Important Importables Review: Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol. 2: Love Will Grow

Title: Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol 2: Love Will Grow
Artist: Risa Ohki, Ikuku Nogushi
Price: $28.57 (CD Japan) – $32.90 (Play-Asia)
Release Date: First run November 25, 1995, reprint October 1, 2004
Rating: 8/10
Pros: Once again, Risa Ohki does a wonderful job singing, and Ikuko Nogushi’s voice is a nice compliment. Aside from another version of “Prelude,” the tracks covered are different than the ones from Pray. “Valse des Amoureux,” an original track, fits in surprisingly well.
Cons: Still occasional, awkward, English lyrics. Also, song titles were again changed.

Since Important Importables reviewed Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol. 1: Pray last week, it seems only appropriate that this week Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol. 2: Love Will Grow takes center stage. Once again, it is a compilation of instrumentals from Final Fantasy I-VI, only with new adaptations and vocals added.

Once again, multiple languages are employed in the new renditions of classic Final Fantasy songs, and once again Risa Ohki delivers a powerful performance that is practically impeccable. Her delivery and pronunciation is once again flawless, and you’d think she was actually able to speak Portuguese, French, English and Japanese. This time, Ikuko Nogushi joins her. It averages out to Ohki performing on half the tracks and Nogushi on the other half, with the two occasionally both performing on some songs. Her voice is equally wonderful, and her pronunciation just as precise. It’s a nice contrast, as Ohki tends to take on more of the alto parts, while Nogushi focus on soprano.

More vocal interpretations of Final Fantasy themes

Like Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol. 1: Pray, Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol. 2: Love Will Grow starts out strong with Ohki performing Long Distance, a rendition of the “Main Theme” of Final Fantasy IV. Personally, I think this is one of the best performances and songs on the album, and a perfect place to start. It is both emotional and epic, and gives Ohki a chance to show off her impressive vocal range.

While Pray seemed to be about evoking emotions and powerful feelings, I couldn’t help feeling that Love Will Grow was more about elegance and entertainment. The tracks seemed to be about fun and laughter, or decadence and regal intricacies. For example, “Have You Ever Seen Me?”, “Valse Des Amoureux,” “Estrelas,” “Home Sweet Home” and “The Prelude” were all lighthearted endeavors, while all the remaining tracks felt like epic, impressive pieces.

There’s only one issue, and it is the same that plagued Pray, some of the lyrics just don’t sound right on the English language songs. It’s a shame, because the the singers are both fantastic and doing their absolute best and the orchestra sounds amazing. The language and lyric issues vary from song to song. “Have You Ever Seen Me?” and “Love Will Grow” are practically passable, with few errors, but “The Prelude” can be difficult to listen to, especially with lines like:

“Dream in your heart, I feel in asleep night”
“So the sad will fall and fall”
“But I wish all the love is free anyday, for anyone.”

It’s a shame, since “The Prelude” is otherwise a wonderful duet between Ohki and Nogushi.

Track Listing

1. “Long Distance” (Rendition of Final Fantasy IV‘s “Main Theme”)
2. “Eternal Wind” (Rendition of Final Fantasy III‘s “Eternal Wind”)
3. “Have You Ever Seen Me?” (Rendition of Final Fantasy III‘s “Cute Little Tozas”)
4. “Valse des Amoureux”
5. “GAIA” (Rendition of Final Fantasy‘s “Main Theme”)
6. “Remnants of Distant Days” (Rendition of Final Fantasy V‘s “This Day Will Come”)
7. “My Home, Sweet Home” (Rendition of Final Fantasy V‘s “My Home, Sweet Home”)
8. “Estrelas” (Rendition of Final Fantasy IV‘s “Lute’s Melody”)
9. “God’s Cradle” (Rendition of Final Fantasy VI‘s “Relm’s Theme”)
10. “Love Will Grow” (Rendition of Final Fantasy III‘s “Finale”)
11. “The Prelude” (Rendition of Final Fantasy‘s “Prelude”)

Another wonderful collection for Final Fantasy fans.

It feels like with Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol. 2: Love Will Grow Square Enix took what was great from the previous collection, Pray, and tried to include more of it. The musical arrangements are wonderful, Risa Ohki and Ikuko Nogushi are fantastic singers, the lyrics have been improved in all cases save one and it’s, frankly, a wonderful listening experience fans of the Final Fantasy series will appreciate. I’d particularly recommend listening to “God’s Cradle”, “Long Distance” and “Valse Des Amoureux,” as they are my favorite arrangements from the compilation, though “Love Will Grow” does have a tendancy to grow on you.

COMING NEXT WEEK: Important Importables discusses how Valentines Day is celebrated in Japan, and suggests some Japanese candy that might be a nice treat for your loved one, or ones..

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Last week Important Importables reviewed Final Fantasy Vocal Collections Vol. 1: Pray.

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