Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack [Soundtrack] [Import]

But in Japan, Uematsu is a legend. And he is to me. He's one of the most talented compsers alive, bringing tears to peoples eyes and filing them up with so much emotion. He is one of the reasons why the Final Fantasy series is so popular.

First off, if you haven't played the game and completed it, don't buy the soundtrack, you need to play it first to truly appreciate the music. Having played VII myself I can totally related to the music and listening to it brings back fond memories of playing the game.

VII is considered to be one of Uematsu's greatest works, just behind the VI soundtrack and I have to agree.

Disc one is mainly holding the tracks that were played during the whole Midgar stage of the game, the beginning basically. The disc is mainly filled with the evil ShinRa Inc. tracks such as the cold hearted "Makou Reactor" and "ShinRa Company" which gives the feeling of metal mixed in with lies and betrayal but with a cool edge to it. Other tracks on this disc is the mysterious "Anixous Heart" which is one of my favourites, also know as Cloud's unofficial theme, "Tifa's Theme", "Flowers Blooming in the Church" and "Those Who Fight Further".

Disc one has a big number of good tracks and a few that you might pass by, but it shows great and talented work.

Moving onto disc two, it opens with one of the best tracks on the whole 4 discs. "FFVII Main Theme" also known as the "Overworld Theme" is basically the Main Theme song of FFVII. It basically tries to give a sense of hope as FFVII is a dark game and it seems that all hope has been lost. It gives a mood and completely mutual in the respect towards it. One of the best. Another favourite on this disc is "J-E-N-O-V-A" the boss theme used for the Jenova fights. Considered to be one of the best boss battles themes it gives a sense of a Sci-Fi movie but with real time mixed in between that you have to hurry to defeat her. Other tracks on this disc are "Ahead of Our Way", "Trail of Blood", "Mining Town" and "Cait Chit's Theme".

Overall, Disc 2 is a good disc such the "FFVII Main Theme" and "Trail of Blood" included but some tracks don't give the same feeling towards the game. Good works they are mind ou, but not the best.

Disc 3 takes us to the end of Disc 1 of the game. Beginning with "Cosmo Canyon" and ending with "Who Am I?" it has some of the most emotional tracks in the game. Most favourites are "Cid's Theme", "Interrupted by Fireworks" and "Great Warrior". However, one of the most important pieces is one this disc, one of Uematsu's best works ever and has been stated as one of the reasons to buy this soundtrack. The immortal "Aerith's Theme", this track fights with VI's "Terra's Theme" as the best character theme and one of the FF's greatest tracks.

"Aerith's Theme" tells the tale of the tragic heroine Aerith (Her original Japanese name, was changed to Aeris in english version) and how her death affects Cloud and the others. It starts off with a single piano, slow and calming and then brings in so much. This is my favourite FF track ever, and is most gamers. "Aerith's Theme" has brought many gamers and myself to tears, it just brings out so much emotion that words just cannot describe it. A pure masterpiece.

Overall Disc 3 contains as I said, most of the emotional tracks in the game and brings out a lot of the darkness in the game and some of the best tracks. "Cid's Theme", "Great Warrior" and "Aerith's Theme" show this greatly.

The final disc contains the tracks that are practically at the end of the game with some of disc 2 of the game involved. Favourites on this are "Birth of a God", "Staff Roll" and of course, "One Winged Angel".

Ah, "One Winged Angel". Probably the coolest final boss music ever! It contains the cold and ruthless heart of our villian Sephiroth. Strong beats and it gives off a sense of nothing but darkness and that all hope is lost. And then comes in the Latin chorus! Chanting verses of burning anger and then shouting "Sephiroth!" sends chills down your spine. One of the best.

Most people complain about the sound quality of the tracks are they were recorded by syth and not digally, but you forget this are you meld into the tracks. There was not enough memory on the discs to do that.

What I get sick of is when people say that they want complete orchestral tracks of every piece. Read the title! "Original Soundtrack" VII only has three songs in complete orchestral form and that is "FFVII Main Theme", "One Winged Angel" and "Aerith's Theme" which are on the "FFVII Reunion Tracks" which are masterpieces along with the originals.

In words I leave you this. If you are a FF fan, then buy this soundtrack right now! Even if you don't like FF, I would recommed this you if you love great music. This soundtrack is a pure masterpiece.

The tracks are more or less in the order that they are heard in the game so most people will be most familiar and most fond of the tracks on Disc 1. Discs 2 & 3 are both good, with a few standout tracks and then Disc 4 climaxes with the amazing final boss themes, including the incomparable "One Winged Angel". With a total combined running time of over 4 hours, this is such a good collection as to be the next best thing to replaying the game itself!

Highest recommendation.

For non-fans, this won't hold anything near the same significance as it does for fans, and some may balk when they hear midi quality sound. But for those who want something both emotional and different, or those who want to relive one of the greatest adventures they ever embarked upon, this is a must.