Jeanette Romeu, aka Galaxy Girl, is a self-described 'electronic Trance diva'. I admit to liking trance music a lot; while it's not something I'm likely to put on to keep me awake on a long drive, it's great nighttime or working music -- it slips into the background, adding content without being terribly disruptive. So I was pretty pleased when I was sent the latest CD from Galaxy Girl, Tranceatlantic Love, despite the anime-styled art on the CD. (Most anime gives me hives. But that's another story.). After giving it a few listens, I'm convinced that Galaxy Girl may have some stardom in her future.

What makes or breaks trance, in the end, is whether or not it can keep your interest. Too many trance-artist wannabees think the best way to get a dance club hit is to keep hitting the same key on their synthesizer repeatedly until someone either offers them a recording contract or puts them out of their misery. Not so Galaxy Girl; she mixes sounds with delicacy and variety, and never really makes you zone out and lose interest. Add to that her vocals -- which far from being the normal aetherial half-hidden stuff typical to trance, have some real emotion to them -- and you've got some pretty fascinating music.

The whole CD is worth listening to, but I particularly liked the Indian-styled melody of "Nice Trip"; the throbbing bass and funk of "India - Color My World"; the odd phasing of "Breaking Through"; and the sheer exuberance of "La Fiesta." If the CD has a flaw, it's the one inherent to the entire genre; after a while, all the beats begin to blur into one. Depending on your feelings about trance, that may in fact be an advantage, not a flaw -- but I would be remiss if I didn't mention it.

If you like trance, this CD is definitely worth checking out. Perhaps you, too, need a little Tranceatlantic Love -- and Galaxy Girl is the one to give it to you.

Rating: A-

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