Seven Ways (+ Bonus Remix Disc)

Paul Van Dyk | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1998
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B00000DCT6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,873 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #9 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Trance

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Revered remixer for the likes of New Order, Tori Amos and Curve, German techno producer Paul van Dyk finally gets a chance to exhibit some of his own work outside of his native country. Steeped in the early-'90s acid-house tradition, his second album, 1996's Seven Ways, gushes with the kind of propulsive rhythms and sweeping synthesizers that make ravers go mad on the dance floor. His signature club hit, "Words," is the initial attention grabber, but other selections, such as "Forbidden Fruit" and the title cut, also stand out for their trippy adventurism. It's a shame it took American audiences so long to discover him. Limited editions of this release come with a bonus disc of essential remixes and remakes. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great trance album., March 10, 2000

By 

Flint Ironstag (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Ways (+ Bonus Remix Disc) (Audio CD)

The thing that really impressed me about this album is the fact that Paul Van Dyk manages to make Trance interesting. When I got it in 1999, trance had become fairly mainstream and had degenerated to simplistic synth melodies with the now standard *boom-tss-boom-tss* beat pattern. It was truly refreshing to hear this album. Don't misunderstand, it has the aformentioned qualities, but somehow, Paul Van Dyk makes you forget that and lose yourself in the music. The album is extremely cohesive, all mixed together and seeming to follow a natural progression that makes it sound as if you are listening to one long, interconnected piece as opposed to 11 seperate songs. It's not really something to skip around in, you want to listen to it all in one sitting. Add to the spectacular first cd a second remix cd, and this is really a great set to get for burning a couple of hours at a time.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Solid Album, February 23, 2000

By 

Bob Lin (NYCity) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Ways (+ Bonus Remix Disc) (Audio CD)

I read the previous online reviews and drew three common threads. First, many people felt that van Dyk sounded better live. I've never heard him live, so I wouldn't know, but my guess is that it's probably true. I hear great potential in these tracks, and would daresay that van Dyk would be banging live. Secondly, many people believed this album to be something truly magical and better-than-caffeine. I disagree on this point. I sat through this album... not once getting the urge to get up and dance. I wouldn't go so far as to call it a chillout album, but the beats just weren't infectious enough to get me up and moving. I guess I've just been listening to so much of this stuff (techno, rave, & trance) that it's just sort of numbing. I still thinks it's good, though. The last thing I read was that his beat is extremely repetitive. This may be true, but I didn't pick up on this at all while I listened to the album. It works very well and shows how skilled van Dyk is at what he does. All in all, I really liked this album.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars vital trance creation, March 29, 2001

By 

Richard Diaz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seven Ways (+ Bonus Remix Disc) (Audio CD)

Quick, how many trance albums can you name? Not compilations, nor DJ mixes, but artistic endeavors crafted by musicians intent on delivering a complete, original experience? More than likely you didn't get past a few fingers, especially if just counting the good ones, but you probably had Paul van Dyk figured in there somewhere. Though known for his DJ exploits or his newest release Out There and Back (a quality if perhaps too-slick tech/trance piece aiming more for clubbers) he should be recognized for making one of modern trance's seminal statements with Seven Ways.

Conceived as a continuous mix, the variety and depth of sound are startling. Opening "Home" has breathtaking builds and chords that pack twice the intricacy of most tunes cranked out today, which in no way prepare you for the fierce, dark growling "Heaven." "I Like It' runes on pure groove, before shifting to the Van Dyk trademark acid squelch/ euphoric atmosphere combo found in several tracks as in "Come and Get It." "People" is the lone stumble before closing with the expansive "I can't feel it," building you up one last time for PVD's oft-mixed "Words." Oh, and there's an entire second disc of alternate cuts to boot.

It's unknown how well electronic dance music can stand the challenge of time, though certainly rereleases of label catalogs like Transmat, and the stream of wide-reaching house and disco sets such as The Loft and Live at the Paradise Garage show the viability. As for trance, Seven Ways plays as invigorating and vital as it did in 1996, no small feat in a genre constantly reinventing its style.