RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > Star Ocean: The Second Story Arrange Album
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
An ethereal experience unlike any other...
A very interesting mix this album proves to be. The best way to describe it is a healthy mix of minor techno infused elements, traditional midi used where appropriate and hints of "real" instruments laced here and there. Just my kind of mix. The first time I listened to this CD, I wasn't too thrilled with it, tell truth. The only track I really listened to was We Form In Crystals, and I'll explain why later. But, after sitting down and carefully listening to the whole thing straight through, you soon realized how subtle yet how powerful this album is.
I cannot testify as to personally playing the game myself, but if this arranged version sounds as good as it does, then there is no doubt the original, set to a specific theme isn't done as well. Certainly, because of the lack of an abundant of "real" instruments isn't present in this arranged version doesn't make it any less soothing as other arranged ventures. Some of the better tracks do well with the synths and soft drumbeats, in fact.
The music, and the way it's laid out is very unique in itself as well. The drumbeats used are more less the driving focus of the songs, and pretty much laid out in the background. On a few tracks will you hear a "real" instrument being played. Noteworthy of this fact is We Form In Crystals, Theme of RENA, and Stab The Sword Of Justice. Now, when I say "real" instrument, I mean a synth played to sound the way a certain instrument should sound like.
We Form In Crystals is a very soothing, yet eerie track that takes the listeners mind through an empty place, where women's chant and a soft piano tune is played the whole while. Very somber tune that relaxes the soul. One of the reasons I listened to this so much was because of the chants used throughout and the little quips here and there of shakers and violins. Very precise tune that will let your mind drift if you allow it to.
Mission To Deep Space is done very well also. It actually sounds like the beginning of the voyage to outer space, the arrival, and the amazement of being there.
Silent The Universe is another excellent piece that opens to the listener what exactly is to become of this album. After taking you through a soaring trip of horn assembles and string arrangements, you’re treated with commanding drum accents to ride along with the former two.
Scared Song is also a track that leaves you smiling inward at the subtle beauty shown. This is truly one of those tracks where they mixed in modern elements with those used long ago. The break used is probably going no faster than 100bpm, and the phat bass line that comes in between the string arrangements is nothing short of cool. The nice, little flute type sound driving the melody here and there while some chants back it up completes this mix of classical and new age, if you will.
This certainly is a nice album one who loves synths will enjoy greatly. My only complaint was that many times the track would be 6+ minutes long only because they would recycle the same loops over and over again in that song. While sometimes it would be appropriate, other times I didn't care for it. Other than that, though, a truly memorable album. One that you would place on when trying to rest after a hard days work, or something else to accompany your already laid back day.
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| Album Information | Reviewer Rank |
|---|---|
|
Star Ocean: The Second Story Arrange Album Published by: First Smile Entertainment Release Date: October 06th 1998 Composed by: Motoi Sakuraba Arranged by: Motoi Sakuraba 1 Disc, 10 Tracks Catalog: FSCA-10056 |
87 |
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
An ethereal experience unlike any other...
A very interesting mix this album proves to be. The best way to describe it is a healthy mix of minor techno infused elements, traditional midi used where appropriate and hints of "real" instruments laced here and there. Just my kind of mix. The first time I listened to this CD, I wasn't too thrilled with it, tell truth. The only track I really listened to was We Form In Crystals, and I'll explain why later. But, after sitting down and carefully listening to the whole thing straight through, you soon realized how subtle yet how powerful this album is.
I cannot testify as to personally playing the game myself, but if this arranged version sounds as good as it does, then there is no doubt the original, set to a specific theme isn't done as well. Certainly, because of the lack of an abundant of "real" instruments isn't present in this arranged version doesn't make it any less soothing as other arranged ventures. Some of the better tracks do well with the synths and soft drumbeats, in fact.
The music, and the way it's laid out is very unique in itself as well. The drumbeats used are more less the driving focus of the songs, and pretty much laid out in the background. On a few tracks will you hear a "real" instrument being played. Noteworthy of this fact is We Form In Crystals, Theme of RENA, and Stab The Sword Of Justice. Now, when I say "real" instrument, I mean a synth played to sound the way a certain instrument should sound like.
We Form In Crystals is a very soothing, yet eerie track that takes the listeners mind through an empty place, where women's chant and a soft piano tune is played the whole while. Very somber tune that relaxes the soul. One of the reasons I listened to this so much was because of the chants used throughout and the little quips here and there of shakers and violins. Very precise tune that will let your mind drift if you allow it to.
Mission To Deep Space is done very well also. It actually sounds like the beginning of the voyage to outer space, the arrival, and the amazement of being there.
Silent The Universe is another excellent piece that opens to the listener what exactly is to become of this album. After taking you through a soaring trip of horn assembles and string arrangements, you’re treated with commanding drum accents to ride along with the former two.
Scared Song is also a track that leaves you smiling inward at the subtle beauty shown. This is truly one of those tracks where they mixed in modern elements with those used long ago. The break used is probably going no faster than 100bpm, and the phat bass line that comes in between the string arrangements is nothing short of cool. The nice, little flute type sound driving the melody here and there while some chants back it up completes this mix of classical and new age, if you will.
This certainly is a nice album one who loves synths will enjoy greatly. My only complaint was that many times the track would be 6+ minutes long only because they would recycle the same loops over and over again in that song. While sometimes it would be appropriate, other times I didn't care for it. Other than that, though, a truly memorable album. One that you would place on when trying to rest after a hard days work, or something else to accompany your already laid back day.
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