John O'Callaghan - Never Fade Away (Album + Remixes) [2009]

[Exodom]

This was really fundamental for me when first discovering the genre. I know that it's a clear marker of when Trance started down the path of extreme commercial sounds, with tracks like Find Yourself really turning up the dial on pop formula, but I would be lying if I say I didn't enjoy all these vocal trance-pop songs. It was fun for me and my non-trance friends to unite in enjoying something more cheesy together and just sing and dance.

I do think that some of the vocals are still beautiful to this day, such as Out of Nowhere and Every Lesson Learned, which are two of my favorites which I will share below. I find them to be the right kind of emotional commercial, and unlike today the production is more soft and appealing, with no super power kicks and much less generic. That's just my opinion. Big Sky is also just an amazing feel good anthem. Overal I think its one of the best commercial Trance albums made.

What do users here think of this album? I know its very poppy, but isn't it a fantastic example of that style of Trance, with some more serious uplifting moments too?


Every lesson learned

Out of Nowhere

 

[ChurRuy]

Loved this album when it came out. Always liked vocal trance and Big Sky and Out of Nowhere were amazing. Find Yourself I wasn't really into because of the guitar part. The Matt Hardwick remix of Every Lesson Learned is excellent.

 

[marvas]

I used to listen to this album a lot when it launched. Thanks for posting, pretty sure I'm gonna listen to it tomorrow.

 

[Altair]

Out of Nowhere is a perfect chilled trance track. Ethereal yet propulsive. Really brings the feeling of travelling in the dark with distant city lights.