METROPOLITAN SUITE

Synergy

Prog Related

3.71 | 14 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

I've just finished a long-winded review of Electronic Realizations for Rock Orchestra, so I'll be brief here.

Metropolitan Suite is my favorite Larry Fast Synergy release and I'm very surprised that I'm the first to review it on progarchives! Has anyone out there ever listened to this magnificent recording?!

This record is somewhat controversial amongst Synergy fans because of Larry's choice to employ the Yamaha DX7 throughout most of the compositions. As any recording which uses the DX7 you will notice the well-worn bell and keys patches which have appeared on everything from Michael Jackson records to the blandest of new age CDs. But don't despair! The DX7 shares the tonal landscape with a Moog Modular, Memory Moog and SC Prophet 5.

Metropolitan Suite is a concept album relating to Larry's interest in urban architecture. From the liner notes:

"Although the compositions were already under way, they were given direction after I received a book entitled "New York 1900" by Robert A.M. Stern, Gregory Gilmartin and John Massengale. This architectural study of New York during the central years of what is commonly called the Metropolitan Age reinforced what I have observed to be a common thread of development between music and architecture."

The Prog genre, as we all know, is replete with concept albums. So what's another one going to do for us?! In this case Larry Fast nailed it. He offers a magnificent and sublime aural backdrop to New York City's architectural treasures. Having lived in the NYC metropolitan area I can attest that listening to this CD while walking around Manhattan was an unforgettable experience.

The music on this CD should appeal to fans of futuristic sci fi movie soundtracks and to connoisseurs of symphonic electronic prog, reminiscent of Vangelis' The City and Direct. I give this CD an easy FIVE STARS and consider it an essential prog recording and the very best of Larry Fast's solo work.

jrfernan | 5/5 | 2006-10-16

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