I’m going to be up front with you. Kaskade’s brand of electronic trance music just isn’t my normal cup of tea. I’m much more likely to frequent my local jazz clubs and rock concert halls than the downtown dance clubs. And though Kaskade’s fifth full length album Strobelite Seduction isn’t going to instantly change my opinion of the genre, it does help nudge me a little bit closer to the “strobe” light.
Strobelite Seduction is refreshingly varied and adventurous, meshing dreamy trance into thumping techno and then back to dance-ably progressive electronica. It’s actually quite an exciting ride. All the while Kaskade does a terrific job of utilizing his first-rate stable of female vocalists to put the finishing touches on his generally enjoyable tunes.
The album opens with the racing “Move For Me,” a song that sets the mood of the disc in the first thirty seconds, complete with a throbbing beat and beautiful vocals from Haley Gibby. Gibby, who appears on three songs, is one of the absolute highlights of Strobelite Seduction. Her soft, yet powerful vocals help make songs like the aforementioned “Move For Me” and the throbbing “Step One Two,” two of the best tracks on the CD. The other vocalists featured here all do commendable jobs themselves, such as the throaty voiced Tamra Keenan who channels Corrine Bailey Rae with her stunning performance on “Your Love Is Black.”
”Your Love Is Black,” the last track on the album, is my absolute favorite. Setting it self apart from the other songs on this disc, Kaskade adds strings and a distinct R&B influence to create an epic album closer. It’s a song that would undeniably fit nicely in the top 40 music charts.
Other vocalists include the ethereal SunSun, and the pitch perfect Latrice Barnett. The meek voice of Becky Jean Williams may be the weakest of the bunch, but the two tracks that she’s featured on are still nothing to scoff at.
The reasons that I don’t normally consider myself a fan of this genre do rear their ugly head a time or two though. Repetition on certain tracks does take away from the total package in my eyes, whether it be Kaskade’s underlying music or repeated phrases by his vocalists. Also, the shortage of any type of edge to the music as well as a lack of depth will probably keep me from coming back to the disc all that often.
For fans of electronic and trance music Kaskade is probably a name you’re already familiar with. If so, Strobelite Seduction is a beautiful and eclectic disc you’ll probably spend a lot of time with in the future. For fair-weathered fans of dance and pop music, you’re sure to find a few gems here but chances are you probably won’t hang around for long.
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August 27, 2008,
ummmm
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Are you kidding me with this review? These are dance tracks and should be reviewed in the context of. It seems like you are trying to judge it on something which it isnt. Kaskade's tracks are meant for pounding at a nightclub, and providing everyone with a fantastic night out, and if you ever saw him live, you would understand that. Who cares if the vocals are repeated, that's the way its supposed to be, when they play, everyone in the house is singing along for each and every repeated word  |
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