John O’Callaghan – Something to Live For
Posted by Andre on March 9, 2007 under Albums | 
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Well, this is basically my first review of many for Tracklists.ca, and I wanted to begin with a banger. But this isn’t a single or a remix or anything of the sort, this is a complete album, and it’s being brought in a double CD from one of the most talented and up-and-coming producers/DJs in the Electronic Dance Music industry. John O’Callaghan might have just delivered one of the (and I’m taking quite the Leap of Faith by saying this) BEST underground albums of 2007 SO FAR. After working on numerous releases and remixes , plus experimenting under the guises of Joint Operations Centre, Lost World (along with Thomas Bronzwaer), & jumping into the studio with Bryan Kearney to release one of the best club anthems of 2006 [O'Callaghan & Kearney - "Exactly" (Discover 2006)], he still had enough time to dish up this cleverly made album for the masses.
CD 1: Concept
The first CD puts the listener through the intricate and creative mind of what is JOC’s production. I think the first CD is quite interesting because it’ isn’t like the common artist album, in which all the songs are blended and mixed at the same BPM, following the trend of making it a producer’s showcase mix. JOC seems to have just put the songs in an order that just makes you want to nod your head, to say the least, fading in and out of songs in a way that makes it seem like a walk through the various aspects of EDM. As you listen to the album, you will notice the various sub-genres that have influenced the creation of this record: Techno, Trance, Tech-Trance, House, Tribal, & Electro. Here’s a look into a few of the tracks from this album.
The record starts with the album edit of “Split Decision”, which is one of my favorite productions from JOC to this date. This is a great way to begin “Something to Live Forâ€, I must say. Hearing the synths giving the first signs of life, and then having that bassline that Discover Records is so infamous for just makes my heart rush. Seems like all the artists on that use the same bassline plug-in, eh? The plucks on this track are quite ridiculous as well. Who know such a simple melody could create the stir this song has brought. JOC’s string stabs are probably one of my favorite plucking effects ever (along with the usual “Vandit” plucks).
And so the song finally fades after a few bars, bringing in “Save it for a Rainy Day”, which takes the listener into a mind state of what Trance Music really is. I imagine this track being quite the club banger. After those few uplifting moments, the bass line drops once more, providing that “head nodding†element to the track. Seems like James Brown is looped in there, don’t you think?
Every time the synths for “Pendulum†begin, I feel like “What in the hell?â€, but in a good way. This is quite the unusual work from O’Callaghan & Kearney, being that we seem to expect the follow up to be as uplifting as “Exactlyâ€. But that wouldn’t be JOC-like to bring to us the predictable. “Pendulum†shows the darker, techier side of JOC & BK, proving that they too can bring down the house with the simplest of ways. Awesome drum stutters and such, with the thick bassline throughout the track, making it quite the club banger.
JOC released “Elevator Dance-Off” on Midway Records earlier in 2006 under his guise Joint Operations Centre. This was quite the tech-trancer, getting picked up by Eddie Halliwell, PvD, Carl Cox, and a few others if I recall. The House and Techno influences can clearly be seen in this track, with the overflowing percussion and heavy synth stabs. This track can definitely rock the crowd.
The flow of the album continues with “Space & Time”. Very similar to “Save It for a Rainy Day”, with the usual JOC plucks for the euphoric build, and the driving bass line with the percussion and such, giving it the techy feel. JOC does well in blending these elements together for this track.
As the previous track slowly loses volume, the synths and pads for “The Chamber” begin to fade in. Here, JOC joins fellow country mate Neal Scarborough under the guise known as “Inertia”. You can easily distinguish the JOC sound in this song, such as the bassline, effects, and plucks. Neal seems to be the one that provides the pads and lead, giving a sound that is not usually identified with JOC. I can only imagine this playing a club environment…this song would definitely destroy the dance floor. The build is real uplifting, with the usual Discover-like drum roll. BAM! Tie down your mind, because when it drops, it could surely get lost.
Here, JOC seems to enjoy using the classic “super-saw” synths to make this club hit known as “Shortwaveâ€. The percussion is heavy on this track, once more showing the techy, housey edge to his productions. Even though the build might seem quite repetitive and boring, those 4 “clucks” before the breakdown are signal for the monster that is about to arrive. That incredibly simple 4-5 note melody will destroy you. It will demolish you, I swear it. This song is not for the soft hearted.
“Stormy Clouds” drops after that great transition, continuing the trancey feel. This is quite an old track, dropping in 2005 I believe. Awesome bass line melody with some interesting drumming going on. This is JOC close to his prime, I believe. Not one of the most “incredible” songs from his album, but it certainly does the trick.
Thomas Bronzwaer & John O’Callaghan jumped into the studio sometime in 2006 to create “A Life Elsewhere” under the guise known today as “Lost World”. It seems to be that LW is about the melodies and the bass line. No real hard breakdown, no heavy drum line, or anything of the sort. Their productions show more of the musically inclined aspect of EDM then the idea of destroying the dance-floor, which is amazing. We can see TB & JOC both providing their touch to this masterpiece. The melody is quite addicting and catchy I believe, with the pads and plucks playing throughout the song. This is an incredible song that follows quite nicely the previous track.
And so we hit the checkpoint of the album I believe. Neal Scarborough joins JOC once more in this different, chillout-like experience. “The System” will make you fall asleep…in a good way. The song is very well crafted; it displays JOC’s compositional genius and proves that he, too, can create a musical masterpiece. Can’t help but make you smile.
Elements from “Sunday 1am” begin to emerge to wake you from your eternal slumber. Signature JOC stabs blesses the track, along with the rolling Discover bass line. Once more, you can feel the techy, effect-filled energy mashed up very nicely with the euphoric aspects of Trance music.
“Inverse Function” continues the clubby feel, showcasing a more housey edge to JOC’s productions, with the looped buttons and synths, and the chunky bass line. Real unusual stuff from JOC as well, but still greatly appreciated. The break is quite awesome with the real heavy bassline; real electro-ish. If you like to dance, you’ll enjoy this track.
Mixed in very well, “Vendetta”, another JOC classic, drops. This shows JOC’s early start in production, combining his various inspirations in this song. The melody does the trick with the plucks, and the great effects looped across the track. The light, orchestra-like super saw gives the track that dramatic edge. And just when you thought the track would drop with that same melody, the thick bass line with the heavy synths drown the track, displaying the early coming of what JOC refers to as Joint Operations Centre.
“Cruise Control” sounds also a lot like something he’d release under Joint Operations Centre as well. Heavy super saws overwhelm the track with the hard hitting kicks and driving bass line. Don’t play this tune at a low BPM folks.
Ah yes! One of the best tracks of 2006 begins at this point, with the bridge slowly being pieced together after the previous track. JOC plucks brighten up the day, don’t you think? “Exactly” also displays the touch of Bryan Kearney, with the euphoric synths and uplifting pads. Note: the sample you hear on the build, “See you in the future. No, you mean the past. Exactly”, is from the classic film “Back to the Future”. JOC & BK do the trick with this song, having it featured on Armin van Buuren’s “A State of Trance 2006†compilation as well as becoming one of Armin’s “Top 20 Tracks of the Yearâ€. The song is edited roughly to play 4 minutes, but that’s all you need to see the beauty of this song.
“World Gone Mad” was featured on ASOT 2006 as well under his “Mannix” guise, along with Kevin Mc Kinney, also known as “Kaymak”. This song flows very well after “Exactly”, following the Trancey route the album is taking. This was a “Most Wanted” track for me for quite a while, and when I got it, I was as happy as a kid with a new puppy. The melody is so summer-like and all I can think of is driving in a convertible on the highway on a sunny day. *Sigh*
And unfortunately, we come to a close with this tech-trancer by JOC. The only complaint I have about this album is that it ended with this completely random song. It would’ve ended so well with “World Gone Mad”, but hey, what’s done is done, right? “Assembler” is a tune with a heavy bass line, and thick synth drenched across the track. It seemed quite repetitive and a tad bit annoying for 4 minutes. I guess JOC needed filler? Maybe an outro? I don’t know.
CD 2: Club
Well, the bonus of this excellent album is that the second disc is basically a goodies CD, with some of the tracks from the album in extended versions and a few unreleased tracks as well. This CD is great for any DJ wishing to drop some madness on the dance floor.
Low Resolution Fox (John Askew Remix)
This is an awesome track with the signature JA bass line across it. Great tune to begin a set in my opinion. No real build up nor drop, just plain ‘ole driving, electronic music.
Space & Time (Club Mix)
Yey! The full version of this track for your mixing pleasure.
O’Callaghan & Kearney – Exactly (DJ Governor Remix)
Orjan Nielsen provides the remix of this hit. Great guitar strings played throughout the buildup, providing that Governor touch. It still keeps the elements from the original, with more of a summery feel. Play it sometime. 
Split Decision (Paranoid Mix)
A more driving, thicker version of Split Decision. Released along with the Original and Dan Reaves & Neil van Ahorn Mix on the album sampler.
Sunday 1am
Again, here is another track from the album for your dance floor destructing needs.
Cartel – For the Record
I’m not really sure if this is a JOC guise or him collaborating with someone, but I am sure of one thing…this is a hit. Incredible string stabs and a sick bassline. Real simple but get’s the job done. Drop it at home or in a club when in need of something energizing.
O’Callaghan & Kearney – The Temple
The boys team up to bring another tech-trancer. Quite a long build, but it creates suspense for a great synth drop and heavy percussion. This will surely demolish a club.
Assembler
Need a track filler? Try this out. Heh.
O’Callaghan & Downey – One Way Ticket
This is great track, which provides Greg Downey elements along with JOC’s help. I don’t know why, but the looped “hiccup” element is what makes the song. Awesome break down as well; reminds me of something “mafia like”. Maybe the flute sounding synths? I don’t know, but it’s worth the club play.
Conclusion
John O’Callaghan does an incredible job with “Something to Live Forâ€, providing a view into the musical capabilities that he possesses. Besides that one complaint I had about “Assemblerâ€, the album is pretty much top notch, especially for a debut record. Disc one puts the listener through the ups and downs of the record, in regards of energy, and is very nicely blended to keep a constant feel and drive. CD2 is also a great touch, especially for DJ’s wishing to drop some of these bangers in the club. I truly enjoy this album, making it one of my favorites of 2007 SO FAR. I recommend this for any up and coming trance addict as well as a veteran aficionado.
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