Customer Reviews

Best of Trance 5

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The main problem with Robbins Entertainment's own "The Best of Trance" series is that it has never been too representative of the genre beyond whatever is the hit of the week on dance stations. It does not try to reach out and put on tracks that were at one point in time major milestones in the Trance genre. Most of the tracks on this compilation are only around 1 year old (tracks 2 and 15 being the exceptions.) In fact, some of the tracks on this compilation should not even be labeled as "trance". The sound is either too much like house or contemporary dance music ( LMC vs. U2's "Take me to the Clouds" being a prime example.)

Another qualm that many listners will have with this disk is that none of the songs are mixed, which hampers the 'trance' experience greatly. While on one hand it is better that they are not since you get the complete song (in an alebiet radio edited format), it still makes you feel like you are listening to a VERY STANDARD compilation.

For what it is worth, "Best of Trance Vol. 5" captures most of the air wave/common place club hits of the 2004-2005 era in a decent nut shell. It could have been better, featuring more creative trance tracks for listeners who do not like female vocal driven songs. But for the most part, Vol. 5 is listenable, and for the most part, can indeed be qualified as a trance comp.

Once again, Robbins Entertainment releases their latest installment to their "Best of Trance" series. Unfortunately, just like with a few of their past albums in the series, a lot of the tracks on this compilation are not really "the best." They're boring. Calling those tracks the best in the trance genre is like calling the Pinto a luxury car. I've listened to many trance tunes, better than a lot of these tracks on this CD. Haven't the people at Robbins searched deep enough? I don't see why this series is still running after volume three turned out to be a borefest with only a few good tracks on the disc. It wasn't like that with volumes one and two. The first two volumes had plenty of good stuff. Volume four was an improvement to the series after volume three. But it still wasn't enough. We are now at volume five and I still don't find this as interesting.

This CD has 15 tracks in all and is unmixed. Either than the many tracks on this disc that bore me like waiting in line at the post office, there are still some very nice tracks here. There's Ian Van Dahl's "Where Are You Now?" IVD's single has some sweet percussion. I like the drumrolls the best. Armin Van Buuren's also on here with "Burned With Desire." Another good choice I have to say. The vocals of Justine Suissa fit very nicely into the song and Armin doesn't fail to show his effort for the single either. Another nice track on this CD is Benny Benassi's "Hit My Heart." Just like with a lot of his other works, Benny still uses that synthesizer that sounds like a robotic bumble bee for this tune. But there's another synth used in the song. It's lighter than the robotic bee synth. Not exactly what I expected from Benny Benassi. But I like it. There's also Black Rock's "Blue Water." It's the longest track on the compilation, only seconds shy from eight minutes. This song goes at a slightly slower pace than the usual trance speed (140 BPM). Either than that, I like the beats. I also like Tiesto's "Just Be." Even though Tiesto's been voted number one DJ in the world, he's not number one in my book. But he can sure make quality trance.

There are some tracks that are okay. But they're not as good as the ones I've already mentioned. Plummet's "Cherish the Day" was good when it was still fresh back when I first heard it last September. I got bored of that song months ago. It's the same story with "Turn It Around" by 4 Strings. This doesn't even match the quality 4 Strings' 2002 trance hit "Take Me Away (Into the Night)" had. "Surrender" by Lasgo's okay. But I liked their past singles, "Alone" and "Something" better. QED's "Hardly A Day" isn't as good as their past trance single "Love Bites" from 2003. But it's still alright. Just about all the other tracks on this CD are boring.

If this really was the best of trance, I would've been done with this genre soon enough. I'm not through with trance because I've heard more than this. I've heard plenty of quality trance from the likes of Ferry Corsten, M.I.K.E., Sasha, Cosmic Gate, and many others, and they haven't appeared in any of these CDs (I find this amazing how Robbins didn't use Ferry in their "Best of Trance" CDs. He's a trance genius for god sake! How can they miss him?!). If they were used in these CDs, maybe I would've liked them more. I wouldn't call this compilation, the best of trance. But it's still an okay album overall.

Lots of vocal trance at its best on this awesome album. The "Best of..." series never dissapoints. Not every song on this album is trance, but it's all good.
1. Lasgo - Surrender (3:08) B+
I don't understand why Lasgo continues to release singles because most of them sound the same. They're all good, but I'm getting a bit tired. Good vocalist (Evi Goffin) though.
2. Armin van Buuren feat. Justine Suissa - Burned With Desire (Rising Star Radio Edit) (3:28) A
Classic trance cheese. Great music, beat, & vocals. If you remember the trance track "Clear Blue Water", then you'll remember the vocalist.
3. Black Rock feat. Debra Andrew - Blue Water (7:56) B+
Long trance song but a good one. Vocals are good, music is addictive (sounds kind of like "Damaged" on "Best of Trance 3").
4. 4 Strings - Turn It Around (3:08) B+
The '90s version of the track was better, I must admit. Good music and vocals, but it doesn't beat the original. Good song, though.
5. DJ Tiesto - Just Be (4:06) A+
AWESOME SONG. Kind of self-centered but who really cares? Best DJ Tiesto hit yet other than for "Love Comes Again". The vocalist on this track (Kristy Hawkshaw) is really good. Classic dance song.
6. DJ Sammy feat. Loona - Rise Again (3:46) A+
I reviewed this song on "DANCE PARTY LIKE ITS 2005", but I'll review it again! Just awesome. Everything about this song is awesome. The only problem is the lacking of a second verse.
7. LMC - Take Me To The Clouds Above (2:48) A-
Great vocalist. Don't be confused; U2 does not star on this track. Regardless, this song is an example of great trance music.
8. Plummet - Cherish The Day (Antillas Mix) (3:32) B+
Not as good as "Damaged", but very good vocals. Nice song.
9. Tess - The Second You Sleep (I Stay To Watch You Fade Away) (3:30) A-
Other than for being one of the cheesiest trance songs in a while, this is a great song! Great vocals and music, which make up for totally cheesy lyrics. Awesome song, though!
10. QED - Hardly A Day (3:35) B
Good vocals, but nothing really special.
11. Kira - Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) (2:47) B
Decent, with good lyrics, but really nothing special.
12. Aurora - Real Life (3:18) B
The only male vocalist on the album is pretty good, but this song is nothing to go crazy about.
13. Ian Van Dahl - Where Are You Now? (3:31) B+
Awesome beat. Good vocals. Finally, a good song!
14. Benassi Bros. Feat. Dhany - Hit My Heart (3:14) B
Decent. Great beat, but the lyrics are only OK. The chorus is annoying. Good song, however.
15. Origene - Sanctuary (3:24) B+
Good lyrics and vocals that fit the mood. Not trance at all, but a great song.

Overall, this album earns a B+/A-. Some not-very-good songs near the end of the album, but too many classics to pass by. Buy this album for lots of good music. Not all of it is trance, but nothing not electronica.

Unfortunately I have to agree that this compilation is outdated. A lot of these so called trance tracks are more mainstream euro-pop than Trance. If you really want to listen to some awesome trance then take a look at the Trancemaster compilations. Full length tracks that reflect the true essence of today's trance music.

"You purchased this item in April 2005."

This is what I'm told at the top of this page. Just a few years longer than that is how much time I've spent getting to know electronic music. This CD? Taught me very little. In fact, it did more to confuse me. Because, as others here have noted, this isn't really trance. At least not as the word is used anymore.

Take the "TR" and replace it with a "D." That's what kind of music this is.

If you want some blasts from the past, there are those here. 4 Strings' "Turn it Around." QED, the Benassi Bros.' "Hit My Heart," and Lasgo's yearnful "Surrender." This is digi-disco dance music, lots of soaring vocals and heavily synthesized bass lines. Most of this music makes me feel sad and weird when I listen to it now, as opposed to real trance, which is transportive and contemplative.

So, Amazon's computer has stored information on when I bought this CD. And if it were capable of showing the date this CD got old, the two numbers wouldn't be very different.

I have no idea how this Comp. is supposed to be Trance. This is a far cry from Trance, even house style. Listen to the sound clips before you buy. Its just plain ole tired house music. If you are looking for House with more a "Techno" feel, so to say, then try the Webster Hall "Tranzworld" Series. I believe a box set is avaiable for the series. Even though it starts at the mid 90's, and works its way up through the years, its still a great comp. and house music really hasnt changed a hullva lot since that time period. (at least I dont hear much diffrence expect it has seem to get more "poppy"

i must disagree with a lot of the people on here.
i really enjoyed this cd.

benassi, armin, 4 strings, van dahl, dj sammy, tiesto,
plummet, lmc, aurora, qed, lasgo...
i mean how can you go wrong? i mean seriously!!

i do however, agree that these songs aren't NEW.
so it was a disappointment in that aspect.
but if you haven't heard this music,
which i know a lot of you haven't had the oppurtunity.
then i would definitely give it a listen.