Rushfan4's new CD Discussion thread #1-Astra

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. 

Edited by rushfan4 - June 26 2009 at 11:22

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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/

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