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.

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.

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?

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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

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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.

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When you start to criticize the times you live in, your time is over. ~Karl Lagerfeld

cj bolland - the prophet

and

dj snowman - and then they started to dance

WTF?

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'.

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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.