ReMix:Final Fantasy VII "On That Day..." 3:26

By Russell Cox

Arranging the music of one song...

"On That Day, Five Years Ago..."

Primary Game: Final Fantasy VII (Sony , 1997, PS1), music by Nobuo Uematsu

Posted 2003-01-24, evaluated by djpretzel


It's ironic that right now I'm more psyched than ever about the future prospects for OverClocked ReMix this year, and yet many might think things are slow as we're posting less frequently. Let me assure you, there's good reasons for this. Most recently, I finally went back and made copyright/publisher a relational field, so now you can quickly see all the Sega ReMixes on the site (or one of those other companies like Nintendo and Squaresoft ^^) - yeah, it's no huge deal, but it's still the type of thing that makes sense, saves time in the long run, and does add some extra value to the database. T-Shirts will also be available for purchase VERY soon - a project over a year in the making, finally seeing the light of day. My point is that these things take some extra time and do affect the number of mixes posted, but are long overdue and beneficial to the site in numerous ways. Right then - this here is Russell Cox's latest submission to OCR, though it predates his more recent tracks and has just taken awhile to see the light of day here. It's a little different from his other pieces - more deliberate, and while not minimalistic is pared-down in comparison. The majority of the track is cinematic, flowing harp and strings in 3/4 with oboe and horn appearingly intermittently. Things get more dramatic towards the end, and there's some mean old dissonance that works very well in shaking the listener out of any percieved safety. What I enjoy most here is the subtlety - everything's right there in front of you, sure, but you have to listen to each nuance, each dynamic, to fully appreciate the depth. I also love some of the chord changes and intervals and the instrumentation Russell's chosen. I find this ReMix deceptively good, something that warrants listening and relistening to get everything out of. Glad Russell decided to send it in, and I think it adds depth not only to our collection of Final Fantasy 7 ReMixes, but FF at large and Russell's ouvre as well. Recommended.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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OA
on 2009-12-18 14:16:50

brass started out weak, but the harp sounded rockin, so all is forgiven. The chord at 2:42 really threw me off though, and the colors didn't match at all. It resolved fine, and the modulation beyond that was solid, but it was really sudden and not really great, IMO.

Otherwise a very good arrangement, the treatment was very nice. Just a few blemishes on this one.

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sefirosu
on 2009-01-27 10:32:39

This is beautiful. Simply beautiful.

The work of a master, nothing less.

I didn't notice at first, but the second time I listened to this I heard the flow into the Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII and I absolutely loved it!

10/10

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Arwen
on 2007-12-21 15:43:25

I had this piece playing when someone who doesn't know much about video games walked in the room. They asked what movie this was from so they could buy the soundtrack. :D

I have a short playlist of particularly beautiful and meaningful OCReMixes, and this was one of the first on the list. Very well done!

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lady zelda
on 2006-10-27 17:57:13

This is a great orchestral piece, rich in harmonies, full of emotion, great use of each section of the orchestra, and it never ceases to maintain the dark yet beautiful setting of FFVII. Keep these coming, Russel!

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avaris
on 2006-10-26 00:57:37

Wow can't believe I missed this one. This really brings me back to FFVII. Excellente. This has got me even more excited about the FFVII proj.

Def one Mr. Cox's best. Tons of emotion and variation, this piece really hits you from all angles and keeps things fresh.

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Slasher
on 2005-12-16 05:32:55

Songs great, But i do detect abit of final fantasy 9's tune in there, the start of this mix is the ff9 ost branbal villiage ya?

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Bummer
on 2005-10-18 02:30:06

Forgot to look at the remixer name when I downloaded this, so when I read pretzeldude´s review, then Russel shows up, and I jumpes of surprise. Cox has always been good at orchestrics, this is no exception, this piece is great. Strings that indicates fear and sorrow, and a horn that gives this remix some more power to it, and the HARP, that is just DUDE. It´s calm, comforting, and most of all beautiful. RC has really catched the mood of this song and made into a mix for everybody to see, thanks fer that Russeldude, thank you.

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ghaleon
on 2005-02-01 22:59:13

This is a superb remix that really captures that weird nervous feeling you get in Midgar. Or maybe that's just me. :D I did think that Russell could've done a little more by the way of melody, but this is still a great song.

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Mercenary104
on 2004-10-11 11:25:25

awsome remix. It keeps the familiar feeling you get from FF7 and it makes it grow inside you into an exciting new love for the game.

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Poiso
on 2004-10-10 19:40:46
Extremely touching and musically well done. The emotion and flavour of this piece grabs the soul and trancends ordinary words.

Technically, there is seems to be glaring error at approximately 1:28 to 1:31 where a looped sample seems to be re-played. The oboe comes back in after a cymbal buildup very quietly and unexpectedly and it seems out of place. This may only be my copy that has this error, so if you don't hear it, blame my ears.

I never noticed that before.

Woah.

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Blue_Drac
on 2004-10-04 14:22:59

Extremely touching and musically well done. The emotion and flavour of this piece grabs the soul and trancends ordinary words.

Technically, there is seems to be glaring error at approximately 1:28 to 1:31 where a looped sample seems to be re-played. The oboe comes back in after a cymbal buildup very quietly and unexpectedly and it seems out of place. This may only be my copy that has this error, so if you don't hear it, blame my ears.

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Neonatrias
on 2004-09-13 21:52:35

This is by far one of the most touching and beautiful pieces of music I've listened to. The consistent, quiet background parts aren't overpowering the melody, and the harmony of the main part with the background is wonderfully done. There's just enough variety to keep one interested, and everything is so well planned out. A plethora of instrument types work very well here, too. And that single sickening chord toward the end is enough to keep anyone awake for a good hour at a time. Orchestral music with this many parts isn't by any means easy to work with, but this is dead-on to my ears.

Personally, I think you nailed this one. Amazing job.

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f00fbug
on 2004-07-02 12:57:16

WHOA... just W H O A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok.. after i got past that initial "WHOA" thingy.... I'd like to point out some things that I dont like... i just have trouble thinking of them.. uhh.. well... uhh...... well.. there's really nothing I DONT like.. good job :) I've always loved orchastral remixes and this is just freaking AWESOME.

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prophetik music
on 2004-04-21 12:36:01
Russell Cox. Man. Musician. Genius.

Oh man - this is one of the best songs in the whole game. Russell Cox makes a perfect background part for the best story in all of video games - excellent! The man is incredible.

:twisted:

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Gothic Rose
on 2004-01-02 04:00:58

Wow, this song brings back memories. Russel did an EXCELLENT job remixing this baby. It's pure, in emotion, power, and majesty.

It really captures Cloud's exposition, in crystal clear musical form. I just cannot imagine a better job than what Russel has already done with this. It's breath-taking, and awe-inspiring.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Final Fantasy VII (Sony , 1997, PS1)
Music by Nobuo Uematsu
Songs:
"On That Day, Five Years Ago..."

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File Information


Name:
Final_Fantasy_7_On_That_Day_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,208,423 bytes
MD5:
678282b380b7eabe8d65a525e6b5c77b
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
3:26

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