Rushfan4's new CD Discussion thread #1-Astra
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Forum Name: Prog Recommendations/Featured albums
Forum Description: Make or seek recommendations and discuss specific prog albums
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Topic: Rushfan4's new CD Discussion thread #1-Astra
Posted By: rushfan4
Subject: Rushfan4's new CD Discussion thread #1-Astra
Date Posted: June 26 2009 at 11:21
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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 - 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.
http://www.myspace.com/astrasound - http://www.myspace.com/astrasound
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. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: June 26 2009 at 11:49
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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! ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: June 26 2009 at 12:32
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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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Posted By: MovingPictures07
Date Posted: June 26 2009 at 12:51
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I'll have to get this!
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Posted By: lazland
Date 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. ------------- Enhance your life. Get down to www.lazland.org |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: June 26 2009 at 15:47
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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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Posted By: Raff
Date 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. |
Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: June 26 2009 at 17:44
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Great! My first listening ASTRA now is moving me strongly. Awesome...wanna listen to the whole album as soon as possible. Thanks, Scott! 
------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Nightfly
Date 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. |
Posted By: progmetalhead
Date Posted: June 28 2009 at 03:58
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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" rel="nofollow - http://www.last.fm/user/colt2112 Colt - Admin Team MMA 
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: June 28 2009 at 04:55
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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! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: June 28 2009 at 04:58
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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 - http://www.emusic.com/album/Astra-The-Weirding-MP3-Download/11402732.html  ------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: progkidjoel
Date Posted: June 28 2009 at 05:07
Yes it does - May have to get this one... Thanks for the recommendation! ------------- 
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rushfan4 wrote:Posted By: Roland113
Date Posted: June 28 2009 at 15:05
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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------- I don't have an unnatural obsession with Disney Princesses, I have a fourteen year old daughter and coping mechanisms. |
Posted By: Roland113
Date Posted: June 29 2009 at 10:29
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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. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: June 30 2009 at 11:08
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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. -------------
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Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: July 01 2009 at 07:53
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A sort of related remark: Astra are on the Rise Above label - http://www.riseaboverecords.com/ - 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: ../artist.asp?id=4228 - DIAGONAL http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/diagonal/ - http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/diagonal/ Blood Ceremony http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/blood_ceremony/ - http://www.riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseabove/blood_ceremony/ ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: July 01 2009 at 14:00
 ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: avestin
Date Posted: July 03 2009 at 21:18
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 - http://www.myspace.com/daccordband ------------- http://hangingsounds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow - Hanging Sounds http://www.progarchives.com/ProgRockShopping.asp" rel="nofollow - PA Index of prog music vendors |
Posted By: Jake Kobrin
Date Posted: July 04 2009 at 00:13
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Does anyone know who did the album cover? It's beautiful.
------------- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Neil-Kobrin/244687105562746" rel="nofollow - SUPPORT MY FATHER AND BECOME A FAN Jacob Kobrin Illustration |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: July 06 2009 at 10:39
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On their website, they said that the cover art was provided by Arik Roper. Here is a link to his website. http://arikroper.com/ - http://arikroper.com/ -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: July 06 2009 at 10:48
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Also, I just found this review of this album on the website Metal Storm, which some might find of interest, although it kind of follows with has already been said about the retroness and psychedelicness of this album. http://www.metalstorm.ee/pub/review.php?review_id=6712 - http://www.metalstorm.ee/pub/review.php?review_id=6712 -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: July 08 2009 at 15:33
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Bump. Any other thoughts on this album? I'm giving some thought to album number 2. I'll be on vacation next week, so hopefully this album will get some more discussion and find some new fans while I am gone, and upon my return I'll have decided on the next album for discussion. -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: July 13 2009 at 00:53
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I'm kind of disappointed that this thread didn't get much action, but I hope that at least a few of the posters did discover a new band that they found to enjoy. I am leaving on vacation for a week, so hopefully some more conversation occur regarding this new and interesting retro band. When I get back I will try once again with thread #2. Cheers. -------------
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Posted By: fusionfreak
Date Posted: July 14 2009 at 12:11
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Thanks very much for the information Rushfan 4,I'm really happy to have bought this cd and I'm going to give it other listening sessions.I hope other people will be eager to discover it.I'm going to have a look at Arik Roper's website.Good holidays! ------------- I was born in the land of Mahavishnu,not so far from Kobaia.I'm looking for the world of searchers with the help from crimson king |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: August 16 2009 at 10:18
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Thank you. I am giving this album yet another spin, and although it is not a masterpiece by any means, I do really like this album. Has anyone else given it a listen and have any thoughts on it? -------------
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Posted By: Rivertree
Date Posted: August 16 2009 at 10:30
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Much is said in the meanwhile - for me it's a great album as stated in my review - but I can't understand the decision to let it sound retro even for the audio quality ...
------------- https://awesomeprog.com/users/Rivertree" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: August 18 2009 at 16:36
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I don't know that I have listened to it on high-quality speakers yet. Mostly I have listened to it through my iPod dock speaker, and I haven't really noticed the poor audio quality that has so often been mentioned. I really need to try listening to it on my stereo. I guess the fact that the sound reminds me of 70's Black Sabbath may be what everyone is referring to. -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 03 2009 at 21:56
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I'm not sure if there is any further interest in discussing this excellent album or not, but this thread is here in the event that anyone wishes to discuss it now or in the future. In hopes of further adding to the discussion, I have written a review of my thoughts on this album. http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=237010 - http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=237010 If anyone is interested please give it a read and let me know any comments that you might have, and while your at it there aren't that many reviews of this album yet, so give those a read too and see if this album sounds like it might appeal to you.
Thank you,
Scott -------------
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Posted By: Nipsey88
Date Posted: September 03 2009 at 22:13
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Just noticed this thread, and just got this album last week...wow. I gotta tell ya, I've only listened to this twice, but this is by far the most true to the 70's new album that I have ever heard. I saw a lot of complaints about the production value in the reviews section, but I found it utterly charming. I was instantly reminded of post Piper, pre-Meddle Pink Floyd...not really so much the sound, but the production. I really enjoyed the murky sound, it kind of gave this record a timeless feel. I found this band to be kind of 75% Floyd, 20% Sabbath, 5% Barclay James Harvest...if that makes any kind of sense. I'm currently embarking on my 3rd listen... Short version...I am currently loving this! EDIT: Thought I should clarify, by true to the 70's I am actually referring to 68-70...not later. I would put the production on par with Saucerful of Secrets...is this a bad thing? To some reviewers, yes...to me...oh gosh no! I am really blown away by this... like I said, only a couple of listens in.... ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Nipsey88/?chartstyle=myspace02" rel="nofollow">  |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 03 2009 at 22:39
Cool. I'm glad to hear from another fan of the album. What is funny from my perspective is that I've never been a real big fan of Pink Floyd's earlier albums, but I really enjoy Astra's album, which oddly enough is most similar to those earlier Pink Floyd albums. Sounds to me like I need to pull out those earlier Pink Floyd albums and give them another listen.  -------------
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Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: September 04 2009 at 04:24
 ------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: September 04 2009 at 04:29
------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: martinprog77
Date Posted: September 04 2009 at 04:32
btw i love the album  ------------- Nothing can last there are no second chances. Never give a day away. Always live for today. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 04 2009 at 08:05
That is interesting to hear. I have barely scratched the surface with RPI yet so I would not have made that connection. I did just download a 3 CD set from PFM a few days ago however and I am looking forward to listening to that. -------------
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Posted By: paulwalker71
Date Posted: September 04 2009 at 08:44
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Only just noticed this thread, and wanted to nip to say what a great idea for a thread that it is I've not heard the album, although I do recall reading about Astra in Classic Rock Prog magazine. I've located it on Last.Fm - all except one track appears to be available for full track streaming. I'm just getting started now, and - yes - I can immediately hear the Ozzy Osbourne vibe on the vocals, as well as a dreamy Floydian quality to the keyboards and guitars. I'll certainly give this a better listen when I get home and connect up to my hifi (currently just streaming via my laptop speakers so only so-so sound quality  ) then come back and comment further. |
Posted By: Mellotron Storm
Date Posted: September 04 2009 at 11:56
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Great idea Scott in discussing new releases. Count me as fan of this one too. I really like hearing new bands who've taken up with the early seventies psychedelic sound like these guys have.I was reminded of Pink Floyd quite a bit but the abundance of mellotron really adds a twist to their sound. At almost 80 minutes it's like a double album really. ------------- "The wind is slowly tearing her apart" "Sad Rain" ANEKDOTEN |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 14 2009 at 18:06
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Far out!!! Thomas is another fan. I just saw his review on the front page, and had to post a link to it for posterity's sake. http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=239259 - http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=239259
Nice one Thomas! err.. I mean groovy review dude!!! -------------
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: September 25 2009 at 08:35
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Just for you, Scott, I ordered this last night. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 25 2009 at 09:05
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I hope that you enjoy it Rob. -------------
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 14:09
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First listen Scott. Really killer arrangements and instrumentation so far. But um...is there something wrong with my copy? The sound is like...muffled and flat.  ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 14:49
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Nevermind, I just looked at your review again. I guess this is how it is.
------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 14:51
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My copy is downloaded from the net (legally) so I haven't really noticed it being muffled and flat, but in reading other reviews and comments, it sounds as though 1970 technology was used to record the album, so that might make it come across as muffled and flat. -------------
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 14:51
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Sorry, I was in the middle of typing my response when I got a phone call that I had to attend to. -------------
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 14:54
A shame really... because this album has some of the coolest instrumental sections I've heard lately, especially that amazing guitar and Mellotron interplay on the title track. Just...wow. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 14:57
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I tend to listen to most of my music either on my iPod in a docking station or on my laptop, and I really don't notice any difference between this album and others that I listen to. Which means two things: 1. that it doesn't effect my enjoyment of listening to the album, and 2. that I will never be hired to be a sound engineer. -------------
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Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 15:03
Well I know I'm no sound engineer, especially if you consider the criticism I get with my album!  Sound quality tends to be a small issue to me compared to composition and execution. I was just curious because it really seems unusual these days to find bands deliberately choosing dated technology to record with. The quality improves as the album goes on, but it's rather bad on the first track. But gosh, now I'm going to have to pay more attention to your other two or three discussion threads and see what goodies I'm missing out on.  I'm really happy I got this album. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 15:07
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Great. I am glad that this recommendation has worked out well. The other two albums are quite different from this album, but both are albums that I have thoroughly enjoyed. -------------
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Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: October 10 2009 at 10:23
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Yup a great album I feel. > Scott Written my humble http://www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=243927 - review and I'm so glad every fan can give me some comments.  ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: October 10 2009 at 10:36
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Thanks Keishiro. Great review! I'm not much of a drinker, but it sounds as though I need to try a "premium hyper-matured scotch whisky". Your observations are so true. They are very psychedelic and definitely have a stoner rock feel about them as well. -------------
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Posted By: DamoXt7942
Date Posted: October 10 2009 at 19:13
...Wonderfully hyper-matured whisky (not overmatured) is very very good for you to enjoy only the flavour. ASTRA's "The Weirding" has so enjoyable fragrance for you and me, undoubtedly. ------------- http://www.facebook.com/damoxt7942" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: O666
Date Posted: October 11 2009 at 06:28
| Great band.1970's ( KC+FLOYD)/2. Astra is very psychedelic and dark. In this age bands like Astra is a gift. |
Posted By: ColonelClaypool
Date Posted: October 12 2009 at 14:43
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This album was a pleasant surprise as I bought it at the recommendation of the storekeeper with no prior knowledge of the band. I quite like the retro feel of it, and the epic track Ouroboros is outstanding. 4 stars, will be interesting to see where they go from here.
------------- With magic, you can turn a frog into a prince. With science, you can turn a frog into a Ph.D. and you still have the frog you started with. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: December 15 2009 at 20:48
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I'm giving this album its first listen in a couple of months and it is still a wonderful experience.
It has a 3.89 rating after 34 ratings. That is quite the respectable rating. I'm glad to see so many fellow PAers also enjoying this album. -------------
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Posted By: Negoba
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 13:35
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As someone who does a little sound production, the recording of the vocals are awful. Sometimes new psych bands bury vocals when they feel they aren't strong enough to match the music. This guy's vocals are good enough, there are other ways besides that to blend and cover...just responding to previous comments.
My first response was exactly what everyone else said PF meets ITCOTKC. Life Bigelf, these intentionally retro bands sound great on the surface but lack some depth. But it's fun to listen to new music like this when you've exhausted the classics and I bet they would be great fun live.
I enjoy it just like I think virtually everyone on this forum would. I'll have to listen a few more times before giving a better assessment.
------------- You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all. |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 14:13
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Thanks Jay. Makes me wish that I had it with me so I could give it another listen. So much good music, so few ears. -------------
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Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: February 26 2010 at 14:34
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I don't know if this was mentioned already, but there's also a lot of YES in the music, the kind of YES from TFTO. I was actually surprised to find Astra not in Symphonic, but on further listens it made sense. EDIT: reading the first two pages, I see that other people have mentioned this, too. I took it from Rico's list of top 2009 albums and it was a pleasant surprise, one of the very few retro-sounding albums from 2009 that I liked (the others being The Whirlwind and The Viewing Point by The Future Kings of England, again a Space-Rock record.) |
Posted By: benb
Date Posted: March 03 2010 at 23:16
| I liked this album |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: March 29 2010 at 15:22
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I'm starting my first listen now, onto the title track. The first track gave me a big Guru Guru style Krautrock feeling and really caught my ear, the second one's sounding more "normal" (what is normal, anyway?) and still awesome. If the album keeps sounding this good to me I'll definitely be buying it (listening thanks to last.fm at the moment), for anyone else who would like to hear the album here's the link: http://www.last.fm/music/Astra/The+Weirding - http://www.last.fm/music/Astra/The+Weirding
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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