Movin' Melodies

Chronique

Most notable for including the song "9 P.M. (Till I Come)," Movin' Melodies also features a few other hit songs such as "Killer 2000" and "Don't Stop" along with lots of forgettable filler. Throughout 1999, the year "9 P.M. (Till I Come)" became an international sensation, ATB remained a one-hit wonder. He had the one hit song but no album to accompany it. Then, late in 1999, approximately a year after "9 P.M. (Till I Come)" had spread across the world like wildfire, he delivered Movin' Melodies, his proper debut album. First of all, keep in mind that it's not easy to produce a satisfying album of strictly trance, even if it is trance of the dance-pop variety. Europe's top trance producer, Paul Van Dyk, had continually struggled to produced a satisfying album, and no one else had even come close with the possible exception of BT, but he did more than just produce trance songs. So, given that no one had ever produced a satisfying studio album of trance since the genre sprouted up in the early '90s, ATB didn't have much hope of creating a classic album, particularly since he was a relative newcomer to production. And indeed, he flounders here, somewhat confirming his one-hit wonder reputation. Granted, "9 P.M. (Till I Come)" is surely melodic, but the many other songs are mostly retreads, none of them especially novel. When taken as a whole, Movin' Melodies is a difficult listen, even for those with a weakness for the melodies of "9 P.M. (Till I Come)." By the time you make it halfway through the album, you feel exhausted from the relentless, steady tempo and continuous intensity, not to mention the countless buildups. Frankly, Movin' Melodies is overindulgent -- too much for even those with a taste for "9 P.M. (Till I Come)." You're better off appreciating the hit single on its own.

© Jason Birchmeier /TiVo