Hey everyone. I've decided to post some reviews of songs I've listened to over time and see if I can offer you all another perspective on them. Some reviews I've already written up before and maybe edited, while others are totally on the spot. Anyway, it's my hope that you all will find this information valuable and maybe you'll discover some new favorite tunes in the process. Each review has my bias, but of course I've tried to be generously objective and open-minded for each song. I'll try to update this little thing every now and again, and I'll try to navigate the thread for you by posting links so you don't scroll through each page to find each song you want to learn more about. Enjoy!

Ratings System:
95-100 Superb
90-94 Brilliant
85-89 Excellent
80-84 Very Good
75-79 Good
70-74 Decent/Solid
65-69 Average
60-64 Severely Lacking
55-59 Bad
54 and below Poor
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Lemon & Einar K - Anticipation

Release Date: January 14th, 2008 [Flashover Recordings]
Frequently appeared during: December 2007 to March 2008
Rating: 95/100

Anticipation is one of 2008's greatest releases for me, and it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if it were called 2008's best trance track, period. Anticipation technically came on board trance radio shows at the tail-end of 2007, although it was through such events as Trance Energy 2008 and the like that elevated this one to stellar levels in 2008.

Although the structure of the song itself is simple for trance (and some who think this track is "too generic" seem especially hung up on this), the aim of this track is to stir your emotions melodically, more-so than rhythmically. A fat bassline pulsates beneath a thick blanket of chilling vocals (which are completely non-lyrical) and spiritual pads. The bassline begins at 0:28 while the vocals make their way at 0:56. As the song breaks at around 2:45, these delightful chords played on the pads are contrasted with a short piano melody, while a subtle high-pitched lead sound seems to douse the song with sparkles of atmospheric goodness. Truly, by this point in the journey, you become aware that this is such a brilliant piece of music, regardless of whether you call it trance or some other genre. I wouldn't think it too controversial to categorize this song as classical either, as if the use of a piano and arpeggiated melodies didn't say enough. There are so many warm feelings here it is hard to put into so many words why it just works.

The peculiar thing about Anticipation is that the build-up is constructed into the breakdown in this way, making it so that when the final notes of each eight bar count hit, a mega-euphoric release is fully actualized. The chord progressions, well, anticipate. The entire melody is based on taking the listener progressively higher and higher, with small downshifts in between each chord to just keep the listener guessing how steep this song will be. The vocals work in flawless harmony with the melody. As the first breakdown winds down, the melody's main lead tapers off, somewhat morphing into a sound much like those pads I mentioned earlier. The second build-up strikes without much teasing, finishing the track perfectly.

Is it too bold to already call a track barely over a year old an all-time classic? In my definition of "classic", part of the criteria would involve some degree of listenability that is absolutely unshakeable. That is, a classic isn't some ephemeral fad, but a genuine, lasting piece that is immune to the calendar. So far, looking around the trance community, Anticipation seems to be a firm classic at work.

NOTES:
Anticipation was released on Flashover Recordings in January 2008. It was played by Ferry Corsten in February 2008 during Trance Energy 2008. It was also voted a "Future Favorite" on Armin Van Buuren's radio show "A State of Trance for Episode 334 (January 10, 2008.)

Lemon & Einar K is a trance duo from Norway, composed of Inge Nilsen and Einar Kristiansen.

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Phynn - Lucid

Release Date: June 1st, 2005 [In Trance We Trust]
Frequently appeared during: October 2004 to December 2004
Rating: 88/100

Up to 2005, this was commonly thought to be the hallmark of Phynn's achievements. Though, my perspective remains that Escape was (and still is) the better track, from whose melody was almost identically drawn into Lucid. However, the difference between Lucid and Escape is that Lucid seems to have been intended for far less intensity and, perhaps paradoxically, to make it more anthemic. Also, Lucid is likely the more "uplifting" response to the melancholy and spooky sounds of Escape. Lucid is simply designed to be a "feel good" track.

On its own merits, Lucid is a fine piece of music. The complexity of Lucid is somewhat obscured by its rather simple percussion elements. This is overshadowed by a series of hectic lead sounds that preface the core of the song. The melody of the breakdown abruptly interrupts the song without much warning, signaling that the peak is soon to arrive. A second breakdown late in the song offers new elements, such as a biting supersaw, which gives the overall melody a slight dissonant sound and helps to inject new energy in the process. Evidently, this is one of those pull-no-punches uplifters that many refer to, and a mighty effective one at that.

NOTES: Lucid was well known for appearing in "Tiësto In Concert 2" in 2004. Phynn also revived Lucid in his Trance Energy 2007 set.

Phynn is a homophonic (to "Finne" alias donned by Dutch producer Finne Jager.

Not sure if it's ok to post in this topic, but I wanted to say that those are some quality reviews mate, great work.

More please!

Oh and yeah, completely agree about Anticipation, a classic in the making!

Of course it's alright to post, haha! I should be asking you for permission since this is your site. I'm writing a few more that I'll have up over the next several days.

Excellent reviews mate, I personally wouldn't have given such a high score to Anticipation. Sure it's a good track - but I find I listen to others more regularly. I guess though it all comes down to taste.

Yeah, I guess I was feeling awfully generous hehe. I'd maybe notch it down to 95 or 94 I guess. Still, no matter how often I listen to it, I find it deserving of a very high rate. Thanks for the comments guys. I'm glad you like them so far.

Solid Globe - North Pole

Release Date: 2003 [Fundamental Recordings]
Frequently appeared during: January 2003 to December 2003
Rating: 98/100

No clichés in this masterpiece. Dutch trance project "Solid Globe" launched this tour de force in 2003, landing at #1 in Dutch dance charts for a time (highly unsual for a trance track, due to the more underground nature of the music), and not to mention basically elevating the prestige of trance music to a remarkable level. I feel it's hard to really to put into words, and doing so would fail to do this song justice, what North Pole does as a whole. But I'll give it a go.

North Pole plays around with the old, early 1990s trance feel with a much stranger, new style of synth sounds. Some detractors quipped that some of the sounds are equivalent to "dying cats" or "crying cats." I suppose one thing Solid Globe's works had always been "guilty" of were these sorts of non-orthodox sounds. And it is fair to say that it was not everyone's cup of tea, but it never reached a level that was polarizing. Reception of the song was ultimately still exceptionally high. Yet, their sounds worked like magic in tracks such as North Pole.

The song opens up with sweep sound rich in flanger and resonance (I know, what does that mean in layman's?) Basically, it makes the song sound, well, kind of "spacey", a word I normally despise using to describe trance, because it's so overused and lazy. Nevertheless, it may be appropriate in this special case. Just understand that it opens this adventurous track on the right foot. The bassline strums along as any trance song would, only it's more plucky, and is underlined by a vast number of percussion sounds. A hollow drum instrument breaks through every 4th measure or so, providing the song with a rather exotic tone. As the song goes to break, these spooky synth sounds enter, quickly followed by the skeleton to the song's melody heard in airy pads. Though as the song progresses, this only morphs into a sort of twisted hybrid of melancholy chords, sweep sounds (filtered white noise) that are completely in sync with the rhythm of the melody, and fierce supersaw synths. This cauldron of sounds mixes into one devastatingly intense musical experience once a modest snare roll kicks the breakdown into high gear.

After the first breakdown, the song splits momentarily, going back to how the song started. The bassline beats along and keeps the flow of energy at a smooth pace. Then, something happens. A second breakdown! The second breakdown in North Pole is like a shocking (and much welcomed) encore. When that bassline builds up and the kick drum rushes in the melody once more, the massive blows hit ever harder, leaving anyone still recovering from the last breakdown with little chance to lose interest, and the mayhem begins anew. It in fact only makes the song even more dramatic and addicting. As the song then slows down for the last time, the melody tapers off after the second breakdown in a simple, melancholy chord progression, alone with a kick drum, that lasts an eternal 10 seconds. The song winds down even more, ending the way it began: with a plucky bassline and myriad percussion instruments. Yes, so that is North Pole. Every second of the song has something worth listening to.

NOTES: Solid Globe is a Dutch project composed of Nic Vegter and Raz Nitzan. North Pole appeared several times in various essential mixes, live mixes, CD compilations, and the like. It was featured on Tiësto's 2003 compilation "Nyana." It was also voted #13 out of 20 on Armin van Buuren's "A State of Trance" radio show for the year 2003, as shown in Episode 129 of that show.

Jochen Miller - India

Release Date: June 27th, 2005 [High Contrast Recordings]
Frequently appeared during: May 2005 to July 2005
Rating: 87/100

As it so happens, Jochenʼs interpretation of India seems to take us to the tropical, southern coasts of India, where the opaque, dark green jungles meet a narrow band of beach before the vast Indian Ocean reaches the land. That is, as opposed to some bustling city center in India, I interpret the song as musing about a more mysterious and desolate landscape, brimming with untainted wildlife, clear water, and white sand peppered with driftwood. Or so the musical elements would say, if this were translated to our visual imaginations.

In terms of tech-trance, India is a far more melodic instance of this brand of trance music. It certainly breaks away from any potential accusations of appearing generic, mainly because the theme was so well structured by different elements that adhere to the songʼs name. Arguably, everything from the bongos, to the pads, to the eventual supersaw lead in the breakdown carry an exotic weight to them without seeming too cliché in the references to the geography. The main melody has a very techy arrangement, but never seems to catch on as seeming too anthemic. My take: people looking for a hard-edge epic anthem may be slightly disappointed, though melodic trance fans will certainly appreciate the great attention to details. After all, good music is good music, so whatever one calls it, India is above-the-fray material.

The Miller Dub of India sounds just as the name suggests. The melody, like vocals, is essentially dubbed out, which means it teases you almost the entire time. Versus the original version, this gives the impression of the song tending to sound more erratic and less free-flowing. But because I give preference to the original, I emphasize that version more in the review.

NOTES: "Jochen Miller" is the alias used by Dutch music producer Jochen van der Steijn.

Re:Locate - Waterfall

Release Date: December 1st, 2003 [Galactive]
Frequently appearing during: October 2003 to June 2004
Rating: 92/100

Paul Moelands inaugurated his now well-traveled “Re:Locate” alias by throwing this hard trancer into a treasure trove of new releases that sent 2003 into orbit with its hit after hit spell.

Waterfall leaps into action early on, as a sizzling acid riff is tied with Moelands’ long-running tendency toward exotic and tribal percussion instruments. It doesn't take long for the song to achieve high velocity, either.

The central, arpeggiated melody of the breakdowns is simple, but Moelands managed to effectively turn it into a forecful hard trance anthem, a term which may scare some people, but actually it is never too aggressive. Moelands also pish-poshed the normal supersaw routine that was prevalent at the time, by using his trademark plucky lead sound to take control.

Throughout the song, especially between major turns of events, Waterfall seems to have a very small “skip” or gated effect, where the volume completely fades out for a fraction of a moment, just before lifting the song to a fever pitch. This happens once at 2:45, again at 3:20, and at least one other time before the second breakdown at 5:51.

As it stands now, I feel this is the best original that the Re:Locate alias has to offer, and not by a long shot, since there are many quality tunes under this name. As Moelands is always busy in the studio, Waterfall is always going to continuously be in competition with a fellow track by this legendary producer.

NOTES: Waterfall received massive support from many DJs in 2003 and 2004. Rank 1 played the song in their set during Trance Energy 2004. Re:Locate is the alias used by British producer Paul Moelands.

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Witness of Wonder - Emotion in Motion

Release Date: April 12th, 2004 [ATCR]
Frequently appeared during: January 2004 to May 2004
Rating: 86/100 (Original Mix); 83/100 (Thrillseekers Remix)

Original Mix
If one can imagine a song that quintessentially describes an almost purely supersaw trancer, this may be your number one candidate. Which may be unfair assigning this one all the credit/blame, because it is not a lone ranger in the supersaw hemisphere of trance music. Though, one cannot help but to notice how “supersaw-y” it is almost the whole way through. There are the many sweeps, the sharp basslines, and the eventual breakdowns that point to one anthemic beast that unapologetically dishes out one power saw after the other. The main melody is for me one of the more memorable ones and fittingly works in peak time club sets. So for the most part, this is one straight-shooting, euphoric uplifter that one ought to keep in his/her music library. Ardent supersaw critics and fans of the old-school pre-1998 trance cringe, and everyone one else rejoice.

One of the coolest parts of the original is the sudden skip effect at 4:31, when the song seems to abruptly cut off for a split second, before firing up the next breakdown. This no doubt confused a lot of DJs who briefly may have thought they had been cheated, only to be delightfully surprised! I know I’ve sort of berated the song a little bit, but I point out its cliches, because it demonstrates how fearless and expressive this one actually is. Although I wouldn’t go as far to say that it is “underrated”, because it made waves in 2004, it certainly generates a special replay factor. Meaning, it serves more as a treat for partygoers who may have missed out during its prime.

The Thrillseekers Remix
Steve Helstrip’s rendition under his Thrillseekers alias is a more moderated version. This time, it’s more melodic and not as intense, so we are left with gentler peaks and more orchestral sounding breakdowns. The lead synths make Emotion in Motion more pleasurable to listen to if you’re just cruising on a long plane ride, and it effectively compliments the original by keeping the same melody. Aside from this, it has the sounds of a signature Thrillseekers track. No more, no less. A solid, if not fantastic remake.

NOTES: "Witness of Wonder" is a duo consisting of Swedish producers Kalle Karlsson and Ulf Pettersson. The Thrillseekers remix of Emotion in Motion was voted "Future Favorite" on Dutch DJ's Armin Van Buuren's weekly radio show "A State of Trance", for Episode 138 on March 4th, 2004.

Octagen & M.I.D.O.R. - Flyback

Release Date: November 28th, 2005 [Fundamental Recordings]
Frequently appeared during: August 2005 to January 2006
Rating: 90/100

Im obsessed with Flyback! The first time I heard it, I was taken a bit aback by its stark energy. Flyback is certainly one of the most dark and intense productions weve heard from these two brilliant producers. It is truly one of the bluntest and grimiest tech-trancers of them all. As it begins, a heavy kick drum increasingly struggles for breathing room with each aggressive transition, as the song gets progressively more saturated in driving tribal percussive elements and deep basslines. The transitions themselves are simply stunning though, all well calculated to keep you briefly in a state of suspense before the song performs an about-face and throws another curveball at you. The momentum is relentless in that regard until we are suddenly tossed into the first nasty and filthy breakdown. The chord progression is unapologetically dark and brooding.

There is also a second breakdown arriving late in the song (almost 5 minutes in) that just snaps at you as the kick drum first fades out behind the ghost of the melody, devolving the song to almost utter silence. Then the kick fades back in, skyrocketing the tension to a flashpoint, and then the song makes a final release at a high plateau of energy. You will find no floor of the ocean with enough volcanic activity to compete with the amount of ash that this song will leave in your ears.

NOTES: Paul Moelands uses the alias "Octagen" and Rutger van Bostelen is "M.I.D.O.R."

Cold Blue - Mount Everest

Release Date: August 13th, 2009 [Anjunabeats]
Frequently appeared during: May 2009 to August 2009
Ratingi: 86/100 (Original Mix); 78/100 (Dennis Sheperd Remix)

In another standout Anjunabeats release in recent memory, German trance musician Tobias Schuh, with his Cold Blue moniker, breathes new life into a trance scene that seems to have put the breaks on deep, uplifting trance. Cold Blue uses his classic haunting, shiver-like lead sound to start up an inspiring, if melancholy, melody that seems to ascend high into sky to no end. Ethereal vocals bounce off the walls of a fantasized majestic mountain range and add to the mystery. Just when you think the song is done building and is ready to release, nope! You still have another leg to go! This extended amount of time it takes for the breakdown to escalate to the main chorus makes for a pleasant ride. Generally, the mood of Mount Everest is more downbeat compared to what we have seen before from Cold Blue productions such as Paradise, Red Cat, and the more recent Downhill.

Dennis Sheperd adds a nice contrast to the original, keeping the emotions intact, while adding a somewhat darker progressive angle. A fuzzy bassline zaps rather neurotically while the pluck lead synths do their job on the melodic side of things. The build-up is standard, but effective. The remix could work well as a liaison between more minimal, electro-influenced trance and more energetic melodic trance in mixes.

NOTES: Tobias Schuh is the man behind "Cold Blue" and hails from Mainz, Germany. Dennis Sheperd is the alias used by another German producer by the name Dennis Schäfer. The original of Mount Everest was voted as "Web Vote Winner" for Trance Around The World #276 on July 10th, 2009.

excellent reviews bro....

Thanks mate.