What makes Metropolitan Suite by Larry Fast notable?

Metropolitan Suite received significant recognition within electronic music circles for its ambitious structure and cinematic quality. It has been noted for influencing subsequent artists looking to fuse electronic music with narrative-driven concepts, contributing to the wider acceptance of instrumental electronic albums during the late '80s. By the time Larry Fast released Metropolitan Suite in 1987, he had already established himself as a pioneering figure in electronic music, notably through his work with the project Synergy. This album is part of his exploration into more thematic compositions, following his well-received albums from the early '80s that showcased his innovative blend of synthesizers and orchestration.

How many songs are on Metropolitan Suite?

Metropolitan Suite has 9 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Metropolitan Suite

Larry Fast · 1987

48 min · 9 tracks · electronic music

A sprawling soundscape intertwining electronic textures with orchestral elements, evoking the pulse of urban life and its complexities.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Metropolitan Suite: Steam and Steel Towers — This track captures the industrial essence of urban life through intricate layering of synth melodies and rhythmic patterns, embodying the album's overarching themes.
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Metropolitan Suite: City Goes to War — The dramatic shifts in tempo and mood reflect the chaos of conflict, showcasing Fast's ability to craft a compelling auditory narrative.
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Metropolitan Suite: Metropolitan Theme (main theme) — As the central motif, this track encapsulates the album's essence with its melodic richness and emotional depth, serving as an anchor for the suite.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious structure and seamless transitions create a compelling narrative through its instrumental soundscapes.

What we noticed

Orchestral elements are layered with electronic textures, often building in intensity before resolving into quieter passages.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 9/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Metropolitan Suite: North River 1:20
2 Metropolitan Suite: Steam and Steel Towers 6:14
3 Metropolitan Suite: City Goes to War 6:17
4 Metropolitan Suite: Metropolitan Theme (main theme) 4:09
5 Metropolitan Suite: End of an Era 3:11
6 Into the Abyss 7:18
7 Prairie Light 6:54
8 West Side Nights 8:15
9 Redstone 4:27

What to play next

Go back to

The Jupiter Menace

1982

Full Larry Fast discography Artists like Larry Fast

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata