TIMO MAAS LOUD ALBUM PIAS RELEASE: MARCH 19, 2002 REVIEW: MAY 6, 2002

Another dance DJ and producer steps out of the shadows and into his own spotlight. Judges shuffle their score cards hesitantly. Do we really need another one? Isn't this concept a thing of the past?
Let's check the pros and cons.
Facts in favour. Timo Maas hails from the German trance scene, but does not sound like it. On his production debut "Loud" guest vocalists such as Kelis and Finley Quaye are used in a vein similar to Leftfield rather than the typical dance music way with a dominating chorus line. The sounds are neither experimental nor different. We get funky basslines, some recycled synth retro stuff and other staples of current techno, but it's groovy, and the music mixes well with the singers. There are lots of changes to keep it interesting: between short and long, fast and slow, vocals and instrumentals. This is what might be called a proper album. And "Shifter" is a definite hit song.
Facts against. It has been done before. A lousy argument, I admit. But why change a winning concept? Judgment. It's cool but it doesn't quite chill my spine.

MATTIAS HUSS