RPGamers Network > Reviews > Game Music Reviews > Xenogears: Creid
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
This album always had a soft spot in my heart. The music on this album is NOTHING short of fantastic.
The intro song of this album, Melkaba is a great Celtic moving melody that builds up as it progresses. The song is 7:24. One of the first songs of past the 5 minute mark I listened to and wasn't bored out my mind with, much less notice that it was so long. The song isn't rushed, which is my kind of song in the first place and the vocal arrangements are great. Infusing the bass into the song with the already swift playing fiddle (?) is a very nice addition.
BALTO is another fine song. I always thought of it as two songs slapped together. The first half is a very moving piece, the first minute a great set where the bass and guitar are matching each other note for note. Then the wooden flute shuffles its way into the mix and leads the song off, and even with its slow feel, moves very swiftly. About at the 2:20 minute mark is when the music picks up and an accordion is thrown in there and with a soft tapping drum set to bring the music to higher heights. Very lovely in all aspects.
DAJIL, the rock Celtic song. Rock and Celtic. I didn't think you could infuse the two... Well, Mitsuda does it very well here and doesn't disappoint. The viola/violin tag and play off against the electric guitar as a sitar plays in the background moving the melody. A very fast paced song that'll keep you hitting the back button more than you care to.
LAHAN is a very, very moving town song. One of the best town songs and most interesting town songs you'll hear in a long time. It has such a homey feel, with bongos moving the beat with a simple drum kit and a happy flute playing along the melody. There's even a bag pipe moving the melody along. When's the last time you've heard a bag pipe in a song that was serious? All is done very well, which leads to the "laa-laa-laa" section at the end. Organization on this song is very well put together, even with all the instruments being played. I guess this village is number one.
There are a few shippable tracks. Star Of Tears might have been better if it was sung in Japanese, but the English singer doesn't do this type of music any justice of any kind. The music on this piece is great, but her voice needs to go. High notes are too much on this. I like the background singing more so, and that ain't good. Small of Two Pieces sucks badly, too, and it's a shame that they choose to end this CD with this track with that... woman, I think her name is Joanne Hogg singing. Her voice does nothing to this type of music. Nothing at all.
This is a hot CD, with songs that'll please your unknown Celtic side and having you check out the foreign section for the first time at your local music store. Celtic music is pretty cool, and Mitsuda knew so. Skip the two songs I mentioned, and love the rest. You'll feel better about yourself afterwards.
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| Album Information | Reviewer Rank |
|---|---|
|
Xenogears: Creid Published by: DigiCube Release Date: April 22nd 1998 Composed by: Yasunori Mitsuda Arranged by: Yasunori Mitsuda, KALTA, Tetsuko Honma, Eimear Quinn 1 Disc, 10 Tracks Catalog: SSCX-10018 |
92 |
Reviewed by: Ersatz Sobriquet
This album always had a soft spot in my heart. The music on this album is NOTHING short of fantastic.
The intro song of this album, Melkaba is a great Celtic moving melody that builds up as it progresses. The song is 7:24. One of the first songs of past the 5 minute mark I listened to and wasn't bored out my mind with, much less notice that it was so long. The song isn't rushed, which is my kind of song in the first place and the vocal arrangements are great. Infusing the bass into the song with the already swift playing fiddle (?) is a very nice addition.
BALTO is another fine song. I always thought of it as two songs slapped together. The first half is a very moving piece, the first minute a great set where the bass and guitar are matching each other note for note. Then the wooden flute shuffles its way into the mix and leads the song off, and even with its slow feel, moves very swiftly. About at the 2:20 minute mark is when the music picks up and an accordion is thrown in there and with a soft tapping drum set to bring the music to higher heights. Very lovely in all aspects.
DAJIL, the rock Celtic song. Rock and Celtic. I didn't think you could infuse the two... Well, Mitsuda does it very well here and doesn't disappoint. The viola/violin tag and play off against the electric guitar as a sitar plays in the background moving the melody. A very fast paced song that'll keep you hitting the back button more than you care to.
LAHAN is a very, very moving town song. One of the best town songs and most interesting town songs you'll hear in a long time. It has such a homey feel, with bongos moving the beat with a simple drum kit and a happy flute playing along the melody. There's even a bag pipe moving the melody along. When's the last time you've heard a bag pipe in a song that was serious? All is done very well, which leads to the "laa-laa-laa" section at the end. Organization on this song is very well put together, even with all the instruments being played. I guess this village is number one.
There are a few shippable tracks. Star Of Tears might have been better if it was sung in Japanese, but the English singer doesn't do this type of music any justice of any kind. The music on this piece is great, but her voice needs to go. High notes are too much on this. I like the background singing more so, and that ain't good. Small of Two Pieces sucks badly, too, and it's a shame that they choose to end this CD with this track with that... woman, I think her name is Joanne Hogg singing. Her voice does nothing to this type of music. Nothing at all.
This is a hot CD, with songs that'll please your unknown Celtic side and having you check out the foreign section for the first time at your local music store. Celtic music is pretty cool, and Mitsuda knew so. Skip the two songs I mentioned, and love the rest. You'll feel better about yourself afterwards.
Send feedback to author
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