ReMix: Final Fantasy VIII 'Moontang'
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- Game: Final Fantasy VIII (Square, 1999, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): Bladiator
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): Waltz for the Moon
- Posted: 2005-08-18, evaluated by the judges
Karl Harmdierks, you naughty fellow. I'm quite sure that when he-who-bladiates christened this lovely arrangement, he was merely concatenating our celestial satellite and a well-known orange powdered beverage, and that any similarities with slang anatomical terms are strictly coincidental. Actually, see, it's "tang" for "Tango", and he just removed the "o" for... no particular reason, see... moving on, the culprit writes:
"I like to give new genres a shot, especially those that I see very little of on OCR. That doesn't always mean what I show up with will be good, but at least different. In this case, though, I really think I have something because it's damn catchy."
It is damn catchy, he's not just boastifying, either. For some reason, the genre seems at times to me to wander into more Slavic territory, and I found myself wanting some cheap vodka to drink and raise in celebratory upwards motions while shouting loud and unintelligble phrases; perhaps it'd just been a long day at work. Nevertheless, I applaud the adventurous genre selection, and the ReMixer's ability to pull it off pretty convincingly as well. You've got a melodramatic piano solo intro that even, after a nice chromatic run, does some softer stuffs, before jumping into the groove at 0'50". Minimal Latin percussions accentuate (shaker and RAD GUIRO LICKS) and solo violin takes over the lead melody, with accordion accompaniment. Very creative, reminding one somewhat of True Lies... alright, so the pieces really aren't that similar, other than being tangos, but whenever I hear a tango, now, the beginning and ending of that film invariably come to mind, regardless. Shnabubula was much bemused:
"Modal Transposition BUDDY! Solid arrangment.... humorous but not at the expense of quality. The acceleration starting at 2:23 makes me picture those guys from fiddler with the bottles on their heads. The interplay between the violin and accordian starting at 1:18 is masterful. Your multitrack writing has improved like nobody's business. Needless to say, the use of the source material is great! Some of the adjusted phrasing like at 2:49 done to fit the genre is hillarious. When I say that I mean it in the laughing with you sense.... it makes me laugh cause it's hysterical how campy it is while still sounding so good. I'm DONE!"
I love to see this combination of risk-taking and sheer fun, personally, and when it's combined with a level of musicality that can pull it off and produce something that's listenable and enjoyable, all the better. Samples aren't absolute top tier, but production never detracts from the arrangement, which is saying something, since this sort of track exposes instruments more than a more elaborate setting would. So, without further adieu, with the blessing of the judges panel and Karl himself, I invite everyone to (had to know it was coming...) thoroughly enjoy this Moontang.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the The piano intro is neat but then the real fun starts around 0:50 with the shaker. There's even handclapping! WEE! :o I think of France everytime for some reason! A great catchy tune that also reminds me of summer and how I wish it were here now. :wink:
- Mini Mog on January 8, 2006
Because this remix has a neat touch of France I think. The piano tune was classical, like if you were at a pianobar or something. Très bien, monsieur bladiator.
Au revoir.
- Bummerdude on September 22, 2005
- DrkSummoner on September 21, 2005
You did it Blad. I don't know how, but you found that deleted scene from Amelie that I swore to everyone existed. You obviously know what I'm talking about: it's the date scene where Amelie and this guy have magical and bewildering adventures around her hometown. What you didn't know, was that the guy she hooks up with is ME.
My thoughts and visions of Moontang:
The scene begins in black and white as she waits in despair for her tall dark and handsome date to arrive. As she shyly takes a look around, she's further depressed by the many lonesome sights of single sad women crying on benches. But then...
Her date arrives, taking her by the hand, whirling her into his arms. The scene bursts into juicy reds and greens. I dip her slowly, then pull her up with a sensual jolt and stare into her eyes.
Soon, we're whisked away upon a bright blue bike around the town. The local baker waves to them with a fresh loaf of bread in his hand, the old blind man waves in the wrong direction as we ring the bicycle bell, all the kids come laughing and chasing after us...
There's a cute shot where we're nursing an icecream cone together, I give her the eye and a wink (two claps), then she gives a squeeze on the package (two hoots)!
The night is winding down...but no less interesting. We decide to stop and watch a mime in the lantern lit town square. He cries black painted tears, and enacts the story of a young girl pining as she waits for her beloved. I give Amelie a tight squeeze to let her know I'm there. Suddenly (as the story no doubt goes), the mime is joined by another--they embrace, the wait is over! Soon, the entire square is flooded with a circus of dancing mimes!
I grab Amelie and we join the wonderful insanity. The celebration grows more and more furious and chaotic until everyone's spinning and flying through the air. And while the madness continues to flurry, I stop and grab Amelie, look deep into her eyes, and smile. She's mousy and nervous, not knowing what to do. So I plant one on her lips, and the camera pans out slowly, up into the air...oh the wonder!
I hope you enjoyed that scene as much as me...I'll never forget it.
Thanks for the track
M
- OmegaMan on September 1, 2005
- cyrano on August 25, 2005
[/b][/u]Maker Of Such Title: [u][b]Bladiator[/b][/u]
[u]Comments Made Before Judging:[/u]
I'm one of the 100 fans of Final Fantasy VIII over at VGMix, so I think I should check this one out. ;)
[u]The Moment Of Judgment:[/u]
At first, I thought this was a straight-up piano arrangement, but as I listened, I noticed that some Latin was included as well, and you had so much at risk too. Nicely done.
I know this is odd of me, but since you remixed this song in such a fashion, I might as well tell you. Whenever 0:50 kicked in, I immediately thought of The Sims 1 for the PC, you know, when you're in the neighborhood? Just a thought.
Bladiator, this song is so cool, as you not only have a piano going on, but you've got many other things too. This shows the variousness you can create and I believe that expresses your skill in creativity. Great job. Highly recommended.
[u]Pro's:[/u] - Nice length.
- Good samples.
- Great panning placements.
- Neat transitions.
- Awesome piano playing.
[u]Con's:[/u] - Some of the SFX are too quiet.
[u]Suggestions Of Such Judgment:[/u]
Just increase the dynamics of some samples, but other than that, you've got what it takes.
[u]The Fate Of My Judgment:[/u]
Bladiator, I think this is an interesting take, on your behalf that is. Normally you'd just play the piano, but you've added more this time, and you succeeded! You had so much at risk, but you pulled it off. Nicely done. PM me about your next release, good luck with it, and I hope you take care now.
[u]The Type Of Salvation Brought From My Judgment:[/u][b] 94%
[/b][i]Final Fantasy, The Sims 1, and piano arrangement fans, as well as people that can listen to anything, are sure to enjoy. Highly Recommended.[/i]
- Nario on August 21, 2005
- OverCoat on August 20, 2005
- Mozutaka on August 19, 2005
Atolmazel wrote: 1:58 spoils it all for me, I'm afraid. It's an unwritten rule that I must automatically hate any song with those sounds in it. Sorry, dude.
:( I'm sorry. Hoo hoo's are not for everyone, I'm afraid.
- bladiator on August 19, 2005
- Miletus on August 19, 2005
Dr. Gamut wrote: Absolutely wonderful. My love for bladiator grows with each mix.
I grow for bladiator each time I see his picture. :wink:
- Less Ashamed Of Self on August 19, 2005
Great stuff.
- Harmony on August 18, 2005
The Orichalcon wrote:Pander wrote: Great song, I agree with DJP's True Lies vibe, heh. Then at the end it sounds like what you'd hear at an Eastern European wedding, up tempo and bouncing.
Only concern is, as a huge FFVIII fan (both of the game and soundtrack) that I couldn't pick out the source material very well. Minor gripe, and probably just cause I haven't heard it in a while...
It's the Waltz music from the scene between Rinoa and Squall. It's also the melody in Eyes on Me.
Nice work getting it posted up there Blad, it's a great solid and enjoyable piece to listen to, enough said. [b]One thing I find interestingly unique about it is that if you try to hum the original melody along with it, it sounds very much out of place, however by itself this piece stands strong.[/b] Dare I say that Squall and Rinoa would probably enjoy dancing to this piece more than the one they did in the game (although it might be a little too fast-paced for two-left-feet Squall.) :wink:
Bolded my exact sentiments. That's what I mean, after that Energy Tank remix flowing the Brinstar theme throughout the song, maybe I was too hooked on being able to place the source in throughout the song.
- Pander on August 18, 2005
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