ReMix:Final Fantasy VIII "The Lost Horizon" 3:53

By destructo

Arranging the music of one song...

"Blue Fields"

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VIII (Square , 1999, PS1), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2004-04-28, evaluated by djpretzel


My apologies to Chris Webb, aka destructo - his mix's title seems to have had an unintended subliminal effect on me as it got lost in the shuffle for a bit. Without further ado, this mellow ambient-synth-jazz hybrid reworking of "blue fields" from Final Fantasy 8 intros with what I could have sworn was NI Absynth but is apparently a Maelstrom patch in Reason. The very first seconds might suggest a strict electronica track, but the mellow, reclining jazz feel that comes in, with a nice brush set, warm, dark piano, upright acoustic bass, dynamic strings and percussion, takes things in a less expected but welcome direction. The declining triplets at 1'08" and other such touches are what take the already rock solid instrumentation and mixing and add arrangement polish and that lil' bit o' sumthin', and in general the piece is very clear, coherent, and reticent. I think the last minute could have been better spent on having an additional solo voice do some more substantive melodic work, instead of putting emphasis on the pads, but I dig the ritardando ending that leaves a mysterious footprint and sense of closure at the same time. All in all, a very worthwhile effort that doesn't trip up anywhere and while not taking an amazing number of risks presents a distant, lush soundscape that's informed by a jazz structure. Promising first submission well worth exploring.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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BLAHMASTER
on 2016-07-15 11:54:58

Looking back at the original, it seems like each instrument makes sure to put itself into a corner to make room for whatever instrument has the central focus.

In this remix, I get the feeling and mental imagery that each instrument is aware of the next, but does not feel inclined to resign itself into a corner. Rather, each sound presses on to create a full soundscape, a piece that has a beautiful flowing feeling to it.

Excellent work! Thank you! :-D

Once again I find myself loving a remixed version of a FFVII or FFVIII song that I either disliked or had little impact on me...

10/10

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Nantalith
on 2010-09-04 06:18:38

If I were to choose one piece of music to listen to for the rest of my life, it would be this one.

I love it completely.

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(Lyrics) Serotriptomine
on 2010-02-23 18:59:17

I have an Indian flute in the back of my room, and a whole host of Oriental instruments and types of things like that. I love flutes and such like it were back then, show casing the calm and quite lives of country folk. Whilst the piano changes the entire pace of this song I do like when it fades into the drawn out emotional sections.

When the piano finally does come back with the quick notes at 2:20ish. You feel doused in a world not of your own while you listen to this piece. Needless to say, that's why we all listen to music like this, yes?

8.75/10.00

(I'm not qualified to judge your work, this is how much -i- Enjoyed this song.)

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Emunator
on 2009-12-03 18:27:49

I like how the strings gradually increase and decrease in volume, leaving the piano in the background in various states of loudness. It's a subtle, unassuming effect that really made the intro for me :-)

The piano writing is smart and the rest of the instruments, while they're not high-quality powerhouse samples, get the job done. Later in the mix the arpeggios start reminding me of "Frame of Mind," which I'm pretty sure destructo was part of. I can definitely feel the similarities between those tracks.

I feel like pointing out, though, that the piano writing seems almost identical to the arranged version on the official FFVIII piano album. I don't know if it was intentionally the same or not, but I actually did a double take to make sure I wasn't listening to the official arranged version by accident :?

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OA
on 2009-12-02 10:59:54

I remember this opening well, and I know i've had this track on my playlist for years, but I never would have guessed FF8 without reading it. The opening starts out lush, but that little panflute sample isn't really pulling it's weight. The piano also seems a little thin, but the mood set by the subtle pad and strings combo is great, really serene.

Not a perfect mix, but very enjoyable and charming. I really like this one. :-)

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LadyReemz86
on 2009-07-16 21:54:23

THis is so beautiful!

I remembered my times going through the fields of FF8, riding the train, lookin for chocobos....wow....such a sweet melody that makes you reminisce all those good times....

Thank you..!

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Marmiduke
on 2009-07-02 04:40:54

This is a gentle but by no means second-rate exploration of a theme that proves that you don't need ballsy, big sounds to pull off an adequate mix. It is a little quiet for my tastes, but volume be damned, there's plenty of good here.

The woodwind is pretty and lends it an Eastern vibe, while the piano is especially resonant. Everything sounds great throughout and flows between ambient transitions seamlessly.

It's definately a little mix, but it still has all the variation and arrangement ideas you'd want to hear in a full, orchestral rendition.

Good to see music that isn't afraid to be small on the site.

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Hy Bound
on 2008-12-02 15:10:40

I've been playing through this game again recently and I find this ReMix to be one of the best pieces so far. Wonderful, mellow feel to the whole thing. LOVE IT!

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kwansoo87
on 2008-06-06 12:35:49

Pretty good.

I thought I was listening to the .hack series soundtrack for a second.

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Dunther
on 2007-02-20 16:48:58

Very beautiful and relaxing arrangement :) ....

4/5

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KogeJoe
on 2007-01-24 08:12:25

I far prefer this to the original track. The original track was boring. Bland and blah... This gives mix fills the piece where the original was empty.

In all honesty this should have been in the game instead...

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hylian90
on 2005-10-28 13:55:12

Definitely a good remix. There's definitely an asian feel to the whole thing, but it's not overwhelmingly obvious. The gentle percussion keeps the whole mix moving, and blends perfectly with the rest. The background violin gives the melody a solid base to sit on, as well.

But, the part of this mix that really strikes me is the piano line. The warm, dark tone . . . I just love it.

Overall, this mix is a great one to listen to. The underplayed Asian tone definitely gives the mix a unique, distant feel. But at the same time, it feels so familiar. It's very accessible. Anyone can sit down and listen to it, and enjoy it.

Very subtle. Very relaxing. Very nice.

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Bummer
on 2005-10-28 03:11:00

This has some sort of asian touch to it, may be because of "A hooray in the Eastern Horizon" and this is Lost Horizon, but that marimba around halfway, that chinese flute, and those beautiful strings, made it real foreign sounding, classical style, resulting in a one calm mix. For being named as destructo, this mix surely shows that what´s the inside that counts. Or maybe not, who knows? All I knows is that this is a great mix, and I asking everybuddy else to downoad it and enjoy.

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pixlz
on 2004-05-24 12:39:51

loved it. ^^ perfectly emphasizes my mood today. *plays it again just cause*

beautifully done, like the calm.

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sivvus
on 2004-05-11 14:14:59

I have to admit that this remix is what finally encouraged me to stop lurking and join the forums. I really want to congratulate destructo on creating a superb remix that even my brother likes, although he's heard it many times by now :)

The style of the piece is beautiful, incorperating all the aspects of the original while adapting to a lovely new style. I now feel content to sneer on the original :x . The subtle changes throughout the piece take away the monotony of the original, and the interactions between the instruments work very well :)

Again, well done . 10 thumbs up:)

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VIII (Square , 1999, PS1)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"Blue Fields"

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File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_8_The_Lost_Horizon_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,749,558 bytes
MD5:
7fae1fae37f53af34931b265e02c872f
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
3:53

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