Satellite [EP]

Guster | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 10, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B000NJXC7G
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #39,993 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Satellite

2. G Major

3. Rise & Shine

4. Timothy Leary

5. I'm Through

6. Satellite (Astronauts Mix)

7. Two Of Us (live @ KCRW)

8. Total Eclipse of the Heart (live @ The State Theater Portland, ME)

Editorial Reviews

Guster boasts one of the most devoted followings in the country. It follows with an EP featuring a remix of "Satellite," a handful of outtakes from the Ganging Up On The Sun sessions plus two new covers- the early 80's hit "Total Eclipse Of The Heart" and The Beatles' "The Two Of Us."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great idea, good buy, April 11, 2007

By 

Who Fanatic (Morgantown, WV) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Satellite (Audio CD)

Guster's latest album release (Ganging Up On The Sun) from this past summer has proven to be a "grower" of an album, improving considerably upon subsequent listens. As such, the release of the Satellite EP seems particularly timely, highlighting the excellent songwriting, performance, and production values from a well-loved group during a prolific period. Here's what your ten-spot gets you:

1.) Satellite - the terrific second track (and a highlight) of GUOTS, featuring hypnotic double-tracked vocals, electric guitars, and a memorable keyboard riff. Hopefully this will fuel some more album purchases.

2.) G Major - the major reason for this release, as fans had been clamoring for this song ever since news of its exclusion from GUOTS. The lyrics are clearly but cleverly political, and the simple beat coupled with some interesting orchestration make it a great repeat listen. Don't know if it would have improved the flow of the album, but I'm grateful it's officially available.

3.) Rise & Shine - an uncharacteristically underproduced track with moody lyrics and simple but effective percussion from Brian Rosenworcel. Pleasant, but the most fillerish of the GUOTS outtakes.

4.) Timothy Leary - Plays like the great lost lead-off track from GUOTS, and it's the one outtake that I would argue really belonged on the album. As the title indicates, it's lyrically defiant, but more importantly, it's musically tight and driving. I'm not well-read enough to know if the chorus ("One single voice makes a deafening sound/You can be anything this time around") does indeed come from Leary, but it's a great song regardless of your politics. The omission of this and G Major indicate a conscious decision to keep GUOTS more reservedly topical.

5.) I'm Through - The early version of another GUOTS highlight (C'Mon), this song is not without its own charms, particularly the beautiful chorus and a little bit of old-school conga percussion. However, the re-cast version is tighter and a bit more enduring.

6.) Satellite (The Astronaut's Remix)- a rare beast indeed, as I prefer this remix to the album version. The Astronauts embellish the track with a "spacy" beat, some pizzicato parts during the interludes, and apparently bring Adam Gardner's voice way up in the mix. As Gardner has sadly been relegated to backing singer status on the last couple albums, any chance to hear his warm baritone is welcome.

7.) Two Of Us (live)- Guster takes on The Beatles, with a stripped-down, slightly countrified take on a song that was always pretty simple. Ryan Miller and Gardner are obviously not Paul and John, but this radio performance is definitely listenable. And features some more whistling for those who love All The Way Up To Heaven and Red Oyster Cult.

8.) Total Eclipse Of The Heart (live)- We love Guster because of things like ending the CD with this track. Percussionist/fan's best friend Rosenworcel steps up to the mic on this concert encore, and lovingly savages it. A very funny listen.

God bless Guster for releasing this, and it's a testament to their talents that their leftovers constitute the core of such an enjoyable CD. Hopefully demand will result in another volume containing the demos featured on the GUOTS vinyl release and a least one more oft-requested outtake, Emily Ivory.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Collection, February 24, 2009

By 

M. Morrison (Carrollton, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Satellite (Audio CD)

This is such a great collection of songs. I always play it for friends and family, and everyone has enjoyed it. "Rise & Shine" is quite possibly my favorite Guster track of all time. There is something very comforting about the chord progression of that song. This is a must own for any Guster fan or anyone who is looking for a great relaxing CD.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guster's Satellite EP, July 26, 2008

By 

Amisa (New York State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Satellite (Audio CD)

Guster always delivers great music, and this EP is no exception. It has several songs that have a very familiar feel evoking thoughts of Ganging Up on the Sun (not surprising). The two live performances on the cd are certainly great for any die-hard Guster fan.