by Norm Elrod
Artists like Paul van Dyk, Chicane, and BT (when he's not harboring aspirations of rock stardom) piece together driving 4/4 beats, soaring vocals, and swirling sounds to create moods perfect for a crowded dancefloor or a solitary daydream. One might also consider adding German-born DJ/producer/artist Andre Tanneberger, better known as ATB, to this elite list. ATB's second release, the double album Two Worlds, is a musical journey striving to match van Dyk's Out There and Back, Chicane's Behind the Sun, and BT's ESCM. The trip is divided into two legs, &The World of Movement& (CD1) and &The Relaxing World& (CD2), neither of which wholly impresses or disappoints. On the first leg, ATB builds from the aching beauty of &Love Will Find You& and &Feel You Like a River,& both featuring vocals from Heather Nova, to the all-out dancefloor assault of &Bring It Back& and &Klangwelt.& &The Summer& and &The Fields of Love,& his best work here, meld these two extremes, fashioning moody yet danceable vibes from simple keyboard phrases and his signature guitar-string bends. The second leg is a mellower and less exciting affair that, when experienced after its counterpart, has a pleasantly calming effect. &First Love& and &Timeless& sparkle in comparison with the suspect ATB/Enigma collaboration &Enigmatic Encounters& and the ill-advised Caribbean love theme &Engrossing Moments.& Disc two also includes chilled-out remixes of &The Summer& and &Feel You Like a River& (this time entitled &Feel You&). Despite variations, ATB has a habit of stretching ideas beyond their usefulness. As singles, songs with drawn-out themes give club DJs more options. As album tracks, they can test a listener's resolve. He also uses a fairly limited range of sounds, all of which appear often and wear a bit thin by album's end. Confining Two Worlds to one disc of its best moments would make for a stellar album. As it stands, ATB needs a discerning producer to help him pare down the excess.