Feel-Good New Age Synth-Pop
author: Raj Manoharan
This debut CD from New Age artist Michael Stribling (Out of the Darkness, Into the Light) sounds not like the work of a newbie, but rather that of an experienced, old musical hand. Perhaps this is due to Stribling’s pop past as drummer for Johnny Mathis, which informs many of the propulsive tracks on this buoyant collection. In fact, it was the second tune, New Day Dawning, which hooked me on Music Choice: Soundscapes with its initial tranquil reverie that eventually burgeons into a joyously upbeat tune full of hope. The CD has a nice mix of synth-pop (especially the Genesis-like Let the Pony Ride), grand keyboard washes of sound (Big Planets, Reminiscence, Peace at Sea), and hauntingly beautiful solo piano interludes (Trust, Before the End). This is a bright, vibrant, and very accessible New Age CD that even aurally discriminating fans of pop music might enjoy.
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