This review covers the progressive trance track Oceanlab – Clear Blue Water.
This track was released in 2001 as a single. It was released along with an instrumental version.
The track starts with a cymbal crash and a filtered clap. This is joined by a few percussion elements and the high hat. After that, the bassline joins the track. An additional synth element joins the track. A snare roll and a synth effect makes an appearance before the vocals make an appearance.
There’s some added synths. Another synth gradually fades in before the vocal makes another brief appearance. The vocal has a basic delay effect. The drop then hits, leaving multiple synth pads. A reverse cymbal crash makes an appearance before a synth melody makes an appearance. The vocal makes an additional brief appearance.
A snare roll then gradually fades in. After a drill effect, the track fills out more fully as the vocals make a more steady appearance in the track. The kick then drops out again. After another snare roll, several elements drop out. This leaves the kick, bassline, and a few synth pads. Parts of the drum kit then return. A synth with a gated effect makes a temporary appearance.
From there, the vocals then go through a verse. A snare roll makes an appearance. After that, the vocals return to the main chorus. The synth melody makes a return as well as the rest of the track fills out again. Another snare roll makes an appearance along with a synth effect. The vocals then drop out, leaving the drum kit, pads, and drum kit.
A reverse cymbal makes an appearance and the synth pads drop out. The bassline then drops out. Another reverse cymbal makes an appearance and the track is lead out by the synth effect.
The first thing that sticks out in this track for me is the main vocals. They alone really make this track stand out very nicely. These vocals are pretty much flawless here. Very well done.
The synth melodies are decent. I’m not sure they added much beyond something else to listen to besides the vocals. It’s OK, but nothing totally amazing in my view.
Meanwhile, the pads really add a great atmospheric sound. This really nicely compliments the vocals and adds a lot of great emotion. So, well done on that front.
Overall, this is a really solid track. It’s got excellent vocals and really nice atmospheric synth pads. The synth melodies may not be the greatest, but I still consider this a very good track all around. Definitely worth listening to in my opinion.
Score
7.5/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
