This is my first music review so bare with me if my emphasis on the tracks sound strange. Also my first music review might be one of courage and controversy as this soundtrack is pretty much Uematsu-san's latest attempted return to RPG mastery, but did he succeed? Everyone knows of his famous and infamous wonder of the song world "One Winged Angel", but does The Last Story's music re-thrones him as king or should this be Uematsu's "The Last Soundtrack" made by him? On to the tracks I say!
TRACK ONE: Theme of THE LAST STORY
The song starts off like a movie-opening sequence to draw you in slowly, and to a great yet stricken effect due to the midi-esque nature. Not only does this "start" sequence only moderately does it job, but the start lasts about 90 seconds...about 30 seconds too long in my opinion. The following sequence though picks up the pace in a RPG-battle like way and at this point the MIDI-esque nature is somewhat lifted in the pure action-like nature of the current tune. At this point you can somewhat visualize through the music the overall nature of the game...a dark action-rpg with plenty of action. The sequence then goes into an even darker tone with eletronic beats to help the listener visualize even further an even darker scenario. Soon the switch to the next sequence is short but graceful as the tune turns into pure epic rpg themes practically sealing the vizualization of how much scope this dark action-rpg has. Followed by the "epic-scope" tone though the song takes a dip from epic to a very simple dark turn and then quickly to more epic themes as if a means to change up the pace to keep people "guessing", though this epic theme ride sounds much lighter than all the previous sequences. The epic sequence then slows down considerably to re-enter the darker tones in a slow-paced version of the previous epic theme sequence tuned down. What I find absolutely strange that the next sequence seems to be something pulled from MGS as it's ambient and "war-like" nature, though not a bad influence to choose from, it seems out of place at the end given the RPG nature of the song. Thus afterwards the "epic themes" return in an "MGS theme ending" like way as to have you picture the characters saluted a graveyard similar to Snake, and the ending is pretty much a stab at "finale" bits from something like John William's famous pieces.
SCORE: Pretty Nice
TRACK TWO: Order and Chaos
The song obviously starts off with a pretty groovy techno piece and the following strings help solidiy the epic-ness tune. The melody of this first sequence has epic yet curious nature as to pull at your musical organs as something not really describable in spoken language, it's just epic. Though I do like the phenominal integration of both "natural" and "articifial" pieces that make this song if nothing but unique. Though halfway through the song you can definitely hear "Chaos" as the song becomes nothing but confusing and somewhat irritating, and somewhat after returning to a more enjoyable matter. The more enjoyable tone then switches to an almost FFXII like nature with nothing but natural elements that feels quite nice to the ears. Following this bit is a somewhat strange "vocal-like" bit followed by the "return to techno".
Score: Great where it's good
TRACK THREE: Joyful voices can be heard
Now at first I was NOT expecting a marching band like tune at the beginning of this due to the title of the song. The orchestral part following it seems something ripped straight from RPG Maker, and it's simplistic nature. The happy tune doesn't really tell much but as to guess it's either a "town celebration" or a quirky stab at the "battle victory", which isn't likely due to it's long nature. The song then switches to a calmer mood as to which signify the "ending of the action bit", and to which it returns to a "medium-pace" to finish off the "Happy Day!" occurence which is most likely a cutscene at this point.
Score: SOkay
TRACK FOUR: Timbre of the City
The beginning theme conducts itself as a "Menu song" as it's slow and yet non-emotional nature as to keep the player calm before enganging in the main gameplay. The feel of the bit is quite smoothing and relaxing as in my vizualization of keeping up with it's given job. Though the slow entrance of strings seem to pull at your musical organs as to say "Hurry up already and kill some mobs!" in an almost "slow yet urgent" matter. Of course following the "pull of the string" bit is another relaxing piece with a calm-like flute. Eventually this calm-flute starts screeching at ya with long passes in the melody going back to "Hurry it up already". Also what's this?....Nice beat with the epic theme of Track one...nice. Not too far behind this is another return to calm-ness as to which the game practically has figured out you WANT to be in the main menu. Thus ending in a nice bit at the end.
Score: Makes you nice and sleepy
TRACK FIVE: Bonds
Okay, the use of instruments are SO reminiscent of Ocarina of Time, but the Violin's piece is very smooth and nice. Also love the guitar...this is what I call "calm epic" at this part. At this point the song is playing "tug o war" with your musical organs as there is no real human spoking language to really describe this "epic violin". Also makes you kind of sleepy as well...as to which it mostly repeats itself throughout the track. Almost makes you want to drink some Hot Chocolate or something Reeaalll cozy and a great guitar ending.
Score: I could use some hot chocolate right now...and a cottage...and a nice big dog...Nice song!
TRACK SIX: Evil Beasts
Typical Uematsu Boss Theme methinks? Nope, it's got a RADICAL beat, yo! Groove it on down Uematsu! Love the fusion of both natural and artifical elements, definitely tells you that the player is fighting SOMETHING boss-like, and to which some of the melody pieces share pieces of that of previous Final Fantasy games?...Interesting. Also...some 007 in there?...You got at confusing people Uematsu. Also the main theme has made it's way into this song...NICE!.
Score: BURN BOSSES...BURN!(Epic btw)
TRACK SEVEN: The Flying One
A masterpiece of a beginning, and to which in my opinion the "true main theme" follows that has been on The Last Story's site for so long. I remember when Sakaguchi compared the original concept to this game as his "game daughter"....and this song perfectly reflects a "game child" Sakaguchi would spawn. It makes me want to meet Sakaguchi's "game daughter" due to the massive emotional pieces this song has...purely a beautiful piece, as should Sakaguchi's "game child" should be like. I could listen to this song for ages, and to which technically I believe this song to be the "ending credits"...which would be great if that's the occassion for the song. Almost wants me to picture Sakaguchi's "game developed daughter" in the background the of the credits :).
Score: I WANT TO SEE YOUR GAME DAUGHTER SAKAGUCHI!
Now...Getting back to if Uematsu's back to being king....I think he's made a welcome return to the "the kings" at least...glad to have you back Uematsu!
OVERALL SCORE: WELCOME BACK UEMATSU-SAN
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