Round 2, Pairing 27: "Bran Bal (FFIX)" vs. "Chaos' Temple (FFI PSX)"

[Dave]

Sorry about the abbreviation: the amount of chracters allowed in the thread title was breached, so I needed to shorten something.

As for today's pairing, vote here (www.squareenixmusic.com/uematsu.php).

[Black Mamba]

Since I'm unfamiliar with both, I will thourghly listen to both to refresh my memory.

Bran Bal sounds similiar to "Terra" which I do beilve made it through this round. Chaos' Temple, on the other hand, has more originality. I think Chaos' Temple deserves to win this round, although I can't see it winning to competition.

[Resk]

Chaos Temple reminds me of something I might compose..... so it's goingto get my vote ^_^

[Chris]

While "Chaos' Temple" features a classic melody, I think this is the weakest variation of the theme on the Origins soundtrack; I preferred the renditions in "Underwater Temple" and "Ruined Castle".

"Bran Bal..." on the other hand is musical bliss. Satie-esque surreal romanticism.

[Scherzo]

This is pretty tough for me. Both are very nice pieces of work, displaying excellent development and orchestration. Bran Bal succeeds at both a BIT better than Chaos Temple, which is too simplistic for me to imagine it winning "Uematsu's Best Theme." My vote goes to "Bran Bal."

As for Bran Bal being similar to Terra, that doesn't matter. Only one of the two could possibly be chosen as the winner, and it'd be a shame for a great piece to be ignored just because it's based off of another (inferior, IMO) theme.

[Stryfe]

Argh.

No.

No!

Noooooo... I hate to see FFIX pieces lose, but I just like Chaos's Temple more. It sounds nicer, some stuff going on in Bran Bal's background makes me like it less.

I won't be stunned if Chaos' Temple doesn't win, though. In fact, I probably won't care. This was a tough call.

And where are all the other Temple voters? Not posting, I guess.

[Don]

I went for Chaos Temple. It has a catchy melody and is something I haven't heard in a long time. It sounds like a good dungeon theme. Bran Bal, on the otherhand, despite being catchy, just doesn't have that oomph needed to boost it to the next round.

[DD]

I'm a little confused. Surely FFIX is going to be better than FFI in every respect? But then, I've heard the music for neither (assuming music is what is being judged, since this is essentially a VGM forum. God knows Dave has enough of it :p)

[Brittany]

Yet another tough pairing.. I think both songs have really nice melodies and both have a mysterious feel to them. However, Bran Bal drags on more than I would like and seems to be missing something. (a soul..? :roll:) I vote for Chaos' Temple.

[TheShroud13]

"Terra" > "Bran Bal" > "Chaos' Temple"

I've never been all that into "Chaos' Temple". Where's the chaos? Where's the impending danger? It's not an unpleasant piece, but I'd like something a little busier and dramatic for a track of it's title.

"Bran Bal" is a very pretty tune. Not a lot more than that IMO, but it's good sexy fun, and there are some harmonic twists in the B section that are just juiceful.

[Stryfe]

Were you just referring to my wanting FFIX tracks to continue? I said I liked Chaos' Temple more, and I voted for it. >_>

I don't even want Chaos' Temple to win. I don't regret voting for it, but I don't want it to win. :(

[jampot]

Chaos's Temple uses one of my favourite chord sequences, and I love the thick instrumentation. Slightly simplistic though, but then aren't all the greats? I love the suspended 9ths in the strings, and the way the piano contrasts with the ensemble.
On the other hand, Bran Bal has a nicer melody, and despite being in the best traditions of Uematsu-style sentimentality, it is not over-worked.
My vote for the former this time, but it's very close.

[Black Mamba]

I've been listening to Chaos' Temple alot lately and have really grown to love it. I hope it makes it through. Can anyone recomment a good arrangment?

[Scherzo]

I've been listening to Chaos' Temple alot lately and have really grown to love it. I hope it makes it through. Can anyone recomment a good arrangment?

I believe it's included in "Scene V" of the FF Symphonic Suite album, so check that out. Just because it's sweet there, though, doesn't mean the original is better than Bran Bal though . . .

C'mon, people! Vote for the underdog!

[Dave]

And "Chaos' Temple" is through!

Chaos' Temple (FFI PSX) 57.14 % (20)
Bran Bal, the Soulless Village (FFIX) 42.86 % (15)