I've been thinking about this lately, and I must say it really bothers me how little attention video game music gets.
Most people think that games are "just for kids" and they don't realize how beautiflly artistic games can be. It's not just the realism in the graphics or the enticing gameplay, but the emotional music as well that makes a game.
I think Final Fantasy is the pinnacle of all video game music. Nobuo Uematsu is one of my favorite composers of all time. His music is simply gorgeous and he's such a prolific artist.
I think one of the reasons his music can be so captivating to me is because you hear it as you progress through the story and interact with the characters and plot. You're not just listening to some tune, you're saving the world from certain destruction or rescuing a mysterious sorcerer girl. As you begin to understand the characters, their themes seems to fit so perfectly with their personalities. Then every time I hear it I think of that character, and their role in the game or the things they said. It's like speaking without words.
Uematsu's work spans so many genres: some of his work is bright and inspiring, like Locke's Theme, while others show uncertainty and despair, like Terra's. Some is just plain catchy, like Gogo or "Spinach Rag". Aerith's theme almost brings me to tears, and the Black Mages' rendition of Zeromus is just plain kick-ass.
I think it's a shame that all of this great music is ignored, especially by the older generation. I understand how for example my parents might feel about video games, because they've never played them. It's just a shame that I actually feel embarassed about having this kind of stuff on my Zune.
What are your thoughts on this? Also, are there any pieces in particular that you'd recommend to me?
Most people think that games are "just for kids" and they don't realize how beautiflly artistic games can be. It's not just the realism in the graphics or the enticing gameplay, but the emotional music as well that makes a game.
I think Final Fantasy is the pinnacle of all video game music. Nobuo Uematsu is one of my favorite composers of all time. His music is simply gorgeous and he's such a prolific artist.
I think one of the reasons his music can be so captivating to me is because you hear it as you progress through the story and interact with the characters and plot. You're not just listening to some tune, you're saving the world from certain destruction or rescuing a mysterious sorcerer girl. As you begin to understand the characters, their themes seems to fit so perfectly with their personalities. Then every time I hear it I think of that character, and their role in the game or the things they said. It's like speaking without words.
Uematsu's work spans so many genres: some of his work is bright and inspiring, like Locke's Theme, while others show uncertainty and despair, like Terra's. Some is just plain catchy, like Gogo or "Spinach Rag". Aerith's theme almost brings me to tears, and the Black Mages' rendition of Zeromus is just plain kick-ass.
I think it's a shame that all of this great music is ignored, especially by the older generation. I understand how for example my parents might feel about video games, because they've never played them. It's just a shame that I actually feel embarassed about having this kind of stuff on my Zune.
What are your thoughts on this? Also, are there any pieces in particular that you'd recommend to me?
