I finally decided I'd give this a listen.

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Originally posted by lücid 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.

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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.

Last edited by Paradox Lost on Apr-10-2008 at 10:38

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

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quote:

Quoting Lucien Foort House was ooit house. Een gevoel, een scene, een stroming die recalcitrant was. Waar je 's middags in Outland Records, Basic Beat, Hotsound of Kareltje netjes op je beurt wachtte om platen te scoren die je in de nacht ging horen. Waar als Roderick & Anne Fleur gingen hockeyen, Jack stoer verklaarde: “Laat er house zijn en housemuziek werd geboren”. Waar ongelovigen toch predikten “God made me funky, and I’m glad He blessed me this way”.

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.

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last minute disco dot net

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!

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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.

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Originally posted by kikoolol 11 Imagination - Just An Illusion (Lindstrøm 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

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

I disagree.