Nobuo Uematsu: Dark World

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

Four listens for this one.

I had an idea for some lines that would work before writing this and I don’t think I used any of them.

I leaned heavily on a sense of the dramatic here which I think worked (to a point) as the song is quite dramatic.

Nobuo Uematsu’s (植松 伸夫) “Dark World” (死界”) is from Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version, the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VI.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Nothing but the sound of dry, eerie winds at first. It is stark, sombre and mournful. Despairing. What once was no longer is.

Very shortly after the winds organ comes in and it plays with a sense of horror and despair, almost as though it is a dirge. Strings play slow, mournful and fragile, carefully and bleakly moving along with the organ. The strike of a bell occasionally sounds out, building on the mood with its precise moments.

The organ rises slightly and as it does woodwinds come in and plays around the music’s structure. The rise slowly and oscillate at their end, almost as though they are unravelling. Almost as though they are disintegrating. They harmonise in a dispirited manner.

The world presented is not as it was before, though it is the same world. However, it is almost entirely unfamiliar. Locations are as they were, though only in some places; most has been reshaped and no longer resembles itself. Conflict with memory arises as this new form presents itself in a sudden manner. It is there and it is ever-present as the dry, eerie wind howls away and the song ends.

 

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nobuo Uematsu: Terra’s Theme

Posted on July 28, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

This was written over three listens.

Wasn’t really aiming for anything in particular with this one. Just started with trying to get the start down and let it run from there. End result is a bit of a mess, but I think it’s okay at the very least.

Nobuo Uematsu’s (植松 伸夫) “Terra’s Theme” (“ティナのテーマ”), also known as “Terra” is from the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VI, Final Fantasy VI Original Sound Version.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Strings and something akin to a scaling guitar fade in. Behind is a martial beat that becomes strong enough. It is neither too much nor not enough; it is just enough.

The main melody begins, driven by some sort of woodwind. Likely a flute. Underneath the bass percussion and strings all follow each other. The guitar alternates between plinking away and scaling. The music is dramatic and grand as the instruments draw out emotion and a sense of unknown.

There’s a strong seriousness to the whole thing, as well as a sense of tempering. The woodwind rises high and eventually brass comes in when there’s a shift in the melody, but it all seems muted and perhaps dulled. Not sharp, though not necessarily flat. There’s some sort of triumph in there, but it’s small in the face of many things.

A shift and the scaling guitar rapidly plays out. The strings become almost breezy and welcoming, almost reassuring in the face of some sort of hesitancy and fear. There is something that needs doing and there is little to be known, but all that soon will be approached can be faced, and new places will reveal themselves.

As the song loops the feelings are able to further lodge themselves. The pushing forward despite uncertainty finds itself becoming clearer, as does the sense of journey in a weary world. Continual pushing on through a world that seems mostly in a state of growth, though also in as much fear of strike as it is ready to push back.

And so the journey continues as the song ends.

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nobuo Uematsu: Over the Hill

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

Over two listens this was written.

I think I was going for a blend. Really not sure, but I think the writing is smoother than usual.

Nobuo Uematsu’s (植松 伸夫) “Over the Hill” (“あの丘を越えて”) is also known as “Crossing Those Hills”. The song is from Final Fantasy IX: Original Soundtrack, which, coincidentally enough, is the soundtrack for Final Fantasy IX.

I hope you enjoy.

—

A sound bubbling over strings holding and drawing out. It is gentle and peaceful, and almost as though waking up. There’s a small sense of joy and wonder. A sound emerges and comes to the forefront, then fades away as the main melody comes in.

All still is calm and relaxed, and perhaps a little whimsical. The new sound takes the lead and guides through searching and moving. Percussion comes in, as does bass and, filling out the new sound, something sounding like woodwind instrumentation.

The percussion picks up and now the melody flows into something else, becoming more lively and perhaps more adventurous. The sense of whimsy is still there, as is the calm, though there is a bit more excitement now. Perhaps this is an answer, or at least an implication of discovery and things are revealing themselves.

The melody dips and rises, over the hill and over the hills, and the journey continues, ever onward. There still are many more places to move toward, and so as instrumentation retracts and disappears the leading sound returns just before the song fades and ends.

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nobuo Uematsu: Blue Fields

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

This was written over three listens.

With this one I wasn’t sure what I was going for. I think I was looking to express imagery coming forth from the song as a result of describing what was happening with the instrumentation, if that makes sense.

Nobuo Uematsu’s (植松 伸夫) “Blue Fields” is from the soundtrack for Final Fantasy VIII, Final Fantasy VIII: Original Soundtrack. It is a soundtrack where all the non-vocal instrumentation (as far as I am aware) was performed on keyboard.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Stepping strings spaced, relaxed and gentle. A percussive sound as some sort of bar-based instrument joins in the dance and slowly moves in a different pattern, accentuating and building on the motion.

Woodwind joins in and starts to move along and around the current motion, once more building upon what is there and once more retaining space.

For a brief moment what sounds like a clarinet gets focus and it keeps slow and steady before providing a slightly elongated flick. The motions are deliberate and careful, though not aiming for subtlety as they are aiming to carry the steps with a sense of flow and perhaps grace.

The other woodwinds return and, with a sense of relaxation and ease, congeal and widen. They move separately, yet together and provide as clear an expression as they can, then welcome the return of the stepping strings.

Once more the motions are followed and once more the sense of movement remains clear. Everything moves in unison and has a part to carry forward the sounds, and all remains relaxed and gentle, even as the song fades at its end.

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nobuo Uematsu: Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

This was written over one listen.

I didn’t overthink what I was writing; just went into it and mostly described some of what was happening in the song. Probably could’ve written more, but I’m content with the result.

Nobuo Uematsu’s (植松 伸夫) “Main Theme of Final Fantasy VII” (“F.F.VIIメインテーマ”) is from Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack. Surprisingly enough this soundtrack is the soundtrack for the game known as Final Fantasy VII.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Stirring strings move forward and find themselves answered by a sense of unknown and slight foreboding, but it’s not enough to stop. A slight bit of hesitancy, perhaps, but then a waking forward. The strings carry the calm and the gentle, and perhaps a sense of wonder. It’s all quiet but something is revealing itself. It’s the start of a journey and so much feels like its some sort of wonder, but it also is rather mundane. This is new, yet familiar all the same.

A switch around and light piano steps along in a fashion, following a path of woodwinds and strings. It’s light, airy and gentle; almost relaxing, though not entirely so.

Back to the main melody and now it is more grand and dramatic and flowing. More instruments move in harmony with each other, filling the space. Brass rises up, triumphant.

It all pulls back and the strings return to prominence, raising something ominous. Something approaches and it slowly builds, but perhaps it is not and really just the vastness of the world revealing itself. Either way, soon the music releases itself and draws out its notes, rising high, though without hitting the grand climax it suggests and instead remaining controlled. As soon as the climax appears as though it is done it twists itself into something far more dramatic, as though a sudden, drawn out cry of pain.

The music returns to its main melody once more as it fades out and the song ends.

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Road off The Hume

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

Taken during the drive from Sydney to Melbourne, and in the same location as these photos.

This photo feels quiet to me. It also feels as empty as it does filled.
Perhaps it is a relaxed scene, caught in the splendour of the sunset.

This is my submission into the one hundred-and-fifty-eighth Lens-Artists Photo Challenge.

The theme for this one is “Along Back Country Roads“.

The challenge is hosted by four people and cycles weekly:

Week 1 – Patti

Week 2 – Ann-Christine aka Leya

Week 3 – Amy

Week 4 – Tina

However, for July each challenge is guest-curated, and each theme has been announced.
Beth Smith of Wandering Dawgs is curating this one.

On July 3rd John Steiner of Journeys With Johnbo curated with the theme of “On the Water“.

On July 10th Anne Sandler of Slow Shutter Speed curated with the theme of “Black and White“.

July 17th was curated by Rusha Sams of Oh The Places We See. The theme for Rusha’s was “Getting Away“.

The rest for July are as follows:

July 31st – Ana Campo of Anvica’s Gallery: “Postcards”

I recommend participating in the challenges. They’re enjoyable and allow room for interpretation of the theme without straying too far. If you don’t participate, then I recommend that you at least check out what others of the Lens-Artists community are submitting.

I hope you enjoy.

Posted in Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Masashi Hamauzu: Wandering Flame

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

This was written over four listens.

Initially I was just kind of “sketching” imagery and looking to go for a sense of balance between imagery and sound description. Instead of that I ended up giving a very, very rough idea of some of events when this song plays.

Masashi Hamauzu’s (浜渦 正志) “Wandering Flame” (“彷徨の炎”) is from Final Fantasy X Original Soundtrack which is the soundtrack for Final Fantasy X. The soundtrack was mostly composed by Nobuo Uematsu (植松 伸夫). Other composers (including Hamauzu) were involved and the soundtrack ended up being a collaborative effort.

“Wandering Flame” is also known as “Wandering”.

I hope you enjoy.

—

Slow drifting, almost as gentle waves lapping at a shoreline at sunset. Something distant shimmers near the horizon as a sky strong its colouring sets itself as a canvass once more. Flow is all around, and it is near and it is far, and thoughts look inward.

From a point above the ruins of what once was a grand metropolis one recounted some of their history and their failure, carrying that burden and hoping that this time around they can work toward a better solution. Some stared on, thinking about what reaching this point meant for what will come next. It had been a long journey and, as magnificent as this view was, it also was one laden with emotion.

Many days earlier and farther away there had been a revelation and so the gravity of the situation became so much more. Knowing less at the time had generated much shock; here the weight had been carried. It had time to sink in and be felt, and the emotions and mood were different. Inevitability hung in the air and any desire to cast it aside seemed unable to reach fulfillment.

And so they stared on out, over the landscape and what it represented and the slow drifting continued until the song’s end.

 

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Five-Hundred Word Challenge 974: Not Actually my Favourite

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

Alright, so I’m going to see if I can sneak this in before I start work.

I thought I’d have something to write about, but I don’t so instead this will likely be writing about writing, which it just so happens is probably my favourite topic to write about insofar as it’s one of the few things I often write about, and at length even though if often goes nowhere, but sometimes that is the way that this thing goes and therefore that is what I shall choose to indulge in today.

Now, that is the starting bit of writing and this is the next bit of writing and I need to think of something to further whatever it is that I am trying to cover. Will I get there? The answer is one that is likely to get that across, and so it is a single word; unlikely. However, I’ve come this far and it is too early into this to stop and so I will keep on going. I will keep on writing sentences that express themselves as about being about writing and I will get to the end and then do the other things and so on and so forth, until eventually I get back to the start and once there I will look to express something else, but in all likelihood it will remain as being about writing as that is what is covered today. There is little else.

This is the next bit of writing that connects to the previous bit of writing and so I will continue to make an argument, but there is no argument in this and perhaps I really should stop as this really is going nowhere. However, I shall persist as that’s the only way to make sure that the end is reached and once I am there I can make sure of other things. However, for now, the making sure of getting the point across that this is a writing about writing is what is mot pertinent.

However, in saying that this isn’t actually writing about writing. It is writing about the idea of writing about writing. I think. I’m not sure anymore. I’m not sure where this is going and now I’m not sure if I can stretch it out far enough to get this to the end so that I can celebrate my finishing this bit of writing off. I don’t know if I can get this done, but getting it done is still what I will try and then once I am across the line of finishing I can say that I wrote this and it is awful and all those other things.

Maybe I should just worry about starting work instead. Seems a bit more productive, but at the same time I don’t really want to think about it and instead finish the writing that is this writing, but then again there’s responsibility to worry about, so I guess I won’t finish this right now.

The time it took to write five-hundred words: 05:54:10

Wrote this before work and only getting up now.

Not a great writing but… not a great writing.

Written at home.

Posted in Life | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clouds Around Buildings

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

This was taken at the start of last month, or at least some time close to the last month.

Not much to say about this one. I like the clouds and the sense of space, as well as how the buildings feel out of place here.

I hope you enjoy.

Posted in Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Principles of Geometry: Hauntitled

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Stupidity Hole

This was written over four listens.
I didn’t aim for anything other than writing about the song. Didn’t try to lean toward description of what was happening or any imagery or suggested emotion and just let stuff come forward.

A bit messy, but it mostly gets the idea across.

Slight aside: I discovered this song through its music video which is also a trailer for the album… I think.

Principles of Geometry’s “Hauntitled” is from Burn the Land & Boil the Oceans.

I hope you enjoy.

—

A bass sound looking for a path, then the beat comes in and the bass starts grooving away. Lock and step the rhythm is, keeping it all down and moving and grooving. The higher synth comes in, playing with space, keeping it all cool and gliding. It’s muted, soft but present, building on the rhythm.

The song keeps its space and perhaps feels a little warm and as though it is something of yesteryear’s sounds of nostalgia, but that’s perhaps due to how it carries itself. Maybe it isn’t nostalgia, but more of a desire to co-opt and rehash, but it still walks tall and without a care.

A slight pause before going for one more quick loop, then on one final sound of muted synth rings out its clear, brief notes the song ends.

 

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment