Music Review: Paul Van Dyk - Volume - Page 3

Humate's "Love Stimulation," and later, Binary Finary's "1998" are two early classics of the trance genre that receive Pauls's treatment. Although a bit historical at this point (both the originals and the remixes included here), they still hold up admirably well and are good extensions that stay true to the spirit of the source material. "Love Stimulation" especially, was one of Paul's early successes, and shows his adept turn at a genre he helped to define. For many these tracks will be a nice trip down memory lane.

Both "Bring My Family Back" by Faithless and "Poor Choice of Words" (from Batman) by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard do little to impress. Partly because they feel a bit generic-clubby, but mainly because they contain so little of the source material that you might as well be listening to anything. They're not bad as distractions, but neither do they do much to distinguish themselves.

Fortunately, the tail end of the disc actually comes across pretty well. The remix of Lisa Miskovsky's "Still Alive" (the theme for the video game Mirror's Edge), and Britney Spear's "Gimme More" are both well done and do commendable jobs of raising the energy level of the tracks without letting them veer off the rails.

Volume does a good job of offering both substance and quality, as long as you view the remix disc outing as a legitimate bonus instead of a crucial part of the value proposition. The best-of section is a solid and highly enjoyable journey through Paul's production repertoire. The remix section is on the enjoyable side of weak, with points marked off mainly because it's being compared to much stronger material before it. However, as both discs are mixed, they offer two high-energy sets that most people who enjoy club music should find enjoyable.

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Lost somewhere in the rolling hills of Tennessee, David R Perry can occasionally be found doing dark, unspeakable things to words. Printed words, spoken words, electronically mangled words... really any kind but twittered words.

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