Well, from my regular sources, I managed to obtain the music two days from its official release. I played the music in one setting and to be honest I’m not that all impressed by it. (Note that I am listening to the music again as I type this, hoping for a change in opinion.)
Overall it’s a pretty album but nothing really stands out for me. It’s new-age styled music that just goes on and on. The image song with the Scandinavian-like chorals (theme of ‘fatal fight’, etc) is probably the only decently memorable song, but I feel it’s far too repetitive.
Essentially, the album sounds like a continuation of Hack//Sign, with only a few minor themes of Xenosaga I in the background providing some sort of continuity with the previous game. It has nothing of the spiritual-depth of the Xenogears and Xenosaga I OSTS. Honestly, the Nietzsche-inspired title (trans: “Beyond Good and Evil”) sounds a lot menancing than the music is.
Namco, please persuade Mitsuda-sensei to return for the next installment (which will be uh…2006? 2007? :() He really is the link to the series’ continuity.
