United States Of Trance

Christopher Lawrence | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 23, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Moonshine Music
• ASIN: B0000560JF
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,435 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Genesis - Prizm & Eclipse

2. AM-Pacific - Silk

3. Holdin' On - Skynet UK

4. Now Hear This - Hear-O

5. Twisted - Twister 2

6. Cruise Control - Christopher Lawrence

7. Purple Overdose - The Captain & Max-Alien Thing

8. Psychomanteus - Manhattan

9. Barracuda - CL McSpadden

10. Wales - DJ Merlyn

11. Trauma - Tom Wilson Presents Technocat 2000

12. The Longer Now - Kodansha

Editorial Reviews

Christopher Lawrence hasn't become, arguably, America's most popular trance DJ by accident. A freakishly skilled man on the decks and possessed by a thirst for new vinyl, Lawrence taps into the same darkly spiritual vibe as international DJ superstars like Sasha and John Digweed. His mix, however, is sleeker and slicker than those of his non-Yankee contemporaries, though still more adventurous and urban than the glowstick anthems offered up by too many U.S. DJs. It's a perfect adjustment for America's notoriously short attention span. United States of Trance, then, seems an appropriate title for Lawrence's latest opus, a quick but satisfying slice of life in his kinetic universe of sound. Check out the spare textures and popping beats in "Holdin' On" (courtesy of Skynet UK), which Lawrence uses with triphammer timing. His work as a producer in his own right is maturing as well; his "Cruise Control" swoops along with a relatively low-key touch, then blends masterfully with "Purple Overdose" from the Captain & Max-Alien Thing. By giving up the goods without insulting his audience, Lawrence expertly walks the thin line between surface cheese and dark beauty that makes trance transcendental. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "United States of Trance" is Christopher Lawrence's best yet, January 23, 2001

By 

Daniel Zouk (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: United States Of Trance (Audio CD)

I picked up "United States of Trance" today and felt compelled to let people know how incredible this mix is. I have all of Christopher Lawrence's previous CDs, but none of them come close to this one. The mix begins with a breakbeat track "Genesis" that eases into the deep progressive sound of Silk's "AM-Pacific". From there, the CD takes off on a powerful journey weaving from Skynet UK's pumping "Holdin On" thru to incredible tunes such as DJ Merlyn's "Wales" and "Purple Overdose" (which I have heard Lawrence play live several times and is always one of the nights biggest tunes). The amazing thing about this CD is that I have never heard of any of the tracks on any other compilation - which demonstrates just how cutting edge Lawrence is and also sets this impressive mix apart from the glut of commercial rave anthems CDs in the market. "United States of Trance" proves that Lawrence is the true leader of the American progressive trance movement and one of the top DJs in the world. Like Sasha & Digweed's "Northern Exposure" series, "United States of Trance" is one of the few CDs that you can say is truly essential to any electronic music lovers collection.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True to his trademark sound, yet fresh and new, February 22, 2001

By 

Douglas A. Greenberg (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: United States Of Trance (Audio CD)

Over the past year or two, the style *du jour* within the world of progressive trance has veered away from the "melodic" and "uplifting" and towards the "dark" and "bass-heavy"; indeed, more than a few big name dj's have dutifully followed this trend. American trance "messiah" Christopher Lawrence, however, continues to march to his own drummer, remaining true to his favored hard-driving, take-no-prisoners, pounding style. And happily for listeners, he continues to make it work.

In this latest mix, Lawrence includes a number of tracks that are reminiscent of the beat-heavy, majestic style of trance that Lawrence first presented in "Rise," his initial cd release from a few years ago. This sound has long been associated with Scotland's Hook Recordings, but Lawrence has veritably made it his trademark, partly as a result of his own breathtaking compositions like "Cruise Control."

Overall, fans of Lawrence who have come to expect a high-energy style of trance will not be disappointed. Perhaps (or perhaps not) in response to critics who claim that the tracks in Lawrence's mixes "all sound the same," however, he has provided somewhat more variety this time around. He starts off the cd with a riveting breakbeat-driven tune, Prizm & Eclipse's "Genesis." He also incorporates some gentler interludes, as with Skynet UK's "Holdin' On," plus also some interestingly discordant musical effects, as in DJ Merlyn's "Wales." Still, overall what's presented here is Christopher Lawrence's uncompromising style of trance, take it or leave it.

Yep, it's another exciting and riveting nonstop musical journey. Turn up the volume and enjoy, trancers; Christopher Lawrence does not disappoint.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars frenetic trance..., March 29, 2002

By 

The Dude Abides (Mountain View, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: United States Of Trance (Audio CD)

This is CD is not for me, but I can see how other people like it. Its got tons of energy and never stops banging, but its way too frenetic for me. Most good trance mixes build to a peak and take you on a journey, but this one starts out from the gate a little too hyper and doesn't stop. It would be a good CD for fans of DJ Tiesto or Oakenfold, but if you want a true mixing experience, check out Dave Seaman, Sasha (especially his Ibiza set), and Digweed. Its a good CD for listening to in the car and driving like a maniac, but if you just want to chill and let the music flow through you, check out the above guys...you won't be dissapointed.