Vertonen (Blake Edwards) enters his second decade of recording with this five track, nearly hour-long set. The opening piece, “Untitled for Air
Organ and Turntable Motor” was recorded live for radio in Chicago, sounding like the tinny insides of an aircraft motor being tuned up.
The effect simulates a barren foreground, with a tonal shifting horizon. Ground Fault has done well to separate their series into three distinct
sections, this disc falling into the Series II (medium) category, defined by adjectives like surreal, experimental and textural – all of
which this recording could be described as. The sources in other tracks like “The Last Great Circus of Desperate Heritage” and the slightly more
caustic “Four Chambers Plus their Various Liquids” use metals and other objects to placate the irrational ear. Through distortion and pace
setting Vertonen defines some specific sound-making pleasures by risking the naked roots of improv and fashioning a voice that is both analytical
and beatless. Edwards can also quash noise in developing pieces like “Soma Trio Study” which uses a quieter, more wave lapping vibe. Its
vivid surface is a bit like a bed of clouds. Closing the disc is “Harbor Sufacant” which is a deconstructed western saloon on squeaky
scratched vinyl. The repetitive merky beat is a clash between and a filthy, brainwashed hypnotism and ghostly drones.
