Calling All Astronauts – Post Modern Conspiracy
(Supersonic Media)
DL
19 May 2013
How does a relatively
unknown group manage to get almost fifty thousand Twitter followers to vote for
their singles and propel them to uber chart status? Well, actually following almost of those
people themselves probably helps, but, somehow they have had to engage along
the way. Calling All Astronauts seem to
have created a compelling album of varied styles which simply should not work
when thrown together, but, in short, they do.
Two years in the
making, ‘Post Modern Conspiracy’ contains fourteen highly charged tracks, which
thunder along though songs of politics, human rights and society, and, manage
to engage the listener along the way.
Based in London and self produced they have then called on the post
production skills of Harvey Birrell (Crass, Therapy?, Buzzcocks) to create
something rather good.
Debut single, ‘Someone
Like You’ opens the album with a start.
Vocalist, David Bury, has more than a passing resemblance to Wayne
Hussey and the song could almost be a 21st Century version of
Sisters Of Mercy. Thumping drumbeats,
screeching guitars and heavy bass, it’s a cracking beginning and sets the tone
for the rest of the album.
CAA take no prisoners
with their no-nonsense approach, biting lyrics and sheer pumping power. Take single ‘What’s So Good About’ and it’s
comment on reality TV, or, (song title of the year?) ‘Politicized – Ignorance
Is Not An Excuse’.
Soundbytes are added
on tracks like ‘Justice’ or ‘The Demise Of Society’ which at times bear a
resemblance to the mighty Tackhead (maybe not surprising at Birrell mixed the
groups ‘Videohead’ single). There are
even nods towards dubstep and drum ‘n’ bass on ‘Eye Of God’ and hints of
hip-hop too. Their uncompromising
approach to ‘not giving a shit’ should be applauded, and, their confidence to
mix opposing genres was a risk well worth taking.
An album to be played
loud and savoured. Rock ‘n’ Roll isn’t
dead – it just keeps evolving, and, Calling All Astronauts could well be your
favourite new Gothic/Punk/ElectroPop group.
8/10
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