We talk a lot about metal and experimental music on the blog, but we also have a tremendous amount of dance music that will be gracing the racks. Seamus, our resident punk and hardcore expert, is not particularly big on trance, and therefore the best person to start digging through the crates. Read on for the first edition (of many? perhaps!) of A Layperson's Guide to Trance.
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We have a lot of trance for sale. I don’t know a damn thing about trance, its origins, its current state, how to talk about it, etc. Let’s get into it.
Loop Control - Exceptionally Beautiful b/w Reflections
This seems to be either a come up or come down record. Overall pretty mellow and easy-going. “Exceptionally Beautiful” has a hopeful recurring melody that recurs a little too often for my liking, but there’s a nice driving beat to keep it afloat. “Reflections” is much calmer, truly lulling you into a state of trance relaxation. In Trance We Trust.
Freemind - Tranceform Original Mix b/w Beta Remix/Club Disciples Remix
"Original Mix" has some real “playing Breakout on my cousin’s computer in 2002” vibe, but a bit more clubby than an 8-year-old me could understand. The Beta remix has one foot firmly in techno, while the Club Disciples remix has some awesome dark low end stuff brewing under the surface. Pretty awesome.
Baby Doc Feat. SJ - Bangers and Mash b/w Fried Onion Mix
I kind of don’t have much to say about either side, they were pretty indistinguishable to my ears. Way harder/more techno-focused, the occasional vocal line but gone were the classic trance synths. Somehow maybe both the best or the worst of the pile.