Universal Religion 2004: Armada at Ibiza

Armin Van Buuren | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 19, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ultra Records
• ASIN: B00049QN6C
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,626 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If trance is a drug, this album is heroin, January 12, 2005

By 

George Hunt "Eclectic music lover" (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Universal Religion 2004: Armada at Ibiza (Audio CD)

Armin has risen to the top of my favorite DJ list because of CD's like this. Yet it's not like his other ones - - and that's part of what I love about him, he's evolving and keeps blowing my mind by showing how far you can expand rich, deep, melodic trance into new dimensions of sound. Where he used to verge on cheesy in his track selection, he now is more cutting-edge and leads the way in delivering new sounds that hook you with their depth and euphoric, hypnotic beauty.

I especially recommend this album to those on a limited budget who want to spend wisely on a few choice trance CDs. I know several people in California and Texas who are totally addicted to this, and all of them have made profanity-laced comments like "holy f***ing s***, this is incredible!!!!" The fact that these extreme trance fans are going as crazy about this album as I am should come as a very solid recommendation. And when you first hear Track 4, your head just might explode - - the moment it kicks in, it's like you've been transported into a new world of sound. There is nothing quite like it. And unlike so many other good trance CD's that blow their best on the first 3 or 4 tracks, this one is even more solid from track 7 through the end than it is at the beginning.

This album is very rich, thick, extremely melodic, and intensely rhythmic all at the same time. It is not anthemic and doesn't feature belted-out vocals but instead has some unique tracks that use vocals in ways I'm not at all accustomed to -- cool, trippy, edgy, but well-integrated into the overall sound and never obnoxious like the disco queen sound that used to ruin some of the more cheesy trance albums. The overall effect is like an exquisite meal at a 5-star restaurant, or an extremely lush landscape - - filled with colors and flavors that take over your senses and lift your spirit. How anything can be this banging and rhythmic while being so smooth and beautiful, I have no idea, but Armin pulled it all together and made what is now my favorite trance CD ever (as of January 2005, anyway!) Play it loud. Very loud.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! ~What a flawless mix this is~, October 23, 2004

By 

RockGod (Atl) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universal Religion 2004: Armada at Ibiza (Audio CD)

I became a fan of AVB's after hearing his "State of Trance 04" cd,and fell in love with his music.I didnt know what to expect because usually when dj's put out two mixes in one year,one is usually pretty crappy and their doing it just for the money.In this case this is not true at all...this is one talented dj that gives you all the bang for your buck!After one listen this cd quickly became one of the best TRANCE cd's I've ever heard!This is epic trance that will make you melt into your seat,and put you into an awesome state of mind,like no other!There is just so much emotion and feeling to this album,it keeps a smile on your face.The live recording makes it so much better,and really adds real meaning to the mix.The mixing and flowing of tracks is done to perfection,there are no errors,it's very professional and certainly not done with cheap equipment.Just give it a listen and Im sure any electronic dance or trance lover will be BLOWN away by this extravagant mix!Way to Go ARMIN I want more !!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get THIS and State of Trance 2004 + 2005 and check out the other greats listed below..., February 23, 2006

By 

OverTheMoon ([e-mail]) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universal Religion 2004: Armada at Ibiza (Audio CD)

Armin Van Buuren is the best thing I have been listening too as of spring 2005, still yet not finishing coming to grips with all the mixes on 2004's State of Trance, State of Trance 2005 is absolutely more of the same, and so is this, and that is a very good thing. While trance is certainly moving towards domestic radio and home culture entertainment, break beats now the new outdoor exercise activity of the disco halls, Van Buuren mixes like a radio DJ (and hah, he is a very good one!) to the long distance lorry driver or the security guard who has just come home from work, or the mini group of friends that are looking for the kind of trance that might give them another two hours of life before it is all over, Van Buuren has a nice balance of stuff that will impress the more you listen to it, and this requires you to play the thing even if you do not like it the first time round (and believe me, trance would not be so good if it was not for this effort we make), Van Buuren is really a DJ to behold, much like James Holden or Ferry Corsten, these three names are the new Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold or DJ Tiesto. This is great trance that is getting better every progressive year. DJ Tiesto really is responsible for this direction, PVD needed a new Politics of Dancing and gave us Vol. 2, Oakenfold's Creamfields is very good and worth getting, Tiesto still has his sunrise series. Anyway this might not be the best start to trance music, but it is some of the very best out there.

Get all the State of Trance CDs, Collect DJ Tiesto, try James Holden Balance 005, Don't forget Mark Schulz - Miami '05, Paul Oakenfold's Creamfields of course PVD's new The Politics of Dancing 2. This is enough to keep that iPod battery running out for the next year or so...