Rating:
Genre:
Electronica
Release Date: 05/06/2008
Following on from the success of his sophomore set
Shivers, DJ/remixer/producer
Armin Van Buuren returned with 2008's
Imagine. More musically adventurous than its predecessor, the Dutch club hero continues to push the boundaries of
trance to their limits on the set-opening title track.
"Imagine" begins in, of all places, pomp rock, then storms into the clubs on battering beats and pulsing bass, but even after it settles into its groove, the majestic melody and synthetic guitar licks keep the excitement level at fever pitch.
"Going Wrong" is just as inspired,
New Romantic and
new wave-edged but doused in
house, with vocalist
Chris Jones adding to the classic status of this obvious crowd pleaser.
"Hold on to Me"'s melody line initially soars like
U2, but then the piece breaks towards
synth-pop while
Audrey Gallagher bounces overhead. It's a stirring mix of wave,
pop, and
trance.
"In and Out of Love" beautifully blends an angular
post-punk rhythm with a
New Romantic atmosphere, the latter emphasized by
Sharon den Adel's soaring vocals and creating a glimmering, entrancing piece. Ethereal vocals float over the coursing
"Face to Face," a number as beholden to its
New Romantic mood as it is to its pounding beats; eventually, though, the number slides into
house and even pushes towards
techno.
"Unforgivable," too, has a
house-y tinge and a wonderfully squelchy bassline, the percussion adding a dollop of
industrial to the sound, with
Jaren's warm, sultry vocals adding heat to the number's fire.
"Never Say Never" adds elements of old-school
house to the mix, as does
"What If," which also boasts a quite intricately arranged rhythm.
"Fine Without You" increases the tempo and the tension, while
"Rain" storms straight into
trance. The set closing
"Intricacy" is a roller coaster ride, skirting around gabba territory before shooting down into
house and back up into
trance, the insistent four on the floor beats driving the number to its ecstatic conclusion. For all its stylistic careening,
Van Buuren's careful sequencing gives
Imagine a phenomenal flow, much like his live DJ sets. The album's energy, its constantly shifting tones, rhythms, and moods, its strong melodies and excellent vocals: all keep the thrill factor high throughout.
~Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
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