I, Synthesist

"Avalanche" (Album, 2004)

I, Synthesist is the moniker one Chris Ianuzzi has chosen as the front for his exploratory forays into the furthest reaches of electronic music. Ianuzzi's interest in the field was allegedly spawned after hearing the sound of a Moog synthesiser at a music store triggered an earlier childhood hallucinogenic memory first experienced during a dental procedure. A background in formal music training and an intellectual approach to composition led to Ianuzzi performing for the American Society of University Composers, serving as a creative associate to Suzanne Ciani's Electronic Music Factory, working with Vangelis and ex-Tangerine Dream member Peter Baumann, as well as work on chart-topping hits like AEIOU by Freeze. A number of years spent writing, recording and touring led to Ianuzzi scoring the orchestral music for the HBO Earth to Moon series. Since then he has focused his energies on merging music and performance utilising integrated visuals.

This eccentric debut album from 2004 is the audio summation of all of Ianuzzi's past experiences and interests. Avalanche is a rich tapestry of intelligent, if somewhat wonky, electronic pop songs created from a combination of classic analog synthesisers and cutting edge digital technology, ranging from the qurikpop, almost Eurovision entry of Captain, My Captain, through to reflective mellow ballad-like Glides On. The bonkers quality of Ianuzzi's talent is captured well on Mad Connection - a multifaceted, fascinatingly compelling ramble about "robo-sapiens", against a backdrop of staccato electro beats and pulsating synths. Whilst Images begins modestly enough before bursting into a glorious chorus and winds up delivering one of the most thoughtful entries. Whether applying bossanova beats, classical string arrangements, studio boffin technical trickery, tinkling piano keys or hard analog bass clicks, Ianuzzi repeatedly surprises with a varied collection of impressive creativity. It would have been nice if this were either an Enhanced CD or DVD release as having listened to the audio only, I'm now very curious to see the visual side of I, Synthesist. 8/10

Rob Dyer (March 2010)