ReMix: Final Fantasy 'Hardcore'

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Mr. Hudson steps outside of his usual high-quality orchestral/rock arrangement shell with this heavier (and more interpretive than usual as well) take on . . . that's right, the mighty FF prelude! Also known as "The Arpeggio That Refused to Die" or "Mr. Uematsu's Opus" depending upon which circles you travel in :) At this late point in the game, any new mix of this oft-covered material has a lot to prove in terms of originality, as several dozen iterations exist that are worthy and take the theme in interesting directions. Jared's slick, though, and I think he knew this ahead of time when he set out to put his latest mix together. It's definitely different from the other prelude homages I've heard over the years - though titled "Hardcore" and indeed including some heavy guitars, there's also some great jazz saxophone that comes in surprisingly but not inappropriately, and the actual notes of the arpeggio are modified to fit Jared's mold, at times dramatically. Beginning with what sounds like a more (too) traditional mix, using harp and piano, drums and shred guitar quickly enter and tell the listener blatanly and defiantly - this ain't your momma's prelude. When purists hear how the chord progression's been modded at 1'19" they might not like it, but tough cookies - I for one enjoyed it quite a bit, and a piece this "done" certainly lends itself to more poetic license than usual, in my book. Jazzy sax section circa 2'06" is what really sold me - sure, it's more Hudson than Uematsu, but it works, fits with the adaptation, and is twice as tasty with half the fat and cholesterol. Check this out to see how a prelude which, if it were feline, would have expired its ninth and final life long ago can continue to rise like the phoenix from the ashes of overexposure. Recommended.

― djpretzel