RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > Chrono Trigger: The Brink of Time
Reviewed by: BrantB
Chrono Trigger. You've played the game, and loved the music. You have a few midis, MP3s, SPCs, or whatever. Maybe you even have the OST.
The Brink of Time is not a conventional arranged album. The music isn't played by a string quartet, an orchestra, or even a synth orchestra. No, Brink of Time is a New Age/Jazz fusion that is often dismissed as being too weird or different to be enjoyable. This is somewhat true, but not entirely. There are a few excellent tracks on this album, if you're willing to listen to them.
Song Outlines
1. Chrono Trigger
One of the better tracks. A groovy, up-tempo arrangement of the CT theme, lead by an unfortunately irritating trumpet. Aside from this, however, it's nice to listen to. A fitting opener. (7/10)
2. Secret of the Forest
This is one of my favorites. The jazz guitar sounds great playing the melody in this track, and there's a nice solo to take the song to the end. It captures the mood and feel of the original very well, but still provides something new with the jazz style. (8/10)
3. Zeal Palace
This track varies a lot from the original, even by the standard set by the rest of the album. This track is more ambient than the others, with the exception of a part near the end where it breaks out the funk. What's there is good, but it's stretched out far too long, and ends up just boring you. (3/10)
4. Warlock Battle
You thought Zeal Palace was different? Warlock Battle stays true to the original only barely -- borrowing snippets of the melody here and there, but otherwise going off completely on its own. It's good, but it's somewhat random. (4/10)
5. Chrono Corridor
This was one of my favorite songs in CT. It starts out fairly laid back, but then moves into a nice upbeat toe-tapper. It stays close enough to the original to make you remember why you're listening to this album, yet still ventures out and tries something different with excellent results. This one's a keeper. (8/10)
6. Undersea Palace
Two words: Gimme More! The first minute and a half is made up by a wonderful, mellow, relaxing guitar solo that almost sets you to sleep... but suddenly, you're thrust into an amazing arrangement of the original, lead by a crisp, sorrowful trumpet. Sadly, however, it ends almost as quickly as it begins. Another minute or two would have made this song a true classic. (9/10)
7. World Revolution
Not content to just be an arrangement of a single song, World Revolution is actually a medley of the final two battles, with a bit of "First Festival of Stars" tossed into the mix for good measure. It's possibly the most up-tempo track on the entire album. It's up, it's down, it's all over the place. (7/10)
8. The Brink of Time
The End of Time, Kenny G style. It's nice and relaxing, but it just doesn't go anywhere ... There just isn't anything fresh or different like the other tracks. Fortunately, this is also the shortest one on the album at 2:45. (4/10)
9. Guardia Millennial Fair
This is a cheery, bouncy arrangement of the original. It isn't bad, but unless you liked the original song a lot, it isn't really anything too special. (5/10)
10. Outskirts of Time
An enjoyable arrangement of "To Far Away Times". Just like the first track, it's a fitting choice. It's pretty cool. =) (6.5/10)
Final Notes
Brink of Time is definitely one of those "love it or hate it" albums. It bravely takes a step off the beaten path of orchestral arrangements, and I'm certainly glad it did. There may be a few mediocre or downright skippable tracks, but just being able to hear CT songs in such a radically different style is worth it. My final rating is 65 out of 100 -- Slightly above average. It isn't the greatest arranged album out there, but it isn't the worst either. If you're willing to accept something different, you just might enjoy it a lot.
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| Album Information | Reviewer Rank |
|---|---|
|
Chrono Trigger: The Brink of Time Published by: NTT Publishing Release Date: June 25th 1995 Composed by: Yasunori Mitsuda Arranged by: GUIDO, Gizaemon de Furuta 1 Disc, 10 Tracks Catalog: PSCN-5024 |
65 |
Reviewed by: BrantB
Chrono Trigger. You've played the game, and loved the music. You have a few midis, MP3s, SPCs, or whatever. Maybe you even have the OST.
The Brink of Time is not a conventional arranged album. The music isn't played by a string quartet, an orchestra, or even a synth orchestra. No, Brink of Time is a New Age/Jazz fusion that is often dismissed as being too weird or different to be enjoyable. This is somewhat true, but not entirely. There are a few excellent tracks on this album, if you're willing to listen to them.
Song Outlines
1. Chrono Trigger
One of the better tracks. A groovy, up-tempo arrangement of the CT theme, lead by an unfortunately irritating trumpet. Aside from this, however, it's nice to listen to. A fitting opener. (7/10)
2. Secret of the Forest
This is one of my favorites. The jazz guitar sounds great playing the melody in this track, and there's a nice solo to take the song to the end. It captures the mood and feel of the original very well, but still provides something new with the jazz style. (8/10)
3. Zeal Palace
This track varies a lot from the original, even by the standard set by the rest of the album. This track is more ambient than the others, with the exception of a part near the end where it breaks out the funk. What's there is good, but it's stretched out far too long, and ends up just boring you. (3/10)
4. Warlock Battle
You thought Zeal Palace was different? Warlock Battle stays true to the original only barely -- borrowing snippets of the melody here and there, but otherwise going off completely on its own. It's good, but it's somewhat random. (4/10)
5. Chrono Corridor
This was one of my favorite songs in CT. It starts out fairly laid back, but then moves into a nice upbeat toe-tapper. It stays close enough to the original to make you remember why you're listening to this album, yet still ventures out and tries something different with excellent results. This one's a keeper. (8/10)
6. Undersea Palace
Two words: Gimme More! The first minute and a half is made up by a wonderful, mellow, relaxing guitar solo that almost sets you to sleep... but suddenly, you're thrust into an amazing arrangement of the original, lead by a crisp, sorrowful trumpet. Sadly, however, it ends almost as quickly as it begins. Another minute or two would have made this song a true classic. (9/10)
7. World Revolution
Not content to just be an arrangement of a single song, World Revolution is actually a medley of the final two battles, with a bit of "First Festival of Stars" tossed into the mix for good measure. It's possibly the most up-tempo track on the entire album. It's up, it's down, it's all over the place. (7/10)
8. The Brink of Time
The End of Time, Kenny G style. It's nice and relaxing, but it just doesn't go anywhere ... There just isn't anything fresh or different like the other tracks. Fortunately, this is also the shortest one on the album at 2:45. (4/10)
9. Guardia Millennial Fair
This is a cheery, bouncy arrangement of the original. It isn't bad, but unless you liked the original song a lot, it isn't really anything too special. (5/10)
10. Outskirts of Time
An enjoyable arrangement of "To Far Away Times". Just like the first track, it's a fitting choice. It's pretty cool. =) (6.5/10)
Final Notes
Brink of Time is definitely one of those "love it or hate it" albums. It bravely takes a step off the beaten path of orchestral arrangements, and I'm certainly glad it did. There may be a few mediocre or downright skippable tracks, but just being able to hear CT songs in such a radically different style is worth it. My final rating is 65 out of 100 -- Slightly above average. It isn't the greatest arranged album out there, but it isn't the worst either. If you're willing to accept something different, you just might enjoy it a lot.
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