10 EDM Albums to Listen to Before You Die

2. Tiësto - Just Be - 2004 Ultra Records
Tijs Michiel Verwest (that's Tiësto to you!) is the Dutch DJ who rose to fame after his remix of Delerium's "Silence" featuring Sarah McLachlan exposed him to a more mainstream audience. His second album Just Be was released right before he was the first DJ to play live on stage at the Olympics in the Summer of 2004. He was asked to write more songs based on his single "Adagio for Strings" which fit in with the Olympic spirit. The song "Traffic" was also the first non-vocal track to reach number one in the Dutch national charts for 23 years. Tiësto has created an iconic brand as one of the most profitable and highest payed DJs to date. Just Be allowed him to put his twist on electronic music from the very beginning with the help of his producers and writers allowing him to conquer worldwide tours, sponsorships, residencies, collaborations with non EDM artists like Coldplay, Grammy nominations, MTV Awards and his own radio show titled Tiësto's Club Life which is the number one podcast on iTunes.

1. Above & Beyond - Tri-State - 2006 Ultra Records
Even if you don't like trance one can appreciate the careful songwriting, vocals, elaborate musical productions and thought provoking anthems that came from the great minds of Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki on their debut artist album Tri-State. Their collaborations with Andy Moor on "Air For Life" won "Best Underground Dance Track" at Miami Winter Music Conference after being the song of 2005 on Armin's ASOT radio show. With singles like "Can't Sleep" and "Alone Tonight" Above & Beyond have proven that dance music and specifically trance can still be artistically intricate especially adding that human emotion with their own vocals and lyrics made from their own personal experiences. Tri-State cemented their profound music in the hearts of millions all over the world and allowed them to work on remixes for the likes of Radiohead and Madonna, start their own record label Anjunabeats, launch a radio show and tour the world as one of dance musics most humble and talented DJ groups who are masters at their craft.

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