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I can’t be positive on exactly who it is that makes the executive decision that there’s a need to take Final Fantasy soundtracks and create something a little different with them. The original game music versions are fine I suppose, and in fact, some are down right amazing. Most of the symphonic versions have been absolutely marvelous, but taking music from Final Fantasy and adding vocals into them is a completely different thing. That’s something that we don’t need, at least, that’s what I thought until I finally, after a long period of searching, managed to get my hands on a copy of Pray. You see, I had run across a couple of MP3 files from Pray quite a while ago, and immediately realized what a fantastic album it really could be. However, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment when I discovered at the local Japanese import store that it was long out of print. Sure, I could have picked up a SonMay imitation, but that wasn’t the same. Luckily, I had a friend who visited Japan recently, and just happened to stumble upon a copy, and for a nice price I might ad. Pray takes some of the most well know and recognizable FF songs, adds in lyrics, and makes something different and yet magical all at the same time. The opening track, “Prelude” lets you hear exactly what’s in store. Of course, this is the famous crystal theme, but with subtle vocals laid in on top of it. But, don’t think that this is going to be just vocals with no lyrics, those come about immediately, and in English. “The Promised Land,” featured on the still unreleased outside of Japan FF2, is done completely in English, and very well I may add. English lyrics are also used on the tracks “Once You Meet Her,” a song featured in FF3, and will probably be unfamiliar to most casual FF fans, and perhaps even to those that are completely devoted to the series. But, the soundtrack isn’t just English either. “Mon P’tit Chat” is sung in French. Now, all of that may seem very commonplace, so in order to step out beyond those bounds, Portuguese is even used. And of course, Japanese has its place as well, and is very expected. The CD does have definite standout tracks though. "Toki no Hourousha", will sound familiar to just about everyone. If you’ve played FF VI, or III depending on how long you’ve been with the series, you will most certainly recognize this familiar and classic tune. Used as the overworld theme for the game, the addition of lyrics is completely touching and emotional. That’s also the case with “Hikari no Nakahe” better know as “Theme of Love” from FF VI, or II as it was released outside of Japan. “Pray” on the other hand is yet another familiar song, however the addition of electric guitars sort of takes away from the song a bit. Pray may very well be one of the best Final Fantasy music collections produced outside of the general game music versions. While the disc is out of print, there are still a few online stores that in fact carry the original Japanese version, for a rather handsome sum of course, However, don’t let that sway you as this is a disc that you’ll find yourself listening to over and over again. -mike-
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