Album Review: Armin van Buuren ‘Imagine’

Album Review: Armin van Buuren ‘Imagine’

19 May, 2008 | 8.03AM

• Written by: Ellie
• Filed under: Music News:

When Armin van Buuren created the award-winning album, ‘Shivers’, he set himself some high standards for any future releases.

But in producing his third artist album, ‘Imagine’, he’s not only matched the quality of ‘Shivers’, he’s totally smashed it.

Arguably his best release to date, ‘Imagine’ opens with a track that sets you up for something big.

The anticipation created by the intro means that expectations for the tracks to follow are high, but it’s ok because the rest of the album doesn’t disappoint. 

‘Going Wrong’ – the first release from the album – stays in line with the rock trance trend, which was first brought to us with Dogzilla’s ‘Without You’ and was popularised by Filo & Peri’s ‘Anthem’.

In the tracks to follow, we’re treated to all the uplifting vocals we’ve come to expect from the king of trance, but with more bass than we’re used to hearing from him.

Tracks like ‘Never Say Never’ have a catchy beat, but are still euphoric enough to satisfy your needs.

Other highlights include ‘Rain’, with its Rank 1 qualities, and the big room trance track ‘Intricacy’, which has all the makings of a future anthem.

An artist who’s constantly doing something different with trance, Armin maintains your attention throughout by making a point of avoiding formulas.

It’s no wonder ‘Imagine’ made it to Number 1 in the Dutch album charts and no doubt it’ll score high on the list of best albums for many a trance fan; but then would you honestly expect anything other than a World class artist album from the World’s best DJ?

The only problem is how he can top this one.

• (1) Comments
• (5490) Views
• Get 'Imagine' on Beatport