More of the Best from Paul Van Dyk
By Jarrod Feb 12, 2008
Pros: Expected Quality, Performance, and Value
Cons: Few...possibly could have just slightly greater variation
I have been listening to Paul Van Dyk for several years now. After jumping on the electronic bandwagon in the 80's and searching through the 90's and 2000's for that "sound," I have found it in Paul Van Dyk's music. Seven, G...lobal, Reflections, and the Politics of Dancing are all in my collection and have been thoroughly enjoyed. If you have heard these releases and liked them, then I feel that this is going to be a pleaser. There are not really any suprises here if you are a PVD fan, it's just more of the same and better. I am moved by this release. And Paul Van Dyk continues his reputation for defining Trance, while continuing to injecting style that pushes the boundary, differentiates him but still succeeds in satisfying my appetite for Trance. I like where he takes me on this album. I feel like there is more vocal here than prior releases, but he has not abandoned musical composition. Trance music, for me, is not defined by vocals. Normally, I find them detracting from the music, often overloading the emotion in the music or robbing the "trance" quality which allows my mind to take flight in imagination. I don't like the music to tell me how to feel. Paul leaves enough for me to go where I want in my mind in most songs and enjoy some of ethreal quality that is part of trance. Paul's music achieve's the meaning of the word Trance...you can Trance out with this release. Contrary to my taste in voclas, I thinkg "Complicated" is one of the best tracks, particularly because of the strong, sustained low bass in this song, capable of being felt in a high end system. He has tracks that are familiar, like "Far Away" and "Another Sunday," that will make you think of his style on the "Global" release and make little use of vocals. My favorite, however, is the somewhat pop-flavored tracks #7 and #15, "Talk in Grey" and "Let Go." They both have very strong steady strong beats and, ironic considering my opinions on vocals, fully vocal supported songs. "Let Go" is a treat won't come until track 15 and you will enjoy every track up to that one with the anticipation of having to get up out of your chair and start moving your body. It is the climax of the album and I cannot listen to this song without moving! He follows it up an equally unique sounding "Fall With Me," that simply cannot be beat mixed into the previous track. Here he injects neat sounding notes and although no one will know what I am talking, about, this last song reminds me of the style and vocals of Steve Taylor's Meltdown from the 1980's Alternative Christian Music Scene. Folks, if you know PVD's music and like it order this. I'd love to hear someone who loves his music that didn't like this release. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. It is my top pick in 2008, my favorite album so far this year. Read more Less
