Metaphor
Bassist and synthesist Patrick O'Hearn began his career backing up music wizardFrank Zappain the 1970s before forming the new-wave bandMissing Personsin the early '80s and later striking out on his own. Somewhere along the way his music has morphed into electronic New Age, sometimes resembling ambient mastersTangerine Dream, sometimesYanni.Metaphoris a fine testament to O'Hearn's talent for songwriting. He deftly layers his ambient pieces with blankets of lulling rhythm or washes before tucking a soft melody into the cotton of airy synth and chiming sequences. "The Women of Lachaise" builds on this technique beautifully, creating an urban landscape smooth around the edges with whiffs of smokey synth and competing with "Let Truth Prevail" for an electronic soundtrack reminiscent ofBladerunner. If you've checked out Tangerine Dream, if you've checked outSteve Roach, and are now wondering where to go from here, give Patrick O'Hearn a listen; he may be your next favorite electronic artist.--Karen Karleski