Customer Reviews

In Search of Sunrise 7

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Upon hearing through Tiesto's website that this would be a more progressive album than his previous ISOS releases, I jumped on it. I have to admit that while listening to the First CD, it didn't sound very progressive at all. More like his "signature" house music with a chill, calm and relaxed theme to it. The sound we have come to expect from his ISOS compilations. While I did enjoy the first disc, the concept remained the same and I was left asking myself "Where is the difference?" As an artist I think sometimes you get caught up in a groove or in a rut (whether good or bad) and sometimes you just have to break away from that to keep your listeners on the edge, keep them guessing what's next, or just simply give them an element of surprise.
Im just going to say right out that Disc 2 is the BEST mix compilation I have ever heard from Tiesto hands down! You want progressive Trance? This is it! Its the Tranciest album he has put out in his ISOS series by far, no comparison. Whereas Disc 1 has lots of Vocals, Disc 2 has none! Its all Beats, rhythms, melodies and extremely uplifting tracks. You'll have goose bumps galore listening to this. The BPM's are between 135-138 just to give you an idea. I agree that besides the great track selection on the disc, the arrangement is absolutely flawless! Everything fits in perfectly and each track builds and compliments the next one thanks to his flawless mixing. I kid you not. I have every disc this guy has put out dating back to his unreleased 5 album forbidden paradise series as well as his ISOS 6 (London, yes London) bootleg. I think this is his crowning achievement. I have no doubt you will feel the same. After his Magik series people were left wondering if he'd every come back to playing Trance. People were asking where that sound had gone. If you read the Magik 6 reviews you will see this to be true. Tiesto has finally come back to Trance on Disc 2 and after a week of having the album I have only heard disc 1 once, thats how good disc 2 is. This is pure genius. The Intro is chilling and everything literally builds on after that. This is what Trance music is really all about. Im excited for everyone who has yet to purchase or listen to this album. I wont go into the specifics of each track since someone already did a good job of that but be sure that any serious Tiesto fan, especially those dating back to his Magik days will surely be thrilled.

I know I have a hard time differentiating between all of these double-disc sets that seem to come out endlessly in the trance/dance genre. Soooo many to choose from, it's hard to know what's just good and what's great. I'm hooked on Armin Van Buuren's State of Trance series and I think I can now say that I'm officially hooked on Tiesto's In Search of Sunrise. This newest version Vol. 7 Asia is really good!

It's always a tough go to keep me interested in a mix CD for 2+ hours, but Tiesto's ISOS 7 does it. There's a good mix of instrumentals vs. vocals too so it doesn't get too stagnant. It's uplifting for electronic music, and I loved the vibe/atmosphere throughout both discs. There is some "epic trance" on here, which is great.

So, overall a very good choice amongst the sea of electronica double discs. Definitely recommended.

My comments on Tiesto's ISOS 7 are subjective in regard to his prior efforts ISOS 1-6. Some of my comments are my reactions as the CD was playing in time.

Disc 1

1. Banyan Tree - Feel The Sun Rise
(great intro. Tiesto describes it as "asian flutes.") 5/5
2. Andy Duguid featuring Leah - Wasted
(great transition from 'Feel the Sun' rise into 'Wasted.' Tiesto feels
"goosebumps.") 4.5/5
3. King Unique - Yohkoh (King Unique Original Mix)
(at first it's like wtf is King Unique doing on this CD? It seems out of place on the tracklist. But when you listen to it, it's actually a very good fit. Very solid track.) 5/5
4. Motorcitysoul - Space Katzle (Jerome Sydenham Remix)
(Nothing memorable about this track) 4/5
5. Three Drives - Feel The Rythmn (Ton TB Dub Mix)
(takes a while to build but eventually satisfies) 4/5
6. Rachael Starr - To Forever (Moonbeam Remix)
(nothing special about this vocal track.) 3/5
7. Jerry Ropero featuring Cozi - The Storm (Inpetto Remix)
(a bit of cheese with the vocals. Take out the vocals and make it a strict
instrumental track.) 2.5/5
8. Kamui - Get Lifted
(truth in advertising. very uplifting instrumental trance with backing secondary vocals. Follows into an electric guitar-sequence. Kinda Asian sounding...with the guitars. Then leads into a combination of parts 1 and 2, into part 3, which is exquisite. One of the best tracks so far on this CD. definitely memorable. Would've liked to hear this track go on longer and Tiesto should've taken advantage and made the transition into 'Ride' more interesting). 5/5
9. Cary Brothers - Ride (Tiesto Remix)
(Spanish guitars driving the tune with background synths. It's a great follow-up from 'Get Lifted' in that it's a very uplifting track as well. definitely a change in the sound from tracks 5-7. Another track I feel that could've been great as just an instrumental, but the vocal is not bad either.) 5/5
10.Airbase featuring Floria Ambra - Denial
(the sequence of this mix is especially important going from two uplifting tracks. most likely willbe a down-tempo track before it leads into the final four tracks. and that's exactly what it is. slower beat than tracks 8-9. female vocals. more spanish guitars in the background. Not a big fan of the vocal version. I would've loved to hear an instrumental version of this instead.) 3.5/5
11.Dokmai - Reason To Believe
(very abrupt mixing transition from 'Denial' into this track.In the first 30 seconds this track seems so out of place, but it eventually turns into a vocal track. This track,however, goes on way too long for my liking. Very mediocre track to place on ISOS) 2/5
12.Cressida - 6AM (Kyau & Albert Remix)
(Primarily instrumental track with some background voices. I'm lukewarm on this track. It's not bad track, just seems very oddly placed.) 3.5/5
13.Allure featuring Christian Burns - Power Of You
(Initially, I'm hearing promise. I've been a huge fan of Allure's productions. I hope they don't let me down, but I'm not a big fan of Christian Burns and the other track he did 'Break my fall.' Ugh. Allure let me down. Just end the track already.) 2.5/5
14.Clouded Leopard - Hua-Hin
(what the CD ended? No, no, no. I can't believe 'Power of You' was the big finale. Disappointing
finish).

Tiesto could've made some of the transitions in-between tracks more memorable, espeically with 'Get Lifted.'Overall, the mixing is decent, but there are a few transitions between tracks that could've been worked longer or made more interesting. Lots and lots of vocal tracks. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, except when an instrumental re-work would've been more fitting. Overall, a much different sound than ISOS 6. I would've liked to see more effort to create tracks designated for building up the sequence of sounds. Track 13 was kind of a letdown for a near finale, and I would've expected 11 and 12 to build into it-- but they didn't give me the feeling of it. The sequence of sounds of tracks 1-9 are all in all solid. After 10, it sort of becomes a muddied focus to the end. ISOS traditionally have had great buildups to a great finale.
A great sequence finale for instance is ISOS 2, that ends with a huge bang with Max Graham's 'Airtight' or ISOS 5 (2) from 'Helsinki Scorchin' into 'Dont' Forget Me' (Guy Ehmetores Remix).

Disc 2

1. Steve Forte Rio featuring JES - Blossom (Lounge Mix)
(JES is awesome. Check out her new CD. Very different from CD 1's intro. I like it a lot.) 5/5
2. Zoo Brazil - Crossroads
(okay. very interesting house track to move into. solid track otherwise.) 4/5
3. Beltek - Kenta
(not a big fan of the abrupt transition from 'Crossroads' into 'Kenta.' Another house track. Not a fan of this particular track.) 2/5
4. Sied van Riel - Rush 5:01
(So far, this CD reminds me a bit of ISOS 5 (2). This is a solid track.) 4/5
5. Tiesto - Driving To Heaven (Mat Zo Remix)
This track has a good sound and is a great lead-in to 'Just A Thought.') 4.5/5
6. Carl B. - Just A Thought
(A fantastic house track. Very melodic, even when driven by a heavy beat.) 5/5
7. Kimito Lopez - Melkweg
(pretty good downtempo track to chill after the energy of 'Driving to Heaven' and 'Just A Thought.' oooh... i just felt goosebumps, another very excellent track that takes awhile to buildup, but comes to a very satisfying finale.) 5/5
8. JPL - Whenever I May Find Her (Joni Remix)
(a house track. the transition into it is good, but nothing particular interesting here.) 3/5
9. Estiva vs. Marninx - Casa Grande
(a very asian-themed track. pretty on the ears, and a track that a lot of people seem to enjoy. I'm not a huge fan of though) 4/5
10.Existone - Wounded Soul
11.Andre Visior & Kay Stone - Something For Your Mind (Guiseppe Ottaviani Remix)
12.Hensha - The Curtain
13.DJ Eremit - Tanz Der Seele (YOMC Remix)
14.Manilla Rising - Beyond The Stars
apparently I ran out of steam. : )

Such a great intro by Steve Forte Rio and Jes, so I had high hopes of the direction of this CD. After a first listen, this CD will evoke some memories of ISOS 5 Disc 2. But the tracks that follow are definitely trance with a scattering of progressive trance tracks for good measure. I like that there's a clearly defined build-up from 1-5 into 6. And then the downtempo in 'Melkweg'. The second CD's tracks will be a little bit more harder to define if you favor trance over house music. What I do appreciate about the second CD is that there's more of a defined focus. Tracks build on top of one another into a sort of climax and then the track that follows is a downtempo one.

At first, CD1 has the more impressive tracklist on paper. But in the end, CD2 has greater rewards if you're more patient as the listener. Not necessarily because the tracks are that much better, but because the way Tiesto arranges them that makes CD2 better than CD1. The mixing is technically proficient on both discs, but I feel that Tiesto could've made an effort to make some of the transition more interesting. One series with some rather interesting transitions is NightMusic series and another ISOS with some pretty wicked transitions is ISOS 3.

Overall, I'd rank ISOS 7 above ISOS 5 and 6. It's been awhile since we've heard a sound like this from Tiesto, especially on the first disc. But it's a sound certainly worthy of the In Search of Sunrise name.

I am a huge fan of Tiesto's ISOS series, but was not so thrilled by the last release. With ISOS 7, I am glad to hear Tiesto back on track. ISOS 7 offers the same two-disk format as ISOS 4, 5, and 6. CD1 features the usual melodic vocals, with perhaps a bit more power behind them--check out for example "Feel the Rhythm". CD2 is pure instrumental trance, one of the best ISOS mixes yet. Beyond "Get Lifted", I don't think ISOS 7 has too much of an Asian flair, but Tiesto was obviously inspired by the locale. Get your hands on this one. You won't be disappointed.

Ever since Magik 6 and ISOS3. I have never been impressed with ISOS4 to 6 and Nyana. Yes it is good but not as good as you hope from the man. This ISOS7 however, is just amazing. If you like the more slow tempo, and vocal house & trance compilation from ISOS3. You will enjoy the 1st CD very much. CD2 though is just what I hope from the man himself ever since Magik 6 and more, flawless compilation of progressive and melodic trance without any hard house material. Both CD are absolute classic that will live long in your memory. Buy it and you will never regret.

This album has something for everyone.

The first CD is filled with melodic tunes you can chill to while working, reading, driving, hanging out, or whatever. This CD's almost like the old Magik CDs Tiesto did at the beginning of his career... excellent!

The second CD is great in a different way... it's just a bangin' set filled with high BPM tunes with great melodies that'll get you bopping in your chair. Perfect for anything and everything hi-energy!

Simply excellent CD set.

Buy it. You will NOT be sorry.

Tiesto's "In Search of Sunrise 7: Asia" is a masterpiece in all aspects of electronic music. He gives us an emotional journey through uplifiting, and at times, energeitic tracks that leaves the listner in complete awe. Also, the region of Asia and Tiesto's inspiration can clearly be heard in the mix. Lets start with disc one, which is a beutiful array of music starting with Banyan Tree's "Feel the Sunrise" into Andy Duguid's beautiful track "Wasted". Other noteable tracks that stand out are Racheal Starr's "To Forever (Moonbeam Remix)", the uplifting track of "Get Lifted" by Kamui, Tiesto's remix of "Ride" by the Cary Brothers offers smooth guitars, Airbase's "Denial" and Allure and Christian Burns' "The Power of You". On to Disc 2, which is Tiesto's tranciest set on a cd in years, with an Asian spark in some of the tracks. Most noteable tracks on Disc 2 are Beltek's "Kenta", the progressive trance track "Rush" by Sied Van Riel, the Mat Zo remix of Tiesto's "Driving to Heaven", "Just a Thought" by Carl B, JPL's "Whenever I May Find Her (Joni Remix)" and the Asian sounds soar nicely in the track "Casa Grande" by Estiva and Marnix". Overall, a wonderful mix of electronic trance mixed by the best dj in the world to date.

As other reviews said, this is a hot new compilation from one of the best international DJs around, mixed in Asia, and nicely up-to-date in beats and rhythms. You should also know that if 28 tracks of house and trance just isn't enough, a limited edition box set with a bonus 3rd CD that includes six additional tracks and two QT videos is available from A/X for about twice the Amazon price (as of June '08). If you're a real Tïesto fan, this is worth checking out.

Ok, so up front I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of Tiesto's normally. But I don't want to make this a review about the DJ, but about the album. That being said, I have to say that this is his best work that I have heard at least. I currently own Adagio For Strings, In My Memory, ISOS 6 & ISOS 7 from Tiesto, and again this is the best of those in my opinion.

The mixing on the album is very well done, and everything feels very cohesive and solid. There is never really a point where you can really tell where one track starts and the other ends which is a huge plus for the album. The album also has some huge stand outs the biggest of which I believe is "Driving To Heaven (Mat Zo Remix)" (and what from Mat Zo could ever be bad!) closely followed both in quality and on the track list by "Just A Thought". "6AM" is another great track and really gives the first disc the lift it needs.

With all that, there are also a couple flaws with the album that keep it from being a true 5-star album. The track list is generally not great, it's good but just not excellent like a 5 star album. The first disc seems to have gotten the worst of the blow, it all feels very downtempo and...not generic, but just every other track seems to have the same feel.

With all that said this album comes sooo close to being a 5-star but with the track selection I just couldn't do it! If he would have traded out one song for something like "Shipwrecked" or "Timeless", I could have probably done it. I would definitely not recommend the album to anyone unfamiliar with the genre. This is some deeper territory than most newcomers like, and I know I wouldn't have liked it originally. Though this is just my opinion, many have absolutely adored the album, so it could just be me ;)

Enjoy!

I am one of those tiesto trance follower and have been since 2000. To this day I still go back and pop in some magik cd's or the early ISOS's. Some to this day get the job done as I work out and if he were to barely release some of those titles they would still be hits right now. This man was born with a special ear for trance producing rythms. I swear when my wife gets pregnant I will be relaxing my kid with these special tunes on ISOS ASIA by placing a stereo next to her belly. LOL Hell be raving in there. But yes these hits on this cd especially CD 2 you can still listen to it yrs from now and still be in love with his stuff. Im still in love with ISOS 4 & 5 Latin America and LAX. Those are by far my fav ISOS cd's. But this one is good too.