Final Fantasy X-2 had two vocal themes in its game and these, sung in Japanese by Koda Kumi, are up together in the single "Koda Kumi - Real Emotion/1000 Words"

"Real Emotion" is an uptempo dance number. Here we have the full 4 minute version which has extra chourses and verses. The chorus is catchy, the singing is perfect and the whole song oozes fun and frolics in with the style of the Final Fantasy X-2 soundtrack.

"1000 Words" (or 1000 No Kotaba) is a sorene 6 minute epic love song. Its like a beautiful anthem with song stunning singing from Koda Kumi with her soaring vocals matching the soaring string pieces. All this is embelished with some beautiful acoustic guitar that finishes off the song as one of the finest examples of vocal songs in VGM. Its as dramatic as it is bitter sweet and beautiful and makes perfect listening.

Also on the single are the two songs instrumentals which is great for karaoke as ever however there are no new b-side songs like you usually get with the singles.

The only down point to the CD is its copy control player which when you put in your computer runs the CD at 48kbps which makes the songs extremely tinny. While 1000 Words can get away with it so some extent, Real Emotion with its heavy drum beats and effects is unlistenable and thats a huge shame...

No frills here, just two excellent vocal songs that you'll enjoy - but if you have the Final Fantasy X-2 OST the value of needing the CD is somewhat diminished.

    Source: geocities.com/vgmcharts/reviews

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