Astronauts Anonymous - still sleeping

Astronauts Anonymous

Still Sleeping
self-released; 2013

3.8 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Astronauts Anonymous is a North Carolina band that originated from the ashes of a now defunct project Sirens For Sleeping. The musicians set out to begin again from where they left off, making music under the new moniker with the same line-up, but striving to experiment more with their sound, pushing their songs towards new directions. Their debut album Still Sleeping is a collection of 11 songs that fall somewhere in between the dark and gritty landscapes of 90s alternative rock (Dinosaur Jr., Built To Spill, Sonic Youth) and the groove and eclectic sensibility of post hardcore and emo (Armor For Sleep, Circa Survive, Minus The Bear), sporting the essential and raw aesthetics of the former and the melody of the latter.
 
Overdriven guitars, drums, bass and vocals are arguably at the core of the band’s sound, but Astronauts Anonymous often recur to synths and drum machine with a retro twist to create some of the most peculiar moments on the album (“This is Permanent” and “Dropping In”), also serving as interludes, releasing the tension and offering some diversity. Songs like “Animal Etiquette” or “Louder, As We Speak” are strong hints that this band knows how to stay accessible and catchy, without compromising their integrity and their experimental approach.

The album kick off with "Dropping In" which is more of an intro revolves around a fat sounding synth bass sound thats covered in white noise. Percussion is present but is subtle and almost unnecessary. Things really start to pick up with "Louder as we Speak". There is a lot of energy in this track and they mix and experimental and organic instrumentation blend nicely. The singers voice has a nice dynamic range and while sometimes thought his style of singing was out of place started to enjoy it more with repeated listens. "Casting Arrows" has some great guitar that was a bit reminiscent of of early block party while "We Should Have Kept On Moving" had one of the best vocal performances on the album. The Album closes with "Animal Etiquette" which is the longest as we as the most sincere song on the album. They still rock out but seem  to hold back a bit. This album while far from perfect has a good flow and some solid songs I would recommend listening to.

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