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rushfan4 View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Rushfan4's new CD Discussion thread #1-Astra
    Posted: June 26 2009 at 11:21
I keep reading many complaints from PA collabs and other users that are tired about discussing the same old same old bands all of the time so I have decided to try and do something about it.  I am issuing a challenge to my fellow PAers here.  Similar to the vein of the new album discussion threads that have recently been started for Yes' TFTO and KC's Starless and Bible Black I am creating this thread for the new Astra album The Weirding. http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=4492 I would like to be able to discuss it with my fellow PAers.  Unfortunately, that means that you would have to either buy the album or find a way to listen to it streaming.  Think of it as a "book club book of the month selection".  I was able to download the album from eMusic, so those of you with eMusic accounts might be able to access this album easier than others.  Anyhow, I just think it would be nice to talk about a lesser known and newer band for a change rather that the same old same old Yes, Rush, KC etc discussions. 
 
Here is a link to Astra's MySpace page for you to get a sampling of their music where they have many of their songs from their debut album.
 
 
Give them a listen.  See what you think.  And come back to this thread and discuss them.  I am hoping that we have a little success here and maybe we can do it for other lesser known newer releases.  Either rate, let me know what you think.   


Edited by rushfan4 - June 26 2009 at 11:22
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2009 at 11:49
I got this yesterday and have given it one listen. Psychedelic and 70's sounding rock, quite nicely done, though nothing new or challenging but then again, it's probably not meant to. Several lengthy tracks with a somewhat loose and free-spirit feeling.
I need some more time to devote to it to get more into it and give a more in-depth review of this.

Nice art-work!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2009 at 12:32
I've given it 4 listens now, and I am really enjoying it.  I have to agree with the analysis of it being 70's sounding rock.  It reminds me at times of Paranoid-era Black Sabbath.  The vocals remind me quite a bit of Ozzy.  I'd say that it probably wouldn't appeal to prog fans that are looking for the band that discovers the next new chord or musical note but that stuff doesn't generally interest me.  I tend to like music with a retro sound.  It is that sound that drew me to progressive rock in the first place.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2009 at 12:51
I'll have to get this!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2009 at 13:26
I really like what I've heard via streaming - it's one of the next on my shopping list and will answer more fully when I've got it. Certainly all of the reviews I've seen have been overwhelmingly positive.


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2009 at 15:47
I should probably have mentioned that there is a lot of mellotron on this album, which might pique some people's interest.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2009 at 17:06
Now that you mention it, Scott, the tracks I've listened to so far sound more symphonic than psychedelic. "Beyond to Slight the Maze" at a certain point resembled "Echoes", especially as regards the vocals.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 26 2009 at 17:44
Great!
My first listening ASTRA now is moving me strongly.
Awesome...wanna listen to the whole album as soon as possible.

Thanks, Scott! Clap
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 27 2009 at 18:06
I have it, in fact I've already posted a review of it here. I quite enjoyed it without being totally blown away. Very psychedelic with simple song structures  - I think there's a strong Pink Floyd influence in some of the vocal parts and the longer songs particularly have an extended jam vibe going on. I can really imagine them stretching these out even more a la Grateful Dead when playing live.
The production was a bit flat which is a shame - still a band to keep an eye on i think.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 28 2009 at 03:58
Nice thread Scott!
 
I have eMusic and thus "The Wierding"
 
I've listened to it a few times and can echo what's already been said. Very retro and a mish mash of several bands back in the day.
 
Makes a nice change to the latest from TMV, DT, Pathosray, Dredg et al that I have on rotation at the minute.
http://www.last.fm/user/colt2112

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 28 2009 at 04:55
I bought it 2 weeks ago and I find it very nice:vintage sound,rich blend of symphonic and psychedelic rock.Of course it's not innovative but I don't care since it's good stuff and this work deserves being played or quoted.Another great release by Rise Above.Good thread Rushfan 4!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 28 2009 at 04:58
The lush keyboards make it a symphonic album ... but at the same time it's quite "trippy". I wonder what other albums are a mix of symphonic and psychedelic ...

BTW: Can't hurt to post the eMusic link:

http://www.emusic.com/album/Astra-The-Weirding-MP3-Download/11402732.html

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 28 2009 at 05:07
Originally posted by rushfan4 rushfan4 wrote:

I should probably have mentioned that there is a lot of mellotron on this album, which might pique some people's interest.


Yes it does - May have to get this one...

Thanks for the recommendation!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 28 2009 at 15:05
OK, I'll play, I had 10 e-music downloads remaining and this seems like a perfect way to burn through eight of them.  Now if I can only find another two track album, already got 'Slow Dance" by Anthony Phillips and all of the 'Godspeed you Black Emperor' that I need for the time being.
-------someone please tell him to delete this line, he looks like a noob-------

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 29 2009 at 10:29
Ok, my first take is that it sounds like "In the Court of the Crimson King" era King Crimson playing Pink Floyd Music.  The production quality is a little lacking, though I don't count that as a negative in this instance.  In fact, it works well for this release as the lower recording quality seems to make it sound even more like something from the 70's.
-------someone please tell him to delete this line, he looks like a noob-------

I don't have an unnatural obsession with Disney Princesses, I have a fourteen year old daughter and coping mechanisms.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: June 30 2009 at 11:08

Currently giving this another spin.  I still hear Paranoid era Ozzy as I listen to it, but it is funny after reading others posts I can also hear the ITCOTCK era King Crimson playing Pink Floyd music.  I am definitely really enjoying this album.  This is the kind of music that finds its way into the "me likes" zone. LOL Thumbs Up 

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 01 2009 at 07:53
A sort of related remark:
Astra are on the Rise Above label - http://www.riseaboverecords.com/
This label has two other bands in their roster, which will appeal to those who like 70's inspired/retro-sounding psych-rock/prog/heavy/hard-rock bands.

These two are:

DIAGONAL
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/diagonal/


Blood Ceremony
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/blood_ceremony/



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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 01 2009 at 14:00
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

A sort of related remark:
Astra are on the Rise Above label - http://www.riseaboverecords.com/
This label has two other bands in their roster, which will appeal to those who like 70's inspired/retro-sounding psych-rock/prog/heavy/hard-rock bands.

These two are:

DIAGONAL
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/diagonal/


Blood Ceremony
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/blood_ceremony/



Utterly wise choices!Clap
I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world

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crimson king
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 03 2009 at 21:18
Originally posted by avestin avestin wrote:

A sort of related remark:
Astra are on the Rise Above label - http://www.riseaboverecords.com/
This label has two other bands in their roster, which will appeal to those who like 70's inspired/retro-sounding psych-rock/prog/heavy/hard-rock bands.

These two are:

DIAGONAL
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/diagonal/


Blood Ceremony
http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/blood_ceremony/






Add to this list, another band (but not from that label) - from Norway, a band I saw being mentioned in Progressive Ears, called D'Accord

http://www.myspace.com/daccordband
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 04 2009 at 00:13
Does anyone know who did the album cover? It's beautiful. 
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