[Album] DIRGE of CERBERUS -FINAL FANTASY VII- Original Soundtrack (CRCP-40137~38)

From a technical and musical standpoint, this soundtrack is pretty near perfect. The use of instrumentation is often incredible, the integration and fusion of a variety of styles (Impressionism, hints of Rock and Electronica, Jazz, etc.) is flawlessly executed, and the development of each theme is always compehensive. I love it and would rate it very highly.

However, again the issue comes down to accessibility. Unlike Hamauzu's other soundtracks, there isn't as much thematic or stylistic variety expressed, but variety of a more subtle sort. Without direct flauntations of creativity and the integration of a trademark Hamauzu main theme, the soundtrack loses its appeal to many and becomes 'generic'. This is unfortunately, but ultimately a reflection on the level of attentiveness of the average listener's ears and how a melodic basis is considered very important for game music.

So, bottom line: I like it a lot, but many won't and I entirely empathise. 5/5 for me, but 2/5 in terms of general accessibility!

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Interesting comment about the interweaving of the melodies you mentioned, jb1234. I didn't notice this to the same extent as you did and I agree it gives the score much more thematic cohesion as a whole.

Originally Posted by PiccoloNamek

Lack of melody? I can remember many good melodies from Hamauzu's previous works. There were only 2 or 3 main melodies in SFII, but each reprisal was unique and interesting. US, on the other hand, has plenty of good melodies. I could play them all back on a piano without even thinking. There's the character themes, and the battle themes, (Battle theme EX!), and many other highly melodic songs.

I basically agree here. While Hamauzu limited himself to using only one major melodies in each of his SaGa works, both were full of character and flawlessly written, well-supported by some secondary melodies that also featured throughout the score. I found the integration of the US theme especially impressive, as it still hasn't grown old, despite probably featuring in up to 15 pieces. The US main theme has probably my favourite melody to feature on a SE OST, actually. As for SF2, some say the main theme is overused, but, as PN put it, each reprisal was unique and interesting.

His US work featured lots of great melodies that were not integrated elsewhere in the score. Piece together tracks 1-24 on Disc One with all Disc Two tracks from "Challenge to the Seven Wonders" and you have a whole disc of rich and unique melodies. Much of Disc Two is less accessible melodically, but themes like "Battle Theme EX" and "BT Ver. 5" are pretty much immediately appreciable. The profoundness of most of the electronic pieces isn't, however, their melodies, but overall eccentricity and creativity.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Yeah... I'm aware of this, though the main theme is definitely used the most prominently. I guess, in terms of reuse of melodic material, though, SF2 reuses more themes than US overall, even if the melodic diversity of US is much greater.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by orion_mk3

Perhaps it's just too subtle for my cloth ears.

Did ye who find so much melodic consistency in olde Hamauzu find any here, in Dirge of Cerberus?

As I've said, it's his least melodic work to date, by quite a way. There is melodic consistency, but it isn't exactly obvious on first listen. I would have much preferred a clear and highly memorable main theme, to be honest, though have no other issues with the soundtrack.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Uematsu composed the melody for Suteki Da Ne, but was rushed. Hamaguchi provided most of the additions in both the main and orchestral versions. As for themes that featured the melody modified, this is usually Hamauzu; "Someday the Dream will End" and "Spiran Scenery" were both crafted by him, though "Yuna's Theme" and "Daughter of the High Summoner" are craptastic arrangements by Uematsu himself.

Also, while I see were you are coming from Josh, I agree with Kaleb that saying 'only true Hamauzu fans can appreciate it' is elitist and going too far.

I was speaking idiomatically.