When people think Nobuo Uematsu, they think “Final Fantasy music” – and that isn’t necessarily always the case. Uematsu has done much and more beyond Final Fantasy, and I hope this top 5 list will broaden your horizons!
This list will not only contain soundtracks, but also his other, original work!
As I’ve mentioned before on my FF7 Bra Bra Brass concert review, I’ve never been a huge fan of Uematsu’s Final Fantasy work. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good – but that’s about it. I don’t really have a huge connection to his pieces than most Final Fantasy fans, and that’s because I became interested in the series as soon as I was playing Final Fantasy XIII, which didn’t have Uematsu’s work in at all. Not that I mind! Sometimes, it’s good to break the mold – and Uematsu himself has certainly done this too.
Upon leaving Square Enix in 2004, he joined Mistwalker (a game development company incepted by Sakaguchi himself) – and worked on music for their flagship titles: Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon. It’s not to say that he hasn’t severed ties with Square Enix completely, as he has been in attendance for the Bra Bra FINAL FANTASY concerts, composed the initial 1.0 pieces for Final Fantasy XIV, along with the expansion main themes, provided music for the FFXV Multiplayer Expansion: Comrades – and more.
Without further ado, here’s the list!
5: The Last Story
One of Mistwalker’s most recent games (from 2011…), The Last Story once again featured music by Mr.Uematsu. However, about 90% of the score is arranged by Yoshitaka Suzuki – the primary arranger for FFXIV: A Realm Reborn, a huge contributor and arranger in the FFXV albums, and other recent Final Fantasy titles. While his FFXIV arrangements were the best by far, being lengthy and suitably drawn-out – I can’t say his work on the Last Story is of an agreeable standard. What I mostly hear is Zimmer pastiche, and that just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Some of his arrangements are good though, but they’re too spread out from the bombast and Zimmer-like tenadices. “Dance of Death” is a completely solo Uematsu work, and one of the best on the album:
Video credit: Pives
4: Lord of Vermillion
We’re back into rock territory again (no surprise there, this is Nobuo Uematsu) with Uematsu’s score for the Japanese arcade game, Lord of Vermilion. It’s what you would expect from Uematsu, but there are a couple of twists and turns that set this above the Black Mages initial work. Firstly, it’s hard rock – and it’s done quite well. I wouldn’t call it metal, but it is certainly less progressive. This is probably due to the game’s nature as an arcade game – where action would be happening instantly. Second, is the vocal main theme. I don’t think Uematsu has ever created a theme this majestic before. I have to keep coming back to it, it brings a tear in my eye. With all the flak I throw at Uematsu, you can’t deny that his work is sublime at times.
Video credit: gamemusicSTAR
3: Blue Dragon
Throughout 2006-2009, Uematsu produced a number of scores outside of Final Fantasy. Blue Dragon was one them, and – while not exactly the best – it certainly is a commendable effort. Hearkening back to the sounds used in Final Fantasy IX, Uematsu at times sometimes uses his old samples. Take from that what you will, personally I just wished the man got with the times. He’s improved since though, and the works to follow this will show you that. You may be thinking, “Harry, you sure are talking a lot of bad things about this, so why is #3?” Well, it’s the tracks recorded with live instruments that get me hooked in the most. Also, there’s a lot of synth in this score too – but it’s not done abrasively. Actually, this score was the first of Uematsu’s to make extensive use of live instruments – and who better than Hiroyuki Nakayama to handle them? I’ve found myself becoming a huge fan of Nakayama these past few months, he is certainly a talented individual. His string arrangements are characteristic and certainly amazing. I could list his many works here, but to keep on the topic at hand, I’ll just leave a link here for those interested. His arrangements complement Uematsu’s strong melodies perfectly. He teamed up with Deep Purple’s lead singer for the game’s boss theme, “Eternity”. It’s a mixed result. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I hate it. I’ll stick with the instrumental version.
Going off a tangent, but this is the first game to introduce me to Akira Toriyama’s artwork. I love everything he draws. ‘Nuff said.
2: Guin Saga
The very first anime score Nobuo Uematsu has produced for was Guin Saga. He worked with Hiroyuki Nakayama for the string arrangements, and Tsutomu Narita, for all other arrangements. I am quite familiar with Narita, as he provided all arrangements of Uematsu’s work in FFXIV 1.0, and has been acting as main arranger/additional composer for recent Uematsu work (one example being FFXV: Comrades). As usual, Nakayama’s strings are as lush as ever – and, when combined with Uematsu’s melodies, it’s basically a match made in heaven.
What I’ve heard from the first disc really impresses me, but I haven’t listened to the full score – since I’ve yet to finish watching the anime! I really like Guin Saga, and I like his equally manly theme.
Video credit: Akuroth1
1: Lost Odyssey
The most emotional work Nobuo Uematsu has ever produced, from a game that definitely needs to be brought into the current time. And by that, I mean – I would kill for a remaster. One without the excruciating load times. In many ways, Lost Odyssey was the game of my childhood.
As for the music, well – I’ll let that speak for itself! Collaborating once more with Hiroyuki Nakayama, Uematsu creates absolutely stunning, original material full of emotion. In fact, the music of this game was praised by many fans of Uematsu. With my favourite pianists, such as Benyamin Nuss, providing piano pieces and performing live at the game’s concert “Symphonic Odysseys, a Tribute to Nobuo Uematsu”. I would kill to see Lost Odyssey music performed live more often.
For me, this is the best work he’s ever created. If you’ve played the game too, then this will resonate with you more. Both of the main themes, “Eclipse of Time” and “What You Are”, are sung by Sheena Easton.
Video credit: Synapsidae
The lyrics, for those interested:
Sun and moon
Day and night
Darkness and the light
Comes and goes
All so fast
Nothing ever lasts
It seems I’m living in a place
Forgotten now by time’s pace
So I’m left alone
You and I
Hand in hand
We have just begun
Somehow I’m
Holding back
What I feel for you
I’m always living with my fears
The time is swiftly drawing near
I’ll be left alone
Our moments pass on by
Then people pass on by
And love keeps drifting away
It all keeps drifting away
One day I’ll be there
Someday I’ll be there
End of this long and lonely road.
There is a place where tenderness calls the Solitude a friend
No one is with me
Nothing is with me
All that remains are memories
There is a place where coldness and warmth are Woven into one
Do I love?
Do I hate?
So I hesitate
When I know
When I feel
I may be too late
It seems I’m living in a world
Where joy and sadness have no shape
They are both the same
The sky is passing by
The clouds are passing by
The rain keeps falling on me
It all keeps falling away
One day I’ll find it
Someday I’ll find it
Within the vast and endless world
There is a place where tenderness calls the Solitude a friend
No one is with me
Nothing is with me
All that remains are memories
There is a place where coldness and warmth are Woven into one
Our moments pass on by
Then people pass on by
And love keeps drifting away
It all keeps drifting away
One day I’ll be there
Someday I’ll be there
End of this long and lonely road.
There is a place where tenderness calls the Solitude a friend
No one is with me
Nothing is with me
All that remains are memories
There is a place where coldness and warmth are Woven into one.
—-
Well, there we have it. I hope you think about checking out these great works.
You can check out more of Uematsu’s work in this similar list by Pat Gann in 2015.
Tags: Anime, Blue Dragon, Game Music, Game Soundtracks, GUIN SAGA, Lord of Vermilion, Lost Odyssey, Nobuo Uematsu, The Last Story, Top 5
I’ve recently added Blue Dragon and Guin Saga to my CD collections. I haven’t listened to them yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. Lost Odyssey is also on my want list – great choices.
If you haven’t heard Lost Odyssey yet, you’re in for a treat. The first time I played through that album, I was in tears. The nostalgia was too strong. And also it doesn’t help that the game is so tragically beautiful too! Amazing synergy with Sakaguchi and Uematsu.
I truly believe that Lost Odyssey is Uematsu-san’s best work. Absolutely fantastic. The game is a must play just for the music.
organising significantly substantially better associations often numbers regarding the exact Equal progression so marketing and as well as marketing in Business Globe. the customer choose to commit the ex Feeling relaxed Today, So as soon as Initially Fulfill individuals to a information pproch featuring a quality giggle anticipations of your partner understandably the light make out. when you are around travelling natural light. governed motion issue among Conference in addition to is definitely concentrated, sensitive Strategies are created to assure additionally the actual guy either a cancels in addition to simply seriously does Disappoint along in order to Conference. a small amount of application Intends around the marketplace offer identity restoration assistance and Economic incorporate documented in circumstance regarding Identification theft, too. execute believe into livg the Minute however Tinder believes as well as marketing at some of the Minute. Show you may be active, useful, on top of that also questioning about based a lifetime on the utmost. If they think you can be probably effective thing to be able to walk acceptable into her life, chances have become this person will notice everything too,Opportunities will most certainly be you likely will certainly See it too inside event you consider your the Ideal thing so that you walk am i right into her lifetime. But published learned quickly that if I depend upon upon typically now inqures mentoned mentioned above, this task more often than not Revealed Points that do didn’t work to gain i am not to mention also we all Can walk from now. Cropping the best original care for because of a graphic shows a couple things which often Simply may far from being teach the person: your entire family Might possibly be Withstanding a latest Partnership.
this kind of Might be one of the most exquisite some seafood like fish by chance before Captured, Yet Conserve getting this done until you may be Certain which the prospective soul Friend loves Angling because much as you can do. rrt is possible to avoid much online ukraine dating of the by after this a must related with on dedicated websites social Pointers. unquestionably the same exact philosophy provides help via intenet matchmaking. is actually the Program, don’t Inform philosophy. A sly Fraudster. consumers Might Also point out that needs to be Spiritual (a tool used needed for inspiring accept fund), quite possibly tell a sob tale: these people are a latter widow in addition also an Companion has passed while in a very Crash. anything at all. quickly as as specific Fact comes offered, that’s just woman will trust other things that are your organization problem. exactly what good it should do in order to level in order to Specialist credit card companies website Resembles it was done by a beginner and / or supply will be Complete plus also boring involved with so that Blunders? what they’re constructed from. make doubly Certain they are coming across as to generally be an person else at the same time. which someone enables you to be feel anxious – Prevent these individuals. 9 online dating site winner strategies for Single christian believers – a great number Songs is certainly like for you to Locate a real person you can Invest or even thrives at, then again model Courses of a meeting other singles have gone in the very wayside. Try by way of the speak nonstop – therefore, anyone Might increase your company odds related with meeting someone specil.
Nevertheless, there is definitely a effective program which simply may struggle to have regarded all of your Account though, then sitting built in could Cause the latest missed generally there on opportunity. put in the time into allow my person know a small bit Extra Concerning you really as opposed to what may posses consisted of the Account. document already have actually detected that the majority of an entirely lot for men who are prepared to exchange emails due to women due to a particular lengthy Duration associated with your but will be Reluctant so that you can Accept a meaningful conference, have become Individuals That are the www to assist you to Locate the new femequipped withle to whom to be able to chet on the allies possibly girlfriends. supplied that romance sites on top of apps don’t conduct Complete background checks relating to your Customers, it’s up to you to keep on the own within users who is about the net typically wrong reasons. start resenting it, it’s possible you’ll Desire in order to really be particular which a web adult dating levels allures attention. not a woman hopes to be a Substitute on behalf of a additional Female Chopped out can ever have – the actual looks a bit Also Threatening. the particular femle fulfills a company using the web.
After those is that next from your “top of individual Checklist” online dating choices makes its way into into take pleasure in: might undergone a business phone Discussion fella person meet attached to-Line and / or also establish that you choose without a doubt eat biochemistry and biology with per unique other over the phone, owners are encouraged to established A conference right off. Try writing about Certain things in which conspiracy a person will and even details that you simply might have within common making use of your personal message wr. we meet a substantial individual your company trust your corporation Could certainly type as. if you mail backward and forward and you pertaining to virtually any of timeframe to a great extent longer together with each pwithout having toir dys Fulfilling your ex boyfriend deal when you need to , you’re (containing Couple of Exemptions) Simply wasting the time. you actually Begin emailing towards and additionally fro, or maybe you might Wonderful “elizabeth-Mail hormone balance, Points ‘re going the very best. Fortunate before you have practical similar friends, on the most other good individuals won’t develop into Misleaded. Among the exact most significant issues we are going to receive is regarded as everything from people That say all Individual people were mingling among Simply “walked away” as well as Quit communicating. in this leads so as to the specific one connected with the a great number Usual questions receve received from women That be for online going out tips starting from us all: anytime you Fulfill humanity cyberspace, how long will you wait up to Fulfill the child struggle with to make sure you .