Square Enix recorded a vocal version of the classic Final Fantasy IV theme song "Theme of Love" using Megumi Ida as the vocalist. The recording was done for the DS remake of Final Fantasy IV. The vocal version of the song is entitled "Moonlight," or "Tsuki no Akari" in Japanese.

This single includes the same melodic theme, six times over. First, the vocal version. Then, the DS synth version. Then, the original Super Famicom synth version. Then, a karaoke version of the song. THEN! On a DVD, we hear the vocal version twice; once as a video with the FFIV CG, and once as a music video from Megumi Ida that has actually been aired on Japanese television. Finally, the TGS '07 trailer is included.

Now, I have to say, Megumi Ida's performance is perfect. The tone and timbre of her voice is perfect for this melody. She takes the slightest bit of artistic license by slurring the rhythm, but she never loses time (much like Norah Jones). She is fantastic.

The arrangement is much different from what one might expect. The string version "Theme of Love (Practice Track)" from FFIV Piano Collection uses similar instruments, but this new recording is simply the superior version. It's bigger, yet somehow more subtle.

This single was released just before the game's Japanese debut, and along with the game came the full two disc OST. Is there any reason to buy this single, then? Well, it's relatively cheap, and the DVD has good stuff. If you really love this one song, and you want multiple versions of the song, go for it.

Reviewed by: Patrick Gann