Author Topic: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread  (Read 5940 times)

FaustWolf

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Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« on: July 09, 2016, 03:33:40 pm »
So we're all very familiar with Mitsuda's work on the Chrono series, but have you heard the awesome stuff he's composed for other games? I was on a Mitsuda music research kick a little while back and amassed a whole treasure trove. I'm going to try my best to update every weekend with a new track that's verified Mitsuda work -- I'm learning the "verified" part is important because a lot of videogame soundtracks are collaborations and sometimes it's difficult to pin down exactly who composed what without proper documentation.

Everyone's free to chime in with the awesome Mitsuda tracks they've discovered! All I ask is that you share with us why the track resonates with you, where you think it'd fit in a new Chrono game, or other random thoughts about the track.

First up is "Urban Fantasy," from the 10,000 Bullets (PS2) OST:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwdhpfYIyBk

Verification that this one is by Mitsuda, and not collaborator Miki Higashino (also an awesome composer in her own right, see the Suikoden series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10,000_Bullets

If there were a new Chrono game, and the story was structured in such a way that it followed the evolution of a particular civilization over a long time span, I see this as the "big city" music for the era when that society reaches its modern/industrial stage. In earlier eras the music for that city might have underscored a cheery feeling of togetherness and industriousness for its own sake, when people spontaneously came together in communal projects like erecting houses on the city outskirts... This track, in contrast, speaks to the social isolation felt in the modern city now that the sense of community pride has been replaced with a dog-eat-dog commercialism that benefits a slate of oligarchs.

The social isolation is paradoxical considering the number of people stuffed into each square mile of the modern city. And yet, there's still something noble underlying it all, manifested in the efforts of families scraping by to feed their kids and entertaining dreams that these children can achieve a more meaningful future if only they work hard enough. But does a villain lurk the streets, gathering the despair of those who are smart enough to lose hope?
« Last Edit: July 09, 2016, 03:37:12 pm by FaustWolf »

itoikenza

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2016, 11:41:47 pm »
please tell me he wrote this beloved track...
https://youtu.be/hoF2rBOnsb4
Quitting the Body.

Razig

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2016, 02:19:35 pm »
please tell me he wrote this beloved track...
https://youtu.be/hoF2rBOnsb4
Quitting the Body.

I could be wrong, but I believe Mitsuda composed all the songs on the Chrono Cross soundtrack. (Uematsu composed some of the songs for Chrono Trigger because Mitsuda worked so hard he gave himself ulcers and had to be hospitalized.)

ZeaLitY

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2016, 10:16:06 am »
I'm still grateful to FW for picking this for King Zeal's pre-final battle monologue in the CE Memorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vVN8Y1fnco

DarioEMeloD

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2016, 02:19:30 am »
I was amazed when I heard the music he wrote for The Explosion of Comet ISON (a japanese TV documentary), it's mainly orchestral but with a bit of synth stuff thrown here and there. Given the context for the music, it might sound a bit minimalist at times compared to his game works, but it definitely has his trademark sound. Lots of Chrono/Xeno vibes.

And obviously, this thread cannot be complete without the Kato+Mitsuda combo, kiRite.

FaustWolf

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2016, 12:59:45 pm »
Oooh, good ones!

An Cinnuint was the soundtrack for the PS2 game Tsugunai: Atonement and if I'm not mistaken, it might have been the first time Mitsuda gave one of his OSTs its own special name separate from the game. That soundtrack had a classic Chrono vibe through and through in my opinion. Here's "Battle With the Devil" from that album.

The really neat thing about "The Devil" and "Battle With the Devil" from the An Cinnuint album is that they contain an eight-note musical theme that meshes well with the eight-note theme in "Transferred Consciousness," a track by the awesome musician Sefiros, from his Deconstruct album. That's why all three tracks ended up being used sequentially in the last dungeon of the CE Memorial playthrough.


I did not know Mitsuda did music for documentaries! I'm trying to track down actual samples for his work on NHK's "Explosion of Comet ISON" but I haven't had any luck yet.

Speaking of kiRite, my favorite track from that album has to be "Scorning Blade." This one carries both Chrono and Xeno vibes. It gives me visions of meeting some majestic character, perhaps a guardian of time. I'd love to know what the story was that Kato wrote for this project -- has there ever been a translation of that?
« Last Edit: July 16, 2016, 01:05:42 pm by FaustWolf »

Kodokami

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2016, 08:25:49 pm »
I like this thread. :)

I've always enjoyed the happiness in "World Map" from Sands of Destruction, but I'm not completely sure that Mitsuda created the track. He did create "Time's Arm", which is also very emotional. Both definitely remind me of Mitsuda's signature style.

I wish I still owned the game...

please tell me he wrote this beloved track...
https://youtu.be/hoF2rBOnsb4
Quitting the Body.
If you like that one, I think you'll really enjoy this remix called "Left My Body in Another World".

I was amazed when I heard the music he wrote for The Explosion of Comet ISON (a japanese TV documentary), it's mainly orchestral but with a bit of synth stuff thrown here and there. Given the context for the music, it might sound a bit minimalist at times compared to his game works, but it definitely has his trademark sound. Lots of Chrono/Xeno vibes.
Do you know where I can listen to this album? I can't seem to find it.

DarioEMeloD

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #7 on: July 17, 2016, 02:49:54 pm »
I downloaded it from somewhere I can't remember, but I still have it. I can share it here if that's ok with the mods. :?: Otherwise just PM me.
« Last Edit: July 17, 2016, 02:53:06 pm by DarioEMeloD »

FaustWolf

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2016, 10:20:26 am »
Check your PMs Dario! I think we can arrange something.

Here's "Threatening Yell" from the Soma Bringer OST. A solid medieval battle theme.

FaustWolf

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2016, 11:46:00 am »
And now... An event millions of years in the making! A Compendium exclusive!

Mitsuda's tracks from the Explosion of Comet ISON Documentary

Mitsuda's full range is on display here, from spacey new-agey stuff to deep, emotional tracks that tug at the listener's heartstrings -- always Mitsuda's greatest strength IMO.

And here's a Wikipedia article on this heavily studied comet to read while you listen.

Thanks to DarioEMeloD for discovering this awesome album!

utunnels

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2016, 02:08:29 pm »
Thanks for making the videos.


I thought NHK's favourite composer for their documentaries was Joe Hisaishi, ha.

FaustWolf

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2016, 02:44:13 pm »
Ooooh, that makes a fantastic "found a treasure" emoji! We totally need to add that to the list of smilies on the forum.

Redline57

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #12 on: November 27, 2017, 04:16:48 am »
Just posting that I appreciate Mitsuda is all. I like music, more than the lyrics of a song, its the actual music that draws you in. And nothing can turn a movie or game into something special more than its music. Without this soundtrack, Chrono Trigger would be "a great game", but with his music, Chrono Trigger is a "legendary game" so kudos to Yasonori Mitsuda. All his dedication and struggles with this game, at least we are left with something great.

DarioEMeloD

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2017, 11:00:51 pm »
Thanks for reviving this thread, it made me realize that Faust didn't upload all the ISON tracks, but that was my fault because of how I tagged the files. The tracks missing were arranged by someone else, but Mitsuda did compose all the music.

I still have the album if anyone wants it, just hit me up ^^

PS: Xenoblade 2 hype!

skylark

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Re: Mitsuda Appreciation Thread
« Reply #14 on: November 28, 2017, 02:58:28 pm »
PS: Xenoblade 2 hype!

Don't forget Episode Ignis.