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Frostraven – Star Muse
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» doctorspook replied on Thu Feb 19, 2009 @ 12:53am |
 Coolness: 29080 | FrostRaven – Star Muse – DIGICD011 – Digital Drugs Coalition /Geo-Morningstar
Free Track: [ www.sendspace.com ] (FrostRaven - Muse) RELEASE NOTES: FrostRaven – Star Muse Digicd011 Title: Muse Artist: FrostRaven Label: Goa Records and Geo-Morningstar Catalogue: GOAEP005 Format: 1 Panel Insert Audio CD & DDL Barcode: 881034098511 Release: Nov 2008 TRACK LIST [ geomagnetic.tv ] 01-FrostRaven - Starchaser 02-FrostRaven - The Well 03-FrostRaven - Tabula Rasa 04-FrostRaven - Night_Freak 05-FrostRaven - Muse 06-FrostRaven - Nightmares 07-FrostRaven - Lore 08-FrostRaven - Dark Wood 09-Virtual Light - Nuclear Sun(FrostRaven RMX) Frost Raven’s debut full length Album entitled “Star Muse” is the latest in cutting edge full power and progressive psychedelic Goa trance music. Artists like Frost Raven from the San Francisco’s bay area underground dance scene are the creative force for this seminal sound that is dominating today’s biggest clubs, festivals and stadiums. Since the early 90s this genre has continued on to become the leading sound in the underground dance culture. This world class album demonstrates the style, production skill, and catchy hooks that have driven this sound to the top of the charts. Frost Raven’s unmistakable melodic sound is crystal clear and full of heart. Get ready to upgrade your music collection with this top of the stack winner! With a background in film and theater soundtrack composition, Frost Raven started out with applications such as Soundforge and ACID Pro. After attending Pyramind; The Institute for Advanced Digital Audio Training, Dustin Musser (aka Frost-RAVEN) gained the skills and exposure necessary to elevate his music to a new level. While in school Dustin was offered a digital contract for his album Desert Walker, which alongside his electro-house EP Fire City, quickly began to dominate INgroove's new releases charts on [ Beatport.com ] However Dustin Musser's true passion is psychedelic trance music. Currently Frost-RAVEN has a number of projects on tap. His new down-tempo EP Deep in Blue is set for spring release on the INgooves digital label. Also new tracks can be heard CD compilations on the Geomagnetic, Goa Records and Digital Drugs Coalition labels. Frost-RAVEN is also the co-founder of Somasoundsystem, a Bay Area collective of DJs and producers. Together they represent fresh sounds and pre-current trends. Artist Profile: [ www.myspace.com ] With a background in film and theater soundtrack composition, Frost Raven started out with applications such as Soundforge and ACID Pro. After attending Pyramind; The Institute for Advanced Digital Audio Training, Dustin Musser (aka Frost-RAVEN) gained the skills and exposure necessary to elevate his music to a new level. While in school Dustin was offered a digital contract for his album Desert Walker, which alongside his electro-house EP Fire City, quickly began to dominate INgroove's new releases charts on [ Beatport.com ] However Dustin Musser's true passion is psychedelic trance music. Currently Frost-RAVEN has a number of projects on tap. His new down-tempo EP Deep in Blue is set for spring release on the INgooves digital label. Also new tracks can be heard CD compilation due out February on the Geomagnetic label. Frost-RAVEN is also the co-founder of Somasoundsystem, a Bay Area collective of DJs and producers. Together they represent fresh sounds and pre-current trends: Label Profile: [ www.myspace.com ] Digital Drugs Coalition is a union of psychedelic trance artists from around the globe who believe that digital art + music are the purest form of getting high. Expect unique, fresh + truly out of this world productions from this hot posse!! [ www.myspace.com ] Morningstar, division of Geomagnetic Records. Uplifting, melodic, full-on, progressive and perfect for those ecstatic moments of sunshine and awakening, we know you want to be carried on a cloud of feel-good grooviness as you welcome the morning light! [ Geomagnetic.tv ] was established in the summer of 2001 by Dr. Spook one of the founders of the prominent San Francisco 3D FX and Multimedia boutique known as Minds Eye Media (est.1995). [ www.mindseyemedia.com ] CREDITS: MASTERED BY: Tyler Straub, San Francisco Artwork by: doctorspook@hotmail.com Distribution by Saikosounds / Psyshop (p) and © [ Geomagnetic.tv ] / Goa Rec. 2008 info@geomagnetic.tv More info online. [ geomagnetic.tv ] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review by: djprophasemusic@gmail.com Artist: Frost Raven Title: Star Muse Label: Digital Drugs Coalition Format: CD Released: December 2008 Review: (Track by Track) 01. Frost Raven - Starchaser [133 BPM] After a short n sweet intro begins wide groovy basskicks and mixture of atmospheric sounds and melodies, a base recipe for great uptempo proggy/minimal style psytrance. The track rides consistently keeping hold of the listener's attention and midway it tapers into a breakdown with a short, light melodic line. The track then bursts out with more driving beats and hypnotic yet not overly epic melodies generating a powerful energy and mood. "Starchaser" is a very dance floor friendly track perfect for the late morning or midday at an open air party. Frost Raven wastes no time in establishing he knows how to offer the essential ingredients necessary for a solid tune. The listener is hooked and eagerly anticipates what will come next expecting the same high level production quality for the remainder of the album. 02. Frost Raven - The Well [142 BPM] After a short hypnotic intro the beats begin at a significantly increased tempo than the previous track. It gradually builds until the basskicks, bassline, and hi-hats kick in to flow simultaneously with a light-hearted mood. So far the tempo and intelligent atmospheres make this track fall somewhere between semi progressive and semi morning full-on. A bit more than 1/3 through the track there is a transition into a stutter beat variation which spirals downward to a sort of squirly crashing point. Then the beats immediately pick up again with a light level of intensity and sounds. It then takes another direction with a 2nd breakdown following a section of light beats behind dreamy melodies. The track tapers off with a minimalistic structure. I had a difficult time following the different directions of "The Well". As far as musical content this track is the lightest on the album. I don't think it was intended to be a danceable piece per se', rather more of a story line. Perhaps "The Well" has a deeper meaning to the production artist than the average listener in search of a beat surf would initially consider. I think it would have fit in better as the album's closing track for decompression but again, the artist may or may not have a rhyme or reason for placing it to follow the much stronger opening track. 03. Frost Raven - Tabula Rasa [135 BPM] Allrighty, now its back to business with "Tabula Rasa". The intro section is groovy electro prog psy with a catchy accentuated bassline and light flowing melody. Then the bottom heavy basskicks, cracking clap, pulsating bassline, and intelligent no-frills melodic soundscapes take into action. After the breakdown the 2nd half of the track has a mellower vibe than the main section but still maintains the groove factor. This is a solid danceable mid-tempo piece. 04. Frostraven - Night Freak [137 BPM] "Night Freak" begins with some dark noises to set the mood over a minimalistic yet upbeat and snappy basskick and bassline. Its very evident the bpm is a tad higher than the previous track. I'm personally a huge digger of oldschool tech-trance ala "The Delta", "Midi Miliz", et al. set at around this tempo. After the intro section it winds down and then quickly picks up again With driving basskicks, rolling bassline, crisp hats, and a subtle yet catchy memorable whistling "whooup" effect. It gradually builds into a point with a little drum roll before a short n sweet epic breakdown at which is great for a well deserved approving reaction from a good crowd. Then the energy level peaks and the track continues to kick serious grooving ass with wide basskicks and high energy acidic melodies. "Night Freak" is a great fusion of some elements of prog psy and morning full-on which results in a very solid stomper. Its one of my favorite tracks on the album and I'd have this one hot n ready on que to include in a midday set outdoors or even at night in a indoor space. 05. Frostraven - Muse [138 BPM] "Muse" begins with a scratchy little intro and then the groovy beats and bassline kick in. The tempo is set at virtually the same as the previous track but this one has more of an edgy tekno-prog with psychedelic sprinkles feel. Any style of psytrance fused with elements of techno will perk up my auditory senses, especially when the pronounced hats and a broken beat clack are included as are in this track. About 1/3 through is a moody melancholic breakdown and the intensity builds nicely from there. At about the halfway mark the sounds and intensity become more aggressive and psychedelic than any of the previous tracks. The layers formulate a well arranged set of sounds that aren't too stressful and fit very well with the groove. Then all of a sudden the train comes to an abrupt halt and an menacing darker mood takes over for the breakdown. A little girl's voice says "music is a glorious expression that is supposed to make people feel happy" then immediately replies a more sinister female voice saying "you obviously haven't heard any of my music..." after which the driving beats and crazy yet not too harsh on the ears psychedelia resume at full force. Muse is a semi prog, semi full-on vibe on the verge of high tech full-on. This track is definitely a floor banger and another one of my favorites on the album. 06. Frostraven - Nightmares [148 BPM] At this point the album takes a drastic change in direction putting aside any slight suggestion to progressive style for faster morning full-on psy/goa. This track includes a few different beat variations that are well transitioned and flow nicely throughout. At about midway into the track the rougher atmospheres and mood approach the threshold of dark style but never cross into that realm. Instead, after a breakdown it takes the listener through a section of goa influenced epic melodies. Contrary to the track's title I find "Nightmares" to be a rather enlightening piece of which especially the last few minutes of the track is perfect for a sunrise set in the open air. 07. Frostraven - Lore [146 BPM] The production is crisp and clean and the psychedelic soundscapes are well arranged and pleasing to the ears. Similar to some of the previous tracks this one has a breakdown with a dramatic yet interesting voice sample. The transitions are well timed and flow very nicely. Though not my favorite on the album, with pumping basskicks, rolling bassline, and great melodic hooks, "Lore" is a solid morning full-on track which would fit perfectly on the beach, in the mountains, or the forest. 08. Frost Raven - Dark Wood [146 BPM] "Dark Wood" is upbeat morning full-on style psy with snappy basskicks and a catchy bassline. There are distinctive oldschool goa trance atmospheres especially through the last 1/3 of the track. Definitely worth more than a couple of playbacks. 09. Virtual Light - Nuclear Sun(Frost Raven Rmx) [145 BPM] For the final track Frost Raven puts his own touches on an original from Virtual Light called "Nuclear Sun". The first half is a little heavier with psychedelic atmospheres. At about midway after the breakdown we're brought home with more of those well heart-felt flowing dreamy goa style melodic hooks. The result is another solid morning full-on psy piece to wrap up the album. Bottom line: Aside from a few exceptions, up to now the majority of American psytrance artists most familiar domestically and internationally are known for producing predominantly dark style. In flys Dustin Musser (aka Frost Raven) a young, creative, talented, and promising producer dropping his 2nd album "Star Muse" to break the mold. This album will definitely please aficionados of lighter psy around the globe with his brand of powerfully cool and refreshing fusion of groovy prog psy with rich melodic morning full-on. The entire album's BPM ranges from 133 to 148, there are several different variations of beats, tempos, and energy levels, interesting and well placed voice samples, and fusions of styles giving the most picky listener and beat bouncer something to sink their ears and feet into. The fact that Dustin has a background which includes formal training in film and theater soundtrack composition, as well as previous cross-style releases to his name surely gave him a leg-up in producing his latest album. Those factors are definitely reflected in the excellent crisp production quality, well structured flow, and developed maturity level of the album. Star Muse will definitely catch the ears and respect of the domestic and international psytrance circuit. Practically every one of the tracks would have no problem keeping an indoor or outdoor dance floor hopping on all cylinders. There is no reason why Frost Raven shouldn't be playing with the big boys on the big international labels at the big parties abroad. He should expect to have many opportunities made available to him to support his album in that way. I look forward to seeing Frost Raven's music career in the psychedelic EDM realm develop and blossom free of limitations into the future. Recommended release. Favorites: 1, 4, 5, 7 Verdict: 8/10 |
| Good [+1]Toggle ReplyLink» chlorophil replied on Tue Mar 17, 2009 @ 1:11am |
 Coolness: 28790 | freakin fresh!!!!!! |
Frostraven – Star Muse
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