Written by Nick Melton

I have read many many reviews on this album. An overwhelming amount of people greatly praise this disc, and an overwhelming amount of people absolutely despite it. Thus, I feel enormous pressure about whom to side with. It's a very difficult task, because I have mixed feelings about it myself.

I can say right here and now that Final Fantasy VI: Grand Finale is not a normal arrange album. In fact, it's downright odd. The tracks that were obvious for orchestration were not orchestrated. Instead, we have obscure pieces like "Blackjack" and "Phantom Train," both of which have completely different orchestration than the originals. It is also true that the majority of the tracks are not as faithful to the OST as many fans would have liked. But the performance is exquisite, the arrangements mature.

I both love and hate this album. What else can I say? 

I will start with why I hate this album. I hate this album for the reasons everyone else hates this album. It is not faithful to the OST. The melody for "Kefka" is gone, almost completely. Instead, there is something new that simply follows the same chord progressions as the original. "Relm" has been almost completely ruined by blaring bagpipes and a new section that doesn't fit the piece at all. The orchestration is screwed up in many of the tracks; new sections are added to every one. Another thing that gets on my nerves is the immense use of the harpsichord. Although it works wonders in a few of the tracks, it just gets annoying in others. This disc is a disappointment in many ways. If it had only been more faithful to its source . . . 

*Note: In the linear notes, the original composer, Nobuo Uematsu, says he is not happy with this album at all because he claims he did not defend the image he had of each song. He blames himself, and although there is some merit to what he says, I personally blame the arrangers more than him. They could have at least been more faithful to Uematsu's work.

Why do I love this album? Because the arrangements, despite their flaws, are fabulous. "Opening Theme ~ Tina" is probably the best track. Every time I hear Tina's theme for the first time after that dark and ominous beginning I get chills. "Mistery Train" is fast and furious, and every time I hear it I think of (guess what?) mysterious trains. "Gau" has a wonderful Baroque-like section about halfway through that is very nice, and "Kefka" retains the feeling of the original - ominous and evil, yet comical and light. "Troops March On" is better than the original (!) because it has a much greater feeling of oppression than the original did. I am very satisfied with this album when I listen with an open mind.

That is what I recommend - listen with an open mind. Either you'll like it or you won't, but listening with your mind open and your opinions not firmly set before you insert the CD into your CD player will help you get through this album without having a psychotic rampage. Follow these instructions, and trust me - you'll like what you hear.