I, Synthesist – Circus Ride To Venus (Digital EP – I, Synthesist)
Genre/Influences: Experimental electro-pop, glitch-pop.
Background/Info: Chris Ianuzzi is already active under I, Synthesist for several years now. He released a number of albums and I especially remember “Art Of Survival” released on Electric Fantastic Sound (2007). “Circus Ride To Venus” is the newest work by the American musician revealing 6 songs.
Content: I, Synthesist remains inspired by different electro-pop formats. You clearly recognize some vintage elements next to a more familiar pop with melodic elements. But this band never has been the typical and classical electro-pop project. There also is a real strong taste of experimentalism supporting the work of I, Synthesist.
The work rapidly moves towards other influences like cabaret music revealing a theatrical way of singing, but still in a kind of electro-punk way. It sounds pretty glitch-like and that’s rather surprising for an artist linked with pop.
There’s neither real coherence nor a typical structure in the songs. It’s more a kind of ‘freestyle’ featuring cool passages. Some of the songs and the way of singing remind me a bit of Thomas Dolby.
+ + + : The least I can say is that Ianuzzi has a really creative mind. He tries to innovate injecting new ideas into electro-pop music. His work is an antidote to all Depeche Mode clowns. I really appreciate the sound treatments and diversity of the work.
– – – : I like the diversity and sound-anarchism of this artist, but I’m missing more cohesion especially in the melodic aspect. Is he really dealing with an avant-garde format of electro-pop or just getting cynical with this music genre? That’s artistic freedom and I don’t really care about his real intentions; it’s just that the music is not the most accessible format while there’s no single trace of a climax.
Conclusion: This work is a real good example of an artist with a creative mind who wants to innovate, but where the result is missing some essential elements, especially when it deals with electro-pop.
Best songs: “Electric Chairs”.
Rate: (5½).
Band: www.isynthesist.net / www.facebook.com/ISynthesistMusic
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