A sentiment I can wholeheartedly agree with (nostalgia is a powerful drug, we shouldn't let it consume us).
As the Rush Comes (specifically the popular Gabriel & Dresden Sweeping Strings Remix) diverges from the ethos of trance music on several key points. Rather than complementing the melodic and emotional layers of the track as an additional texture — much like a classical instrument might — the vocal part often dominates the entire sonic experience in a narcissistic way. During these moments, the background atmosphere and melodic elements nearly disappear altogether.
The track places an excessive emphasis on the low end and bass frequencies in an attempt to grab attention in a somewhat sensationalist fashion, seemingly to mask the fact that very little is happening in the mid and high ranges — where melodic layering and progression should typically occur. These are the very elements that give a piece emotional arc, atmosphere, and hypnotic depth, ultimately guiding the listener toward catharsis and euphoria.
Moreover, the track encounters numerous tempo-related issues — at times due to a lack of proper buildup, and at other times because it abruptly breaks its own momentum to make room for the vocals again. The vocal delivery itself feels strained and artificially emotive, as if trying to force an emotional response rather than allowing one to arise organically.
In trance, such emotional resonance should ideally be evoked through a combination of synthesizer lines, atmospheric pads, and various layered elements — offering an open canvas on which the listeners can project their own feelings and interpretations. The vocals should, at most, hint at meaning, not force-feed the emotional experience.
That said, the track can be enjoyable on its own terms outside of a trance context — but that, in itself, highlights its problematic influence within the genre. It's perfectly valid to enjoy it, but one should also be aware of its musically detrimental impact. And finally: production quality is almost irrelevant. I would choose a poorly mastered track with soul, emotional power, and a strong identity over a pristine-sounding but emotionally hollow one — a thousand times out of a thousand.
