LogFAQs > #950724154

5) Xenoblade Chronicles - Engage the Enemy
https://youtu.be/xi0M9SIaLb4
Series ranking: 1 of 6 (Xeno)
Composer: Ace+
Prelim score: 10/10
Score: 9.8/10 (Phenomenal)
VGMC History: VGMC 7 (Lost R1), VGMC 8 (Lost R5 to Serpent Eating the Ground)
Favorite Part: 0:23 - 0:46, as well as 0:57 - 1:08, https://youtu.be/xi0M9SIaLb4?t=57

Here it is, my #1 retiree prior to VGMC 14, originally the only one to make the Godly tier! Ive never even played Xenoblade or know anything about it. (Ive played Xenogears, though one of my very favorite games!) Yet every time I listen to this I am in complete awe. EVERY. TIME. (too bad my write-up sucks in comparison Toxtrcitys write-up has so much higher-level thinking) I dont think Xenoblades OST is that great in general (some of its good!), but this track its too good to be true! The way it incorporates somber with ambience with rock with classical over a WIDE range of emotions is truly one-of-a-kind. Subtle details everywhere. The music is relaxed in such a way to allow oozing of emotion. Yes, its the EMOTION that really makes this great, and if you dont feel that, well Oh, yeah, and it took time for this one to grow on me, by the way. The first couple of listens I was just like ok its nice.

At the beginning, you got the ambient synth pad(ish sounds) like an alien visitation and then you got these stately, succinct chords (+ a bit of chime!) for a beautiful intro (and chimes that blend in). Electric guitar call (and fall) and cool glissandos and trills randomly under a simple rock beat thats ordinary on its own, but effective in how it sets up the rest of the track. New feel at 0:23 - the ostinato rhythms continue, but it has a more ambient feel now Im LOVING TO DEATH the relaxed tempo, the deep plucked bass sixteenth notes kept constant under the changing harmonies (as well as throwing other notes on the weak subdivides) along with the keyboard bell sounds, and the exceptionally electro-sounding guitar playing so dramatically... MAN, this is something else. This stuff right here is a big reason it got such a high score. I like those two little electronic notes before they turn into piano at 0:45

With the next section, the piano plays a similar line to the guitar from before, but in a more somber manner, with beautiful little rhythmic additions. Warm low strings really fill things up. Im liking the inverted 7th chord bass pedal tone at 0:49 and the buttery synth right after. Then at 0:57 low strings transition into the crowning melodic moment of the entire piece (vi7, bII, and V7)... oh MAN, the note choices on top of those, the odd chromatic movements...GORGEOUS. Oh, hey, why not quote from Toxs write-up for a better description on that? my favorite part is the chord change right at 1:00. that part is a WHOA because i think it's going to go somewhere dramatic but tthen it goes somewhere MORE dramatic than i expect and i start floating in the air. </TOXTRICITY>

Nice drop to piano + crescendo there, too... the violins and low strings milking the feeling for all its worth. Then a moment of silence and time for a new contrast! More upbeat now at 1:09, but the violin trio is now over-the-top dramatic the syncopated part would normally be awkward, but with the tempo as slow as it is, it only helps maintain that atmosphere. 1:27 is a BEAUTIFUL elongated resolution coupled with grooviness, and I LOVE how the suspension resolution lines up with the rhythmic ostinato cut off to assist in that long final note! :)

Stylish piano syncopation at 1:36. Then you got such pure voices with that ethereal sound againneat reverb thing and nice counterpoint with the violins. More yummy string writing with lots of bottom to it and the subdued drums are nice. 2:00 More intense (and the strings join the rhythm section for the first time) and the singers get more of a central role and turns into a group duet. 2:26 back to the stylish guitar with its wild ornaments from before and strings go a bit crazy rhythmic! And hey, its back to the calm stuff from before at 2:37! I like the little bass addition at 2:52-53. For a moment it all stops. Then you got the super long 32nd-note ascent into the climax:) :) :) This time with vocals and up a step! I cant get enough of the last part of the phrase with the lengthy tonic resolution (except the suspension doesnt resolve this time...good decision ACE+)... and finally it ends with stately descending piano w/ a tasteful 4th on top of the final chord, a bit like the beginning.

To sum it up, the brilliance of the music has less to do with stuff that can easily be measured objectively and more to do with instrumentation, style and emotion...

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"Ah, a party! We haven't had one of those. It could be fun! So... what is a party?"
"You drink punch and eat CAKE! ...I think."