This review covers the progressive trance track Ian Van Dahl – Castles In the Sky (Extended Mix).
This track was released in 2000 as part of a single.
The track starts with a crash, the kick, some hats, and a bassline. A synth then comes in. Parts of a synth melody then gradually comes in. A subtle clap is also added. Some synth effects make a brief appearance as the melody comes in more full. After some additional hats, the track drops out, leaving a synth pad.
The vocals come in right after. Gradually, this is backed by the main melody. From there, the vocals take the track into the main chorus along with the drum kit and main synth melody. The vocals drop out, leaving the main melody and drum kit to continue playing out. A snare roll comes into the track. After a few crash hits, the track drops out.
What’s left behind is a subtle synth melody, parts of the drum kit and bassline. The first synth melody returns in part. A clap joins the track. A snare roll comes in. What follows is a more full drum kit and synth melody. After some additional crashes, the track drops out again.
The synth pads and main vocals come back for an additional verse. From there, the main melody gradually comes back in again. The vocals drop out and a snare roll comes in. Those vocals come back in for another round in the main chorus. This is backed by the main synth melody and the full main melody again. The vocals drop out and the track continues without them again.
A snare roll then comes in and the synth melodies drop out. The drum kit and bassline stays. A series of crashes then come in and lead the track out.
For me, the major highlight for this track is definitely the female vocals. They work so incredibly well, giving the track a nice amount of life.
Additionally, that main melody works impressively well to help balance out the vocals. It is definitely interesting that the vocals only cover parts of the track while the main melody continues long after. This gives the track a nice sense of progression in its own unique way. I actually like it a lot.
Overall, this track really gets no complaints from me. It has great vocals and great synth melodies to back them. It has a nice sense of progression with the way the vocals drop out part way through. So, an overall great track to listen to.
Score
8/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
