Often referred to simply as [[[VVRSSNN]]] (pronounced “Version”), sometimes referred to as Future Fusion Vision Wave, typically credited to Adam Forkner, this album was released by K. Records in 2003 in a limited edition of 500 copies. All covers are handpainted and handsprayed, and include a sticker on the backside with label information and edition-number. I found mine for the low, low price of $4.99 (still-sealed!) at Princeton Record Exchange sometime between 2003 and 2005. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but when Ian mentioned it was Yume Bitsu-related I jumped at the opportunity to buy it. What a steal.
Whereas Yume Bitsu was a drone-y space-rock band that relied heavily on guitars, Surface Of Eceon furthered the guitar/bass/drums/synth formula, [[[VVRSSNN]]] was mostly-reliant on electronics. Although the aforementioned Yume Bitsu translates into Japanese as “dream beats,” I’d say that Future Fusion Vision Wave more perfectly captures the essence of that moniker. The drones are psychedelic and beautiful, Modest Mouse’s rhythm section play a great foil for Adam Forkner’s far-out synth grooves on “Come Out (K-Hole Version). There are also appearances by K. stalwarts Phil Elverum and Calvin Johnson. If the title “Guilded Golden Ladies” sounds familiar, this is because it was an early version of a track that appeared on he White Rainbow CD called ZOME.
The [[[VVRSSNN]]] album will always hold a special place in my heart because I listened to it a lot during my first cross-country road-trip in 2005. Alone in my car traveling North on a gray and desolate Highway 1 out of Los Angeles. So many of my memories from the drive, the various scenic lookouts and picturesque twists and turns along the coastline are juxtaposed to this album. Sure, there are plenty of nights I used to drop the needle on this when I was alone in my New Jersey bedroom getting high, but I much prefer the hundreds of miles of Pacific Coast Highway to being alone in suburban NJ at three o’clock in the morning.
Dig in, enjoy.
Adam Forkner
[[[VVRSSNN]]] (aka Future Fusion Vision Wave)
(K, 2003)
MediaFire DL Link
01. Double Dragons (Version DLO Version)
02. Comeouttoshowdem
03. Bruise Blood
04. I Want To Warm You (I Need To Warn You)
05. Come Out (K-Hole Version)
06. Invisible Wavez
07. Surface III (Hardcore Version)
08. Guilded Golden Ladies
09. Blankets Made Of Snow
10. Shield Of Invisibility
11. Whispers In The Waiting
