The Raster-Noton collection begins with a lengthy opener Phaser Acat of some 12 minutes duration. A constant drone which gradually increases in volume almost like overhead bombers on a wartime mission gradually wanes into a reverberation interjected with a high pitched tone.
This continues for a third of the track before giving way to a more melodic orchestrated sound of an electronic string section accompanied by a resonating bass. This conjures up images of waves breaking gently over a shingle beach before once again returning to the aeronautical theme with the sound of propulsion concluding the introduction.
In sharp contrast the second track Rin lasts a mere 51 seconds and largely suggests the sound of high frequency static as an electronic piece of equipment is turned on and left to run. Orchestrated sound again returns on Soma and the slow tuning up often heard in the pits will be familiar to listeners.
Interspersed notes resembling bell ringing can be heard in the background as the track progresses through the static theme once again - the crackling static appearing like distant thunder.
More reverberations can be discerned in the seamless transition to Meta Phaser and the static interference builds on that in the previous piece before more jumbled electronic pulses battle to take control of the track.
Electronic orchestrations in differing keys open the melodic Sora and once more gadgetry is used to mimic the sound of breaking waves as shorter electronic pulses ride over the monotonic background only to be interspersed with a drum-like quality that follows an electronic pattern.
A gradual cacophony of held notes, static and the drum character of Monophaser 1 leads the listener into droplets of sound appearing in a regular pattern suggesting they are overlaid on the constant background almost enticing the listener into a trance-like state as its hypnotic qualities induce a sense of calm.
Not unsurprisingly Monophaser 2 deviates little from the opening bars of previous offerings while static comes and goes hinting at a spacial theme of cosmic proportions. The relaxing theme places the listener in a pod-like experience embarking on a trip across a musical galaxy - an experience many drug-induced fans of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon may wish they could remember.
A rhythmic, gentle electronic pulse followed by the static interference used effectively in the collection previously sets the scene for Telon which has a more purposeful quality - the steady and increasingly louder beats establish an order and structure to the track which continues throughout.
There is an expectation that the concluding Monophaser track may build upon the themes and project them in an explosion of electronic sound. However, as the title suggests the reality is a mere continuation of all that has gone before meshing the experiences of the foundations laid down into a finale of static build-up that fades almost anti-climatically into the distance.
Word Count: 542
