The Aliens - Luna (I really miss the Beta Band)
ex-Beta Band trio, The Aliens, release Luna today!After much disappointment with The Aliens' debut LP, Astronomy for Dogs, my expectations for their sophomore effort Luna were admittedly very low. I guess I should have seen this coming, too, since history does tend to repeat itself. Just look at post-Waters Pink Floyd: while it contained 75% of the original band, the abbreviated line-up inevitably ventured into an entirely new sound. Similarly with The Aliens, without their lead man Steve Mason, these ex-Beta Banders embraced the lighter/sillier side of pop rather than the psychedelia that originally turned me onto the guys in the first place.
Luckily for me, however, Mason was busy with King Biscuit Time and Black Affair, and my Beta Band withdrawal was treated with large doses of Black Gold and Pleasure Pressure Point (it's crystal clear what influence he had on the sound of Beta Band).
So as stated before, Astronomy of Dogs was quite forgettable (in my opinion), but for the sake of the band, I gave these dudes a second try. Released today on the band's own label, Pet Rock, I'll have to say, well played sirs! This is what I was hoping for all along. Opening with the trippy 10 minute-plus "Bobby's Song", it's clear that these guys aren't writing another radio friendly album. I need a few more listens before I can definitively give my assessment of these new tunes, but after my first listen, this is hands down a quality record. In the mean time, check out this sweet video for "Magic Man" (why do things in reverse look so cool?):
Luckily for me, however, Mason was busy with King Biscuit Time and Black Affair, and my Beta Band withdrawal was treated with large doses of Black Gold and Pleasure Pressure Point (it's crystal clear what influence he had on the sound of Beta Band).
So as stated before, Astronomy of Dogs was quite forgettable (in my opinion), but for the sake of the band, I gave these dudes a second try. Released today on the band's own label, Pet Rock, I'll have to say, well played sirs! This is what I was hoping for all along. Opening with the trippy 10 minute-plus "Bobby's Song", it's clear that these guys aren't writing another radio friendly album. I need a few more listens before I can definitively give my assessment of these new tunes, but after my first listen, this is hands down a quality record. In the mean time, check out this sweet video for "Magic Man" (why do things in reverse look so cool?):
Check three of the tracks, "Everyone", "Magic Man", and "Bobby's Song" at their MySpace page.
Also, go pick up a copy of Luna for yourself, here.
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