2002 FIFA WORLD CUP OFFICIAL ANTHEM

Vangelis delivers an awsome instrumental piece that can really deal with the momentum shown in a FIFA World Cup. A smooth vocal intro followed by a powerful melody well supported by oriental instruments.The synthetizer version is also good but not as amazing as the orchestral version.

Vangelis has always been pretty much hit-or-miss for me. Some of his music is very inspiring and listenable and I like his work with Jon Anderson of Yes. However, there is always the more electro-boring-new age side of Vangelis which just plain bores me. Fortunately, here on the 2002 FIFA World Cup Anthem, we have very good Vangelis. Very Mike Oldfield-ish. I liken this to "Chariots of Fire" in it's flowing rhythms and inspirationalness (word?). Good choral backing and a fine buildup. I would much rather hear this playing over a goal than some lame over-used mess like "We are the Champions". Of the 2 versions here, the orchestral one beats the synth version hands-down. This is a solid 3-star effort, 4 if it had been longer.