Astra - Neo prog of the highest order

Thanks to Spec for hipping me to this group!!!!

I actually wasn't surprised to see these guys are from San Diego, because they are similar in feel to Earthless (though less strictly improvisational in form), there's a pretty cool scene in that area these days. They definitely listened to A LOT of early Pink Floyd (Saucerful era), King Crimson (there's an identical copy of an early Crimson riff in the title track), Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, etc.

Anyway, The Weirding is a fine record, atmospheric & moody with a killer vibe, another bonus is the artwork was done by my current favorite artist; Arik Roper. Production-wise, it sounds like an analog recording using mostly vintage equipment (similar to Witchcraft).



These are the types of bands that I will pay money to see in concert.

Yeah, I stumbled upon them because someone mentioned Yes in the same breath. I don't see much Yes in their style, but its definitely very 70's retro sounding. I'm a sucker for anything with a mellotron.

I have to check out Earthless now.

I've been on the lookout for these guys since I heard some clips. Me likee.

Enos The Penis wrote:

I have to check out Earthless now.

I love them, but word of warning...they are all instrumental, their songs average 20-30 minutes a piece...probably 17 of which is the guitar solo.

They are awesome, I've seen them live 4 times now and they never fail to impress. Isaiah (guitarist) is flat out amazing, so is the drummer. My only small complaint is the bass player doesn't solo...but that's okay because Isaiah makes up the slack.

I'd recommend starting with this one....


Rhythms From A Cosmic Sky (2008)

As long as we're not talking about that crappy Asia album...

Special Guest wrote:

As long as we're not talking about that crappy Asia album...

This album continues to grow on me, I gotta give these guys props for being able to faithfully re-create that "1970-1974" era of Progressive rock.

Plus, any band with 2 guys that play mellotron is okay with me!

Gotta check them out, sounds kewl.

This type of music is usually out of my listening scope, but something about this album keeps drawing me back for repeated listens.

Maybe I like 70's prog-rock more than I realize?

MetalGuy71 wrote:

This type of music is usually out of my listening scope, but something about this album keeps drawing me back for repeated listens.

Maybe I like 70's prog-rock more than I realize?

You probably do. I need to make you a King Crimson compilation, with the right selection of tracks I think it would kick your monkey ass!

Good stuff from Astra's drummer/flautist. His solo album Outer Nebula, Inner Nebula is a free jazz/psychedelic experiment, very cool for those of us who have the appreciation for it.

SD, you gotta check out TRAM-Lingua Franca, I wanna know your thoughts on it. I find it good but also pretentious and too thought out, there are some good stuff throughout but the "vocals" are irritating.

Akeldama wrote:

SD, you gotta check out TRAM-Lingua Franca, I wanna know your thoughts on it. I find it good but also pretentious and too thought out, there are some good stuff throughout but the "vocals" are irritating.

Been meaning to check that out, thanks for the reminder.