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Album Information Reviewer Rank
Final Fantasy VIII: Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec
Published by: DigiCube
Release Date: November 20th 1999

Composed by: Nobuo Uematsu
Arranged by: Shiro Hamaguchi

1 Disc, 13 Tracks
Catalog: SSCX-10037
90

Reviewed by: Mithrandir

Shiro Hamaguchi...who is that guy?
Well, I'll tell you. Some of you might have heard the orchestral arrangements on FINAL FANTASY VII: REUNION TRACKS. If you thought it was Nobuo who did all the arrangement and orchestration...well you're wrong. It is Shiro Hamaguchi. He's a good friend of Nobuo since the orchestration he does express exactly what Nobuo wants. So whenever he has an orchestration to do, Shiro is always the man. Besides of that, Mr. Hamaguchi is the man behind the FFVIII and FFIX Piano collections and arrangements. He arranges and performs. As for FLWV (Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec), it's something every fan should listen to. It's entirely orchestral.

LIBERI FATALI
Just great! Reminds me of "Duel of the Fates" and "O Fortuna". This is just what it takes to start the game. The FMV is just incredible and I don't think it would be that great without the track.

BLUE FIELDS
I just hated this track in the game. Didn't sound to me like it was an overworld theme. But the orchestral version DOES sound like an overworld theme. If you think it might be boring...well it's not. This would be the best track of the album.

DON'T BE AFRAID
This one had to be on this CD. And it sounds like a News Bulletin Theme...you know like NBC Nightly News Theme? Anyway, it's great.

BALAMB GARDEN - AMI
The theme of Balamb Garden. Has to be calm and soft. It fits perfectly with the place

FISHERMAN'S HORIZON
It starts with a soft choir and then takes the main melody. Just great if you want to relax.

FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC
The music of the parade. Another cool FMV. The orchestration just adds more flavor to the original music. But there is one thing I don’t like on this track...it's the female voice that starts screaming at the end of the track. It might scare you the first time, but I don't think it was necessary.

EYES ON ME
It's the same song as in the game. Just read any review of FF8 OST or of the single album. Frankly, I'm starting to get bored of this song.

THE MAN WITH THE MACHINE GUN
Whoa! Never thought they could do this one with an orchestra. The original track sounded like disco. This one keeps the dancy feel of the original. I think they could have boosted the brass section a little more. Interesting track.

DANCE WITH THE BALAMB FISH
The dance scene of the game. The track sounds like the original. If you want to waltz this one is for you.

LOVE GROWS
One thing I don't like about the album is that the "Eyes on Me" theme is too much present. This track is actually an instrumental-orchestral arrangement of the original.

THE OATH
This track is kind of sad. But I like it. The trumpet solo is just beautiful and then the whole orchestra enters. Wow! I only heard this kind of music in movies soundtracks.

ENDING THEME
It's actually the music playing at the end of the game. It starts with some mysterious atmosphere. Then (Not again!) another orchestral version of "Eyes on Me" with Faye Wong. Then the Main Theme of Final Fantasy starts. Just great! After that, a variation on Liberi Fatali which sounds like a march to become more dramatic and ends with a variation on the Prelude. Truly, this is a great track.

FRAGMENTS OF MEMORIES
After hearing the Ending Theme you don't want to hear this one. The music plays when Laguna meets Elone.

OVERALL
Great CD! Except for the fact that the "Eyes on Me" theme is used too much. We can hear it three times. One is enough. But, remains a good album. I like listening to it. Some movie soundtrack reviewers included this album in their reviews because it sounded just like a movie score.
I give 90 out of 100.

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