Reflections CD

Paul Van Dyk's first new artist album in 3 years! Features 13 tracks. Mute. 2003.

Personnel: Paul Van Dyk (vocals, programming); John McDaid (vocals, piano); Second Sun, Vega 4, Jan Johnston, Antoine, Hemstock, Jennings (vocals); Atomek Dogg, Trooper Da Don (rap vocals); Bruce Gainsford (guitar); Simon Walker (bass); Bryan McLellan (drums).
Recorded at White Room, Nucleus Studios, Berlin, Germany and Eden Studios, London, England.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Paul van Dyk (vocals); Chris Forman, Jan Johnston, Antoine Toupin (vocals); Bruce Gainsford (guitar); Simon Walker (bass guitar); Atomek Dogg (scratches).
Recording information: Eden Studios, London, England; Nucleus Studios, Berlin, Germany.
Photographer: Olaf Heine.
Paul Van Dyk is one of the few trance DJs with a sure touch in the producer's chair as well as the DJ booth. That his productions usually end up bland and disposable like most of the white labels being passed around proves only that the trance scene relies more on the enthusiasm of its audience instead of the quality of its music. Reflections, Van Dyk's first album of new productions in three years, illustrates that his long years of Smiths/New Order fandom left him with a good sense for a sublime hook. While not a pop album by any means, Van Dyk did write songs for Reflections, and collaborated with several artists, all of them obscure and strictly to type (Vega 4 equals Dirty Vegas, Jan Johnston equals Sarah Cracknell). The pleading, artificially textured vocal performance that fronts Vega 4 is calculated and several years behind the times, while a rap production for German-based rapper Trooper da Don doesn't measure up either. Though most of these tracks appear to have been created with car-commercial crossover in mind, "Like a Friend" is worthy of a spin; a sublime melody and an unencumbered backing track proves the perfect setup for Johnston's sincere platitudes about friendship ("Be aware of the world/And be true to your conscience"). Most of the songs here are detached in their attempts at euphoria, always with a strong melody chained to a percussion line that sits back and waits for several minutes to elapse before fading away. Several of them would be strong tracks if Van Dyk slotted them during a DJ date, but in trying to slant Reflections both ways -- as pop crossover and progressive trance -- he fails at both. ~ John Bush
Paul Van Dyk is one of the few trance DJs with a sure touch in the producer's chair as well as the DJ booth. Reflections, Van Dyk's first album of new productions in three years, illustrates that his long years of Smiths/New Order fandom left him with a good sense for a sublime hook. While not a pop album by any means, Van Dyk did write songs for Reflections, and collaborated with several artists, all of them obscure and strictly to type (Vega 4 equals Dirty Vegas, Jan Johnston equals Sarah Cracknell). "Like a Friend" is a standout: a sublime melody and an unencumbered backing track prove the perfect setup for Johnston's sincere platitudes about friendship ("Be aware of the world/And be true to your conscience"). Most of the songs here are detached in their attempts at euphoria, always with a strong melody linked to a percussion line that sits back and waits for several minutes to elapse before fading away. [In 2004 Mute released a special edition featuring a bonus disc of eight remixes.] ~ John Bush
As both a club DJ and a record producer, Paul Van Dyk is known for fusing the crowd-pleasing aspects of house and trance, and 2003's REFLECTIONS follows suit, while adding a string of pop hooks and catchy refrains to the usual mixology. The use of pop elements and guest vocalists on the album indicate Van Dyk may be moving away from his more progressive tendencies and toward--perhaps--a more crossover-directed sound.
"Like a Friend," for example, features a sung moral lesson abQ (11/03, p.124) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Gorgeous, string-swaddled trance cuts like 'Buenaventura' and the title track are a reminder that the oft-imitated maestro has yet to be bettered..."
Q (11/03, p.124) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Gorgeous, string-swaddled trance cuts like 'Buenaventura' and the title track are a reminder that the oft-imitated maestro has yet to be bettered..."
CMJ (10/6/03, p.37) - "...A fabulous vocal-driven record with a place in the club, as well as the home..."
CMJ (10/6/03, p.37) - "...A fabulous vocal-driven record with a place in the club, as well as the home..."