1000x [EP]

Man Or Astro-Man? | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 22, 1997)
• Original Release Date: April 17, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Touch & Go Records
• ASIN: B0000019LT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #338,818 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New from the petri dish, June 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: 1000x (Audio CD)

My personal favorite despite being only 7 songs (~20 minutes), this EP is the pivotal moment and turning point for "Man or Astro-man?" that separates their surf origins from the latest psychedelic sci-fi creation "A Spectrum of Infinite Scale". Unique even by "Man or Astro-man?" standards, 1000x is the swan song for both lead guitarist "StarCrunch" and rhythm/bass guitarist "Dexter-X, the Man from Planet Q".
This is a good entry point to the "Man or Astro-man?" collection if you've never heard them before. Songs are evenly balanced between surf and sci-fi sound effects while retaining rock n' roll rhythm and energy. Those liking the rhythms more may want to check out earlier albums such as "Experiment Zero" or "Project Infinity". FX lovers will like both "EEVIAC" and "Spectrum of Infinite Scale" although they may be an acquired taste (ie: you may not like them at first, but over time they'll grow on you). If you can find their live performance on John Peel from November 2000, then you're in for a real treat as songs from the latter albums really come to life. If your an FX nut, then search around for the companion album "Spectrum of Finite Scale" which is waaaaay out there.

Back to 1000x:

The first 3 songs are mostly guitar based with a few FX, vocals, and movie track audio to fill in the gaps. But instead of being campy lead-ins like on earlier efforts, the clips are more modern and serious and blended into the songs like instruments. The guitars are less twangy and more raw. The songs are cohesive as each song builds up the next in line without stealing the spotlight from the previous. There's a definite sense of purpose as you get the feeling the Astro-men have left the 1950's and slingshot well into the 21st century as the vacuum tubes and transistors have been replaced with lasers and digital devices. The 4th song, "The Man made from C02" is Astro-surf at it's finest. The twang, riffs, and slide guitar return and used very effectively while blending with the campy 50's audio intro but sounding megalomaniac cool, not cheap. All the way to the end energy builds and builds until release at the last moment only to be left with the drips and drops of chemicals in the laboratory beakers from the man who was made from C02. The last 3 songs are a mixture of audio experiments and ode to electronic devices. "With Automatic Shutoff" is an interesting closer as a calm bassline slowly builds in placid fashion like a machine assembling and going through testing phases (musically speaking) until coming online and going into full motion with vocals and all. The energy is retained for a minute or so before winding down in similar fashion as if losing energy like an alkaline battery running on empty. Symbolic as the last two instruments heard are the two played by StarCrunch and Dexter-X. An astro-tribute of sorts.

If you only ever get one Astro-man CD, this is the one to get. A hidden masterpiece.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Research. Experimentation. Testing. More testing., July 5, 2000

By 

Cristian (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 1000x (Audio CD)

I think this is the first MOAM album I heard but what an introduction. Shortly after buying it I received some of their early, more surf oriented stuff but 1000X is the work of artists who are truly unwilling to repeat their already successful formula and are pushing and pulling their sound into a new and extremely exciting and original shape.

Every song's a winner and the length leaves you craving more. I used to play it at least twice a day. The mix of experimental instrumental tracks, sound bites and the occasional idiosyncratic pop number with vocals make for a truly varied album. You'll keep coming back just to hear all of the cool little noises that bubble away in the background.

This is Devo influenced maths rock but with all the spontaneity of the garage. New new new new wave. Exaggerated Surf for hipsters, beatnicks, freaks and the sexy chick from the Jetsons. Truly music for the future. If these astro-men are as popular in the future as they claim they already are (having mastered the art of time travel), it will be a much better world indeed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a new direction for the astro-research team, March 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 1000x (Audio CD)

When I first heard this album I didn't like it. It's different from their other albums that I had grown to love but it grew on me. This is genius but in a different direction. Less surf, more science! It's only downfall would have to be it's length but it leaves you craving more. With this album they are charting new territory and the pseudo alternative radio stations [107.7 the end] are afraid to follow them. And I agree with the fellow from Massachusetts, Project Infinity is probably their best.