This review covers the progressive trance track Solar Stone – Solarcoaster (Original Mix).
This track was released in 2003 along with three other versions.
The track starts with a chime and a high hat. A subtle snare joins the track. After a few reverse kicks, the kick joins the track. A synth joins the track. Other effects join the track. The main kick then joins the track. A filter is also present that happens to be automated as well. Another synth then gradually fades in. A snare roll makes an appearance. The rest of the drum kit joins the track. Other synths make appearances as well. The chimes also have disappeared by this point as well.
When the track hits the drop, various elements drop out. A voice sample makes an appearance as the chime elements return. The voice sample has a delay effect. A synth also makes an appearance. Then, the main synth melody joins the track. A sweep then makes an appearance and the rest of the drum kit rejoins the track. Some pads join the track. Synth string elements later make an appearance.
A sweep then makes an appearance and large portions of the track drop out. This leaves a few secondary synths and the drum kit. The chime elements rejoins the track at this point. Parts of the main synth melody makes brief subtle appearances.
After another sweep, the main synth melody returns. Parts of the drum kit and a synth remain. A snare roll makes an appearance. After another sweep, the rest of the track rejoins the track again. Pads rejoin the track part way through along with the synth strings. A snare roll then makes an appearance and the main synth drops out. This is replaced by those chime elements again.
From there, a number of synths drop out. A reverse cymbal makes an appearance and the main kick drops out. Another sweep and an effect makes an appearance as the rest of the synths drop out. The remaining elements gradually fade out.
Probably the biggest thing that stands out for me is the catchiness of the main melody. While is has that sense of simplicity, it also has complexity to it at the same time. It’s not one of those one or two bar melodies, but rather, a nice complex arrangement that gives the track that feeling that thought was clearly put into the track. I thought this was very well done.
Another great element is the addition of the voice sample. Though it only appears all of once throughout this long track, it gives the track a nice personality. It also nicely offsets the other elements in the track to give that sense of completion.
Overall, this is a great track. It has a nice production quality to it. The main melody is very catchy and manages to be both simplistic and complex at the same time. The overall flow works quite well and the voice sample gives this track a nice sense of personality. So, an overall great track to listen to.
Score
8/10
Drew Wilson on Twitter: @icecube85 and Facebook.
