Synergy
The Jupiter Menace
[Third Contact]
Rating: 3.6
I thought that it was a little strange that I'd never heard of a movie
titled "The Jupiter Menace." Here I am, science fiction super-geek,
able to identify "Star Trek: The Next Generation" episodes by name after
iewing a 15-second preview, completely bewildered by a very science-
fiction sounding movie with a soundtrack by a very science- fiction
composer. What's wrong here?
I decided to do a little research. Being in a very science- fiction kind
of mood (and because it's a lot easier than actually looking in a movie
archive book) I consulted the vast resources of the Internet. Unfortunately,
the only results I got from search engines looking for "Jupiter Menace" were
lists of the Synergy discography. I decided to try my favorite Internet movie
search engine. A hit! The entire listing read as follows: "Jupiter Menace:
1981."
This inspired a revelation. "The Jupiter Menace" was probably a movie
that was hyped in its time as a revolutionary, or even evolutionary,
look at the future. The producers probably patted themselves on the
back in congratulatory motions for how exceptional a foresight they
must possess. The movie probably sucked.
A perfect fit for the soundtrack that went along with it. Synergy
creator Larry Fast, despite having made innumerous contributions to many
big-name recording stars, seems to have had lost himself in his own
belief of his brilliance. After years of high- profile recognition for
achievements in the advancement of electronic music, Synergy seemed to
have been stuck as the world's first electronic "formula" band. The
music from "The Jupiter Menace," while incorporating some new
technologies, remains mostly indistinguishable from earlier Synergy
works, a dangerous game for a field of music so rapidly evolving. The
soundtrack even includes some tracks from previous Synergy albums.
While the music was indeed revolutionary in 1975, Synergy had condemned
itself by this release to be background music for trendy modern science
museums. And like the fate of its movie counterpart, to be all but
forgotten.
-Skaht Hansen
"Rampage of the Elements"
[Real Audio Stream]