Ian Van Dahl - Lost & Found

Great singer, horrible lyrics and music

There are only a select few songs I like by Ian Van Dahl and this album has maybe one good song if that.

As far as vocals go, the singer is extremely talented and she's incredibly beautiful. However, the lyrics and the music are just horrible. This is probably one of the worst CDs I have ever bought and I own over 500 albums (even Falco is better).

I would listen closely to the samples to hear for yourself if you're considering buying this to make sure you know what you're getting into. August 24, 2007

One Very Long Song

Let's start this with my confession that while I have wideranging musical interests I have little knowledge of trance music.

If this CD is any indication, I now understand why.

With the exception of no more than three songs, the same disco beat and song structure permeates, no, infects this CD. Were it not for the quiet parts between the tracks I would have little ability to tell one "song" from another. Perhaps this is the desired effect. If so, I'd just download one song from the CD and then replicate it 16 times and you'd have the same result as buying the CD.

So why even two stars? Well the vocalist has a pretty good voice even if the lyrics are incredibly banal and if she is the woman on the CD she is good looking. How shallow is that?

After I download a couple of songs to add to my running tunes on my Nano I will have a very lightly used copy of this CD for sale cheap.

May 23, 2007

Great trance and vocals - lousy content

I may be the minority here, but am I the only one that is looking for a little more fulfillment in their trance music?

I am a fond lover of trance and follower of the great spinners of trance, progressive trance, and some of the newest electronica. I would say my love for vocal trance probably started around the era of Sarah McLaughlin's SILENCE, remixed by Tiesto who I've seen, and has progressed from there.


Don't get me wrong - Ian Van Dahl's Vocal voice is astounding and is comparable with Jan Johnston, Sarah McLaughlin, and dare I say even Justine Suissa, and the trance music itself is comparable to what the Thrillseekers would play and even AVB and PVD and Tiesto (all of whom I've seen turn a room of tranceheads into a screaming yelling stadium of EUPHORIA) with some of their own productions work and/or remixes. It's the content of the words in this particular album which has me left looking for more.

Of all the trance vocalists and great remixers/producers I have mentioned, one theme resonates thruout - is that nearly EUPHORIC feeling (call it "trance" like) like you are flying upto the clouds or watching the sunrise from a vantage point of floating in the clouds. That's what trance (to me) is supposed to do. It elevates to euphoria. Ian Van Dahls song's on this particular album is all about unrequited love and painful loss. Every song resonates a feeling of having to overcome prior pain and trying to move on...Is this how one reaches a higher level of euphoria?

Recall Chicane's Autumn Tactics, or "Sun is shining" Tiesto Remix, or Synthethesia, or Take me Away, or Clear Blue Skies from Suissa, or the forever monumental Silence..All these somngs, ALL OF THEM, sing of great skies, great love, and passion to be achieved...in short of Trance=like Euphoria.
I felt like I was listiening to a remix of a Nine Inch Nails Song, or Stabbing Westward, or even the Evanesence genre where pain and sadness is understood and goes so well with the music. Here the content of the lyrics just do not go with the type of song...all sadness with trance/happy music...It's almost redundant. It's a waste of a beautiful voice really as well as good trance music to boot. I want to re-emphasize that her voice is beautiful, and that the trance music is good and build-up, drops and sustaining rhythm...this is what great euphoric trance music is made of. What is said tho..keeps it at a very normal level. This is an insult to Ace album and the popular "Castles in the sky"

I would be remiss if I did not give my fellow trance afficianados a rundown of what some songs are about as that is my only gripe with this lackluster album.
1. I can't let you go - "Can't stop thinking about a love from the past"
2. Inspiration - "No need to be alone, I'm here for you"
3. Where are you Now - "I thought our love was strong - where did it go?"
4. Crying - Self Explanatory
5. Crazy - "I'm crazy for you, now that you're gone"
6. My Own - "Wonder where you are.. I need you "

...............
I think you get the point on the general theme of the album

If you're looking for how heartwrenching lost love music sounds with trance and a soprano like voice, then this is the album for you. However, if you're looking to fly to the sun , to feel passionate about the loves of your life and all the experiences this great music has brought to us and to run even faster ih the gym, or bike further, climb higher, or to feel that oceanbreeze...then this is NOT the album for you. This album will make you cry over sadness...not happiness. This album is NOT uplifting trance....and so what then is the point?? November 14, 2006

Best Female Trance Album!!

There's not one bad song on this album! The vocals are great, my fav songs are tracks 6,8,and 9, but all the tracks are good. If you liked "ace" then you will definitely like "lost and found" September 26, 2006

Trance at its best!!!

I wish there was a way to give a CD more than just 5 tars, because this CD is amazing. Here's a quick run-down of the tracks:
1. I can't let you go- A great song with a great beat. A bit commercial sounding, but that's what singles are for. Very catchy song that is definitely one of my favorites. 10/10
2. Inspiration- Another great song. This one really stands out and is different from the other tracks. Also, it isn't all about lost love. 10/10
3. Where are you now- Good song. Not as good as some of Ian Van Dahl's other singles, but still good. 9/10
4. Crying- This is probably my favorite song on the CD. Although the song is a little long at 5 and a half minutes, it's still a great song. Very catchy. 10/10
5. Crazy- This song should have been a single. Although it's kind of commercial sounding, it has a good beat, and Annemie's voice sounds AMAZING on this song. 9/10
6. My Own- A great song. Although it is long, the way the layers build onto each other is great. Repetitive, but still a great track. 9/10
7. Waiting for You- An amazing ballad. listening to it almost makes me cry sometimes. 9/10
8. Do You Feel the Same- This track has a slightly different sound to it, but the difference makes it a great song. 8.5/10
9. Come to Me- At first it's kind of annoying, but then it gets stuck in your head. It has a simple melody, but that's not a bad thing in this case. 7/10
10. Time to Go- Probably one of the best tracks on Lost & Found. Time to Go is my favorite after Crying. This song shows what real trance is about. 10/10
11. Rollercoaster- A great instrumental track. Has a kind of creepy sound to it, but still fun to listen to. 8/10
12. Without You- Okay track, but it doesn't really stand out. Not amazing, but still good. 7/10
13. Believe- LOVE this song. it's quite catchy and inspiring. 10/10
14. Walking Away- A little better than just okay. 7.5/10
15. To Fall in Love- This melody has a dark, haunting sound to it, but I still like it. THis is one of those songs you have to be in the mood for or else you won't like it. 8/10
16. State of Mind- AMAZING SONG!!! It's kkind of different, but I love the difference. It is unique, yet not weird. 10/10

This CD is definitely worth buying. Even if you don't completely LOVE it at first, listen to some of the tracks again, and you will realize how great the songs realy are. Hope this review was helpful to you :) June 26, 2006

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