Star Turbine ~ Equilibrium

Striate Cortex’s 44th release is a quality keepsake, a double CD3″ cushioned in a little black box.  The color is aptly chosen; Equilibrium calls to mind the wheezing of iron lungs, the gurgling of scuba equipment and the squeal of unoiled machines.  These sounds mirror our industrialized existence, while the disembodied voices provided by Norway’s Sindre Bjerga and Denmark’s Claus Poulsen symbolize our sense of disconnect: dropped calls, ignored pleas, an inability to understand each other despite our technological advances.  These bleak sonics come across as oddly lulling; the repetitions of electronic warning pings add structure to a chaotic landscape.  While listening, it’s virtually impossible to hear hope; at best, one gains a sense of adjustment. Ironically, or perhaps purposefully, that’s the whole point of equilibrium.  Through walls of static, slowed voices and the sound of dragged chains, Star Turbine manages to balance the bleak and the beautiful.  Instead of canceling each other out, they work in cold compliment.  (Richard Allen)

Available here