Terrorbird

Far Side Virtual takes us on a dance through some enigmatic modern metropolis, through the spaces of our consumerism, down a street that could be your 5th Avenue or your Regent Street or your Shibuya Square to some anonymous globalized space in a common augmented Utopia. A cellular kingdom of fusion and virtual couture, a candy land of Utopias within a Utopia. iLand.

On his debut album for Hippos In Tanks, Ferraro paints a 21st century still life. Whether it be through the psychology of domesticated pets or frosting replicas of Camille Pissarro's "Haying at Eragny," emblazoned on an expensive Whole Foods dessert cake, Far Side Virtual will become an essential piece for the 21st century audience.

What we find here is a work of pure modernism. a new index of futurism that abandons paranoia and anxiety for new thoughts on the dynamics between technology and humans, introducing us to a world of iPads and Augmented Humanity. A gesture towards a world gracefully empty of humans but filled with pure impressionistic beauty experienced through newly acquired appendages of the digital nature.

With its swirly sound of new pop-like concoctions and its zoo of modern chamber-like motifs, Far Side Virtual becomes a score to the saturation and decadence that has swept the face of post 2000 a.d. earth life.

Imagine a Darrius Milhuad remixed by iPod commer- cials and Macbook sound effects: Milhuad minimized and deconstructed into chat function sound clips, an email alert blip, a ring tone or Apple Store automated door bells.

Far Side Virtual is simply a symphony for Whole Foods and brand new Crocs. A restrained type of minimal pop that spins full blast on Carrie Bradshaw's iPod. A must have on the MP3 player for those globalized citizens active in the world today. Put your ear buds in, and welcome to Far Side Virtual.