminiscent. The piano is accompaniment this time, a rather new compositional idea, and a bassoon and a clarinet exchange the melody. It gets pretty repetitious after a while. Isn't this track longer than what it's actually used for in the game?

21 - Battle 2 (4:04) 11/10
Now, THIS is boss music! It's fully orchestral, straying from the rather electric feel of the boss themes of FF6, FF7, FF8. It does an even better job of creating a suspenseful effect than Battle 1. That's pretty surprising, because all that's keeping the tempo going is the percussion, a tambourine+snare in the background, which allows Uematsu to use all sorts of voices for the melody. Now, THIS is boss music.

22 - Game Over (1:55) 6/10
Ah, dammit! Died again! Sounds like harpsichords. Doesn't really... whoa, the FF arpeggios!! Just like in 8, some weird melody in the beginning, followed by the arpeggios.

23 - Run! (2:47) 6/10
Well, I don't particularly like it, but it does create a sense of urgency with the 5/4 pattern that FF8's awesome battle theme used. It sounds mostly synthesized, kinda techno-ish. There's also a quick piano solo in between. I guess the melody is what just sucks. But then again, urgency doesn't require a sweet melody.

24 - Goodnight (0:09) 3/10
Uh, goodnight. A closing song. So goodnight. Again, WAY Short. What, you expect me to give this a 10/10? Fuhgad's sake, it's 9 seconds long! Well, it is a decent goodnight song.

25 - Crossing Those Hills (2:38) 10/10
Ah, a nice, peaceful overworld melody. It's a dolce, beautiful tune with the Stolen Eyes melody as its melody. The accompaniment, which seems to be some sort of broken chords, wonderfully boosts the melody without becoming overpowering. It's really sweet to hear, especially after FF8's.... crap. Sweet is the word here.

26 - Ice Caverns (2:59) 8/10
Xylophones start out this rather odd piece. It's loaded with percussion. Orchestra hits punctuate the xylophones, then a tidbit of wind melody in between, then back to xylophones. Midway through, snares hop in on the fun.

27 - Frontier Village Dali (2:28) 8/10
This is a nice, peaceful town theme. It really reminds me a lot of Balamb Town in FF8. I don't know why, but they both sound really peaceful, and have a guitar as accompaniment. It's really nice and quiet, and sweet like Crossing Those Hills.

28 - Far Away In The Village (3:06) 7/10
Oooh, shockingly shocking. Starts out pretty loud with the strings, and then, and I must admit, it does give a spooky feeling, with strings as accompaniment, proceeds to a slow and haunting melody. Goes really well in the game.

29 - Reckless Steiner (2:44) 7/10
Hehe, this is another predictable song. It's a rather staccato, higher-pitched version of Steiner's theme. You can almost hear the guy tiptoeing about with his clanky armor.

30 - Limited Time (3:02) 2/10
Uh, if there's little time, then why is it SO slow? I expected a fast song, I get a song with flutes and I think there's an oboe in there too. If time wasn't so LIMITED maybe this song would be more appropriate.

31 - Zidane's Theme (2:46) 8/10
Ah, now here's a more freely flowing, upbeat theme. If I remember correctly, it's only played once throughout the whole game. It's almost a Uematsu-airship theme. Some weird synth instrument is the melody with strings in the back. Halfway through, there's a flute and a ticking clock? whatever. It's ok... whoa, near the end, there's that really familiar tune playing... i wonder where that came from.

32 - Black Waltz (1:38) 5/10
Gasp! Or, that's what you should feel. It does it's job by provoking an eerie feeling, but it stops right there. More strings and low piano and oboe.

DISC II

01 - Cid's Theme (3:59) 7/10
Now this is the first militaristic theme of FF9. Although it's nothing compared to SeeD of FF8, it does well with the snare/bass drums and strings and brass playing the melody.

02 - One Danger Put Behind Us (3:09) 9/10
Yeah! This is really laid back, jazzed up, with some rather odd instruments. I have no idea what's playing accompaniment, and a flute carries the nice melody. The rhythm of the accompaniment and high-hat really makes it feel laid back and jazzy.

03 - Lindblum (2:10) 3/10
This is another piece that attempts to sound laid back and jazzy, but trips over itself with the boring melody and the odd-sounding drums in the background. It's just, kinda bland, especially after hearing the previous song.

04 - Song of Memories (1:53) 7/10
This is Garnet's song, I think. But isn't there supposed to be someone singing? Ah, there it is. No words, really, just la-la-la. It sounds really nice, though. Just a harp and a voice.

05 - Hunters' Chance (3:47) 10/10
Whoa, this is a fast-paced song. The Festival of the Hunt, I believe. This is wonderful action-battle music by Uematsu. Even though the bass rhythm changes often, the melody really makes you grip the controller harder and psyches you. It's pretty good.

06 - Qu's Marsh (3:17) 6/10
Hmm, this seems rather odd and boring. Just a timpani, and, whoa choir? That's kinda weird. Doesn't sound like they're really saying anything though. Synth kicks in after the first choir segment. It's not a bad song, but not spectacularly great either, like....

07 - Quina's Theme (3:52) 9/10
Yeah! Hehe, this is pretty much a faster version of Qu's Marsh. The timpani is faster, adds a tambourine, and then a weird synth instrument and the choir fragments share the fast-paced melody.

08 - Aloha de Chocobo (2:56) 5/10
This is a kinda slow, boring, soft song. Well, it's just background music for the Chocobo's Forest, Lagoon, Air Garden, and Paradise, which are also quite boring, mind you.

09 - Ukule le Chocobo (2:22) 7/10
Yes, that is a ukelele that picks up the chocobo theme off its feet and running. It's pretty cool, kinda jazzy, but its nothing compared to Mods de Chocobo of FF8. That song rocked...

10 - Freya's Theme (3:02) 6/10
Actually, this is the piece used for Gizamaluke's Grotto. The melody is played by a clarinet. Sounds pretty sad and mysterious, like the Freya Crescent.

11 - At The South Gate Border (2:56) 2/10
Yet another boring song. It has no depth whatsoever, it's just 2 annoying flutes playing a rendition of that melody in Crossing Those Hills.

12 - Fairy Battle (2:27) 7/10
This one really makes me laugh. You're so tense about the storyline advancing, and bam! Out comes Ragtime Mouse. For me, this was as unexpected as Laguna's battle theme of FF8. It's just, really off-beat and weird.

13 - Burmecian Kingdom (3:54) 5/10
Hmm, a rather haphazard mixture of string and choir. It does create a rather spooky feeling, like the demolished kingdom of Burmecia is. Goes better with the game.

14 - A Face Unforgotten (3:24) 6/10
When Freya remembers her Sir Fratley. I guess that's all it's used for. It's just a variation of Freya's theme. If you liked Freya's theme, then I guess you'll like this. It goes well with the scene.

15 - Kuja's Theme (2:24) 2/10
Now, don't get me wrong, I love Uematsu's piano work, but this is just bad. There are no dynamics whatsoever in this piece. It's one piano playing somewhat loud all the time and doesn't create any villanous presence whatsoever. Bad piano work by Uematsu.

16 - The Sword of Doubt (3:17) 6/10
This plays when you fight Beatrix, which is, like 3 times, I think. Pretty ominous with the low piano. It creates the effect it was created to create. ..... Ok, how's this: It produces the effect it was meant to make. .... is that better? Good. Anyway, that's about it, it doesn't leave much of a lasting impression, just comes and goes.

17 - Sleepless City Treno (2:53) 7/10
Another piano solo. This goes nicely with the city that Treno is, a rather high-class, noble city. It sounds pretty good. For background music.

18 - Theme of the Tantalus (2:21) 9/10
Whoa, now this is a jazzy piece. Hey, it carries the same theme as that 3rd track did, the Conference or whatever. It's pretty brash, with the swing beat and percussion. It's also the first saxophone I've ever heard in Uematsu's work for a long time...

19 - Immoral Melody (2:25) 10/10
Now THIS is Kuja's theme! Better than t hat piano crap I heard earlier. Starts out with the ominous organ, then bam! Right into a Queen-ish bass (think "We will rock you") then a slow, chilling violin plays the melody. Awesome. Did I mention choir in that? There's choir here too!

20 - Garnet's Theme (2:40) 6/10
This is Garnet's theme? Well, it sounds pretty, uh, different. I can't really describe this. The flutes play an odd accompaniment, and I can barely hear some sort of bells play that familiar Crossing the Hills melody.

21 - Gargan Roo (1:46) 5/10
Shouldn't it be Gargant Roo? Oh well, whatever. Pretty odd song here, with the percussion and the particular absence of melody... whoa, there it is in the form of a solo piano, then both the odd percussion and piano merge into something else. Whatever.

22 - Cleyra's Trunk (2:42) 7/10
This gives an exotic feel, an exotic and desolate feel, like a desert or something in the middle of nowhere. And surprise surprise, Cleyra is in the middle of nowhere. It's kinda like the Ice Cavern in the sense that it uses really weird instruments to create the same exotic feel.

23 - Cleyra Settlement (2:21) 3/10
Another song with no depth. The same volume and same instruments throughout. Very boring.

24 - Eternal Harvest (1:15) 8/10
Oh yeah, this is the dance music! I was really laughing when I saw the scene that accompanied this. Freya dancing? Who would've thought.... The song isn't half bad either. It's pretty good. It's the first song in a while with depth and mood.

25 - Grieve for the Skies (2:34) 7/10
Well, and here's another moody song. Strings make another sad melody. Works nicely too. A good mood-enhancer. But that's pretty much it. A mood enhancer.

26 - Extraction (1:15) 7/10
Whoa, this is a pretty cult-like song. With the thumping drums and that guitar thing, it creates quite a... sacrificial? maybe, mood. Pretty good with the scene it accompanies.

DISC III

01 - Ambush Attack (2:22) 6/10
This is a better run piece than Limited Time and Run!. Straigth pulsing eighth notes are what moves this piece along. It's a mixture of brass and strings. Not bad at all, but the run pieces in FF9 fall pretty much flat. Unless there's one more coming up.

02 - Loss of Me (2:33) 9/10
This is a nice piano solo. It's a variation, once again on Steiner's theme. Except it's for Beatrix. No, this doesn't sound like Steiner's theme. It reminds me a lot of Steiner's theme though. But it's not! Urrgh.It starts in a minor key, D perhaps, then to F major, then back again. It's pretty nice, a good melody and overall song.

03 - Fossil Roo (2:31) 5/10
Another Roo! Except this connects to the Outer Continent. It's spookier and more mysterious than the Gargan Roo. More traditional instruments as well. Well, maybe not. It's not that great a song.

04 - Mountain Pass - Conde Petie (3:42) 3/10
Grrr.! This song is extremely annoying. Maracas and that odd wind instrument in Fossil Roo are back. They play some boring tune, then a flute with a guitar play another astoundingly boring melody.

05 - Black Mage's Village (3:22) 8/10
This isn't a bad piece. But it goes really odd with the scene. What's that little monkey noise in the background? And then a techno piece with a black mage village? I dunno about that. It's an ok song though.

06 - Unfathomed Reminiscence (3:47) 4/10
Seems like another emotional piece. It's pretty much just for the mood enhancement. Kind of a bore to listen to.

07 - Ceremony for the Gods (2:08) 1/10
AAAAHHH!!! What is that note! That ringing noise! Grrr! That guitar doesn't help, or that cuckoo thing. Urrgh.... can't... stand.... much.... longer.

08 - Eiko's Theme (3:35) 8/10
Phew, here we go. This is a nice piece. It's childish and free like Vivi's theme as well. And of course, there's those bits of the familiar theme in Crossing Those Hills, I'll just call it the FF9 theme because it recurs so often.

09 - Ruins of Madain Sari (3:48) 5/10
This gives an exotic and desolate feel like Cleyra's trunk. That one eerie wind instrument is back, and I still don't know what it is. It's a bit mysterious, and really turns weird when the song type changes to a rather ceremonial feel with the drums in the back. I never stayed in the village that long to hear the whole thing though.

10 - Walls of the Sacred Beasts (2:31) 4/10
This is the Eidolon Wall. I don't remember much of this piece. Gives a mystical feel with the arpeggios (harp?) and the slow melody, and that's about it.

11 - Iifa Tree (2:29) 7/10
Whoa, this is a definite change of peace. This really sounds ominous with the synth instruments and the toll bell. The accompaniment is a very haphazard arrangement of notes, and that adds to the eerie effect. Almost techno. Although the effect it gives is pretty eerie, it's not really a fun piece.

12 - Salamander's Theme (2:28) 8/10
Yeah, this is good music. I like Salamander (Amarant)'s character and this piece suits his character well. The laid back bass line and the strong, punctuated melody suits the smooth Amarant and his detachment from emotion, just like FF6's Shadow, whose theme is also somewhat similar to this.

13 - Footsteps of Desire (2:19) 6/10
Sneaky Kuja are the 2 words to describe this piece. It's basically a softer, slower version of his theme with a violin and xylophones, I guess. Not half bad, but not really good on its own either.

14 - We are Thieves! (2:10) 7/10
Another rendition of the Tantalus theme. Except a flute replaces the saxophone and weird guitars replace the piano and high-hat. The original Tantalus theme is obviously better than this, I don't really see why this is here, except maybe a subtler version of the Tantalus like Footsteps of Desire is a subtler version of Kuja's theme.

15 - Slew of Love Letters (2:53) 4/10
Um, I'm not really sure what this piece is for. I mean, I know its during the 'love letter' scene, but why this? It sure doesn't give a feeling of a slew of love letters. It's pretty annoying too.

16 - Quad Mist (3:39) 6/10
This is such a relief after FF8's disastrous card theme. Although it's not really a good piece, it's a bit more relaxing, and a welcome change from that heretical Shuffle or Boogie.

17 - Moogle's Theme (1:56) 8/10
Yay! Moogles are back! The light, bouncy moogle theme is kept intact with added PSX sound improvements. It's a delight to listen to.

18 - Protecting my Devotion (2:21) 10/10
Yeah! This is a really good variation on Steiner's theme. No, I mean Beatrix's theme! Well, maybe because Beatrix and Steiner are in this scene whooping monster ass. It's much more heroic and valiant and still retains that humourous bounce from before.

19 - The Chosen Summoner (2:55) 3/10
Just synth choir so far, ah now here are some bells and other stuff. It's kinda ancient, sorta mystical. Like the Wall of the Beasts song. It's pretty monotonous throughout.

20 - Keeper of Time (2:43) 9/10
Yeah! This is Garland's theme! Garland comes way back from FF1. It perfectly fits Garland's character, omnipresent and overbearing with the organs. The organs really produce the villainous emotion and a chilling effect.

21 - Oeilvert (2:16) 7/10
Ah, this is the first appearance of that melody in the first intro song since then. I was wondering why the first song's melody, which Uematsu usually pops into other songs, hadn't appeared yet. And here it is in a slow song, rather mystical, just another weird wind instrument with a nice, slow backup.

22 - A Transient Past (2:51) 5/10
Whoa, here is that Oeilvert theme again, this time by a synth choir. Sounds really eerie. I think this is when all the faces in Oeilvert start talking to Zidane and company. Not bad, but not as good as Oeilvert.

23 - The Sneaky Frog and the Scoundrel (2:02) 6/10
*grins* I remember this song. Regent Cid the frog has to get the key when the monster isn't looking. Actually, this does sound kinda sneaky, despite the electric guitars buzzing around.

24 - Esto Gaza (3:48) 9/10
This is a nice song. It reminds me a lot of the Salt Flats of FF8, with the choir, and then the bells and piano. It's pretty peaceful, and it's mood really does stir images of snow in the mind's eye. Nice work by Uematsu.

25 - Gurugu Volcano (2:02) 9/10
Haha! Yeah, this is directly from the Gurgu Volcano of FF1. Uematsu really transformed this simple melody into a much more lively, and different piece. It sounds much different with all the different instrument capabilities PSX has now, rather than the NES. My only regret is that it's too short.

26 - The Heart of Melting Magic (2:02) 7/10
Hmm, this is a nice song as well. I thought it would be boring with that guitar thingy in the back, but once the cello came in, the song became a lot better. It's all right, but probably better in the game as a mood enhancer.

DISC IV

01 - The Airship Hildagaldy (4:07) 8/10
Whoa, this is the longest song on the OSV so far... i think. Yup. Shouldn't it be the Hilda Garde 3? Oh well. It's not a bad airship theme, but Uematsu sorta let me down here, I was kinda expecting something big. Well, at least it stays kinda consistent, and it is kinda forceful like the usual airships. I guess it is allright. Good work Uematsu.

02 - Secret Library Daguerreo (2:04) 5/10
Actually, it wasn't that hard to find. And as for this song, well, it's just another town theme. What else? Rather peaceful like Dali, but just not as good. Kinda boring.

03 - Ipsen's Heritage (1:58) 3/10
Whoa! What the hell is this? It's the Oeilvert, except with disgusting dissonant bass choir in there. Blech! It's disgusting.

04 - The Four Medallions (2:45) 5/10
Another Oeilvert theme. Geez, now it's getting loaded with this. It's a hastened version, with a rather swing feel to it with the tabla drums in the background. Kinda weird. I wouldn't expect this kinda tune to be in a swing mode. Doesn't really fit.

05 - Consecutive Battles (2:05) 8/10
This has quite a militaristic feel to it. More militaristic than Cid's theme, that's for sure. Well, at least more battle-heavy. Brass and a piano, with strings here and there, forcefully push along this music. Pretty good.

06 - Terra (2:09) 11/10
Wow, this song knocks me out. It's really musical and, just nice. It sounds mysterious, and sad too. The beginning sounds so, with an oboe I think and a harp. And then, the Oeilvert theme comes in, I guess now its the 'coming home' theme, with the strings and the xylophones. Although it sounds mysterious, it really gives an unsettling feeling, and that really gives this piece depth.

07 - Bran Bal, the Soulless Village (3:10) 9/10
Sounds almost like Terra, with its sad yet mysterious theme. Almost the exact same instruments are used to play this song, except the melody is different, and there are flutes with a rhythmic accompaniment. It's also a great song, but doesn't compare to Terra. Terra was also one of the main themes in Final Fantasy VI, which really was an excellent track.

08 - Pandemonium, the Castle Frozen In Time (3:03) 10/10
Geez, Uematsu is churning them out in Terra! Even though this melody is taken straight from FF2j's Castle Pandemonium, Garland's organs really send chills through your spine. Even without the gruesome scenery. It starts out pretty similar to his theme. What's really more eerie of this piece is that it's only organ, nothing else. Man...

09 - You're Not Alone! (2:35) 12/10
And again! This is a real emotional classic. In the beginning, it's a pretty lonely melody, gives that feeling anyway, then some percussion comes in, and then, as if the 'you're not alone' part kicks in, the melody gets reinforced with fast drums and a quick beat, almost lifting you off your feet. And as if that's not enough, bass choir joins in, and it actually sounds real this time, not like the Qu's Marsh choir. And then, it fades off.... simply amazing.

10 - Passing Sorrow (3:29) 7/10
Sounds, uh, sorrowful. So far it's just guitars. Good mood enhancer, but that's it so far... here comes a flute now, then 2 flutes, but that doesn't change it much. Whoa, the flutes leave and strings come in. That's better than it was with the flutes. Then it repeats again. It's ok, but a letdown after the previous hits.

11 - Rebirth of the Evil Mist (2:25) 6/10
This is the overworld and airship theme on Disc IV. It does sound pretty creepy, just an echoing piano, joing by an echoing bell, then a staccato violin. Still has that creepy feeling, but not too much of it. Then it grows louder, I guess this should be a bit more suspenseful here, then it goes into a trumpet melody for a while, then repeats again. OK.

12 - Assault of the Silver Dragons (3:48) 11/10
Now this is cool!! It starts out frantic as the silver dragons pour forth to the Invincible, fully orchestral. And then suddenly, it turns techno and metallic as the airships of Lindblum come to the rescue. Turns from villanous to heroic perfectly. It stays in this mode for most of the song. You can also picture the Red Rose of Alexandria come in as well with the orchestral part of the latter, whereas the more metallic portions depict Lindblum. This literally paints a picture of the battle in the mind's eye. My only regret is that it didn't change anymore after the first change in the beginning. Otherwise it would have gotten a 12 or 13, who knows.

13 - Place of Memory (2:13) 5/10
I guess this gives a rather ancient, mysterious feel, but it doesn't feel like much more than background music. It serves its purpose to make the setting ancient and eerie, but it doesn't do anything more, unfortunately characteristic of most the other pieces in the OST.

14 - Crystal World (3:42) 7/10
Whoa. That is a messed up crystal theme. Really messed up. It sounds really chilling, exactly the opposite of what the familiar crystal theme gives a feeling of. On the way up, it's kinda punctuated, but on the way down, it glides together. I don't like this song, but it does serve its purpose. Ah, I know why! It's all in a minor key. Geez, the strings make it even scarier and freakier. Do I give this a good score, or bad? Decent. There.

15 - Dark Messenger (4:42) 5/10
Umm, Kuja's theme again? There's the Queen-y percussion. Whoa, that's a new organ melody. Haven't heard that yet. Now, low bass guitars followed by techno and percussion... the boss fight. Uematsu goes back techno. Fragments of Kuja's theme go throughout the piece. I don't like this piece, because so far through this OSV I've gotten a rather classical feel and this techno piece just kinda blows. It would have been better off in FF7 or 8.... what is this? now a piano, with some sort of bass guitar... no. Sorry, Uematsu.

16 - Final Battle (6:14) 6/10
The last boss fight. Wow, his beginning is disturbing. People screaming with chilling music in the background... yikes. Dammit, start the battle already! This beginning is driving me nuts. But of course, this is a mood enhancing portion. Ah, here it comes. A bit more orchestral than the previous piece, but fragments of techno are still present. This is almost all synth, almost SNES quality or NES quality, but more voices. The synth is kinda thin; I'm kinda disappointed. The bass and percussion move it along, but it's not capturing. Not really. What happened?

17 - Bittersweet Romance (1:31) 5/10
And so they part... I think. Another sad song. It sounds like music from the play. Kinda short and I guess it's better with the game.

18 - Hidden Lips (0:27) 3/10
Sounds kinda mysterious, pretty short too. Aaah, it's almost over! Oh well, didn't leave much of an impression. Kinda dumb.

19 - I Want To Be Your Bird (1:17) 4/10
Um, the same song? Oh, now an oboe and clarinet, wow. Whoa, a timpani roll into a different song, sounds kind of sad. Hmmph.

20 - Two Hearts Not Captured (1:21) 6/10
Ok, these are all parts of the play. Here's that 'play romance' melody in here. Sounds better than the previous few. Yay, so happy, whoops, it just kinda cut.

21 - Towards That Gate (2:06) 8/10
The ending FMV. Yay, so happy. It does paint an image, running sorta, but happily. We all know what happens here, whoa here are some fragments of the Overworld theme here. And now are some parts of the Two Hearts Not Captured melody. Becomes really grandiose towards the end. And then, the drum roll -> finale. Not bad.

22 - Melodies of Life (5:51) 11/10
While FF8's Eyes on Me was a decent, but rather cheesy pop-love song, this is just so much better. And what do you know? She's singing to the overworld melody! And about half the other songs' melodies on this OSV. Ah the melodies of life. How could I have missed it? The melodies of life. Geez. Well, this is much better than FF8 by far, the melody is much more amiable, and it's in half the freaking songs! And it really doesn't sound cheesy either, the piano and soft winds really ease this along. Sometimes a guitar goes crazy and busts in, but oh well. It's a nice song, though the guitars sometimes make it cheesy.

23 - Prelude (2:45) 9/10
The classic Final Fantasy Prelude is here. That which was so distorted in the Crystal World sounds perfect here. Perfectly played by a piano, and then the flute plays the melody with strings and brass countermelody. THE original, unchanged prelude.

24 - Coca Cola TV Commercial 1 (0:20) 2/10
I never saw this commercial. Sounds kinda grandiose. Has the Melodies of Life theme. And done. What, it was really short!

25 - Coca Cola TV Commercial 2 (0:34) 3/10
I never saw this commercial either. Sounds exactly like the first one. Except there's some other weird music appended to the end. Done. Hey, this was short too!

26 - Melodies of Life ~ The Layers of Harmony (3:21) 8/10
Uh, this is supposed to be an acapella version or something. Maybe it is. But I swear I hear a harp or piano back there. The acapella layers give it quite a different and distinctive feel. More authentic, but also much more shallow. Shorter too.

And for the toughest part.... the top 10 songs.

10: Jesters of the Moon
9: Crossing Those Hills
8: Feel My Blade
7: Hunters Chance
6: Immoral Melody
5: Melodies of Life
4: Terra
3: Battle 2
2: Assault of the Silver Dragons
1: You're Not Alone!

And that wraps up the FF9 OSV review.

END!
--Copyright 2001 Neel Shah