Score: 10

"Positively Skilled"

submission: "Positive Vibe"

date: December 12, 2009

The song features multiple layers of sound, the precise use of crescendos, and a beat that manages to be menacing without completely taking over the song. 'Positive Vibe' is one of 2009's best trance offerings that people won't find in stores.

Score: 7

"SBB Climbs High, Can Go Higher"

submission: ==(Climbing a Snow Mountain)==

date: June 13, 2008

SBB's aptly-named 'Climbing a Snow Mountain' demonstrates both elegance and simplicity. Wind, ice, and the heavy tread of feet are all cleverly depicted, using synthesized steel drums, chimes, and bass. Its harmonious nature and lack of aggression makes it ideal wait music for more uptempo games. Layered percussion effects add a certain degree of complexity, though subtle crescendos among the different parts are missing, leaving an overall sense of direction absent.

Though imperfect, the track demonstrates a firm grasp of technical details and a certain sense of aesthetics. With 'Climbing a Snow Mountain,' SBB establishes himself as one to watch for future offerings as he hones his craft.

Score: 7

"Ultimately Nice"

submission: [TMM43] Ultimate Destruction

date: April 11, 2008

Despite a somewhat acoustically confused beginning, TMM43's 'Ultimate Destruction' turns out to demonstrate a fairly solid grasp of trance. Certain stylistic choices will surprise listeners accustomed to hearing more complex "wall of sound" techniques, as TMM43 opts to keep things minimal and focus on the primary voice alone - even to the point where the drum track is lacking for large portions of the song.

While this artistic choice is laudable, the unfortunate effect of minimalist composition combined with a typical slow-build technique and a very short track length is to leave the listener feeling that the song is incomplete. All in all, TMM43 shows promise, but this reviewer cannot help but feel that his style is more suited to eight-minute extended dance tracks than radio-length clips.

Score: 9

"Low-Intensity Dance"

submission: Aimless-Shinrog

date: April 11, 2008

With 'Aimless', Shinrog gives a nod to the happy hardcore genre. Though the track would be in place on any dance floor, 'Aimless' is fundamentally a light, fanciful piece, and is perhaps most suitable to a less intense environment. By avoiding long build and breakdown patterns, Shinrog retains something of a synth-pop feel while keeping the song low-intensity. This decision comes at a price: those accustomed to longer productions will feel the song ends too abruptly.

While suitable vocals would add some thematic unity and really make it shine, 'Aimless' remains a solid composition even without them. Indeed, as the composer's intent seems to be that it be used for background music, it is probably best in this form.

Score: 7

"Standard Synth-Pop"

submission: Happy Again

date: April 5, 2008

With this foray into synth-pop, Jon Beam manages to stick to the basics and produce a workable, solid sound. This clip doesn't break any new ground, but if a cute repetitive riff is to your liking, look no further.