Square, with numerous fabulous composers at their helm, have produced many of the greatest soundtracks of all time. Always notable on these soundtracks are the vocal themes; so making a compilation of Square's favourite vocal songs was always going to be a winner.
"Forevermore" from The Bouncer opens the album, with a typical upbeat ballad. The singing is lovely, and while the actual tune doesn't really kick off until the chorus, it's like a love song anthem you'll expect the crowd to sway to and a great start to the album.
"Small Two Of Pieces" is another magnificent song. Once again, it's a beautiful love anthem, but more organic and flowing. Joanne Hogg is a perfectly tuned singer and makes this song hers. This song is pure pristine bliss to the ears.
"Kokoro No Takara-bako" is orchestrated and extremely cute. The singers voice is very high, and the song is very gentle. Towards the end the song will win you over when a children's choir join in for the grand finale. It makes the song 100% better and almost sounds like a Christmas song! This is a grower for me.
"9 Times" is an all out rock song, and is possibly the weakest link in the line up. Not only do the singers not quite carry on singing in English properly, but also the song sounds a little too messy and very much out of place. If the rock was done properly, then it'd be a welcome change, sadly in my opinion it's too rough round the edges.
"Lovely Strains" returns to the orchestrated affair. This song is much darker and solemn. The songs echoes and harmonies make the song very enjoyable, and being one of the few I had not already heard before the collection, it has made an immense impact on me already and is up there with the classics for its excellent finale and intricate instrument part.
"Eyes On Me" is next up, possibly the most well known of the 12, but instead of pumping out the original version, they have given us the orchestrated version, which is a pleasant surprise and actually fits better in the collection. Faye Wong passes the song off with ease, and even though everyone says the lyrics are too cheesy, you cannot deny the song is a classic one.
"Somnia Memorias" brings in some bass filled R n B with a Spanish twist. The songs chorus and difference to the rest on the album works in its favour. Bringing a much-needed beat, this song will run through your head unnoticed in terms of its melody but is very easy on the ears. Another drumed-up song "Stars Of Tears" is a fantastically upbeat song with a great hook, fantastic singing and a strong beat. This song will be stuck in your head for days and I adore it.
"Radical Dreamers" is a minimal guitar song, with fantastic singing and harmonies all round. The strong tune will bear through and you will adore the quiet and subdued song for all its worth. "Melodies of Life" is next up, and for this time its sung in Japanese, where the song sounds like it belongs. Once again its anthem song time, as Square does it so very well, and this is no exception.
"Song Of Mana" starts off orchestrated then breaks into an upbeat song with a full band, and you'll find yourself bouncing along with the song. It's fast and ferocious and the singer laps up every line of it.
The closing track "Chisana Hane" is a cute orchestrated song, with a chirpy singing and lots of plucky instruments that reminds you of a baby's sleeping mobile song, you'd wind up and play to send someone to sleep. It's an appropriate way to end such an illustrious collection of songs.
This CD is pure quality, no one can deny that. The only thing that works against it is that you'll have many of the songs if you collect OST's anyway but should you need to have some of the lesser known songs, or just adore vocal theme songs...you must have this CD.
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