ReMix: Final Fantasy VI 'Dancing Madly (Second Form)'

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Game: Final Fantasy VI (Square, 1994, SNES)
ReMixer(s): waxingeloquent
Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
Song(s): 'Dancing Mad'
Posted: 2003-03-25, evaluated by the judges

waxingeloquent follows up his initial submission, Dancing Madly First Form, with - you ready for this? - Dancing Madly Second Form. Take that, evildoers. Similarities in name and game/sequence of source material aside, this is legitimately a different, discrete entity from the ReMixer's previous effort, though obviously is intended as a companion piece. The two mixes share certain sounds in common - some of the synth chord stabs and the snare in particular - but this second mix has enough tricks of its own to stand out. Specifically, the first fourth has a nice breakbeatish feel to it, with timpani used in a manner similar to Bjork's Human Behavior or AmIEviL's LetThereBeLight. Round 1'40" things break down to a slower section with glassy stereo-dueling monoglide synths that do some very groovy harmonizing. Things then whack out, get back into the original beat, and then waxingeloquent goes gate-crazy, using gated effects left and right with reckless abandon. Sorta chaotic and definitely indulgent, but fun to listen to :) Whilst pointing out some deficiencies, Digital Coma writes: "A good deal of the mix is sequenced similarly to the original, the leads are not too varied, and the melody sounds drowned out at times, but the sonic qualities of this mix and the slight but recognizable improvisation cumulatively contribute to the off-the-wall nature of Kefka's theme, yielding a clever rearrangement and a developed feel." Great mix for FF6 and esp. Kefka fans, good follow-up to the initial Dancing Madly piece, and an overall fun trip. Check it out.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

OA;520335 wrote: The synths here are pretty bad

That's complete and utter bullshit! They're analogue-style synths and work perfectly with the style.
Anyway, I think this and the first one are two of my all-time favorite remixes. I hope that I too can once make a synth-epic like this. Please come back to OCR and submit more!

- anosou on April 22, 2009

The synths here are pretty bad, but instead of laying down and dying, the mix pulled out all kinds of creative ideas with good panning, lots of un-traditional uses of instruments (love that crazy tambourine), and a lot of layering to get a cool sonic sound. While i'm not personally in love with this mix, I really respect the care that went into making it unique and pretty cool. The kettle drums especially are nice for driving the track.

- OA on March 21, 2009

Dunno why I never posted here, but this was a favorite of mine from the first time I gave it a listen. Really creative stuff for back in the day that holds up pretty well. Given some of the synths being kind of vanilla, the production techniques here really gave the piece a unique feel and character. Surprising this doesn't get more attention, especially since it's from FF6.

- Liontamer on January 9, 2009

This is a great take on the original song, an enjoyment for any musical artist/appreciatist.

- Soapy on June 30, 2006

This is a very good remix in my opinion. If the third and fourth forms are remixed, I would like this guy to do them.

- The Hof on January 8, 2006

This one had a bit more stuff piled on it. It made it much more original. Which is good. But still has that one feeling of the original. Which is also good.
8.5/10

- SakakiAzu on December 30, 2005

Cool remix, this one was more advanced that the first one, maybe not by much, but since the first one sounded a little too originish, this one was different. Nice synths, beats, and all those other technomaterial that made this remix what it is, a real good one.
Nice work waxingel...can I call you was? If that´s the chase, nice work wax!

- Bummerdude on October 7, 2005

Very nice, but for some inexplicable reason, I prefer the first form, probably the source material...

- SamuraiFoochs #Reload on January 23, 2005

Great job, man. I just love the spin you've put on the Dancing Mad parts. Now we just need the Kefka battle, and I'll be a very happy person. :D

- Krendall on April 13, 2004

Not quite so bombastic as First Form, but it I have found that both First and Second Form grew on me a lot - they sound better every time I listen. If you don't think it's so hot, don't delete... give it a chance later on.
Timpanis, cymbal crashes, organ, EXCELLENT! 2:00-2:40 and 3:40-end assuming my player is measuring the time right) however is weak after all that nice dramatic stuff.
If you go to his website you can download the 3rd and 4th parts. They sound a LOT different though, maybe one day he'll meld in some slick orchestra and submit to OCR :) Oh, and a proper ending for that Fourth Form :)

- Nobbynob Littlun on May 4, 2003

I like waxingeloquent's mixtures of classical and techno and "drum and bass". I love the panning on synths and tambourines. The organ patch is the phattest thing I've ever heard in my years of music. It really makes this song both exciting and creepy.
This song just blew me away. I mean the orchestral hits and cymbals just keep in rythum! And the bridge, THE BRIDGE! That really did something for me while I was listening to it. The gated ending was also great stuff.
Just one minor thing. Your drum work volume has improved since the first form remix. But the drum and bass lines are quite a bit repetitive, and if the drum lines change every so often, it's not very noticable. Great mixage though. Keep up the good work though, and I'm looking forward to the third form mix if you make one.

- A-RoN on April 6, 2003

I've gotta agree with elman a bit, it felt a bit more lifeless than the first form. Not as good, but solid enough to make it to 3 stars out of 4. Disappointment compared to the stellar first form can't diminish the fact it's still enjoyable.

- Pander on April 5, 2003

4/10. Here...let's just start off with an analogy:
Men In Black: Men In Black 2:: Dancing Madly First Form: Second Form
For the uniformed, MIB2 really, really sucked. But the first one was VERY, very good.
I just thought this remix was too empty, it just wasn't as detailed as your first mix.

- elman on April 5, 2003

I love this mix, and it's prequel. Are you working on the other one/ones? I'm saving my last CD so I can put them all on at once. I'm sure it/they will turn out great.
(the /'s mean I forgot how many forms Kefka has, let alone has themes for...)

- Khrystoph on April 4, 2003

I like this remix a lot! It sounds so simple at first, but it's still very addicting. It kind of has that German techno sound too. ^^ (It reminds me of "Sprockets" from SNL.)
Edit: I've listened to all four remizes and they're like, so good! I like the style of the third one. ^^

- JorJorMogBoi on April 4, 2003