Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
No better than OK, 12 Oct 2008
I always hate giving less credit for albums when the only reasons I can justify it is by saying 'because I don't like the music as much.' However, with A State of Trance (ASoT) 2008, I have 4 previous compilations to compare to.
First of all, in my review I gave ASoT 2007 five stars, which with the benefit of hindsight was very generous. Four at a push. ASoT 2008, however, has dipped lower than this one even still, which is a real disappointment.
For a start, I feel Armin van Buuren, trance legend that he is, did not mix this album to his usual perfection - whether this is just because of the choice of tracks, also disappointing, is not clear. Usually I can picture a sunkissed journey with ASoT albums, but not this time. It was quite disjointed in places.
I kept waiting and waiting for that killer track, one that really sparked the album into life - but it never came.
One positive in comparison to ASoT 2007 was the toning down of the vocals. Some reviewers expressed their annoyance at the almost 'cheesy' vocals on ASoT 2007, which to an extent I agree with now (although I didn't at the time, for some reason). This has largely been eradicated in ASoT 2008, with far more songs being purely instrumental. However, there are so many that lack the typical passion we are used to with ASoT. Armin's choices are all a bit 'safe' it you like.
If comparing ASoT 2008 with (in my opinion) the best of the ASoT's, 2005, there is a huge difference. ASoT 2005 was just sensational, with great track after great track (with that wretched Ballerina being the exception). Of course, you could argue that ASoT 2008 is less good simply because the music back in 2005 was of better quality, but if you look (and I hate to do this, but I think it's necessary) at Anjunabeats 6, also just released, that contains a brillant collection of music. So unless Above & Beyond signed the rights off to every good trance track in existance, Armin has just made bad choices.
Which leads me to my conclusion - if you're looking for really good, diverse and creative trance, then I suggest Anjunabeats 6.
Don't get me totally wrong - ASoT 2008 is still OK, with the likes of Guiseppe Ottaviani, Stoneface & Terminal and Andy Moor providing some excellent tracks, but in comparison to previos ASoT's, 2008 is not a patch on them.
People who own previous ASoT's may want to buy it anyway to find out for themselves - indeed, maybe it is just a transition that some people like. It is just opinion, after all...
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Armin shows why he's number 1, 3 Oct 2008
Sticking with his tried & tested formula, van Buuren has once again divided his latest offering into 2 CD's: One being 'On The Beach' and the other 'In The Club'. Self explanitory on what to expect from each CD.
'On The Beach' offers up the usual array of chillout material, with familiar names such as Lange, Mike Foyle, Andy Moor and The Blizzard all making appearances. I feel the CD's opener is slightly out of place, and maybe an Intro edit of 'Summerbreeze' more fitting. However from track 3 onward we are introduced to a beautiful array of melodic vibes and angelic vocals, mixed together with such precision that at times you'll be wondering when one tune ended and the next one had begun.
'In The Club' opens less subtly; an Intro Dub that includes a thunderclap and haunting synth sounds, before keeping with the mood and moving on to Sunloungers deep vocal track 'Lost'. From here we are smoothly elevated to heights that only the best of uplifting trance can take us, with tunes coming from the likes of Daniel Kandi, Robert Nickson, Andy Bluemann and Giuseppe Ottaviani. The latter stages of the album are, predictably, saved for the more energetic numbers, rounding off with Richard Durands solid take on van Buurens 'In And Out Of Love'.
Overall it really is difficult to pick out flaws in this album. Armin really has proved a point as to why he has been crowned the worlds best DJ, as on both CD's the track selection, ordering and mixing is immaculate. CD1 may, at times, feel slightly bland to some listners; If it's a chillout number with a bit of a kick to it that you're looking for, then try Tiestos 'In Search Of Sunrise'. But for the most authentic all-round trance experience, from a DJ that knows exactly how to take the listner to every level, look no further than A State of Trance.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A little disjointed in places, but still a killer mix with some of this years finest tracks..., 22 Oct 2008
As another reviewer claimed, I also own the past 4 years worth of 'A State of Trance' compilations, and this one, like the others doesn't fail to impress.
The thing I look for is two CD's that I can play for the next few months, whether it be whilst sitting at my desk quietly, maybe chatting to my friends on the net or just relaxing (for which CD1 is most fitting, with the likes of tracks such as Spring Breeze by DJ Tatana and These Shoulders by Signalrunners & Julie Thompson) or getting ready for a night out and getting 'buzzed' (where CD2 comes in to play - Back To You - DJ Shah & Adrina Thorpe, Lost Connection - Jochen Miller). In this respect, the compilation is already a winner.
Armin has a real ear for what is hot, which he proves on a weekly basis during his two hour 'A State of Trance' radio slot. I can only imagine how hard it is to handpick thirty or so of the years best tracks and mix them all together, with the aim of pleasing every one of his followers and trance fans alike.
Ok, ill admit, the mixing isnt as poetic and razor sharp as it could be, but hey, who am I to criticise!! However, in my opinion, this guy can do very little wrong at the moment, and for that reason, Ill remain a fan of his for some time to come.
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