Astronomy for Dogs

The Aliens

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2007)
• Original Release Date: March 19, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000NJWSCG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #54,726 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It takes less than thirty seconds to size up the Aliens and their peripatetic ways: "Setting Sun" nods shamelessly to both XTC and "All Along the Watchtower," using the mathematics of influence to make something instantly memorable--but still super-referential. Therein lies a slight problem for these once-Beta Band mainstays. Yes, this might well be considered a remnant project from the Beta Band, defunct since 2005. They reprise straight-up disco beats, make numerous declarative exclamations ("I am the robot man" and "I am the unknown" and, twice, "We are the aliens"), blow plaintive harmonica, and sing forlornly about love and the wide, wide world. This is a psychedelic manifesto of sorts, extending the Beta's languidly trippy sphere of influence and then adding to it without seeking acclaim for having done so. Chanted vocals, polyrhythmic backdrops, and angle-bending keyboards make the Aliens otherworldly, smudging the spot where you'd place them in the post-punk's history. --Andrew Bartlett

Product Description

The Aliens have landed! Astronomy For Dogs sees former Beta Band members Gordon Anderson (aka Lone Pigeon), John Maclean and Robin Jones reunite for a fantastically eclectic debut album. It's epic, it's Psychedelic, it's Pop. It's gloriously over-the-top but also sharply on-the-money. This cosmically ambitious record begins with the organ-led Pop swagger of 'Setting Sun' and motors straight into 'Robot Man' (sounds like the superfunk jazzerama sound of Sly Stone meeting Steely Dan), and Astronomy For Dogs doesn't let up. Thrill to the Garage Rock shimmy and shake - imagine The Velvet Underground gone Funk - of 'Only Waiting'. Jump around to the Merseybeat charm of 'Glover'. And on it goes, this album that's set its controls for the heart of the sun, and for the sunny side of your heart (and sometimes the rainy side, too). 'The Happy Song' is, irrepressibly, irresistibly, just that. EMI. 2007.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Out of This World., April 30, 2007

By	Cale E. Reneau "audiooverflow.com" (Conroe, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Beta Band. You've either heard of them or you haven't. One of the most talented bands of the last decade, The Beta Band got tons of critical acclaim but never received the kind of success that they truly deserved. The Aliens, a band made up of three former Beta Banders, continue that tradition of releasing great records. "Astronomy for Dogs" may not be The Beta Band, but it is a fantastic album from this new group.

The album begins with what is also probably the strongest song on the album, "Setting Sun." The song describes a failed relationship and the desire to just get away from it all "just like the setting sun." The song utilizes a really cool guitar progression and layer upon layer of vocals to form a really lush 60s-style pop/rock song. In fact, many, if not all of the songs on "Astronomy for Dogs" feels like it was ripped right out of the 60s or 70s.

Take, for example, the awesome "Robot Man," with it's slurring synths, funky bass line, and steady groove. It feels like it's straight out of the disco era, right down to the ridiculous lyrics "I am the robot man!" Eventually, it collapses into a more traditional, radio-friendly song that sounds more like Ted Leo and the Pharmacists than anything else. "I Am the Unknown" is another fantastic song that features some fantastic harmonizing and really deep production. It too feels like a song that could've been from the 60s.

"Rox" is a great song. It sounds like a straight up tribute to the Bee Gee's classic "Staying Alive" before breaking down into a more modern techno song. "She Don't Love Me" is your token ballad complete with a string reprise, because, let's face it, you can't very well have a 60s tribute album without a ballad. At over seven minutes long, it feels like they're milking it a little too hard, but it's never as distracting as it could be.

The album's major flaw is the lyrics. There's nothing truly memorable about any of these lyrics, and more often than not they just feel like shallow sing-alongs than anything else. "The Happy Song," for example, is downright childish. However, what The Aliens lack in substance, they more than make up for with style. "Astronomy for Dogs" is a fantastic album, and The Aliens do a great job of playing this style of music. Though I would've preferred a deeper album, lyrically, I'll gladly take this one for the time being.

Recommended for fans of The Beta Band and anyone who really liked the 60s.

Key Tracks:
1. "Setting Sun"
2. "Robot Man"
3. "I am the Unknown"
4. "Rox"
5. "Honest Again"

7 out of 10 Stars

5.0 out of 5 stars Aliens leave the Beta's in their dust!, July 23, 2009

By	alan kovan - See all my reviews

I was excited to hear that 3 of the 4 Beta band members were forming another band with original Beta Band member Gordon Anderson aka The Lone Pigeon. The result is a much more whimsical, catchy album that rarely left my cd player for about a year. It was like my own mix tape by them. Yes, its kind of all over the place but it certainly works for me. And I was fortunate to see them live. They truly are firing on more cylinders thatn the Beta's ever did(after the first 3 singles anyway).
And the second one is even better!

4.0 out of 5 stars Get over it!, April 28, 2009

By	Pennidren - See all my reviews

I am a big fan of The Beta Band, so when I found out about this album I was very excited. To be honest, it is a pretty good album, but the lyrics become a bit tiresome. Gordon Anderson needs to get over whatever woman broke his heart or at least not sing about it CONSTANTLY!

Overall, though, a good album.