In the 1930s, sci-fi spacecraft were romantic, and somewhat clunky, affairs: tails spouting sparks; art deco curves; and capable of traveling far interstellar distances, perhaps even Jupiter! The sci-fi spacecraft of today's fiction are far more nebulou s and futuristic: living, space-faring organisms; technological traveling clouds; tiny cubes full of "uploaded" people; not to mention travel through space, time, multi-dimensions, and inner space.

Vir Unis's latest efforts, two CDs called Mercury and Plastic and Symbology, clearly belong in the latter class of spacecraft. Listening to these discs is akin to taking a trip into far out space/time; no final destination, just endless, pulsing blackness. These are energetic discs, full of cas cading synths, heartbeat pulses, varied e-percussion (as well as live drums mixed in), and strange vocalizations every once in a while. Vir Unis has thrown everything but the galactic kitchen sink into this one, and it all comes together as one of his fi nest releases.

Mercury and Plastic is the album proper, with definite album-length connectivity between all of the tracks. You get the feel of the journey over the disc's length, even if you never reach the final destination. I felt the disc end ed rather abruptly, though it became apparent that looping the disc to the beginning was the answer. In this way, you can truly visualize an infinite, blazing trip through outer space. It's a seamless transition from the last track back to the beginning of the first; and one I recommend to other space cadets. And you will be repeating listens, as this is a compulsively listenable CD.

Symbology is the companion disc, featuring bonus tracks left off of Mercury as well as other tracks in a similar style. I got the impression that many of these tracks were rough or unfinished; but I think that's because they are, if I remember the press release correctly. The highlight here is "Ringworld," clearly referential to the classic Larry Niven novel. It's easy to see the parallel; a continuous percussive loop runs through the track, mirroring the rotational movement of the giant Ringworld from the novel. Breathtaking in scope, when you imagine it.

If energetic soundscaping is your thing, you won't be disappointed with these two discs. They make terrific companions to the equally excellent collaboration between Vir Unis and Saul Stokes, as well as Blood Machine with Steve Roach. With Mercury and Plastic, Vir Unis continues his streak of excellent, evocative space music.

From Atmoworks.

since July 15, 2003