Album Review: Tiësto - Kaleidoscope
Tiësto is a puzzle. The name screams dirty trance, bred in the sweaty clubs of the underground scene. And he was happy with that predetermined image… for a time. The three time “World’s No.1 DJ” has now dropped the DJ acronym from his name altogether. In tandem with this, his fourth album seems driven by some new ambition — maybe he was bored of just being “the best”?
For Kaleidoscope, Tiësto has waded into unknown territory, attempting to do with indie what N.A.S.A. tried with hip hop. He has, however, succeeded where N.A.S.A. failed. The Spirit Of Apollo was crammed, featuring some 30 featuring artist over 17 tracks. When the collaborations worked (see “Gifted” “Whatchadoin?”) there were smiles all around, but a number of tracks were under-developed or featured incompatible artists on the same song.
The execution on Kaleidoscope draws from these mistakes, with featuring acts randomly spread across the album. Upon hearing each track it’s obvious that the contributions have been selected with a great deal of care. Intentions are laid bare with a 7 minute opus on the opening title track, featuring Sigur Rós’ lead singer Jónsi. The song builds in tune with Rós’ recent efforts, but Tiësto’s influence is also clearly felt.
“You Are My Diamond” is sure to incite riots in the club, but it’s just trance-pop (circa early 2000’s) and there is nothing to suggest this hasn’t been festering for years. The vocals are cheesy, forgettable and on the 17 track album this wouldn’t be missed. Fortunately, this is followed by one of the strongest tracks, lead single “I Will Be Here”. The collaboration with Sneaky Sound System is a straight club anthem, building on a scattergun drum sample until the synth drop. And what a sound to behold it is, with a lyrical hook on the right side of vagueness: “When the big road falls apart /And you think that the feeling will linger/You need somewhere to start”. The video is also worth a few viewings (best robot dance… ever).
It’s not all big names — relative unknown Priscilla Ahn has surely set up a career in trance vocals with her fey turn on “I Am Strong”. The crucial decision was to allow one featured artist per song, and I struggle to think of a song where another artist would better suit the intended sound. Tiësto is clearly a taskmaster, taking the involved acts out of their comfort zone — indie rock singer-songwriter Cary Brothers lays down an emotionally charged vocal track on “Here On Earth”, which turns out to be a strangely affecting song.
Kele Okereke builds his fledgling relationship on “It’s Not The Things You Say”, which sounds like a direct follow up of Bloc Party’s latest single “One More Chance” (coincidentally remixed by Tiësto). Piano and processed beats are the hallmarks, as on the aforementioned single. Nelly Furtado guests on “Who Wants To Be Alone” whilst Tegan and Sara take vocal duties on “Feel It In My Bones” — this double whammy is probably the clearest show of ambition, and both are triumphs.
Emily Haines of Metric sizzles on “Knock You Out”, a pulsating club anthem with catchy lick “You got to knock me out, some other way”. The bridge is perfectly constructed, cutting away the bass and adding echo “High-ah-ah-oh-hopes” before ramping it up again. All hell breaks loose. The bombastic “Louder Than Boom” is a thrill-ride, lacing in Atari effects until you feel like a punch drug teenager, high on Contra. It is one of few instrumental tracks, although Tiësto pulls of the balancing act with consummate ease, saving the biggest beats for the club tracks and amping up the musicality for the collaborative efforts.
This album will no doubt polarize opinion, as Tiësto has turned his back on his past in a number of ways. This is not trance music, but from an objective viewpoint this is far more original than any of his older efforts. That it is commercially focused seems to incite rage in his loyal followers.
It was a good choice to make. This album is exciting — the collaborations are perfectly pitched, and it’s a thrill to see what Tiësto will design to accommodate each artist. As is normal with these collaboration albums, there isn’t really any sense of cohesiveness, but this is substituted by a raw quality that gives the songs themselves individual chart potential. In (now) typically overblown fashion, the accompanying world tour will take in 150 dates and 5 continents. “World’s No. 1 DJ”? What’s that when you can target best musician in the world?
Rating: 
Check Out:
Buy:
Kaleidoscope
See:
On Tour Now!
I think some of you are being a bit harsh. This album is definitely different, but aren’t other DJs going in the same direction? Take ATB for instance, his sound has changed but he still includes tracks that please those listeners who are dedicated to his classic sound. There are a couple cheesy tracks on Kaleidoscope but how amazing are “I am strong” and “I will be here!” Every trance album has its share of strange tracks, but there is no question that Tiesto is a master and has produced some quality tracks on this album. I give it a B.
Tiesto has come a long way from the Nyana and Just Be melodic sounds. I enjoy a really good House DJ like Offer Nissim and I LOVE strong vocals. This album isn’t completely different from what he’s done before but I would put it with Parade of the Athletes and Elements of Life category. Not everything that Tiesto compiles is going to be like his old stuff and I can not wait for the full length versions to be released.
Fuck every1s bad comments about this album. Its a totally different aproach to his normal stuff, I think we should safely say a change is for the better at least we can say he dosnt produce the same stuff over an over again. If ur a true tiesto fan u should enjoy any of his music. “LOST HIS MAGIC” Ha like to c any o u lot even play a 12″ record for 10 mins let alone 10 years. Keep up the good work tiesto!!!!!!!!
JUST SAW TIESTO IN ATLANTA, BEST SHOW OUT OF THE FOUR TIMES IVE SEEN HIM. ABSOLUTELY BAD ASS LIVE PERFORMANCE. ALL YOU HATERS DONT APPRECIATE HOW TIESTO CROSSES MUSICAL BOUNDARIES AND CONTINUES DEVELOP THE MOST COMPELLING, FUTURISTIC DANCE/TRANCE/ELECTRO! DANCE 4 LIFE!
This is the most awful piece of crap that I could ever expect from Tiesto. I understand that he is trying to tap a different market with Kaleidoscope but this has been a sheer disappointment for all the lovers of Tiesto’s unmatched melodic trance. I believe he has seriously damaged his current market value. I cant believe that it’s the same DJ who gave us ‘ISOS 7 - Asia’. I would never spend my money blindly again just because the album cover says ‘TIESTO’.
This album is a piece of shit! even worst than Elements Of Life
How could tiesto fall so low… after he done one of the best trance tracks ever back in 2001 (suburban train)
i was so excited for this album…
Im more disappointed for this one than imagine…
im one of tiesto lovers but all i can say is that this album is a piece of shit!
Album is Crap. Tiesto is still amazing live and in Sets, but this a Radio Edit Album. Its not terrible music, but if ou’re looking for “Live from Creamfields” you will be let down when you get “CArson Daly’s Top 10.” Tiesto is still awesome though—hes just hiting more than 1 Target Market. Love-KW
I absolutely love Tiesto, it simply proves that not only is he a great dj but a great musician too. He is able to mix and create such great tunes. It’s new and many may not like it but i enjoy his new album a lot. Also his tour was AMAZING !
I am confused, simply confused. I got the cd at work and put it in today…. huh?
Came home to search other reviewers…
I’m afraid Tiesto has (like Oakenfold before him) lost his magic. This album is a mix of average commercial singalong tracks. The sublime melodies and pulsating trance baselines of previous albums have long gone. No longer will I be spending my money on Tiesto.
Haha thanks TheTuna, I liked that line too! I have a bit of a penchant for old school arcade sounds- Crystal Castles use the same effects chip on their tracks.
Anyway thanks very much for the comments, the new album is fantastic, trust me!
This was beautiful and it touched me: “The bombastic “Louder Than Boom” is a thrill-ride, lacing in Atari effects until you feel like a punch drug teenager, high on Contra.”
I love the review and im even more excited for my copy to come in the mail in 3-5 business days lol! I keep telling people he cant always do the same stuff and its really refreshing to hear my fav DJ do something different!! Oct 30 @ Epic I CANT WAIT!!!
Well, the atari effect on Louder than Boom is cool alright, and the intro to surrounded by light is lovely. But that’s about it for me. I don’t get this stuff generally.