Onetime jazz piano wunderkind
Peter Cincotti's 2012 effort
Metropolis is his fifth studio album and second fully non-jazz release. In that sense,
Metropolis picks up nicely where his equally pop/rock-oriented 2007 album
East of Angel Town left off. Falling somewhere between the yearning alt-rock vibe of
Coldplay and the soulful dance-rock of
Maroon 5, this is melodic adult alternative pop with a focus on
Cincotti's bright and passionate vocal style. Built around a loose conceptual theme of life and love in the city,
Metropolis features such cuts as the cinematic, swooning title track opener, the
Rupert Holmes-esque "Do or Die" with its story of elevator office romance, and the sensual and poignant anthem to lost love "Madeline." Elsewhere,
Cincotti delves into the driving club-ready dance track "My Religion," the uplifting ballad "Take a Good Look," and the midtempo foot-tapper "Fit You Better." Slick and well-produced with a mix of electric guitars, synths, and beats, as well as plenty of organic-sounding instruments including
Cincotti's own piano,
Metropolis is a towering pop success. ~ Matt Collar