(POLL) Yuki Kajiura tracks with MAKEOVERS (or multiple versions) (as of 2024)

Point Zero

The live recoding is nice but the tension and atmosphere are really lacking. There’s really no comparison here for me, og all the way.

OG +1

Let the stars fall down

I like the otherworldliness of Hanae’s vocals in the original, but I prefer the strength of the drumming in the live. I’ll give this to the live

Live +1

Battle to the strong

Much like Point Zero, the og is better in every way.

OG +1

Beginning of the End

Live. The drums, bass, e guitar, and piano really elevate this piece

Live +1

Dogfight

Live. I love the addition of piano, and I like that it mashes up both versions.

Live +1

World is Tumbling

Live. I didn’t care for the og at all but the live is so fun. I love how aggressive the singing is compared to the og, and the added lines of chanting make it all sound more full if that makes sense.

Live +1

Kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed the live tracks. I’m not a huge fan of fz’s ost, and I actually remember not liking the live tracks when this collection released
 
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@Sora your +1 ratings don't seem to match your opinions.
I'm still in a poo mood, only got worse with the arumajo thread, so not touching F/Z for now.
 
canta per me
og is classic. I can't even say anything to try and be objective here. The song is ingrained in my brain. Love.​
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I also enjoyed listening to the Japanese version actually. The lyrics are surefine and the vocals are perfectly servicable for a character song. What is fascinating is the clean mix compared to the rather muffled original. Wonder why they couldn't have gone back to sessions to re-mix the og for Early Best ('cause they clearly only remastered it there) - are those really lost by now? Shame, even though I do not hate the og mix sound.​
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FICTION ver. is way too aggressive to my liking, both on the instrumental side with the very clear accordion, as well as vocal side. Do not like it, do not care for it. I guess there's some argument to be had with the Japanese ver mix also sounding more aggressive than the muffled original but it's nowhere close to this FICTION version for me.​
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+1 original, +1 Japanese ver (shockingly?)​

Tsuki no Shijima
I don't remember what I thought when the song first came out but the thread was about revisiting recordings and I'm very here for it today. I'm not the biggest fan of Yui Makino's vocals but the whole song is very pleasant to me and very much Yui works for me here today. I love the steady rhythm and how it flows, I like the melodies, all transitions make sense to me, the strings chilling in the background are magical.​
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And here's the kicker... I think I like the ultimate mix even more. It seems I really like having one singer doing everything these days, including backing vocals. The song is even more harmonious without Yuriko.​
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+1 ultimate mix (blasphemous?)​

Mizu no Akashi
There are a few notes in Rie's performance which are grating but it's another a classic in my book so I can't fault it. When I was putting the bracket together I was thinking I'd be giving some props to the Acoustic Ver but I realized I like how the percussive synths in the 2nd half are giving the original song momentum and pushing it forward. The Acoustic Ver. kind of stalls for me with the keyboard strings and piano not really doing much, despite cello trying and being as pretty as ever.​
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Continuing from the above, I'm actually going to give props to FictionJunction ver. for essentially being what the Acoustic Ver. was attempting to show off and doing it better in my book. WAKANA's vocals in this recording are doing it for me as well. Very nice all around indeed.​
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ReTracks is another take on the Acoustic Ver. (pretty sure it's still the original keyboard piano) and while the strings are very pretty and are doing a better job at keeping the song alive for me than the Acoustic Ver. synths were, I find the mix a little on the sharp side. The cello at the end also seems kind of weird, like I'm not sure if it's new or taken from the original recording (despite not being credited) or doubled in the mix.​
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+1 original, +1 FJ ver​
 
canta per me - OG. fiction is not bad especially the chorus + deb lyons but the OG is the best. i'm pretending japanese ver doesn't exist.

Tsuki no Shijima - no feelings either way but the ultimate mix sounds more interesting with the various beats and synth.

Mizu no Akashi - Wakana ver. Rie Tanaka vocals are no for me. Wakana sniff.
epic sniff : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnZN1ltnPGk
 
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Canta per Me

OG is a classic for a reason, amplified even more by its scenes in Noir. Love that song. Japanese version is way too breathy/docile; I don't like it at all. The Deb Lyons version was the first one I ever listened to, and while the vibe is certainly different, I still have a soft spot for it. Especially the outro. As fond as I am of it, I have to give this one to Yuriko.

+1 OG

Tsuki no Shijima

Ahh, the "Tsubasa gang gets back together in a really boring filler arc" song. Classic. Yuriko's chorus work is my favorite part of the track, which makes this choice an easy one. I will say though that this is probably my favorite Yui Makino track . . . As in, there's no version I can listen to that doesn't have her in it.

+1 OG

Mizu no Akashi

OG is pretty good; Tanaka's voice is very sweet and the arrangement works really well with it. The acoustic one is unremarkable, and the ReTracks has a bit too much going on for my taste. As for the FJ version . . .

Me: I'm just gonna turn this on in the background because if I devote my full attention to it, I'm just gonna cry again.
*does that; starts crying anyways*
Me: DANG IT, WAKANA! STOP DOING THIS TO ME!

++++++++++++++1 FJ
 
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Canta per me

I didn’t even know a Japanese version existed of this song!

Yeah, the OG is the best, hands down, although I also have a soft spot for the FICTION version, since it was the first version I listened to, roughly 13 years ago, and I actually like the arrangement slightly better than the OG one. What lifts the OG above the FICTION ver. are two things: 1. Yuriko Kaida and 2. the vocal harmonies in the 2nd verse that the FICTION version doesn’t have. In the Japanese version I simply don’t like the voice of the singer all that much.

+1 OG



Tsuki no Shijima

Uh, honestly one of the most boring songs Kajiura has ever written imo. I do like the general atmosphere of the song and the string arrangement but I’m unable to listen to this song actively. My thoughts keep drifting away, as there’s just nothing interesting happening. Once you heard verse and chorus once you basically heard the song. I also dislike the keyboard percussion/beat here.

If I have to choose, I would certainly, once again go with the OG, as the background vocals of Yuriko Kaida are one of the redeeming qualities of the song. No hate towards Yui Makino, she is a really good seyuu and musician/pianist but her singing voice just isn’t my thing most of the time.

+1 OG



Mizu no Akashi

This one on the other hand is a masterpiece!

Unpopular opinion here, but the original version is easily my least favorite. The electronic elements and the beat sound out of place to me here. I feel the song works much better as an acoustic track.

I do really like all of the other versions though. Especially the strings in the ReTracks version are gorgeous, and I really like how the changes in arrangement keep me engaged in the song. However, as grunty already pointed out, the mixing is really strange. I don’t know what’s going on with the mix of these ReTracks songs, but all of them sound off in some way... Still, the best version by far for me is the FJ one. Love the piano here and of course Wakanas vocals. Brace yourself for maximum emotional impact:TdT:

+1 FJ version
 
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week6 lets go

Hopefully I didn't miss some Annani issho version... I skipped the TVsizes 'cause I only know of two - one is a regular short version that doesn't change anything, and the other is off vocal/instrumental until the first verse, but not really different recording either (unlike at least one of Kimiwa boku TV sizes).

Edit:
After listening to FICTIONII version of "the image theme of XenosagaII" I decided to add the OST's "in the beginning, there was..." and "fatal fight" to the bracket as they seem to be the basis for that version, rather than the OST's "the image theme of XenosagaII".
 
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lullaby

I have a somewhat similar take as with "canta per me" - can't be objective with how long the song's been with me, although I don't think "lullaby" is quite at the same level of iconic as "canta per me". The song is relatively simple, relying on its leading melody and Yuriko's original is just very pretty to me. Violin is purty too. The acoustic arrangement is lovely. Not much else to say.​
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Much like with "canta per me" this Japanese version once again works for me, at least for the first half. TARAKO's voice suits the song wonderfully in the first verse but gets somewhat grating in the middle of the bridge and continues being that way into the last verse. But even with that, I still think it's a surefine character song. I like the changes/shift in melody for the ending - gives this version a little bit more of its own identity. The different mixing is once again fascinating but the original's sound doesn't bother me so it's not any dealbreaker either way.​
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And there's FICTION's makeover from these specific musicians presumably, rather than Kajiura herself. It's magical, although I will say I don't like the first half of the bridge. On the other hand, the penultimate (3:10) "so close to you" vocal and instrumental gets me every time - I don't know enough about jazz to say whether it's a cheap trick or not, but I frankly don't even care, lul, it tingles me the right way.​
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+1 original ver, +1 FICTION ver. (but I wouldn't skip TARAKO's version either)​

Annani Issho Dattanoni

Note that the most recent digital single master from Sunrise feels closer to a ReMaster (if not ReMix) kind of thing rather than the original single release (or Dream Field, THE BRIDGE, or See-Saw-Scene masters). Everything's heavily boosted (if not readjusted), and while it comes with some caveats, I personally don't dislike it. The original has always been a little rough in sound, at times a little flat, at other times hollow but plenty packed and with distortions (granted those might come from samples used). I think this new release improves in some aspects, but then also emphasises on weaknesses of the original. And even though I do like how much UMPH the bass has here, the new version does kind of drown in said bass and reverb at times. So... gain some, lose some.​
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The 2006 version tries giving it more UMPH (kinda fails but that might be the album mastering, rather than song itself) but also tries making it sound more spacious/wider (which I think I like). What I'm not sure I like is some of the brand new synth&kb cheese (prechorus) or some of the extra emphasis on old cheese (during verses). With that said, I think this is my favorite version of the entire bridge. I think the transitions between verses/refrains/instrumental/etc sections flow better and the violin parts are more clear than in other versions. I actually don't remember thinking much of this version when it came out so I'm happy to somewhat appreciate it now. I guess me likey.​
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With ReTracks I do like the intro strings and wish they got released separately from the actual song. This version to me is way too messy and busy with a mass sound of live instruments and somehow even more cheese than 2006 ver (prechorus 1:18+). The strings weigh the song down, rather than make it more interesting. I don't think I dislike the other live instruments in general but the drumming & guitars during the bridge are just "wut?" and the last 40seconds are just noise altogether. No bueno.​
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+1 original (and depending on the day I might give it to the most recent digital single specifically), +1 2006 ver​

the image theme of XenosagaII

So I included "in the beginning, there was..." and "fatal fight" from XenosagaII OST 'cause 1) the FICTION version of "the image theme" seems like a remix based on those two rather than OST's "the image theme" specifically; 2) the OST's "the image theme" was maybe based on those too, but approached it differently than FICTION did later. (Or maybe "the image theme" came first and got split up and then extended, just like the FICTION version later was... who knows really...)​
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I'll try talking about everything at once, rather than one after the other...​
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I love "in the beginning, there was..." but because I'm familiar with the OST, I either need to have it on its own (M01) or immediately transition into "first meeting". The overlap between those two tracks (as much as I would like to have them completely separately too) is flawless IMHO and a fantastic introduction to the soundtrack album. Having the introduction in FICTION's "the image theme" be so close to "in the beginning, there was..." but transition to the main part of "the image theme" (or "fatal fight") instead just throws me off. Another part that throws me off in the FICTION version immediately is the guitars (and at times the bass and percussion) which for some reason turn it into a peppy pop rock song, which I never really considered "the image theme of XenosagaII" to be. I guess I can understand that others wouldn't like the simple synth bass and the level of cheese that might come with it in the OST tracks but eh, this is my take. Oh yea, just so I mention it, between the OST tracks I vastly prefer the mix in "the image theme" than "fatal fight". =)​
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So after sticking to the original "image theme" in structure for some 90sec, the FICTION version chooses to bridge itself into the last minute of "fatal fight"'s main part with brand new vocals on top of it, before returning closer to the original for its ending. I'm not going to say it was a bad choice to 1) extend the song 'cause the original "image theme" is relatively short; or to 2) have vocals there because "fatal fight" definitely feels kind of empty (and possibly stretched thin in the process of extending its runtime)... but I just hate - no, loathe - that they had new vocals (with KAORI sounding in the front) next to the original Deb Lyons recording. Like, they could've re-recorded all the vocals with current singers and I would've been far more accepting of this rendition. I think the result is shite. Me no likey.​
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+1 OST ver​
 
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Lullaby

The snow in the air . . .

After having been a Kalafina fan for about a year beforehand, listening to this song was what fully turned me into a Kajiura fan. I don't think I can convey in words just how much I love it.

I love, love, love Yuriko's original rendition. Her voice works so well with the strings and the guitar, providing an atmosphere that is in equal parts solemn and overflowing. It fits Noir perfectly and I will never tire of it.

I love Tarako's rendition as well, but I will say that between the two I prefer Yuriko's. As much as Tarako *owns* that final refrain, there are parts where the lyrics don't flow as well.

As for the FICTION rendition . . . Well, that was the one I first listened to. Its vibe is very different, but retains that emotional power, and I really love Cumberbatch's vocal work. While there may be aspects of the soundtrack version I miss, I think I love it just as much as Yuriko's version.

An absolute triple-threat of a song that will forever remain a favorite of mine.

+1 OG, +1 FICTION

Anna ni Issho Datta no ni

The original is an absolute classic and I don't think any changes to it were necessary. Love Chiaki's vocal choices and the song itself is just stunning. Easy choice.

+1 OG

The Image Theme of Xenosaga II

I've never liked the chorus work on the original edition of this song. Fatal Fight has a lot of good aspects, but I feel like parts of the song just kind of cut out at random moments. In The Beginning is a perfectly fine prelude track, but doesn't quite shine without everything else.

The Fiction II rendition has a nice way of making everything feel 'complete', and it never fails to get me fired up. Plus it works really well on the album, so I've gotta go with this one.

(The more pressing revelation here is the fact that I've only just now realized that one part was Kaori. I don't understand how this has taken me this long; she sounds nothing like Deb Lyons and I straight-up knew she worked on the song from the credits. I can understand how I didn't realize it years ago, as I was a lot less familiar with Kaori's voice, but I re-listened to this track just a few months back. How did I not realize it was her; I don't understand!)

+1 FICTION
 
Lullaby

This one is hard as I really love both the original as well as the FICTION version. The Japanese version is ok too, but I just prefer Yurikos vocals.

What really strikes me here is just how different the arrangements are between the original and the FICTION version. Converting the song into a kind of jazzy ballad worked extremely well in my opinion. Cumberbatch’s voice is particularly unique among the other vocalists Kajiura has worked with and really gives the FICTION version so much character.

Because both of these versions are just so good and different from each other, neither of them can replace the other in my eyes, so I have to go for a tie here.

+1 original, +1 FICTION



Anna ni issho dattanoni

Another great song. One of the most memorable chorus melodies Kajiura has ever written in my opinion.

Once again, I appreciate all versions in different ways. I actually didn’t know the 2006 version before, and while it stays close to the original, it still feels very distinctive and I really like how it just sounds a bit cleaner. On the other hand, a bit of the energy of the original is missing here which might be the mastering, as grunty suggested.

The ReTracks version, again, suffers from some really bad mixing/mastering issues, and if this wasn’t the case, it would be clearly my favorite. I guess, I just in general prefer drums over electronic beat and rock-vibes over pop. The highlight of this version to me is clearly the strings in the pre-chorus (or 2nd part of the verse). I thing they just bring so much energy and hype to that section. I wish Kajiura would write energetic strings like this more often. Still, this version has its drawbacks, specifically in the bridge, where the whole guitar arrangement/sound just feels off. Again, this might also be partially due to the bad mixing.

I’m really having a hard time picking here, so I’m going for a tie between all versions. I know that’s lame but I’m going back and forth here and can’t decide.

+1 original, +1 2006 ver., +1 ReTracks



The Image Theme of Xenosaga II

This one on the other hand is easy: The FICTION version wins by a landslide. It combines all the best parts of the original tracks into one and adds drums, more prominent guitar, more vocals and a choir. All the good stuff. So much oomph. Perfection.

I do appreciate in the beginning, there was.. and fatal flight, as you can hear the strings very cleanly. This is really one of the more unique string arrangements Kajiura has ever done, especially during the intro when the song ramps up. I really like it.

++++ FICTION ver
 
week7 lets go (updated first post)

a little late but literally didn't realize it was already wednesday yesterday...

I'm pondering what to do for next week, stick to the plan or do another dump of things like Fate/Zero...
I was thinking, inspired by tsubasa/Yume no Tsubasa and Tsuki no Shijima, to maybe include JUNNA's songs that weren't on my list... For English/Japanese but also Yuriko/Joelle backing vocals (though not necessarily a fair comparison since they are mixed differently)... but I don't know yet...
 
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grunty said:
WEEK #5 BREAKDOWN
Click to expand...
canta per me

Yuriko Kaida's voice was so pretty for starters😍, and her self-harmonization had this haunting feel with the added effects. I also like that crunchy note on the lyric "anima mia" in the chorus just prior to the violin solo is distinct. (Only replicated by Deb Lyons in her versions).

The Japanese version almost doesn't exist in the same universe. What an underwhelming vocal performance! I am wondering if having a better vocalist would have helped or the melody doesn't seem to go as well with the Japanese lyric. 🤔 In my view (hope no one takes offense), I don't think the Japanese lyric went as well with the composition/arrangement because a lot of the impactful points of the instrumentation are not as reinforced by the vocal/lyric (in terms of how the consonants land and so on). Oh, and the Latin section during the violin solo was still included...

Deb Lyons version sounded like an American soprano using a musical theatre/contemporary style vocal to sing a song in Latin, so it was...interesting 🤷‍♂️ ; not bad just interesting. You could hear some of her Americanisms in her pronunciation and how she approached the song. I would have preferred a classical vocalist (with more accurate pronunciation) if Kajiura was going this route. A unique violin solo though, so cool.

Winner: Yuriko Kaida in the original.



Tsuki no Shijima

A cute song overall, Yui Makino has an baby-like Japanese voice - like a young teen Yuuka Nanri, I would suspect. Interesting. She was the voice actor so it was like a song by the character, right? I always recognize these kinds of performances since the voice actor/singer is carrying some of the emotional understanding of the character in their vocal performance. Yuriko is excellent in her supporting role with those delightful Kajiurago-isms using her breathy voice and range.

In the ultimate mix version, there was no Yuriko, which was a bummer. It was interesting to hear her nasal-like voice all over the harmonies. Her high harmony was defintely weaker and I couldn't really make out that part distinctly (of course heavy vocal effects as well). Yuriko also enunciated the Kajiurago better in the original version.

Winner: The original, of course!



Mizu no Akashi

I've had to defend Rie Tanaka's video live version a couple of times online, because people were, in an effort to praise Wakana's FJ cover, saying Rie was a lesser singers. so just for the record I am doing a bit of vocal analyzing due to that "bias".

Listen to the first lyrics starting from "naka ni" she's using beautiful dynamics, a bit of a plea and vibrato. She continues to enunciate the lyrics quite well. Being the voice actor also gives her more awareness of the character's journey and emotional state especially at the time of the song. That would reflect in the vocal performance as well.

I also liked the elements of the song and the gradual development: the 16th note synth melody at the background, the effect of the solo cello coming in, and the interaction with the guitar as well, including how she came back in after the violin solo (and the echo of her vocal that was added). I really felt the emotion of the song and was carried by it. Nice!

The acoustic version was the true precursor to Wakana's version, so my thoughts on the vocal from the original remain. Her expressiveness is not diminished for not having the rhythmic momentum. Strong strings and synth presence.

For the quite popular FictionJunction WAKANA version, I will agree that Wakana is a more rounded vocalist. Her tone was more open and her vibrato was more present especially at the start [of each phrase], but I still prefer Rie's dynamics at the very start.

Wakana tone, use of cry effect, and her audible breath, gives her performance its character. Stronger/louder piano on the return to the chorus before the end - a massive swell in the musical dynamics.

The ReTracks version was interesting because of the strong full string-section accompaniment that started the song. The piano took over and I really liked how the strings came back in to support the piano. OK, I think this is a strong second in musical development to the original, but I would put it over the original if I were to allow my love for classical music to take over (I'll hold it back). The ending was crazy with that compositional flourish/climax for the strings

Winner: I might just give it to the original because of the musical development (sweet), followed by ReTracks for the same reason (chamber music!), and then followed by Wakana's emotional cover for the vocal performance as a whole.
 
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Salva nos

The original is cool, but I’m not a big fan of the arrangement as a whole. The FICTION version, on the other hand, truly brings this song to the next level for me. I would even go as far as to say the FICTION version is one of the very best - if not the single best - dramatic compositions Kajiura has ever created. The addition of the strings, paired with the operatic voice of Yuri Kasahara, elevates this piece into something absolutely amazing. On top of this, Kajiura adds a whole new section to the song (starting with “christe eleison”), which is actually hamonically my favorite part of the entire track. In fact, the only thing that hinders salva nos (FICTION ver.) from being my all-time favorite Kajiura track is the somewhat suboptimal mix and the unnecessarily prolonged ending with that wind effect.

+1 FICTION version

Tsubasa / Yume no Tsubasa

Kaori’s version (Tsubasa) is really nice, although her “Engrish” does irritate me a little bit here, to be honest. Surprisingly, I kind of like Yui Makino’s Yume no Tsubasa almost a bit better, despite my usual issues with her voice. The duet version is also quite enjoyable. However, every time the singing switches from her to him and back again, you get this octave jump that I’m not too fond of. I enjoy the passages more where they’re singing together.

The FJ version is, in my opinion, by far the best. Here, we get Kaori singing in Japanese and all other FJ members joining in, instead of only Yuriko Kaida, which really beefs up the background vocals in a good way. Most importantly, though, we also get a pretty much entirely updated instrumental track, which sounds better in almost every aspect - at least in my opinion. In particular, I appreciate the more active piano here. Interestingly, a full bar got cut at the beginning of this version, which I think works well, as the original kind of delays the harmonic resolution for a bit too long there.

+1 FJ version

Magia

The original holds a special place in my heart, as it was the song that first introduced me to the Kalafina/Yuki Kajiura musical universe. I remember how intrigued I was by this track - it felt very rockish, but then again you had this almost tribalistic drum rhythm that I definitely wouldn’t associate with rock. I still think it’s one of Kajiura’s most memorable and unique tracks, and I really love the raw feel of it, although I would’ve appreciated it if the guitars were mixed a bit less piercing in the high frequencies and the cello would be a bit more prominently audible in the second half of the verse (or pre-chorus).

The magic mix is also super cool, actually, despite not being the full track. Kajiura strips back certain elements in different sections and lets others shine even more because of that. Specifically, I love that we can hear the Nordic-style violin solo very clearly here - something that’s kind of buried behind the strings in the original. I also love how this version accentuates the drums, which are just such a vibe in Magia in general. I really enjoy this version a lot.

I know the quattro version is a bit controversial in the community (at least there are some vocal dislikers of it here), but I have to disagree. As you might’ve noticed by now if you’ve read some of my other posts: I’m a fan of strings. I’m an even bigger fan of strings if Kajiura dishes out her darker arrangements, and man, this is exactly what I’m talking about! Especially the dissonant end chord: pure perfection! I also really appreciate that the strings are completely through-composed, with a unique arrangement for each of the three choruses and very little repetition. That said, I do agree that the addition of the strings doesn’t come without a tradeoff: the cool, raw nature of the original is lost to a certain degree. While I like the general sound of the mix (or I guess the mastering?) better here compared to the original, the strings are kind of a bit too high in the mix, and some of the punch is lost. The guitar gets a bit buried behind the strings in some sections, and especially the vocals are a tad too quiet for my taste. As a result, the melodies that the strings play in the chorus are almost more prominent than the actual singing. So really, the issues I have with this version are mostly mix-related. That said, it’s still a total banger to me.

In the end, this is a clear tie for me across all three versions. I wouldn’t want to lose any of them as they’re all on my playlist.

+1 original, +1 magic mix, +1 quattro
 
Guess I should do it too. retsu go~

salva nos
So here's the thing... ;P​
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I think the FICTION version is fine. The issue I have with it is that TO ME it emmanates PATHOS (Yuri dancing during KajiFes alleviates it a bit but that's another story XD). Said PATHOS comes through via everything from Yuri's voice & performance, the chorus, to the strings filling the arrangement out and going in new directions where there was nothing in the original. New harmonies taking it to darker and heavier places.​
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And PATHOS is exactly what the original does NOT have, lol. I don't know what Mashimo's instructions were for Kajiura but to me "salva nos" is just "bonkers" - bullets flying everywhere, bad guys dropping like flies, no regrets for taking lives. And that is indeed the original OST ver, compared to FICTION ver.​
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+1 original OST ver (but would not skip FICTION ver if it came up, it's just not my "salva nos" xD)​

tsubasa / Yume no Tsubasa
Full disclosure, I did not particularly care for this song when it came out. I've always been more of a "dream scape" kind of guy. ;)​
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With that said, "tsubasa" is out immediately for reasons @SurgamIdentidem mentioned. I don't care for the Engrish lyrics or performance (like would anyone even decipher more than 30% of it? lol). Kaori's voice does not impress me here either. I do sometimes wonder if I'd have a different appreciation for the sond, had they released a Japanese version with Kaori immediately...​
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So then comes the first actual Japanese version on OST2 with Yui Makino... and I'm not that big of a fan either even today. I'm probably more positive today than when it came out, but it's still just okay at best (outside of the post-bridge vocalizing which I find absolutely grating from Yui). Yui's vocals, try as she might, just don't have the energy to drive this song, and I do believe the song needs it. The duet is kind of weird - I don't mind the constant flipping between octaves but when one voice goes quiet it's sometimes very weird (although I appreciate it's not just 1full verse, 1full refrain per singer etc). If I'm being honest, sometimes when they both overlap it can be quite nice. I feel like I wouldn't mind a full version with just Irino, as a character song. Would it ever be a song I think of going back to though? Nah. ;p​
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So that leaves Kaori's "Yume no Tsubasa" from Everlasting Songs with a brand new spanking instrumental too. And I like it. No Engrish. Kaori sounds way better than in "tsubasa" IMHO. (I'm going to presume they are new&more mature vocals, rather than an unused take from 2005.) The more colorful backing vocals feel like an improvement. I was trying to pay attention to the different instrumentals and, while I like the original, I think I prefer the new one too. I like how the new version accents/punctuates the progression around 0:30+ compared to the original. I like the new e.guitar shining solo in the arrangement, too.​
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+1 Everlasting Songs ver. no doubt​

Magia
Absolutely an iconic song but I definitely listened to it way too much when it came out. The entire intro all these years later is still absolutely stun.​
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I remember loving the stripped magia mix when it came out but it doesn't do much for me today. It's nice hearing the solo violin bridge in a cleaner version though.​
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On the other hand, I think I did not particularly care for [quattro] when it came out but listening to all versions today, the original sure feels empty at times... but then I also miss the solo violin at times... Still, the only place where I feel [quattro] becomes too much for me is the guitar bridge...​
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+1 [quattro] ver. ...I think? tricky, lol, I certainly wouldn't skip the original though​
 
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Salva Nos

Yuri’s rendition has grown on me over the years, and I do appreciate its dark atmosphere.

But, to be honest, the original’s arrangement is superb and I find myself listening to it far more. Plus, Yuriko does a great job on the vocals.

+1 Original

Tsubasa

Kaori wins by default for me (though the duet version is kind of sweet). While I think that her rendition of Yume no Tsubasa flows better, I think I have to give this one to the original English rendition?

Yes, the pronunciation is rough, but it’s the kind of track that Kajiura just doesn’t make anymore. So it manages to keep the fun nature of the original while having a nostalgic touch, and I really like that about it.

+1 Tsubasa

Magia

1000/10; eternal classic. You all have this song to blame for my presence in the forum, muahahaha.

While I like the song in all of its forms, the original will always have a special place in my heart and it’s the one I listen to the most so this is an easy pick.

(Man, I love this song. Korenaga’s guitar, Hikaru’s voice, the reverberating ‘kanau to’ in the bridge, Wakana and Keiko’s little parts and touches, the composition, it’s so good!)

+1 Original
 
WEEK 6 (What a week?!)

lullaby
(2001 NOIR ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK I)
Performance: Yuriko Kaida
Yuriko was perfectly breathy and soft from the start, and the strength of her voice shone through especially in the bridge section. I realized that Yuriko just harmonizes so well with herself (in my opinion better than Emily Bindiger, though no disrespect is intended).
Yuriko's English was not perfectly enunciated, but she made a really good effort with a lot of the consonants.

lullaby - Japanese ver.
(2001 NOIR - blanc dans NOIR album)
Performance: Altena (CV. TARAKO)
TARAKO's take was not bad at all. She gave a lot of speech-level expression to her vocal performance, which I liked - it felt like a character from the anime singing the song (I kept looking at the one at the bottom of the poster in the linked video, with the sad face).

The song could have been a Japanese original with the way she comfortably performed it. A reverb version of Yuriko backing, so cool. Was she the voice actor for the anime?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7EygvbSq4c&list=TLPQMTUwNDIwMjXvfWJ6nP4mBQ&index=2
As an aside, I saw a recommendation for a separate live video of hers (just to get a vibe of her away from a YK cover), and she's good with the guitar, so not just a singer, but a singer-songwriter, though her vocals tend to be more speech-like than powerfully / technically sung.

lullaby
(2003 "FICTION" / Yuki Kajiura album)
Performance: Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch
OK, the complete genre and stylistic change-up totally takes this song to a whole new level, and especially from a high-level jazz vocalist like Tulivu-Donna Cumberbatch.

There was all the freedom to play around with the melody, timing, and even a modulation(!) that didn't exist in the original. This is what jazz requires and demands. There's a structure but there's also a skillful exploration of expression that re-textures the colors of the structure.

Winner: It's close between Yuriko's original (that voice, the harmony work, and the string solo) and Tulivu's Fiction (all that jazz, genre switch-up, and vocal performance). I'll give it to Yuriko out of respect for the original. Tarako's emotional, character-like take is also not far behind.

******************

Annani Issho Dattanoni
(2002 "Annani Issho Dattanoni" / See-Saw single)
Performance: See-Saw

Chiaki's powerful and resonant voice rises above and cuts through the driving music. The bridge reminded me of the Kalafina version with the English inserts (yeah, the original is better). Chiaki's vocal harmonies are also strong and blend well with her lead.

That intro melody is so catchy and memorable!

Annani Issho Dattanoni 2006
(2006 Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED~SEED DESTINY "THE BRIDGE")
Performance: See-Saw

Sounds as good as the original. Some different drum hits and maybe some mixing differences, but nothing majorly different I could pick up...

Annani Issho Dattanoni ~ReTracks
(2012 Mobile Suit GUNDAM SEED Reunion Series Part 1)
Performance: See-Saw

Strong strings showing in this version, right from the get-go! I like the way the strings filled in the chorus with the rest of the band, and all the little orchestral stabs they were giving at different parts of the song. A very fun take on the song. I do feel a lot of those little additions as exciting as they were didn't allow the song to breathe with that steady (predictable) driving rhythm of the original.

Winner: The original. The ReTracks version was doing too much or trying to anyway. It got carried away.

Oh and as a fun aside, I found this vocal chorus cover with a single piano accompaniment, that was beautiful and unique in its own right. Just thought to share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exf-_NfrTqs
Enjoy!

******************************

in the beginning, there was...
(2004 XenosagaII MOVIE SCENE SOUNDTRACK)
Vocal: Deb Lyons

Oh, so I loved this theme from the KajiFes so it's good to hear the original. Beautiful. Her voice really sounds powerful in this song and just fits with that theatrical and dramatic vibe and forward placement.

fatal fight (Jin & Margulis)
(2004 XenosagaII MOVIE SCENE SOUNDTRACK)
Vocal: Deb Lyons
Female Chorus: Tokyo Konsei ("fatal fight" only)

The many voices of Deb Lyons with that powerful, almost-shrill chorus from Tokyo Konsei! Chills and head bopping. I was expecting the vocals to come in at some points (remembering KajiFes, and just now realizing that was a live-only rearrangement).

the image theme of XenosagaII
(2004 XenosagaII MOVIE SCENE SOUNDTRACK)

Basically a blend of the former tracks. That held note from the Uillean Pipes at the end!

the image theme of XenosagaII
(2011 "FICTION II" / Yuki Kajiura album)
Vocal: Deb Lyons
Chorus: Yuriko Kaida, KAORI, KEIKO, Tokyo Konsei

OK, this what was what actually performed at KajiFes, including having the FictionJunction utahimes (NO WAKANA???!!! Why?) singing along. and having some countermelody work from Keiko/Kaori at some point.

Winner: I will have to give this to the original two just out of respect and the development of "in the beginning" as a standalone track, even though the 2011 version is what I first heard replicated in KajiFes and is still a highlight to me.
 
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