Holland's trance genius artist/DJ returns with 2005's follow up to his A State of Trance 2004. Though disc 1 includes his smash hit "Shivers," don't expect the same fare as on "2004." Armin's desire not to limit himself to one style of music and his live set track choices as of late obviously influenced the compilation of these 26 dance cuts, all beatmixed of course. About half the project is instrumental.
The majority of songs on Disc one, appropriately labeled "Light," are fairly chilled-out. Despite their consistent 4/4 drive, it's the key and melodic tracks and transcendent female vocals that keep this half of Disc one relaxing yet upbeat. "Shivers" and "Falling Anywhere (rework)" are essentially the same as their respective album versions. Starting with track 6, the energy level builds to John O'Callaghan's remix of Sophie Sugar's "Call of Tomorrow" --clearly a highlight of this disk and a strong closing cut with its punchy arpeggios and interesting percussion break towards the end. Other gems include Enmass- "Beyond Horizon" and Armin's remake of Fragile's "Intertia;" Alex Lemon's vocals on this solid upbeat track are a welcome break on this mostly female-fronted disc.
Disc two ("Dark") is a collection of (obviously) darker, shorter cuts. The first half of the disc is markedly funkier and slower than anything I'd expect to hear Armin spin and kicks off with Peter Martin's "Simply Blue." Its guttural percussion and creative horn loops make for a laid-back but interesting techno-trance cut. The New Order-like guitars and growling bass of Nu Frequency's "808" immediately grabbed my attention. Tilt- "Twelve (Max Graham remix)" and Recluse- "Emotional Void" were hot trance energy favorites of mine-- more what I'd want to hear from Armin. The Adam White "Ballerina" track featuring the falsetto vocals of Martin Grech comes off a bit operatic but compellingly unusual nonetheless. Blank & Jones-"Perfect Silence (E-Craig 212 vocal mix)" is more than a slight tweak on the original. Although shorter, it sports muted vocal selections over programming that leans more brooding and rhythmic.
