ReMix: Shining Force CD 'Five-Sided Square'
Download MP3
Play Preview
- Game: Shining Force CD (Sega, 1994, SCD)
- ReMixer(s): Quinn Fox
- Composer(s): Motoaki Takenouchi
- Song(s): 'Open Plains'
- Posted: 2006-10-01, evaluated by the judges
Quinn Fox returns more than a year since his last mix with our first coverage from Shining Force CD. This relatively laid-back electronica piece is laden with purer synth tones that are occassionally mixed with lo-fi effects, juxtaposed against mysterious, enveloping ambient pads and layered, downbeat-heavy drums. Malcos writes:
"Very atmospheric, ambient sounding piece. The arrangement is very engaging, with the textures ever changing. This is definitely something different, and treads that fine line between quirky and weird - I could see why Liontamer thought that this could end up being an overall yes or no. I did think the hats were a touch too loud, and there were times when I thought that perhaps relying on slightly altered drumloops was making the percussion elements boring - but as soon as that thought entered my head, the groove changed. Very original, very good, very quirky."
I'd tend to agree that some more variance in the percussive department - a stuttering effect, fill, or filter sweep, for example - would have helped delineate between the mix's sections. What's particularly cool here is the interplay between the different synth textures, bells, and pads, and the harmonic and counter-melodic ways in which said textures are utilized. JJT provides a succinct one-liner:
"This mix is deceptively simple, well written, and displays a wide palette of sonic textures."
Couldn't have said it better myself; good stuff from Quinn, merging rudimentary, almost chiptunish textures with more dynamic, evocative ambient for an enjoyable and interesting listen.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the God this is a great track, the attention to detail is great. This
is some of the most creative instrumentation I've ever heard, and I
personally think the arrangement is fantastic, possibly even
genius, but I don't want to gush.:P
- -RK- on December 11, 2010
- -RK- on December 11, 2010
Like powdered creamer, this is insta-zen - add beat, stir, and:
enlightenment (or at least an artificially close suitable
approximation)
- WesternZypher on November 7, 2010
- WesternZypher on November 7, 2010
And for our last/most recent Quinn Fox piece, we return to his very
chilled out sound. I like it. Some commented that it took too long
to develop but the dynamic shifts and slow build works wonderfully
for me. The chip samples sound excellent in this context. The
arrangement is phenomenal. The rhodes piano sounds fantastic. The
dissonant underlying chords adds a dark almost foreboding tone to
the piece and I really like it. The brief break down is a nice
dynamic shift. The piano sounds great. Excellent work, as usual,
Quinn and I hope we get to hear more from you in the future!
- tweex on October 20, 2009
- tweex on October 20, 2009
Takes awhile to get filled out sufficiently, but once it does, it
stays that way.
I was sure after the first listen whether or not I liked the track itself, though the production and sound choices were all good, with perhaps the exception of the lead sound; I think it needs to be a little more edgy.
I also think that the mix wanders a bit too much; maybe it's just the mood im in, but I think it should have a little more direction. The transitions are the culprit here i think, as the sections themselves are strong, but without something connecting the parts, it feels aimless to me. Otherwise it's a good mix.
- OA on December 17, 2007
I was sure after the first listen whether or not I liked the track itself, though the production and sound choices were all good, with perhaps the exception of the lead sound; I think it needs to be a little more edgy.
I also think that the mix wanders a bit too much; maybe it's just the mood im in, but I think it should have a little more direction. The transitions are the culprit here i think, as the sections themselves are strong, but without something connecting the parts, it feels aimless to me. Otherwise it's a good mix.
- OA on December 17, 2007
I for one did not find myself getting bored of this. I don't know
why, but something about the atmosphere and groove of it just keeps
me interested. Each of the repetitions of the theme seems to be a
little different every time, and I thoroughly enjoy this piece.
- Master_Yoshi on November 9, 2006
- Master_Yoshi on November 9, 2006
Like many other people complain, this song does develop slowly, and
does sound a bit minimalist. Fortunately, I very much like the
minimalist and ambient quality of this remix, and fell in love with
this song right from the start. The slow way the melody wanders
throughout the song lets me sit back and just listen, totally
letting my mind enjoy some awesome quality calming music. 9/10, an
awesome song I will listen to many a time in the future.
- Fiendofthenorth on October 12, 2006
- Fiendofthenorth on October 12, 2006
Nice work, like a cloud. I enjoyed when you started to mess with
the harmonies surrounding the source material towards the end. The
end itself is a nice climactic one. I feel like you could have "had
your way" with the original a little more, sounded a little to
"safe" but then again i'm friends with shnabubula so i guess that
explains that. All in all nice work, kudos on that complex ambient
patch that takes the stage in the beginning and end.
8)
-sigmund abeles
- nycpntr on October 2, 2006
8)
-sigmund abeles
- nycpntr on October 2, 2006
This song is just plain awesome. Nice work again Quinn!
Love the riff at 1:24, real smooth.
- Tepid on October 2, 2006
Love the riff at 1:24, real smooth.
- Tepid on October 2, 2006
This is one of those mixes where I can't really decide whether I
like it or not...
The production has noticeable holes and isn't balanced in a few spots... but on the other hand the song is quite peppy and enjoyable. Sadly it has the feel of one of those songs you tire from quickly. This probably could've used a bit more refinement before being submitted and it would've been just that much better.
This sort of song doesn't really appeal to me too much, it just tends to get lost in the background instead of drawing out my attention. It'd be one of those songs that I'd give a 3 out of 5 stars if I heard it on the Ormgas stream.
This song isn't too bad though, it's pretty average and certainly isn't terrible. It's worth a listen, who knows, you might like it!
- Pink on October 2, 2006
The production has noticeable holes and isn't balanced in a few spots... but on the other hand the song is quite peppy and enjoyable. Sadly it has the feel of one of those songs you tire from quickly. This probably could've used a bit more refinement before being submitted and it would've been just that much better.
This sort of song doesn't really appeal to me too much, it just tends to get lost in the background instead of drawing out my attention. It'd be one of those songs that I'd give a 3 out of 5 stars if I heard it on the Ormgas stream.
This song isn't too bad though, it's pretty average and certainly isn't terrible. It's worth a listen, who knows, you might like it!
- Pink on October 2, 2006
It's been awhile since we've heard from Quinn Fox. It's good to
know that he's still alive and in the music mixing business. Like
all the other mixes he's done, this one is amazing. It's quirky,
nostalgic (all the 8-bit sounds), and an overall great tune.
The only drawback is I can see myself getting tired of it really fast and I don't like that stuff in the middle of the song too much.
8.5/10 :)
- Ness757 on October 2, 2006
The only drawback is I can see myself getting tired of it really fast and I don't like that stuff in the middle of the song too much.
8.5/10 :)
- Ness757 on October 2, 2006
This is an oldie. I remember seeing this on vgmix2 when it was
still around, though I'm not sure if this is a remastery of it,
since I don't remember that one too much :roll:
I am glad to see another Shining mix posted. Keep them coming!
- antacid03 on October 1, 2006
I am glad to see another Shining mix posted. Keep them coming!
- antacid03 on October 1, 2006
Damn this is cool/sexy/smooth. Great structure, despite being VERY
minimal at times, it never feels empty, and flows from moment to
moment with ease, with some trippy sounds to boot.
Fantastic.
- -RK- on October 1, 2006
Fantastic.
- -RK- on October 1, 2006
I love this Remix. Mindbending interpretation of an excellent
source. Now this site has two Motoakimixes. Somebody needs to
tackle the Jewel Master soundtrack and bring the count up to three.
GREAT WORK!
- Sam Ascher-Weiss on October 1, 2006
- Sam Ascher-Weiss on October 1, 2006
I used to put SF CD in my discman all the time way back when.
Interesting mix. Glad to hear SFCD represented (this song is also
in SF for Gamegear, btw).
- sgx on October 1, 2006
- sgx on October 1, 2006
