LOVE FEAR CHOICES AND ASTRONAUTS

Romanian The:Egocentrics are another interesting newcomer in 2010 - they offer a mix of stoner, post and psych/space rock provided with a proper progressive essence. Which means there is much more than a simple stoner flavour in here - even though the band is often reduced to this category. Now released on the famous German NASONI label 'Love Fear Choices And Astronauts' comprises four lengthy tracks beyond the ten minute mark, totally instrumental. Rather varied jams, constantly mixing up heavy psych and cosmic floating parts.

When you ask about the uniqueness, the aspect what differentiates them from other bands I would say it's Brenn's guitar work offering a great bandwith. Best described for the opener Spacewulf where he plays a very sensitive part. 2012 however starts with a heavier, rather Jimi Hendrix related style, later though evolving into another spacey mood. Don't know why exactly, but Bright Dawn Of The Soul reminds me of Robin Trower's best days (Bridge Of Sighs) in parts ... from the heavier side of life too ... but again you won't miss a gliding relaxed excursion included in between.

The last minutes of Mystic Initiation then offer a gripping space rock interlude underlaid with samples, the album highlight in my opinion. 3 and a half stones ... ehh, stars ... are well deserved for this solid production. To name comparable bands for a proper orientation I would choose Samsara Blues Experiment, My Sleeping Karma, Earthless ...

This album "Love Fear Choices and Astronauts" was released by a Romanian psychedelic progressive / space rock act The :EGOCENTRICS as their debut album, that is flooded with intensive fuzzy, shoegaze guitar plays and repetitive, spacey, a tad stoner rhythm formations. Basically their sound / melody style might be extremely inspired by space rock legends like Hawkwind or Ozric Tentacles, and strictly follow the footsteps of the vanguards. No musical innovation worthy of special mention nor original eccentricity is there but their instrumental technique and psychedelic sound texture are immersively matured and crystallized. Much appreciated also with the fantastic sleeve picture.

From the first strike "Spacewulf" their deep, sharp-edged psychedelia will be explored bombastically. The audience would get immersed in such a convoluted space entrapment definitely, let me say. There's no suspicion this soundscape would be their pleasure, with no consideration but simple feeling. On the other hand the following "20 12" has naiver atmosphere and gentler sensation. Their fantastic stoner spice should be effective especially in this track. "Bright Dawn Of The Soul" is another attraction of a down-tempo merry-go-round. Sit down and listen carefully, as if they would say so. We can hear something ethnic and tribal via the last "Mystic Initiation", that sounds basically typical in current psychedelic / space scene ... interesting guitar confusion is in the middle part though.

About 49 minute egocentric space world is full of authentic soundscape called as "space rock". This expression should be kinda comfort of psychedelic progressive / space rock fans but cannot be thought innovative. Guess it's finer to attend their gig nonetheless.