Customer Reviews

Dust Galaxy

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a huge fan of Thievery Corp cuz they make some of the best stoner jazz this side of the Atlantic. So, I was really looking forward to this new side project from Rob Garza (half of the TC duo). Garza stepped out of the DJ booth and behind the mic. The album opens with a U2-esque
"Shine in the Head." Garza's vocals are timid and unassuming. The lack of arrogance is refreshing. He sounds like a man who is weary from world travel and extragance, and is searching for deeper meaning.

Most of the songs are pleasantly familiar psychedelic rock with some international spice thrown in for flavor like the dubbed out and political "Sons of Washington". The last song, "Crying in the Night" sounds like closing time at a honky tonk bar.

If you ever wished that TC would rock little more, then buy Dust Galaxy!

Love those thievery boys but dont buy this if thats the sound you`re looking for. Yes there are thievery elements but minimal.Sits nicely beside brit group Kasabian`s first album. Think less lounge and more indi pop on a dub trip. Not a girly album, great for the guys.Nice and masculine. Love it.

I really don't have any beef with any of these other reviews. The instruments are great. The melodies and dubby rhytms are great. It's definately like Thievery but a little more rocking.

Some tracks are excellent.. some are just ok. Yea.... Rob's voice is a little raspy so if you're looking for some sort of poppy perfection then (as "AT THE DRIVE IN" would say) then go listen to the backstreet boys. It might not be the best... but the vocals aren't bad either. Not that I date to compare them to Elliott Smith... but he's in the same ballpark with that realy chill voice.

If you like thievery and you like rock of the indie persuasion... check it out

The Thievery Corporation's Rob Garza strikes out on his own as Dust Galaxy, and if you expected smooth Thievery-style downtempo-dub, the psychedelic rock that issues forth might shock you. "Sun in Your Head" is a 60s swirl of feedback and guitars, and "Limitless" throttles forth (though Garza's singing voice isn't much to speak of). "It's All Yours" starts off with a mellow tabla, an instrument that hints at his better known project as well as classic psych rock; it pops up again on "River of Ever Changing Forms." Garza also tries some dub-rock with "Sons of Washington," which ends up sounding a little dirge-like. He does redeem himself somewhat with "Come Hear the Trumpets," but overall, you get a definite sense that this is a pet project, something Garza has always wanted to do. That's perfectly fine, but perhaps Garza should stick with his strengths.

Yes, Rob's vocals are marginal but they work in their own way. Yes some of the lyrics are...simple but other parts are rather clever. What I'd like to see/hear is for the Theivery Corp side of Rob now remix/dub out
this album. That may be a real winner.

Music: 7 Vocals: 2 Lyrics: 1 Production: 3
Total: 13 of 25: C

Rob Garza is an artist from another independent band who finally released his first solo album. In it he brought in several guest musicians to create Dust Galaxy.

First, let me say that the rhythm section of this band is excellent. The bass and drums are very tight. In fact, the bass player is the best part of the band. He creates such unorthodox bass lines that are much better than 99% of the music out there. Coupled with an excellent drummer, these two gel perfectly.

Next is the guitarists including Rob. When they add textures and flavors, they further enhance the rhythms. They should just stay away from the occasional riff where they are certainly not that good. But when they build layers and add accents to songs that is truly mesmerizing. And the sitar on a few songs is quite good.

So far we've got some very good music which ranges from psychedelic to pop. On several songs you could drift off and groove. But then it all falls apart...

Rob should never ever sing. Honestly, he doesn't sing. He kind of attempts to melodically speak with his raspy voice. It's terrible. And the lyrics are equally terrible. Rob should immediately find a real singer and redo the album. It could really be fantastic.

Rob's musical vision is special and talented. Unfortunately he ruins it with his terrible lyrics and vocals. Rob, please find a singer and make more albums. Otherwise, stay very far away from his solo work.