Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Believe the hype on this one., December 22, 2003
I've been burned before for listening too closely to some customer reviews. As such, I was skeptical about this record, having never heard any of it. What turned me onto Tiesto a couple years ago was an unconventional introduction to his craft via a remix he did for the CCM vocal group, Avalon. He remixed one of their bigger hits, Can't Live a Day. Avalon is hardly electronica. At best, they're adult pop with mild electronic tendencies. But Tiesto's treatment of that particular single had me addicted from the first chorus.My first straight-up Tiesto purchase was the "In My Memory" album. I wanted to play it safe with a studio production, not knowing whether or not I should dive into a live mix right off the bat. "In My Memory" almost lost my attention, and it remains only margianally interesting to me. What maintained my allegiance to him, though, was the brilliant Close To You as well as the title track from "Memory." This spawned my "Summerbreeze" investment which proved to me that Tiesto was equally competent and enjoyable live, in addition to his studio work. It wasn't until I finally ventured out on a limb and picked up this one, "In Search of Sunrise 3" that I discovered Tiesto's strength is actually in live mixing. This album more than sufficiently lives up to its five stars. What really makes "ISOS3" a great record is the undeniable presence of melody-driven trance. I used to take the element of melody for granted until I started hearing all of the popular trance CD's out there that painfully lack an adequate melody. Too many DJ's are satisfied with music that relies exclusively on beats and noises. In fact, it was this apprehension of non-melodic trance that kept me from buying "ISOS3" for so many months. If any of my preaching about melody sounds contrived or unnecessary, listen to track seven on this CD. It's the Gabriel and Dresden remix of Tiesto's own In My Memory. It was my first listen to this track that sealed my faith in this CD and furthermore in Tiesto's ability to compile. This song alone is worth the $15 I paid for the CD. The other Gabriel and Dresden mix on this record, Way Out West's Mindcircus, is also captivating and it keeps the back end of the CD interesting. Now all we need is a full project from Gabriel and Dresden... The Southern Sun track is another work of art in the same vein. What surprised me the most about this album was the length of the first three songs: none longer than 3:40, the first being more of an abbreviated introduction at only two and a half minutes. It's quite inconsequential, though, and this minor detail is quickly forgiven by the time Solarcoaster rolls around. "In Search of Sunrise 3" has given me reason to trust and favor Tiesto's live mixing. And whoever implied that he's better live than trapped in a studio may be right. Nonetheless, my curiosity is now drifting to the magnetic appeal of "Nyana." Any suggestions, anyone?
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Razor's Edge Of Trance, June 18, 2006
First, I would like to say that the album design of In Search Of Sunrise 3 - Panama is unimpressive. The purple text of the title is hard to read over the background, and the photos are not alluring... until you pull off the album sleeve and see the beautiful album cover shot!
This mix is justice.
While In Search Of Sunrise 2 was a great addition to the In Search Of Sunrise series, ultimately, it couldn't compare with the original.
Panama can.
Tiësto has defined trance once again. He is the man.
Noa Assembly may be the most epic opening of all the ISOS series. It lets you know Tiësto is not playing any games on this volume. Through the first half of this mix, emotions run deeper than on any ISOS album. Even the first volume cannot compare with the emotional efficacy of the first half of this album. From the first track, you're off to another world. Tiësto takes his time building with this mix, and that's what makes it so effective. It's unbelievable. It's perfection. He spends the first three tracks on a slow and steady climb. The tracks are absolutely consistent. The Grand Chillas Mix of Hear You Now by DJ Hooligan lays the smack down. I love Tiësto for introducing me to songs like this. This song evokes feelings I can't describe. I recall feelings of unrequited love while listening to it. I don't even know what to say. And the mix into Starecase's Faith (Loafer Mix)... MAN!!!!! I shook my head in disbelief the first time I heard it.
The song picks up and... it's ineffable. Nobody can do what Tiësto does... "Waiting for the sun... I need to know if you are there to... carry me home." Hands down to Loafer and Starecase for this song. The bass line, the ambience, the vocals, the phasing, the effects: it's all too good to be true. The mixing style is so amazing that I cannot even elaborate. You simply must hear it. It's perfect. Tiësto's song selection is what makes him such an amazing DJ. I've listened to most of his mixes and I'm not sure if he'll ever top what he does on the first half of this album. This isn't high energy trance... it's SPIRITUAL trance. The mix into Summer's Calling continues Tiësto's demonstration of a DJ at the top of his form. It all sounds as if it was meant to be. And with headphones on, it's bliss. I can usually organize my thoughts well in reviews but this album sets me off. It's so hard to describe how brilliant this mix is. And I'm saying this at track 4.
When Solar Stone's Solar Coaster comes in, it's obvious that the game is over. This is an absolute classic!!! I bow to Solar Stone. They are known for amazing songs, but this song brings me to tears. The synthesized guitar riff kills me. And "you're so cool..." my eyes swell up just thinking about it. I don't care what anybody says. For any of those who can relate to trance, for those who have lost something they can't get back, for those who were fans of Tiësto prior to hearing this mix, when this song comes on, if goosebumps and tears don't hit you, you missed something. This is the beauty and glory of trance! This song completely sweeps me away. Songs like these make life worth living. That's the bottom line.
We're only through a third of the mix.
The Steve Gibbs Mix of Meia Lua is the signal that a new phase of the mix is beginning. The energy level is rising. The trance effects here are excellent. The synth sounds from the previous songs, some trippy vocals, and some other melodies that I don't have the capacity to describe make this awesome song take the mix forward with grace. And then the Gabriel & Dresden Mix of In My Memory creeps in. Anyone truly familiar with Tiësto knows that In My Memory is one of the best original compositions he will ever make. Gabriel & Dresden respect Tiësto's classic by producing an astounding remix. It's so frustrating to describe great songs like these. The lyrics, the effects of the remix, the tribal sound, and the build... it's nuts. During the break, an unbelievably intoxicating melody surfaces that takes you right into the breakdown. It's euphoric. THIS IS TRANCE!!! SERIOUSLY!!! BUY THIS FREAKING CD!!! AHHHHH!!!!! It's madness!!! Seven Tracks have gone by and I don't have one complaint.
But, if there is one song that comes close to making me complain, it has to be the next track: Your Body Is A Temple. Mix wise, the song is necessary. I've noticed that Tiësto uses at least one track on every mix that is relatively out of place in comparison to the rest of the mix. This is that track. But in all honesty, the track is awesome. There are stereo pans and field rotate effects that make the song a delight, especially with headphones on. It takes the energy of the mix even higher with trance elements that are harder and darker than those of any of the previous songs. And it mixes perfectly into World Clique's Don't Do It. Don't Do It makes you want to do it! This song has serious house elements. The robotic sound effects rule. The break with the tribal pipe sounds trips me out. The song's break is ambient joy, and the build is all business. The vocal that repeats over the breakdown is hypnotic. There are actually two builds, and the second one is more serious than the first. After the second build Tiësto sweeps you right into the Shelly Mix of Stringz Ultd. The melodies here are ridiculously consistent with the mix. It all makes sense. This mix is so consistent! The build on this song is deafening. The breakdown is fantastic. Energy wise, it is one of the highest points of the mix. And as a result, Tiësto takes the next logical step: slow it down.
Southern Sun is one of the greatest trance songs ever made. Without being over the top and without being filled with sirens and excessively dense builds, this song sends you into a state of bliss. "I still feel you beneath my skin... I am tempted to throw my senses in... `cause its easier to fly than to face another night in southern sun." The melodies, the chorus of voices in the background, the bass line... all of it make this song is among the greatest. "Pieces of the wind..." THIS IS EPIC TRANCE! Tiësto lifts Paul Oakenfold's song into the heavens with his remix. This is one of the best driving songs around. This song is a classic. At this point, Tiësto is challenging the original In Search Of Sunrise's seat at the throne.
But it's hard to outdo a song like Southern Sun. Tiësto takes the mix into deep trance with Accessive Rhythm's Activate. This isn't a strong point in the mix... but it's a track that necessarily separates one great track from another. The Gabriel & Dresden remix of Way Out West's Mindcircus is a definite highlight. Of The album's second half, this is the strongest reminder that you are listening to an In Search Of Sunrise mix. It expresses how great Gabriel & Dresden are. I mean, Tiësto features them twice on one mix. They are some of the best remix producers around. The driving beat here is mind numbing. The effects on the vocals are euphoric. This is the perfect cross between trance and house. "Almost ready to drift now... and I feel myself slipping inside you." Tiësto knows what the crowd wants. Love and Lust are what define the In Search Of Sunrise series. I have the utmost respect for Gabriel & Dresden for this song. I cannot imagine the damage a song like this would do to a dance floor. I can only hope that one day I will find out.
Nalin & Kane... anybody remember beachball? That is an all-time trance classic, so I expect great things from them. Open Your Eyes is no slouch. At this point I am reminded again that Tiësto knows better than anyone how to use individual songs to suit his purpose for a mix. Tracks 10 through 15 follow a sort of up and down pattern with each track, and I sense that was his idea. Anyway, the keyboard melodies on this song are good. They are too repetitive to make the song great, but the hyper trance melodies that accompany them at 3 minutes into the song (and earlier in the song, only briefly) make the song suit the mix well. It doesn't really matter, because this song exists only to prepare the listener for the last hurrah: Jericho's Personal Reflexion.
Just like In Search Of Sunrise 2, Tiësto's last desire is to send you away in a trance, and the final track fulfills this goal remarkably well. It takes you higher and higher, to a point so high with such screaming symphonic melodies that you want to jump out of your body and soar into space. The final track is extremely dramatic. It ends the mix with magnificent power. Tiësto sends you away baffled.
This is essential trance. You must buy this album. It's much better than the second In Search Of Sunrise. Unfortunately, I have to admit that ultimately, it does not surpass the original In Search Of Sunrise.
But at times, it makes you wonder...
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different but great! Tiesto just compiled another must have., July 30, 2002
GREAT! First of all, this album is different to the others In Search Of Sunrise sets. After all, who wants the same songs on other albums over and over again? Not me... This is not recycled music, so you will not find any trance anthems or anything like it! If you are looking for those kind of songs, this is not your CD... Tiesto's latest masterpice starts slow but he carefully increases the bpm as the CD progresses thus building up momentum... The first half of this cd is a nice housey mood setter that prepares you for this journey. By the middle to the end of the album the songs are faster and trippy, which is characteristic of this trance master, although not as progressive as he usually is. As far as for his mixing, I have 2 words 4 u... VERY GOOD! He just makes it look so nice together with a seamless flow. In reality, this is a different Tiesto... I started realizing this from his previous CD as an artist (In my memory). Face it, he has changed, he is not as progressive and as fast (bpm's) as before. For some people, including myself, change is good as long as it does not compromise the underground flavor that he and others are known for. His change is nothing like Paul Oakenfold's total departure and betrayal of trance music to the Pop culture. It's more like Acosta's kind of change on his latest CD "Next Level". Tiesto is still playing the housey trance that he loves. That is why I still consider him one of the best Dj's out there live or in the studio! If you have a taste for a cohesive, well thought, and trippy trance album, to listen in the house or in the car then you need to buy this cd. I had the pleasure to see Tiesto play live in Panama City, Panama twice. Fortunately, I recognize some songs in this album from his sets in my small but beautiful country... Believe me, there are some really good songs for dancing and trippin' in this CD. ENJOY!
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