Customer Reviews

Elements of Life

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Tiësto's "Elements of Life" is a testament to his mastery of the studio and ability to collaborate with other artists. It features several big name vocalists (including the awesome trance diva JES) as well as his signature "epic" sound on tracks such as Ten Seconds Before Sunrise. However, the album loses some steam somewhere in the middle due to not dabbling in "new" sounds.

During the progress of the album, the album uses the same "genre", that being a crisp, clean upbeat trance sound that can be best described as "artistic commercial trance with pop hooks".

The only time that Tiësto takes any risks on this disks is on the track Carpe Noctum (and a couple other tracks, which will be mentioned shortly). This track starts out with a simplistic but catchy bass driven progressive house beat. It then grows as drum patterns are thrown onto it and finally it takes full form with some smooth, dreamy classical Tiësto trance synths. And in the end, this track in particular is nothing original. It sounds similar to Tiësto's "Traffic". Still, Carpe Noctum is strangely addictive . Perhaps it's similarity to "Traffic" is what makes it so enjoyable. Maybe its safe to say that we WANTED at "Traffic 2.0", and Tiësto has delivered.

Another track that features some diversity in sound is the epic "10 Seconds Before Sunrise", which is arguably the best track on the album. This song features all of the things you would expect from an opener on a Tiesto album. Big production, world music sounds, flowing drum loops, string instruments and a beautiful blending of all of the previously mentioned with some top notch trance synths. There are also some choruses thrown in for good measure. This song would make a great opener to a "In Search of Sunrise" CD, which I am sure that's what Tiësto was thinking when he made this song. Just look at the name! If not, then he might have made this song as a homage to his seemingly favorite mix compilation series.

Tiesto also tries something slightly different on the third to last track, "Dance for Life". This song however is nothing new to the scene, as it was previously released last year. The song still is a welcome addition to the album, as it was a somewhat difficult to track down single beforehand (unless you bought it off of a music download website such as [...]). The song comes off something like a progressive house song due to the weird notes that open it up. Maxi Jazz' vocals are odd as well, making this song unique. Critics of this track (and Tiësto in general) will not be impressed with the inclusion of this track, but fans will be delighted to finally have it on a mainstream CD release.

The penultimate track, "Elements for Life" is also a slight deviation from the "pop trance" course that this album goes on. This song is another "epic, big production" song in the Tiësto fashion. It however features some really weird, almost Moog sounding synthesizers inside it. If it had to be compared, it sounds like an electro take on his remix of Adagio for Strings. Similar in fashion and construction, but ultimately they are not the same song.

As for the remainder of the album, the ratings are across the board. The first single for the album "In The Dark" sounds passionate and features some great vocal work by Christian Burns. Unfortunantly, Burns and Tiësto did not seem to put much thought into the lyrics, so they sound a little cliché. This is especially emphasized towards the end of the song when Burns just starts repeating the chorus over and over again (with successively less vocal strength.) Still, the song features some very catchy and fast paced melodies and trance synthesizers, so it comes off as decent. It still could have used some more inspiring lyrics.

Tiësto' work with JES on "Everything" is hard to hate, especially since JES has such a wonderful voice. Tiësto and his crew did a very good job making a song to compliment her voice. Yes, her voice is the main thing going on in this song. But to clarify, there is still some good instrumentation going on in this song. Personally, I find this song more enjoyable than JES' work with Gabriel & Dresden on "As the Rush Comes" (but that might just be a personal bias coming from being a Tiësto fan).

Final picks that are worth a listen are Tiësto's newest collaboration with BT on "Break My Fall", the instrumental "Bright Morningstar" and if you still haven't heard it, the remix of "He's a Pirate".

Suffice to say, Tiësto's "Elements of Life" is a good disk. Its a shame that it lacks some bigger surprises, but it still shows its strengths when it comes to the things we've come to expect from Tiesto - Big production and great collaboration with other artists. If anything, hopefully on his next artist album, Tiësto will take another stab at "industrial" sounding Trance like on "In My Memory" or just totally surprise us with something we haven't seen him do yet.

If you are an older fan of Tiesto....your not going to like this album.

I listened and listened and tried to listen, and I keep finding the same conclusion - If you like Oakenfold's "Lively Mind", then you'll like Elements. Tiesto didn't put up a lot of effort into this one and very noticeable, which is the sad thing about it.

Those of us who have been with Tiesto since the beginning of ISOS will not like this release. It's sad to say, and I never thought I would say this about a Tiesto CD, but this was money wasted. Ever since "Just Be", hes been going down hill.

Would the real Tiesto please stand up? Because he's not here anymore.

If you want some good trance, oddly enough ATB's In the Mix is good, Solar Stone, MS and Ronski go it goin.

For those of you who are new to Tiesto - check out ISOS 3 Panama. His best CD ever!

Yeah this cd is good. Compared to a lot of the other crappy trance stuff out lately this is a great cd. But, the fact remains that DJ Tiesto is better when he's mixing other people's music and adding his own flare. He's not as good when he writes the songs himself.
DJ Tiesto's self written songs start to get a little on the cheesy side.
Some of the songs on this cd are great. And if it weren't for the inconsistancy, I'd give it 5 stars.

1. Ten Seconds Before Sunrise- This is a good opener. Great trance music. - 5/5
2. Everything - Jes is an awesome trance vocalist and this song showcases great vocal trance. - 5/5
3. Do You Feel Me - I love the chorus on this one....very catchy. 5/5
4. Carpe Noctum - Um this just sounds like a rip off to me. I can't quite place it but this does not sound very original. And it's boring. 3/5
5. Driving to Heaven - Better than Carpe Noctum but again, leans towards boring - 3.5/5
6. Sweet Things - Now we're back on track. This one keeps me interested. Good beat, good vocals. 4/5
7. Bright Morningstar - This one is slow to build but a great trance song! One of the best on the cd - 5/5
8. Break My Fall - BT rocks. I love his vocals and I love his collaborations with DJ Tiesto. This song is awesome. Male vocals on trace songs can be hit or miss but this one works. 5/5
9. In The Dark - This reminds me of 80s techno pop in the beginning. This could be a great song. I love the vocal but God the chorus is cheesy. Why do trance artists have this uncontrollable desire to ruin songs with cheesy lyrics? Such a shame - 3/5
10. Dance 4 Life - This is the guy from that Insomniac song and it doesn't sound like he's changed much in the past 10 years. This sounds like Insomniac part 2. The music is great but again, cheesy lyrics and bad vocals. - 3/5
11. Elements Of Life - Now we're back on track again. Great trance beat, great production. One of the best on the cd. - 5/5
12. He's A Pirate - This was on the most recent Pirates of The Caribbean movie. This is a different remix of it. I like this song. It's a good ending to a overall good cd. 5/5

I enjoy buying Tiesto's albums more than his "In search of sunrise" mixes, maybe because I get originality, and that makes a DJ unique. I'm a big fan of Tiesto, but I think Armin Van Buuren made a better job with his new singles this year.

Elements of Life: great name for an album, the song is strong too. Like some reviewers said, not a lot of songs stand out more than others, but nonetheless Tiesto produced some tracks that will mark everyone, and will grow inside us. I noticed the use of more Electro-Trance in some of his songs, maybe because we are in the Electro era, but any who I personally enjoy "Break My Fall," "In The Dark," "Driving To Heaven," "Sweet Things," and "Everything." It will take more time for the other songs to grow in me, but they probably will eventually just like the "Just Be" album. Overall you won't be disappointed, even though if you are a huge Tiesto fan you will probably expect more. Nonetheless Tiesto still knows how to attack his fans with new and original anthems.

One of the best dj's in the world serves up an astonishing mix of his signature trance sound, blended with some progressive and a hint of electronica to dance to. The new artsit album from Tiesto, "Elements of Life", follows his 2004 effort "Just Be" and landmarks his influences from worldwide touring and movement in dance music to serve up an amazing blend of sounds. It opens with the trance anthem "Ten Seconds Before Sunrise," which is appropriate to set the mood for the album, almost reminding us of the past few mixes that we've heard from the acclaimed "ISOS" series. Jes lends her beautiful vocals on "Everything", and Tiesto throws some excellent stutter edits and superb programming elements in the track to create a crazy sound. Jes has worked on some of the most amazing vocal trance works, such as with Gabriel and Dresden and Deepsky, and now Tiesto. This track will definately be used in sets (and most likely remixed) by several of the best dj's later this year. Should be interesting. "Do You Feel Me", featuring Julie Thompson, sounds unique at first, but when the vocals come in, the rhythm accompanied with Tiesto's hypnotizing syths compliment the vocals extremely well. The buildup in the instrumental track "Carpe Noctum" is very well done, just before the breakdown comes in and sends you in a state of blissful trance. "Driving to Heaven" is a mediocre track, but only because it is surrounded by so many other tracks that stand out more for what the album represents. Though, the track does have a few good moments. The next three tracks are the ones that I have been dying to hear because they combine the production of BT alongside Tiesto. Tiesto and BT's production in "Sweet Things" are an amazing use of Tiesto's trance with BT's gifted knowledge in arrangement and knowing the language of music. Charoltte Martin's high-note vocals add a special meaning and message to the track, creating an almost soothing and mesmorizing state. "Brighter Mornigstar" also combines the production skills of Tiesto and BT, to create one of the best instrumental tracks on the album. BT's electro-infused rhythm and uplifting soundscapes with Tiesto's trance is the perfect combination to take you on a journey. This track is so addicting and so beautiful. "Break My Fall" is the "Love Comes Again" of this release. BT lends not only his producing skills, but vocals as well. The track sure is catchy, and is a guarenteed club hit. Though, I don't think that it quite stacks up to the track of "Love Comes Again", but maybe in time. The next track of "In the Dark" is a different Tiesto sound: almost electronic rock and trance. I know that it sounds crazy, but Tiesto pulls if off extremely well. Excellent programming and vocals by Christian Burns to create a sound unlike most stuff you would expect from Tiesto. The track "Dance4Life" with Maxi Jazz was put on the album. Released in 2006, it was probably a bonus track added to fill up space on the mix. Not too bad of a track, but not up to par with the album. The album titled "Elements of Life" puts the listener through a good journey by using several, well, elements of Tiesto's production styles in this track. Not the best on the album, but sure is good. Like "Dance4Life", the "He's a Pirate (Tiesto Mix)" made the album. This was released last summer as a remix to the "Pirates of the Carribean" soundtrack, but when compared to the others on the rest of the album, it falls short. All in all, this is the album Tiesto and trance listners have been waiting for. The album has so many high points and creative productions to keep you listening. "Elements of Life" will remain in people's CD players and MP3 players for a long time. One of the best pieces by Tiesto to date. Absolutely amazing.

Dont listen to the bad reviews, theyre not right. Elements of Life is a wonderful record, full of energy, high beats, electro sounds and very beautiful vocals. The singles DANCE4LIFE, IN THE DARK & BREAK MY FALL are amazing. The remixes to those singles are incredible as well. the vocals on BREAK MY FALL are BTs, same guy who sang on LOVE COMES AGAIN. The vocal tracks SWEET THINGS & EVERYTHING are great tracks as well. TEN SECONDS BEFORE SUNRISE is a great starter to the the album and CARPE NOCTUM is TRAFFIC part 2. ELEMENTS OF LIFE is a great track to finish off the album as well. When I first downloaded this album I thought it wasnt as good as past Tiesto records but when I decided to give it a chance and actually started to listen to the whole album I loved it and ran to my local record store and bought it right away. Now its part of my work out, its always on my ipod and always in my car. Totally love it, go for it and enjoy! Cant wait to see Tiesto live with his Elements of Life tour!

This is a very good album filled with quality Trance. Tiesto shows his creativity in venturing into an electro-tinged sound at times... and overall, he is successful. Importantly, he stays true to Trance, which is what most people go to him for, and here, he doesn't disappoint. There is a good level of variety: the songs sound different, with even a few surprises.

This is NOT a pop Trance album. (e.g. Alice Deejay, Lasgo, IIO.) There is hardly a song here that you will find playing while you shop at Walmart, The Trance and Vocal Trance faithfuls will be well rewarded.

The first song is a warm Morning Trancer. Jes is solid in 'Everything'. The next is arguably THE standout track on the album. It is 'Do you Feel me'. It has a wicked, testosterone-charged bassline, mated to the silky smooth estrogen-laced voice of Julie Thompson. The result of this union? Bliss! This is going to shake up some dance floors.

Unfortunately, the next two songs (Carpe Noctum and Driving to Heaven) seem as though they were taken out of the oven too early. They just seem like works in progress...as though he didn't have enough time to work on them. But, they weren't placed at that end of the album... they are placed between the two best songs on the album.

'Sweet Things' is the song that I found myself singing after I had listened to the album. It just kind of stays with you. On this entire album, Tiesto finds the right voice for the song. That in itself requires talent.

OK, 'Bright Morningstar' is splendid Morning/Melodic Trance. Beautiful!

I don't much like 'Break My Fall' with BT. Lots of Electro with a House beat in this one. Not my cup of tea (particularly the beginning), but I know this song has its audience and there are lots of people who would like it. Part of being a great DJ is knowing what your fans want... and Tiesto delivers.

'In the Dark' is really the only Rock/Pop-infused song on the album. And it is excellent. It used to be that a good Vocal Trance song HAD to have female vocals... not anymore. This song may enjoy some mainstream cross-over airplay. But to say that the sound here defines or typifies the album is a misrepresentation of the album.

Then we get to Dance4Life. I'm glad that Tiesto included it, because it is a great song with powerful messages. Musically, it sounds like Tiesto took his time with it. Like he poured so much of his creativity and style into it. Maxi Jazz provides meaningful poetry and the music is bold and lively! It has so many elements of Trance in it: Melodic Trance, Space Trance, and a bit Epic too. See the video 'We Come One' by Faithless on YouTube and you'll get a sense of the depth of the lyrics of Maxi Jazz. Vocal Trance only needs intelligent and meaningful lyrics for it not to be cheesy.

The album closes with Elements of Life. The start is melancholic with an organ, and searching... and it evolves nicely into a solid Uplifting sound. Regretfully, it does not match Tiesto's stellar 'Adagio for Strings'.

Overall, highly recommended!

This CD starts with track #1 which is soothing vocals only - no music whatsoever throughout the whole track. Which I found to be very relaxing and it was a nice surprise to get. I thought I'd get all Trance music. The rest of the CD is very good but it's not a DJ mixed CD like others I've purchased in the past. The reason why I didn't give this CD 5 stars was a simple one but when most people listen to this CD, will agree with me that track #11 has a male's voice talking throughout the track and I think one time would've been sufficient but it goes on and on that when the track comes to its end, my mood changed from enjoying the CD to being annoyed by this male's voice talking. I thought DJ Tiesto had better taste and skills than to include this as Elements of Life.

What happened to Tiesto?? Man, he was awesome at one point and now he is losing his talent. I guess since he has become mainstream, nothing seems to sound so good. But I think his ISOS are A LOT better than this album for sure. So check out ISOS 5. Plus in this CD, there is a break in b/w every song..doesnt make sense. Or is it my IPOD? lol..

I will keep this review relatively short and sweet. Personally, I own all 3 of Tiesto's released albums and this one is the second best. "Just Be" is an extremely difficult album to follow up with a song such as Adagio for Strings being so addictive. But, I will say if you liked Adagio for Strings then you will like the title track Elements of Life. This is hands down the best song on the album and I can't help but play it over and over again. I hope a cd-single comes out for this song because it rivals Adagio for Strings.