[Album] Final Fantasy X (SSCX-10054~7)

I think FFX was definitely Hamauzu's strongest overall work and he was the star here. Really, I can't think of one bad track of his from the whole thing. Even "Decisive Battle" has grown on me (though the piano retains the characteristic of being more "cute" than epic to me).

I liked Nakano a lot better a few years ago, but I can't really listen to his stuff that much anymore. Only contribution of his that I remember off the top of my head and listen to frequently is "Luca". I thought Dewprism and most of his Musashi tracks were far better than his output here.

I liked the whole of Uematsu's work here much more than FFIX, even considering the small bit of it. Only tracks of his I didn't like were the darker, brooding ones...Uematsu just isn't good at stuff like that. Other than that...Character themes, his battle themes, both vocals (Suteki Da Ne was refreshing after Eyes on Me and Melodies of Life, plus I like Rikki's voice...and Otherworld definitely gives the score even more diversity. Nothing wrong with a little heavy metal mixed in) plus some other odds and ends. Hey, a little melodic backbone never hurts.

Overall, the style clashes are something I enjoy and I put this one right behind FFVI in the canon. Individually:

Hamauzu: *****
Uematsu: ****
Nakano: ***1/2
All Together: ***** and a "yeah, why the fuck not".

Jam it back in, in the dark.