drammatica ~ The Very Best of Yoko Shimomura

Earth Painting is an arrangement on the list . It's actually track 9.

I think this will be the best Square album this year, imo. I loved Hamauzu's Veilen Dank, but the tracks weren't much in length. Drammatica seems to have lengthy arrangements and a couple medleys to boot. I just might get my money's worth this time . I just wonder who the orchestrator is?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

This album is, imo, the best album from Square this year. I was left speechless by everything. The orchestration is colorful and evocative. The performance is spot on, except in a couple of places. The track selection is diverse. There's even a tango arrangement of Where the Heart Is which actually features a bandeon, an instrument made famous by the master of tango Astor Piazzolla. Twinkle Twinkle Holidays is a nice festive tune and is such a fun listen. The album does have its fair share of pretty music, too. For example, the arrangement of Roxas' Theme in Other Promise is gorgeous with its piano arpeggios and sweeping strings.

I was disappointed to not see anything from Parasite Eve, but the quality of arrangements that ARE present do more than enough to make up for the lack of the Main Theme being performed .

As a fan of Shimomura, I can say with certainty that this album is definitely the best of Yoko Shimomura. As I understand, the tracklist was picked by Shimomura herself. This explains why the album perfectly demonstrates her diversity in composition and musical taste. From epic orchestra music to romantic tangos, this album is sure to be a gem amongst Shimomura and game music fans alike!

There's nowhere I can't reach.