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Everything Is Final Fantasy

Drew Creasman

Brothers Ira and Drew Creasman dive DEEP into every game in the Final Fantasy multiverse, focusing on themes, philosophies, social commentaries, and characters as well as music, art, and gameplay.

We are here to celebrate and discuss, not be cynical or hate.

NOTE: There IS material that could be considered political.

Play
  • 27 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 1 hr 7 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • S35 · E36
    Tuesday · 1 hr 16 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #36: FFXI Suite

    We listen to and analyze six pieces of music from Final Fantasy XI. With all of us having limited experience with the game itself, we pull primarily from Distant Worlds and New Worlds albums and think on the nature of medieval or renaissance music. Xenogears, Final Fantasy VIII, and FFVII Rebirth all get comparative listens as does the 1996 film The Rock.

  • S35 · E35
    September 20 · 1 hr 27 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #35: WEIRD MUSIC

    We listen to some weird, cooky, odd, strange, silly, and spacey music from the first nine Final Fantasy games. What makes a piece of music weird? What storytelling techniques does Nobuo Uematsu use to upset expectations? And how cool is it when the strange music gets beautiful? #finalfantasy #videogamemusic

  • S35 · E34
    September 18 · 1 hr 15 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #34: Distant Worlds

    We discuss the history of Final Fantasy music live in concert, most especially the long-running Distant Worlds series. Then we listen to an analyze the song Distant Worlds from Final Fantasy XI in four different variations. Plus, some cherished memories of going to see, and of performing, live music.

  • S35 · E32
    September 14 · 1 hr 28 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #32: Battle Themes I-VI

    We listen to and analyze the primary battle themes from Final Fantasy I-VI. Distant Worlds, Black Mages, and Pixel Remasters all get involved in the conversation as we dive deep into what makes Nobuo Uematsu battle music so compelling.

  • S35 · E33
    September 13 · 1 hr 31 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #33: Chrono Battle Themes

    We listen to and analyze the battle themes from Chrono Trigger, Chrono Cross, and Super Mario RPG. Then each of us brings two other non-Final Fantasy pieces of battle music to discuss including one of the most famous pieces of video game music ever written.

  • S35 · E31
    September 10 · 1 hr 22 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #31: Dancing Mad

    We listen to and analyze Dancing Mad, the masterpiece final boss battle music from Final Fantasy VI. What techniques does Nobuo Uematsu use to invoke Bach fugues and which are more akin to classic rock like Emerson, Lake, & Palmer? How does it so expertly give voice to the villain, the ruined world, and even our heroes? Let's listen!

  • S45 · E6
    August 26 · 54 min

    Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: An Introduction

    We continue our series on Studio Ghibli & Hayao Miyazaki with an introduction to and examination of the first few minutes of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind; a true masterpiece.

  • S35 · E30
    August 22 · 1 hr 25 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #30: Battle Themes | FFVII, Tactics

    We listen to an analyze some truly iconic Final Fantasy battle themes from FFVII and Tactics. We begin with Trisection and the oddly titled Run Past Through the Plain before diving into the monster that is Let the Battles Begin, including its Remake and Rebirth.

  • S35 · E29
    August 19 · 1 hr 8 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #29: Battle Themes X | IX | VIII

    We listen to and analyze the battle themes from Final Fantasy X, IX, and VIII. How does Nobuo Uematsu use those unmistakable rhythms and clever instrumentation to create the perfect battle music? How does the FFX piece mirror the pacing of the battle system? Do the modern instruments in FFIX fit? And why is Don't Be Afraid such a BANGER?

  • S35 · E28
    August 17 · 1 hr 10 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #28: Battle Music | XVI | XV | XIII

    We listen to and analyze three different Final Fantasy battle music pieces from three different composers. Working backwards in time, we start with Masayoshi Soken's composition for FFXVI then Yoko Shimomura's FFXV battle theme. We wrap up with Masashi Hamauzu battle music for FFXIII. Plus, some Metal Gear Solid and Super Smash Bros music makes its way into the conversation!

  • S35 · E27
    August 15 · 1 hr 33 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #27: Crystal Chronicles

    We take a detour from the main series to discuss the OST for Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles. A pair of folks songs steal our hearts, bagpipes and kazoos give our heroes hope, and we experience the joys and sorrows of caravaning with your friends to save the world.

  • S45 · E4
    August 10 · 43 min

    Castle of Cagliostro: A Caper Within A Caper

    We continue with Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro as our hero shows himself to be as much MacGyver as he is James Bond. Also, we respond to critiques of Clarisse as a "damsel in distress."

  • S45 · E3
    August 8 · 51 min

    Castle of Cagliostro: Lupin III & Clarisse

    We continue with Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro as our hero meets Clarisse, receives a mysterious ring, and embarks upon the adventure of sneaking into the castle for its many rewards.

  • S45 · E2
    August 6 · 45 min

    Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, An Introduction

    We begin with Hayao Miyazaki's directorial debut in Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro. We break down the "gentleman thief" trope, invite family to ask a few big questions, then have just enough time to watch the beautiful intro.

  • S35 · E26
    August 4 · 1 hr 20 min

    Phoenix Downbeat #26: Spooky Forests

    From the Phantom Forest of Final Fantasy 6 to the Forested Temple of FF7 to the EVIL Forest of Final Fantasy 9, we listen to and discuss SPOOKY forest music. We had to include a classic Chrono Trigger piece here plus three mystery songs from outside the Final Fantasy/Square Enix family. What did we choose?

Showing 1–20 of 27 episodes