ReMix:Final Fantasy IV "Calbrena ~ Tumultus Puparum" 3:51

By mp

Arranging the music of one song...

"Dancing Calbrena"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy IV (Square , 1991, SNES), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2001-07-28, evaluated by djpretzel


This is another one of those 'lost in the void' ReMixes that people have to remind me about several times for no good reason before I post it. Hey, it's an imperfect system, we all know that, and I'm working to fix that. But, just as it can always get better, it can always get worse as well. Anyways, I'm working on it. Mr. Pollard said he wouldn't submit anything else until I posted this, and that's reason enough. Of course, it's also a kickass ff2 / ff4j ReMix, with a hybrid structure featuring an extended and very nicely done symphonic organ intro that eventually works it's way into a short little spurt of dance, then back to the organ. Because the organ is so exposed and plays such a pivotal role, this ReMix would really suck if the sample OR Pollard's arrangement was off in the slightest. Thankfully, neither are, so it all works out quite peachy and is a very unique track because of it. There's a very disonant flute solo that I'll trust him on as far as being intentionally disonant - it's the only element that raised an eyebrow in my book, but all in all a cool mix that takes some risks and succeeds. Anyone into FF or even Castlevania (due to the heavy organ) should check it out. It really did surprise me at a few moments, and in a good way.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Necrox
on 2015-12-05 18:39:40

The transition to techno was abrubt, but the bigger thing for me was the lack of drive and atmosphere in the dance section. After the haunting organ and seriously bent flute, it felt very flat. Still decent overall though.

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MechaFone
on 2010-05-28 12:07:55

Toe-tapping-tantalizingly-trite!

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Crulex
on 2010-03-31 17:15:07

I love techno and dark organs. Putting them together just worked perfectly for me. The only thing I can say I don't like is it's not creepy enough for Calcabrina. But well done all the same!

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Bahamut
on 2010-02-18 16:04:18

I'm not a fan of the intro - the song really takes too long to get into something that would really draw me, and then it falls short after the organ build up when it gets to the Calbrena stuff :-( .

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Lucentas
on 2009-07-22 01:02:18

If I've listened to this before, how could I not have liked it? The organ work is simply marvelous.

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Marmiduke
on 2009-06-15 03:55:53

Very nice organ work, although when it gets into the rhythmic organ stuff, it starts to lose its impact and becomes a little more Banjo Kazooie-ish. But that is not so much a complaint, and more an observation.

I think this mix is a great package. All bases are covered really, lots of rhythm, solos, synth melodies. Yet still, it stays consistent in quality throughout. I didn't have any problems with the instruments used myself, but I can see the areas that people might turn their nose at. Regardless, there's not much wrong with this one. It's tidy, it's elegant. It's great work.

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SoulinEther
on 2008-12-09 17:09:34

This doesn't so much capture the creepiness of the original but it does have an ominous, brooding feel to it. The maniacal laughing is a plus, too :D

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Catullus
on 2008-11-30 10:32:22

excellent remix, I think this one got lost somewhere as it only has one page of replies... but its definitely a classic. One caveat you must love organs :P

That said the source piece is just a 30 second song that I believe was looped in game, MP took it, fleshed it out and made an excellent song out of it.

Considering how many years ago he did this it stands up well over all this time. I believe that this is what game mixing is about, taking a song that wasn't full developed on limited technology and making it a real song.

It is kind of funky though as was the original so get down with your bad self :P

Even if you somehow hate organs you should give this a listen as well as the original source material.

here is the

link to the ds version of the original ffiv song, definitely worth a compare / contrast if you are a fan of video game remixes and given the fact that you are here you MUST be :P
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DragonAvenger
on 2008-06-13 11:56:55

I actually can remember this one offhand, so it's easier to write a review for than some of the other remixes that I've listened to lately.

I think the transition from the organ to techno worked well. It's ubrupt, but I feel like it was meant that way.

Surprisingly, after listening to this again, I agree that the original melody really doesn't get much time in the limelight here. I would have liked to see more of that.

The ending is a bit too sudden, I would have liked more on that end.

I would put this on a halloween tracklist.

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OA
on 2007-01-30 16:06:00

The flute is a little too piercing, but otherwise the song is awesome, great transitions, and a very nice arrangement.

The mix overall seemed to be crammed into a small sonic space and could use a little more room, but it doesn't detract that much from the overall mix too much.

Great creativity, I like it a lot.

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Bummer
on 2005-10-04 02:17:12
This song is really nice, if you've ever played FFIV. If you haven't, and therefore haven't actually fought the Calbrena, it loses a little bit of it's effect, but it's still a good song. To recap: The Calbrena was a creepy little doll thing that attacked you in the underground, and was accompanied by arguably the most disturbing music I've ever heard in a video game.

You mean that weird giant pile of junk that can split up and become alot of nasty little kids? Yep, I remembered that...thing...

Anyhow, GREAT organ. If you have played FF9, then this must certainly remind you of Garland, they both sound so similar! But I dont recognize that part around 1:07, that melody, isn´t that one for someone among tha bad guys?

But my best part when that cool synth came into the picture and turned up the tempo and adrenaline, so awesome. Again, also reminds me of FF9, Trance-Kuja. This was a great techno/orchestric remix, including small laughters from those...things...brrrr.

Very good one, mp-dude. 8)

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Polo
on 2005-02-26 23:53:55

Those echoing laughs are downright chilling. Perfect when played by candlelight, just to see the jumping shadows of those evil dolls trolling around your bed. :)

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SamuraiFoochs #Reload
on 2005-01-23 22:06:29

I just love the organ on this piece. I could do without the techno part honestly. Npt that I dislike it, don't get me wrong. I just love the organ part so much more.

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Deryck Khusial
on 2003-10-28 04:23:26

phenomenal arrangement. the rhythmic organ leads smoothly into a techno section, and then later segues back into the classical. when the mix finishes, i can’t help but feel that i’ve just witnessed something Grand

be warned: way back when i first came to OC, this mix took a long time to grow on me. so if it all just sounds like random noise to ya at first, give it a months listening or so

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Falcon2001
on 2002-06-22 16:49:00

This song is really nice, if you've ever played FFIV. If you haven't, and therefore haven't actually fought the Calbrena, it loses a little bit of it's effect, but it's still a good song. To recap: The Calbrena was a creepy little doll thing that attacked you in the underground, and was accompanied by arguably the most disturbing music I've ever heard in a video game. This song was what originally sent me in search of SNES Music, and got me started on the long road that eventually led here.

Anyway, back to the review: Good song, I really liked the organ sounds and the intro, but I wish that the actual Calbrena theme was more pronounced and easier to understand and hear. A plain flute, without vibrato, would have been very nice, and would have cut through the background without overpowering it horribly. The flute that is currently in here is way too quiet.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy IV (Square , 1991, SNES)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Dancing Calbrena"

Tags (12)


Genre:
Dance,Experimental
Mood:
Energetic,Funky,Mellow,Spooky,Suspenseful
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Organ,Synth
Additional:
Time > 4/4 Time Signature
Usage > Halloween

File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_4_Calbrena_Tumultus_Puparum_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,623,305 bytes
MD5:
0b1c954ca68a86cb0909296b8cc5906d
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
3:51

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