FrostRaven - Star Muse – DIGICD011 - Digital Drugs Coalition /Geo-Morningstar 

Free Track:  http://www.sendspace.com/file/a353xo (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 
http://geomagnetic.tv/labels/DigitalDrugs/DIGICD011-FrostRaven-StarMuse/PlayAll.m3u 

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: http://www.myspace.com/frostraven 
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: http://www.myspace.com/geomagnetic 
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!!
 
http://www.myspace.com/digitaldrugscoalition 
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). http://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. 
http://geomagnetic.tv/labels/DigitalDrugs/DIGICD011-FrostRaven-StarMuse

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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  
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  
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  
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  
"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  
"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  
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  
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  
"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)  
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