Review Summary: A pretty good effort from the famous DJ
I guess I can make the assumption that modern trance is not only ridiculously cheesy, but watered down to the point of offensiveness to the genre itself. I mean, look at it like this; how many artists do we need that create nothing but predictable buildups, crummy synthesizer patterns, and uncreative vocals/lyrics that are basically a horrible imitation to the genre itself? Without going into specific detail, there’s a lot, and particularly in the contemporary age of it all. Arguably enough however, there’s actually a handful of creative artists in the trance scene still thriving as we speak, like popular ones that usually get the fame/fortune such as Tiesto and ATB. Artists such as these have expanded trance over the years and increased the popularity a reasonable amount. Tiesto’s released his ‘In Search of Surnise’ DJ mixes and ATB has made his ‘No Silence’ LP that by a pinnacle have increased the whole name-of-the-game in trance. But with Tiesto’s newest installment ‘Kaleidoscope’, there isn’t much commotion, and instead of the man’s popular trance, he flirts with house/electro more than anything else.
In its narrowest terms, anyone that enjoys dance music that is between average/good and even somewhat redundant at times, then you might just enjoy what is distributed in your ears. ‘Kaleidoscope’ at its main point is nothing too exciting to keep oneself listening for years to come. It plays like a quick affair, almost as simple as some catchy tunes designated to approach you easily but leave you wanting more. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is most certainly not terrible at all, but compared to Tiesto’s emotionally moving trance albums from his first days, this would seem like an insufficient act in his part. Some may agree or disagree, but it’s all what your mind is set as.
With a gasping 17 tracks each ranging from 2-7 minutes, you’re bound to find at least something you have a good time with; and that’s what you’ll find with ‘Feel It in my bones.’ The vocalist brings a captivating image throughout the song, and slides in a tear-jerking essence that is very memorable. ‘Escape Me’ has a spread out field of different synthesizers and guitars/basses in which make a chaotic mess of sound to explore. The warmest track on here is ‘Here on Earth’, with the beautiful synth lead that is pure bliss and an uplifting sensation that is hard to pin-point in.
Simply put, ‘Kaleidoscope’ has a few areas that excel in delivery and good-looking charms, but this LP definitely isn’t something that will impact you hard emotionally, or in terms of breathtaking standards. I can’t say I would recommend this as opposed to his earliest work, but needless to say it’s a fun little electro/house attempt. Hopefully in the future Tiesto will completely change his ways and shift away from the two genres and go to 100% trance. But with said, Tiesto is a man that truly loves what he does.
