Rating:
Genre:
Electronica
Release Date: 09/20/2005
It differs little from his previous releases, but
Paul Van Dyk's
The Politics of Dancing, Vol. 2 is a satisfying argument that
trance isn't dead and not even on life support. One bit of newness is the speed at which
Van Dyk discards tracks on disc one's mix, a 17-song epic journey into uplifting, atmospheric dancefloor dreaminess. Theatrical stops and starts feature into every one of these blissful numbers, but
Van Dyk keeps things moving at a pace such that the listener probably won't notice the gimmicky device is being overused. Otherwise, everything is tasteful with vocal numbers that don't get too precious and just enough
Benny Benassi-styled
electro to let you know this is 2005 and not 2000.
Wayne Jackson's earthy vocals make
Van Dyk's own
"The Other Side" the album's song to remember while opening the more sprawling disc two. The drops followed by buildups are back for the second set, but the tracks are allowed to hypnotize longer and
Van Dyk's segues are practically invisible as the DJ disappears behind the seamless set. From the hooky
"Believe" by
Santiago Nino to
Holden & Thompson's cooing closer,
"Nothing," it's
Van Dyk at his best, perfectly chosen, perfectly mixed. No stylistic detours, but being so in tune with what makes a
trance set work, why should he?
~David Jeffries, All Music Guide
;)
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