Round 2, Pairing 4: "F.F.VII Main Theme (FFVII)" vs. "Rebel Army Theme (FFII NES)"

[Dave]

A new poll's up here (http://www.squareenixmusic.com/uematsu.php). Vote, and don't forget to post! :)

[Black Mamba]

FFVII bashers make me sad :(

And angry :@

I don't expect it to win, since many people here find it overrated (honestly reminds be of the whole "its on MTV now, so its crap" kinda deal); but I'm voting for Main Theme. I mean come on, it has so much more to offer then Army Theme. Its development is very charming, staying with a very suttle feel. Whereas Army Theme is a simple 40 second melody looped twice.

[Totz]

It is my mission to kill FFVII and I stand firm here.
I loath the main theme, it reminds me of a low budget sci-fi flick and tries to be something it is not. It has no emotion or development, it is just the same theme played slightly different each motif. The middle section is pretty fancy (the build up) but no no no that is all it offers. ;_;

what

Rebel Army Theme is much more memorable IMO. It sounds lovely orchestrated and is a much celebrated FF theme. Very memorable, chip tune music at its best. Vote

what

I'm voting for the Main Theme. BM expressed how I feel about it perfectly.

[Resk]

I'm voting for the main theme, only because although it's boring and slow, it still has that small but delicate appeal to it.

[insertnamehere]

I voted for main theme it's not all that but when paired against rebel army it fails miserably. And i have no idea where you get it sounds sci-fi.

[Jared]

Uh, Main Theme totally wins here (despite the fact it is losing :(). It is just gorgeous, and the most appropriate map theme the series has had.

[Chris]

I agree Black Mamba all the way. The Main Theme deserves to win this contest, in my opinion. ;)

[Neo Locke]

I still don't like it, and wish to see it beaten by something better as well.

However, Rebel Army Theme is not that piece.

And I value honesty.

vote.

[TheShroud13]

"Rebel Army" all the way. I have never liked "Main Theme" It's too slow. It has the expansive feel that a main theme ought to, but has none of the propulsive factor. It makes me want to curl over and give up more than go explore and emerge victorious. Some of the harmonies are interesting, but they often seem be collapsed upon rather than moved to smoothly, and contribute little to any majesty that the piece might have. Also, I usually expect a theme to be present in a 'main theme'. Uematsu seems to have missed out on that one. I don't understand all the attention this piece gets at all.

"Rebel Army" is simple, but actually intrigues me. It's a very memorable and pleasant melody, and certainly does sound wonderful orchestrated. I still enjoy it on the NES, and it's a highlight from a rather dismal game.

[Aryires]

My apologies to Nick and TheShroud13, but I'll have to disagree. Rebel Army Theme is indeed a good and memorable theme (and I bielieve I voted for it in the first round), but FFVII's Main Theme is so much more! I really don't understand why you fail to see the majesty in this one. I starts really subtly, then expands towards a more sentimental approach when the piano rolls in, and explodes with majesty in the middle, then it takes a more ominous tone, explodes with majesty again (it's a weird expression, no? I admit it's quite fun to abuse the language like this:p ) end loops.

I agree with Chris, it is one of the pieces that should be eligible to win. FFVII Main Theme all the way, baby!:thumbs:

PS: By the way, the link to "Love is the gift" weekly mp3 is still not correct. I don't mean to nag or anything, don't get me wrong. Besides, you can still access the song just by typing http://www.squareenixmusic.com/weeklymp3/ in your browser's address field.

[jampot]

Rebel Army Theme has a nice melody, sure, but it's just too short and repetitive.

Main Theme is slow, but certainly elegant, with delicate suspensions. It gets my vote. Actually I'm surprised this one hasn't been performed live more...

[Black Mamba]

Actually I'm surprised this one hasn't been performed live more...

I've wondered this as well. I mean its been orchestrated, and its FFVII. That alone should be enough for it to make its way into a Final Fantasy concert.

[Dave]

I'm an old school VGM fanatic, and "Rebel Army Theme" was pretty much 'the business' for me. I don't think I will vote on this one, because my heart lies with this piece, but my mind lies with the development behind the FF7 Main Theme.

[TheShroud13]

My apologies to Nick and TheShroud13, but I'll have to disagree. Rebel Army Theme is indeed a good and memorable theme (and I bielieve I voted for it in the first round), but FFVII's Main Theme is so much more! I really don't understand why you fail to see the majesty in this one. I starts really subtly, then expands towards a more sentimental approach when the piano rolls in, and explodes with majesty in the middle, then it takes a more ominous tone, explodes with majesty again (it's a weird expression, no? I admit it's quite fun to abuse the language like this:p ) end loops.

It's a matter of me not liking the melody. Uematsu could have made every so-called proper compositional decision in writing this piece, but since I don't like the material its based on, the piece as a whole falls flat for me. * shrugs *

It's also takes a durned long time to say what it wants to say for a piece that is interrupted by battles every ten seconds or so.

[Black Mamba]

It's also takes a durned long time to say what it wants to say for a piece that is interrupted by battles every ten seconds or so.

Now that, I couldn't agree more with. But for me it ended up working like how a torrent downloads. Not from begining to end, but catching little bits of it until I grew to like it as a whole (weird analogy, I know). Listening to the entire thing now is definatly a pleasure.

[Dave]

The results:

Final Fantasy VII Main Theme 57.50 % (23)
Rebel Army Theme (FFII NES) 42.50 % (17)

Surprisingly close, haha.

[TheShroud13]

If "Main Theme" wins the whole contest, I promise dismemberment :)

[Neo Locke]

If "Main Theme" wins the whole contest, I promise dismemberment :)

*laughs alongside Shroud, displaying the mighty banhammer*

[TheShroud13]

* laughs maniacally *