ATB :: Long Way Home (Addicted to Music)

nobody@vox.com(Kohia) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:08:02 -0700

I almost put this off for tomorrow. I'm so OCD about keeping this updated though so just be warned that I might be all over the place with my words and a lot may not make sense. If this is the case, just tell me and I'll go over it again.

Long Way Home

I have already established that the song is a bit more to the boring side. The video is also pointless. However, the video isn't boring in the sense that it keeps your mind going- perhaps with the hope that something incredibly exciting is going to happen. In that regard, its a bit like the Gorillaz's Rock It video.

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The song is a bit different in the music video, though I'm not entirely sure if its an improvement. Instead of the song starting up in a club beat, the song starts out with the piano. At first I thought I was watching a different video that was mislabeled but I recognized the lyrics once I heard Roberta's voice.

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So now I must summarize the video. ATB is going through pictures of all of his experiences as a DJ/musician. The camera shows some footage of all of this as well. He seems a bit sad; in which I greatly assumed that he missed being in his home country. A friend of his come over and watches the footage with him and enjoys it. ATB lightens up a bit too. At the very end of the video, ATB receives a letter which appears

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to be another gig or something of the like and he's ready to stall getting home- thus totally changing his mind of how he feels about his career from the beginning of the video.

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At first I thought that the video was just random footage thrown together and put to a song, which it still is. But then, in some ways, it relates to the song. Think about it - the song speaks of taking a long way home and the video shows that ATB should be returning home soon but keeps on doing shows and trips before doing so.

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Another thing that I feel the need to mention that has little to do with the video is that ATB actually smiles in this. All of the pictures of him have him being all serious or having a thoughtful look on his face.

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I once read someone comment on him that he always looks really miserable in his music videos and that he should just shoot himself. I disagreed with the shooting part since he is so full of win, but when I read that, I thought "hey, he kinda does..."

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I'm not entirely sure how to rate the video. I really like the meaning behind it and all and I won't forget it, so its automatically in the average sector, but I really don't feel the need to jump out of my chair for excitement. So after thinking of all of this, I'm settling for a 6/10.

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ATB :: Addicted to Music (2003)

nobody@vox.com(Kohia) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:14:08 -0700

I have been introduced to this guy last year and this is the only full album that I have. Someday I'll have way more to review. :D

ATB - Addicted to Music

1. In Love With the DJ :: I'm still pretty sore from the annoying, repetitive beat in the beginning of the song, but I can't really complain since there's a bit of a variation in certain parts to keep the beginning from becoming too boring. The beats come to a stop and the voice of Roberta Carter Harrison crescendos. It's a nice, fresh part of the song without being sudden. There's a nice musical interlude afterward that sets a dramatic mood. The song isn't great but it makes a nice opening to the album.

2. I Don't Wanna Stop :: This ought to be my favorite song in the entire album. The music composition is great and Roberta sounds phenomenal. Her voice blends in perfectly with the music. the lyrics are fun to listen to as well. There's no boring electronic interludes. The music is very dance-oriented so its fun to dance to as well. I can't really criticize much for this song and that's probably why I like it so.

3. Everything is Wrong :: ATB once again has his track start out in a grooving and original way. That's what is great about his work. Roberta sounds great again. Like I Don't Wanna Stop, the song is a bit more of roberta than the actual music ATB puts on, but I forgive it since the background music totally creates the mood the song was intended to- even though I'm not sure what it is.

4. Long Way Home :: The song starts out with a club beat. At the same time, its very laid back, which helps create the relaxed and determined mood of the song. Once again, Roberta is singing. Overall, the song is just a bit above average. I could think less of it if it weren't for the interesting music interludes played throughout the song.

5. We Belong :: The song starts in the mood that is molded together when it's about to rain. Roberta does seem a bit unemotional at first, but it makes the chorus much more dramatic so it works. The background music maintains the same lounge beat that was only noticeable in the first verse. There are variation among this to keep the song from being too boring. Its pretty good overall.

6. Gentle Melody :: This was the first song that I've heard from this album. Its completely ATV. Its a well composed song made of electronic instruments I'm sure. The melody is very straight-forward and then it evolves into a short dance filler. The two then combine to make a super special awesome song. The song evolves in ways classical movements do, which earns the songs uber points. The song was what interested me to check out this album in the first place.

7. I Will Not Forget :: A dance beat is played in the beginning. I don't understand why trance artists feel the need to repeat the same beat over and over for introductions. It makes the beginning of the song sound boring and I don't know about you, but I always fast-forward to later in those songs. After the beat, this house interlude is establish with a whisper blended in. the song is rather boring until two-thirds of the song in. Then this dramatic dance floor pattern kicks in and then blends in the established beats previously played in the song. The song ends with the first beat played with the whispers. Its filler, really.

8. Break My Heart :: The song starts out with a beat reminiscent of Everything is Wrong. ... Well until the string come in. Roberta confidently sings one minute into the song. The song takes a relaxed step backwards one the singing starts. The strings are added to the catchy chorus. I love the repeated like "that's no way to break my heart." The rest of the song seem rather straight forward like the first three songs in the album. The song is good; it just had a slow beginning.

9. Sunset Girl :: The song starts like any club song would. The mood gets sunnier, especially when the piano synth comes along. Even though the beat remains the same, the piano part varies and makes the song interesting to listen to. The song is great to listen to just for the sake of listening to. ATB strikes again.

10. Do You Love Me :: This is another favorite. I have no idea why though. The song falls into the pit of boring beats as an introduction. I get the sense of being underwater in the song for some reason. the actual trance interludes are pretty nice. The same words are repeated over and over again and I found it catchy. But there isn't anything to like besides what I just mentioned. As I said, I just love the song and I have no reason why.

11. Peace = Illusion :: The song gives off a very exotic feel with the sound of the ceramic drum. My tropical fetish kicks in since it reminds me of flowers in a jungle. Once the beat fades, the song springs forward with a sung note. The atmosphere establishes itself and the piano synths later added makes another appearance that makes the song complete. Yet another well composed song. It isn't a popular song, but it should be.

12. Trilogy :: The song has a different beginning that most since it is the piano that is heard first. It sounds really nice and melodic. The piano lasts through half of the song so it could get boring for some. Things are finally shaken up a bit since a dance pad sound smoothes out at the time the piano fades out. Overall, the song is nice and simple. It isn't great, but ATB still hurled out yet another lovely track.

13. Cabana Moon :: Right off the bat, the beginning is totally original. Some soft synths come it to give a grand entrance. Almost half-way through the song, horn instruments are heard. It was a "WTF" moment since it came out of nowhere. It wasn't too awkward since the previous synth was combined perfectly with the salsa/latin horn stabs. The song then fades out. Its a good thing this wasn't the final song to the album since it leaves you hanging.

14. Ruby :: This was a hidden track in Cabana Moon and I'm reviewing it separately. I'm sure its Roberta singing again. Its another favorite in the album. The lyrics are also nice to look into. The song is also simple since its just the guitar sound. It works though. Its a wonderful outro for a wonderful album.

Conclusion: I haven't listened to all of ATB's albums so I can't compare this one, but I highly recommend this album - especially to those who have been lost in love, have been in love, or are currently in love. The lyrics really connect. You may not like the album if you're not a big fan of trance music, but I suggest to give it a shot - especially with songs like Ruby and I Don't Wanna Stop. There isn't a single bad song on the album either. There are a few weak songs but they still have something to offer.

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KOHIA

ATB :: Long Way Home (Addicted to Music)

ATB :: Addicted to Music (2003)