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-- Balance 013: SOS
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quote:

Originally posted by rawbound The Blacklight Society - 2028

once it gets a little past half way, definitely .

james holden still holds the balance award imo.

Salome - Joash.

Absolutely beautiful track.

disc one is unreal.

Loving this after the first listen, really enjoyed CD2.

I finally decided I'd give this a listen.

quote:

Originally posted by l�cid disc one is unreal.

Absolutely not what I expected, specially after the first 3 tracks but it is indeed something really special. I don't think I've heard anything this unique since Nick Warren's Reykjavik. Will listen to disc two tonight.

I can't say that Balance SOS met or didn't meet my expectations, seeing as I really had no idea what to expect in the first place. Insofar as a pleasing listening experience is concerned, this one left me with mixed impressions.

Disc 1: Awesome first few tracks. It became immediate from the onset that this wasn't going to be your typical downtempo/chillout disc, throwing in plenty of subtle beats to compliment the abundance of ambient textures found throughout. Unfortunately, towards the midpoint, everything began to feel rather clunky and uneven, and found my interest consistently waning during the latter half.

Disc 2: Probably my favorite of the three discs. The first half of the mix was thoroughly solid, and had a very well coordinated rise in intensity via superb track selection and sequencing. After around track eight or so, I felt it veered off all over the map, and didn't regain its balance towards the home stretch (though it wasn't enough to lend any dramatic improvements to the overall disc).

Disc 3: I need to give this disc one more listen, in which case I'll edit this afterwords, but I recall my sentiments being similar to that of 2, and had a wonderfully emotional (did I just say 'wonderfully emotional?') closing sequence that also managed to appropriately cap off the entire mix comp in addition to the disc itself.

Generally speaking, I think the problem with the overall release is that each disc attempts to be a little too eclectic in its track selection. At times, it works quite favorably, offering a finely cohesive blend diverse sounds that oftentimes seems to reflect a pleasent sense of nostalgia, but at others (most others), it just comes off as fragmented and lacking a stable foothold.

On that note, everything on all three discs is crafted extremely well. The mixing is about as solid as anything else you would expect on a Balance release, and is most thoughtfully executed. The sequencing feels done with great care and attention to meaningfulness, and it is due to these reasons and the bright spots mentioned earlier that I would have to give this one 3 1/2 out of 5.

nice review paradox lost. i agree with you on a lot of points, though my rating would be 4.5/5

quote:

Originally posted by Paradox Lost I can't say that Balance SOS met or didn't meet my expectations, seeing as I really had no idea what to expect in the first place. Insofar as a pleasing listening experience is concerned, this one left me with mixed impressions. Disc 1: Awesome first few tracks. It became immediate from the onset that this wasn't going to be your typical downtempo/chillout disc, throwing in plenty of subtle beats to compliment the abundance of ambient textures found throughout. Unfortunately, towards the midpoint, everything began to feel rather clunky and uneven, and found my interest consistently waning during the latter half. Disc 2: Probably my favorite of the three discs. The first half of the mix was thoroughly solid, and had a very well coordinated rise in intensity via superb track selection and sequencing. After around track eight or so, I felt it veered off all over the map, and didn't regain its balance towards the home stretch (though it wasn't enough to lend any dramatic improvements to the overall disc). Disc 3: I need to give this disc one more listen, in which case I'll edit this afterwords, but I recall my sentiments being similar to that of 2, and had a wonderfully emotional (did I just say 'wonderfully emotional?') closing sequence that also managed to appropriately cap off the entire mix comp in addition to the disc itself. Generally speaking, I think the problem with the overall release is that each disc attempts to be a little too eclectic in its track selection. At times, it works quite favorably, offering a finely cohesive blend diverse sounds that oftentimes seems to reflect their own sense of nostalgia, but at others (most others), it just comes off as fragmented and lacking a stable foothold. On that note, everything on all three discs is crafted extremely well. The mixing is about as solid as anything else you would expect on a Balance release, and is most thoughtfully executed. The sequencing feels done with great care and attention to meaningfulness, and it is due to these reasons and the bright spots mentioned earlier that I would have to give this one 3 1/2 out of 5.

Couldn't agree more with this, very well spoken sir.

In my opinion this Balance is way too much overhyped. It's definately not bad, but lacks a good flow to keep the mixes interesting all the way through. Besides that it contains quite a few tracks I don't like at all... Maybe this release will grow on me the next couple of weeks though.

3/5

Brings me back to the SOS Tikki party @ WMC. Memories ...

I think I'm going to wait to listen to this for a few weeks until after the hype has died down.

The number of people who have either praised or panned this to me extensively has just left me with a bunch of preconceived notions about the mix that have made me completely lose interest in it before I've even heard it.

I hate it when that happens.

I just skipped through CD1 so I can't really comment on it. CD2 however, is fucking GOLD. Great flow from start to finish, gets going REALLY well, very subtle and on point mixing. One minute everything is chill then before u know it a half hour has went by and the shit is bumpin! Can't wait to dive into CD3!

quote:

Originally posted by Bouma-Bros It's definately not bad, but lacks a good flow to keep the mixes interesting all the way through. Besides that it contains quite a few tracks I don't like at all.

That's where I stand. Two tracks that I really liked, but beyond that, I just couldn't get into it.

quote:

Originally posted by kikoolol 11 Imagination - Just An Illusion (Lindstr�m Dub) (SOS Edit)

I've always wanted to do something with this track. Way to go Lindstrom

At a party, playing all three discs in succession would be great - because the oddball tracks thrown in are ideal for picking up a conversation with someone... but just sitting at home focusing on the mixing and track selection is just pointless. Goin to Mammoth Mountain this weekend and this will be my soundtrack for the drive and I don't think I'll be disappointed. This comp is as good or better than most of the Balance releases - top, top quality - but it really depends on your taste. This is a party comp or driving comp - something that you listen to while doing something else. Yes, Holden's is still top's for me, but this isn't even close to that style. Nor is it like Fortier's, or Pappa's, or Paolo's, or Burridge's, or even Desyn's... get the point??? 8/10

quote:

Originally posted by ghostridenhuffy focusing on the mixing and track selection is just pointless.

I disagree.

CD1 = yummy
CD2 = meh...
CD3 = woot

Bit disappointed, but still a good release...

quote:

Originally posted by ghostridenhuffy ... but just sitting at home focusing on the mixing and track selection is just pointless.

What else is there to focus on a CD that contains tracks, mixed together, one after the other? The artwork?

quote:

Originally posted by woscar99 What else is there to focus on a CD that contains tracks, mixed together, one after the other? The artwork?

... that was not my point. The mixing is great and so is the programming. My point was that all three discs should be listened to in succession while doing something else... like driving, or at a party. I agree that some tracks aren't to my liking. I have a feeling that this was done on purpose - and for a good purpose. For me this is not a 'late night light a spliff and put on the headphones comp' - it's a comp that provides a soundtrack to your evening or day, or whatever. There are many comps that merit the home listening, self indulging aural experience, but for me this was not one of them. It's a comp that says: Hey, I'm having some friends over and you are invited to the SOS party. Funny how so many people weren't sure what to expect, but this is a good thing because preconceived notions about what to expect are greatly diminished while while the music and the experience clearly speak for itself...

I've listened to one and two a few times now. Very well done, I really enjoy the 2nd half of the first disc. Second disc is a nice housey set, not too invasive, doesn't get too epic or anything like that. Starting on three in a bit.

Gave this 3.5/5 as well, i loved Disc 1 i thought that was really well planned out but the other two discs had parts that seemed dull and didn't go anywhere, some great tunes though in there.

quote:

Originally posted by Dj_Es-Dva Gave this 3.5/5 as well, i loved Disc 1 i thought that was really well planned out but the other two discs had parts that seemed dull and didn't go anywhere, some great tunes though in there.

Really? I had the exact opposite opinion...I felt disc one was very unique regarding track selection but really doesn't go anywhere. Perhaps I need to take a few more listens.

I need to listen to these in a setting other than my car, but so far cd 2 is my fav. However, i do agree that the tracks dont seem to flow all the well across the entire sets.

I've listened to it all as of this morning and honestly have to say I have no opinion on it.

The first disc is my favorite, but I don't think I'll listen to it much. The second has some unbelievably good tunes on it, but is programmed poorly, at too low a BPM, and has some wretched mixes on it (the mix into "Big Fun" is the worst mix that has ever appeared on a Balance compilation).

The third disc is probably the most well put together, but I just never found pace with it.

I don't know, the whole thing has left me quite literally "on the fence" - it isn't at all good, but I wouldn't call it failure either.

still loving disc one and two. i can see why so many people are on the fence about them since they're not perfect and kind of all over the place as far as track selection and programming goes, but i actually like them more because of the imperfections and diversity. i haven't been able to get into disc three... it just hasn't been what i wanted to listen to anytime i put it on.

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