On his debut album, Gaiser's combination of minimal techno and what might best be described as early Pole without the dub makes for an enjoyable if initially slightly fussy listen. To the credit of both composer and album, though, Blank Fade is a good example of something picking up speed as it goes; as it's constructed as a mix flowing from song to song, it's best heard that way instead of as discrete or separate pieces. But individual songs like "Ciliate With," with a classic electro riff adding some goony fun to the proceedings, and "Trunkated," with its odd echoes, could work well enough on their own. This sense of gentle but persistent enrichment of the album's sound, starting early with the picking up of the pace on "Face Down," and especially "Ground," keeps Blank Fade from being something to regard with a polite nod -- there's some actual playfulness on exhibit that the dark but admittedly appropriate album art might not otherwise indicate. It's not a stellar reinvention, but it's worthy of a release on M_nus, perhaps the best label for this kind of approach.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo