What Happened To Originality? - TranceAddict Forums

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-- What Happened To Originality?

Posted by Johnny Eckhardt on Jul-20-2002 01:42:

What Happened To Originality?

First of all...don't get me wrong here...I'm a TA all the way...but I do have to wonder sometimes. What ever happened to creative originality? It seems like there is so much that comes out that sounds the same. You hear the same synths doing the same chord progressions and following the same format. They start off upbeat then go to almost silence and slowly build back up to that drum roll that no human drummer could possibly do that fast and then it's back uptempo. I don't know....maybe it's just being from the old school but I think I would go nuts if I had to work a dance floor. It's one thing to build the energy up and then throw in a moment of "quiet" and then build it back up...but not with every single song and almost all with the same sounding synth build up. there seems to be only a few that break that pattern (compared to how many that don't). Even if you follow that same format, do something different. A good example of that would be Saxuality by Hi Gate (good tune, by the way). There, even though they followed pretty much the same format, they made it really refreshing by throwing in a great saxophone instead of the usual synths. It just seems to me that so many are trying to achieve the same sound....but why? Where's the originality? What's wrong with keeping the energy level high throughout the whole song? I guess it's like just about everything else you see these days.....someone does something that people like and then everybody and their brother tries to copy it. I say...bring on something fresh and new...and exciting. It can be done...I know it can. Thanks for letting me vent.

Posted by Nadi on Jul-20-2002 01:45:

I agree with you to an extent, there not too similar for me. But I think the main reason is the old saying "Dont mess with success"

Posted by El~ZaPo on Jul-20-2002 02:23:

Are you forgetting about progressive trance?

Posted by Johnny Eckhardt on Jul-20-2002 08:19:

No...I haven't forgotten about progressive trance but what I was mainly talking about is all the stuff that comes out that sounds so much the same....and there's a lot of it....but that's not to say that there isn't a lot of good original stuff as well....I just think we need more originality and less "copying" of other's sound & style.

Posted by zapper on Jul-20-2002 09:46:

I think what you're talking about is a really important matter (if I understand you right). Lack of originality will be the greatest challenge the trance-genre will have to overcome, otherwise without it the music genre will slowly fade away over time (maybe 5, maybe 50 years ?) because it's just the same old stuff; nothing new, boring and uninspiring. Of course it was easier to make original-sounding tunes a couple of years ago when trance hadden't gone "mainstream" yet, because nowaydays everybody makes "trancy" music. Take "Rank 1 - Airwave" for example. At least three commercial tunes have been released that sounds almost exactly the same, listen to "Cascade - Altitude" & "The Mystery - Mystery" to get an idea. I'm not saying that these are bad tunes, just that they lack originality.

And then every once in a while a new name appears releasing a really different-sounding record which makes the crowds go crazy... (or something) and that's what makes the music evolve, which is a GOOD thing.

This was just some of my thoughs, I will write more on this if I get the time or will...

Posted by DJ-Ande on Jul-20-2002 11:20:

loads of producers seem 2 be copying

lange - drifting away (hiver & hammer remix)
push - strange world

they are basicly the same track!!!!!!!!!
the same goes for alot of tracks which don't come to mind atm, but i think originality is the main factor of a trance track, if its been done before nobodys likes it as much!

Posted by Sand Leaper on Jul-20-2002 13:55:

Yep,this is definately a problem trance is plagued with.We need fresh,creative minds in the scene,otherwise trance as a genre wil surely die for good.It's the exact same reson for why people like Tiesto stopped playing epic trance after 99.I could write more on this,but I'm too lazy now.

Posted by El~ZaPo on Jul-20-2002 16:03:

For me, the songs that are most original or have something special about them are the ones that I like most and I'm more likely to keep the song on mp3 or buy it.

Posted by Jayci on Jul-20-2002 16:37:

I agree that quite a few tracks sound similar, that's why I find that I'm deleting a lot more tracks that I download than I did before. Its just cuz it sounds so much like something I had before. But when a fresh new sound or melody comes out, I'm all over it

Posted by kr00t0n on Jul-20-2002 22:23:

It is exactly as my brother said it would be (he told me this back in 1999)

Basically, there are only SO MANY elements that one can use within a genre of music before they run out and all start sounding the same.
If producers had to be creative and different, it wouldnt be trance any more.
I still reckon that epic, uplifting trance has still got mebbe between 2 and 3 years before it fizzles. Other trance genres might remain (prog probably) but the 'sound that I love's years are numbered

Posted by TranceGiant on Jul-21-2002 02:27:

quote:
Originally posted by kr00t0n
If producers had to be creative and different, it wouldnt be trance any more.

heh? can u explain that?

Basically i agree on your statement. I really just thought about in the last few days when I
a, was totally disappointed by Ligaya, finding it not exciting at all
b, listened to tracks like lost tribe- gamemaster, shane- c'est musique, major league- wonder, marcus shultz - u wont see me cry etc etc...realizing that the quality of those tracks simply cant be reached by today's productions.

I know it ends up in another "back then everything was better" whining thread but its simply a fact: the lack of creativity in many of today's uplifting trance songs is obvious,,and saddening

Posted by DamnDirtyApe on Jul-21-2002 04:28:

A lot of producers probably figure that what wored before will work again, so why change your sound??

And definitely.. enough with the breakdowns! You can only stop dancing and go "wooooo!" so many times before it gets stale.

Posted by Eu4ea on Jul-21-2002 05:32:

quote:
Originally posted by TranceGiant

heh? can u explain that?

Basically i agree on your statement. I really just thought about in the last few days when I
a, was totally disappointed by Ligaya, finding it not exciting at all
b, listened to tracks like lost tribe- gamemaster, shane- c'est musique, major league- wonder, marcus shultz - u wont see me cry etc

yeah I absolutely loved the simpler gentle tracks back then. C'est musique was so emotional for me! Also thrillseekers - synaesthesia, System F - Cry, Atlantis vs. Avatar - Fiji, Ascension - Someone, Diving Faces..

But I'm kind of glad that trance is evolving and branching out, and I definitely am not feeling that it is all starting to sound the same. And there is much more to trance than build-ups, drumrolls, and breakdowns. Sure there's a lot more formulaic poo being put out there, since it sells. But I am still finding epic/anthem tracks I like, Art of trance is still making good tracks for example.
The more you listen the more picky you get, it's normal. I think trance is branching out wide enough to cater to everyone's needs for originality, so I'm not too bothered by it dying out any time soon!

Posted by Johnny Eckhardt on Jul-21-2002 08:22:

I often wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that we're starting to see (hear) a lot more productions, for the most part, made on PC workstations with less time being spent in a studio? maybe what is needed, as well as innovative minds, is a broader range of software to choose from. How many times have you been listening to a tune and then realize...."hey..I know that sound....that was done with Rebirth...or Reason..etc."? I'm noticing it more and more all the time. I'm not saying that's a bad thing...it's just an observation. So...if we had more software to choose from....with more options....maybe we would hear more diversity? Now i'm just rambling on...time for a nap.

Posted by Johnny Eckhardt on Jul-21-2002 08:30:

Posted by Kia Kaha on Jul-21-2002 09:08:

Nah its not lack of originality ... its just the bone headedness of the record execs that are in charge of deciding what actually gets released and what doesn't ... they think 'oooh that song's pretty popular so I'll quickly go find something that sounds exactly like it and release it on my label'. There are a few record labels and a few DJs that actually go out on a limb and innovate and break new tracks and new artists, but the big record labels aren't into risk taking. If you take into account the fact that guys like Jules and Dave Pearce get their playlists pretty much determined in advance by which record label pays them the most for airplay, and you can see why it seems that all trance music on the radio sounds a bit the same at any given time.

In fact it's the same every year - there's always a handful of mind blowingly cool tracks that rip the roof off the Ibiza clubs at the start of every summer, the MoS guys pounce and put out a compilation, the rest of the industry follows suit, and a whole load of derivative and increasingly bland shite music follows us around for 10 months afterwards. We're at the tail end of the current cycle at the moment, that's all.

There's plenty of life in epic trance yet - I firmly believe there are countless billions of new riffs and melodies and synth phrases out there waiting to be discovered. Dont let yourself be disillusioned by the second rate shit that gets foisted on us by lazy producers and greedy record labels, there is still sooo much good trance out there if you are willing to listen to artists and DJs you've not heard of, instead of just sitting about waiting for the next Tiesto mix. It's not going to go away, I'm gonna be still loving this music when I'm old for sure ... just will all you people who go to Gatecrasher NEC in 2048 make room for me and my zimmer frame OK?

Posted by Kia Kaha on Jul-21-2002 09:29:

And another thing - whats up with dissing breakdowns all of a sudden anyway? I like breakdowns ... and buildups ... and high energy bits as well ... to me its that ebb and flow of aggression and release that totally distinguishes a good set from a mediocre one. Sure breakdowns can sound the same if you listen to a bunch of records that are the same ... but there are so many millions of ways out there to do a breakdown that don't involve that little drum roll or whatever.

If you have a DJ that plays all the same sounding music that has the same breakdowns then blame the DJ not the music, there are so many cool songs with awesome breakdowns that don't even get played out. Case in point - my favourite breakdown of all time - Terra Ferma - 'The adventures of ...' <---- I have NEVER heard this played in a club, even though the breakdown can reduce me to tears when I just play it on my walkman - but how many times even to this day do you see a dance floor full of people going all wavey arms and watery eyes when they hear that fucking riff from '9 pm til I come'

Don't knock the breakdowns I say ... when they are mixed up well in a set, they are an integral and beautiful part of epic trance ... if you want only high energy then go listen to hard house

Posted by Greedy on Jul-21-2002 09:47:

As long as I dont hear anymore Sandstorm remixes, Im cool. As for your dillema, get more tunes. Just kidding, but for real though. It seems like everytime a DJ tries something new, he gets flamed. I dont know how many threads Ive seen flaming Oakie for collaborating with rap artists, doing stuff for movie soundtracks and not dropping tracks like he used to. Some ppl dont even realize that hes been doing shit like that since the MID EIGHTIES.
The other day I saw a thread flaming PVD and Tiesto for dropping a track that was out of usual. HELLO, this is new SHIT and a new style emerging. So everyone stop saying "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMFG OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!" and flame like a gay festival. Chill out and listen to the new beatz!

There's plenty of changes going on, so I dont know what youre talking about.

Posted by P`zazz on Jul-21-2002 10:08:

cj bolland - the prophet

and

dj snowman - and then they started to dance

WTF?

Posted by Blue. on Jul-21-2002 22:42:

Theres lack of originality in all genres. There's always people copying the styles of others, no escaping it people wanna take proven formulas and use em'.

Posted by Kurve on Jul-22-2002 00:42:

I think trance has lost so much originality for the last few years..... all the records sound the same ..non of the djs are really trying anything new ...sets sound the same there style sounds the sam e..people say if its good why change it ..well with music u cant do that u always have to be new and innovative and original ...otherwise ull lose interest...... i dont blame djs who are changing there styles awsome from the typically epic trance shit thats been floating around for years and years sounding the same.....Trance (epic) is definatly not as it used to be its dieing in my mind ....i lost intrest the past year or so .....i believe trance has to change into something new to keep its self up there ....what im seeing is progressive and trance being more closely together as it was in 98-99..... i listening to many progressive tracks that are pure progressive but have trancy elements ....so my predictions are that trance will go back to more of the 98 style of trance ...more progressive elements and more subtle synths and melodies that dont really control the song just support the track the way it was back then.... 2003 will be just like 1998..IMO..... trance needs to stop refering its self to just melodies and focus on other elements of a song ... cuz right now Trance is extremely predictable which is shitty.