I don't know if this has been posted yet, but I think I've found the best classical Touhou album ever.
Eastern Piano & Ensemble -The Concert for Crimson Ladies- by Clonesoldier's Factory
I think this is the first album I've heard where I loved every single song on it. In fact, I'm going to review all of them.
1.
The Maid and the Pocket Watch of BloodA fantastic introductory piece, one of the best arranges of Pocket Watch I've ever heard. It starts with an upbeat orchestra, then at the 1:09 mark it goes into the best part of the song: every set of instruments in the song gets a solo run-through of the chorus, then returns to the orchestra playing the rest of the song. The chorus returns at 2:48, and then the song ends with a gentle crescendo. The entire song is innovative and brilliant, and is definitely one of the highlights of the album.
2.
AN ORDEAL FROM GODI'm not familiar with the original song for this one, but that doesn't change the fact that this is still one of my favorites on the album. An epic march that easily reminds me of some of the older Final Fantasy soundtracks (6 in particular), broken at the 1:56 mark by a graceful calm. The listener takes a moment to reflect on the beauty of the surroundings for a moment before they continue on their march, reaching a grand crescendo at the 4:30 mark that lasts for the rest of the song.
3.
Bloody MoonlightA beautiful piano arrange of Septette for a Dead Princess. Though I can't quite place why, it's easily one of the most beautiful piano Septette arranges I've heard. I don't have much else to say, because I'm really not sure
what to say. Not the best piece of the album, but still exquisite.
4.
Surprising UmbrellaI'll admit it. I was surprised to hear such a grand and epic arrange of Kogasa's theme. It doesn't waste any time in catching your attention, starting with an exploding orchestra, then moving into a quieter, tension-building portion. Though it repeats this immediately after, it never really loses the flair it had the first time. Then, around the 1:30 mark, it moves into the gentle, bouncy chorus, building upon itself gradually until it reaches the finale, as grand as the introduction.
5.
At Voile, the Magic LibraryEasily one of the best songs on the album is this piano arrange of Voile, the Magic Library and Locked Girl. A very dark and intense arrange of a normally more upbeat song, it holds your attention from the very beginning and doesn't let go until the absolute end. It conjures up images of one running through the labyrinthine Voile, being watched by hidden things in the darkness. If you have any appreciation at all for piano music, definitely listen to this song.
6.
Paradise ~ Deep MountainA sharp contrast from the previous track, this one is a beautiful and upbeat arrange of the first stage theme of PCB. It starts off relaxed, with what I think are french horns and a harp, but quickly moves into the main tune with a full orchestra. The song is broken by a beautiful piano at 1:19, then gradually builds back up to the main theme at the 1:45 mark. The piano returns at 2:44, closing the track with the accompaniment of a harp.
7.
Apparitions Stalk the NightAnother highly inventive piano arrange, taking Rumia's normally upbeat theme and making it darker and more intense, fitting for a youkai that can make you practically blind before trying to kill you. It keeps the cheery, childlike original theme, but adds dark and heavy undertones, similar to track #5 on the album. Another favorite of mine.
8.
Closed eyes ～ Critical HorrorsOne of the best tracks on the album, a Satori Maiden arrange using a violin, a piano, and an old-fashioned organ. Probably the best Satori Maiden arrange I've heard, it starts off with a crash from the piano, then after a moment of silence, it slowly builds up with the distorted violin and organ in a melancholic, quietly wailing tune. The gentle piano takes over at the 2:17 mark, then is rejoined by the violin and organ a minute later in a beautiful triplet. At the 4 minute mark, it changes to an eerie carnival tune from the organ, reverting to the original tune soon after. It then seems to fade out with the piano, building up again with the violin until it reaches the 6 minute mark, where it becomes unexpectedly intense until the final part a minute later, finishing with the solo piano. Probably the most innovative track on the album, and a definite must-listen.
9.
Refrain After the Lovely Great WarAnother one that's unfamiliar to me, a calm, peaceful piano solo. It serves as a nice way to calm down after the previous piece of brilliance, but still stands perfectly well on its own.
10.
Central LegendPicking up the pace is this exquisite arrange of Suwa Foughten Field, an epic piece befitting the feel of the original. Also of note is the howling wind starting at the 1:58 mark, a feature of the original that was kept in this arrange. I'm not a big fan of the original song, but that doesn't lessen my appreciation of this arrange at all.
11.
Green-Eyed JealousyAnother piano piece, this time an arrange of Green-Eyed Jealousy with some Dark Blowhole thrown in for good measure. It's indescribably beautiful and emotional, perfectly befitting for the tragic character of Parsee. It starts with Green-Eyed Jealousy, building in intensity and becoming more and more dramatic until the 2:16 minute mark, where it gradually switches to The Dark Blowhole, a more dreamlike and hopeful contrast to the intense, sad first half, perhaps Parsee reflecting on her life before becoming the jealousy-cursed bridge guardian she now is. Like the first half, it gradually builds, but never loses its impact, fading out at the 3:48 minute mark. Green-Eyed Jealousy returns soon after, more gentle and subdued than the beginning, ending with a low chord to finish off the track. Another beautiful song in a symphony of fantastic compositions.
12.
Flowering NightClosing off the album is this innovative and fantastic arrange of Flowering Night interspersed with Luna Dial. It starts off with quiet drums, but quickly reaches intensity with strings and brass. After a subdued run-through of the main tune by a single violin, the song crashes in at the 1:20 minute mark with a full orchestra. The rest of the song is a rollercoaster of changing intensity and instrumentation, never losing pace. At the 2:50 mark, Luna Dial starts to come in, gaining its own time in the spotlight until the 4:04 mark where Flowering Night kicks in again with a lively viola, building into a crescendo at the 5 minute mark that slowly fades out. A perfect end to a fantastic album.
So, that's Eastern Piano & Ensemble. I would definitely recommend it to any fans of classical Touhou arranges, and would rate it a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
Go listen to it. Now.
