Customer Reviews

Surfin' With The Astronauts/Everything Is A-OK! [2-on-1 CD]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This group harkens back to simpler times when hot Fender Jaguars and Jazzmasters produced ringing rock and surf tunes. A polished group featuring twin lead guitars! Smooth as silk surf sounds and great cover songs of the mid-60's. A time when rock was pure and simple and ringing guitar instrumentals were "tough". Boulder, Colo based Astronauts toured campuses nationwide with their resume of great dance music. "Polished" best describes their act...heads above other campus based groups of the era, ie. Kingsmen etc. Fans of the early 60's campus touring bands sounds will love these CD's. Fender guitar fans will rejoice.

As a lifelong fan of these guys I had to replace my worn out vinyl of these two LP's, which I purchased in 1963 and '64! Polished really doesn't describe their performances! Electric is more like it! Inspiration to a hundred "garage bands" these guys knew how to turn on a crowd. Incidentally, they were the No. 3 band in Japan for many years, right after the Beatles and the Ventures! This CD has some of the best Surf Genre music ever recorded - timeless! Buy it - you'll love it!

In the 60's every chance I had I would go to the University of Denver Student Union or Eliche's to dance to these guys. Unlike groups like the Beach Boys, The Astronauts were as good in person (actually better given the true sound)as on the LP's. Buy it if you like the surf sound, it won't disappoint.

I would have given this 5 stars on the merit of the music, but I grew up in Denver listening to the Astronauts (at least until 1965 or so) and attempting to sound like them in my bands, so I figure I'm probably biased and tried to compensate. I first learned to get the breaking surf sound from the beginning of Wipe Out by watching Rich Fifield kick his reverb. They were (and are) amazing in that they were dead on with the surf sound, while also being able to kick it with the sound of black R&B and early rock 'n' roll. It's ironic that this latter sound would be such a heavy influence on the Brits who were storming the shores at the same time and whose invasion would ultimately spell the end for the Astronauts.

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CD AND I LOVED IT. I USED TO HAVE THE VINYLS OF BOTH AND WAS THRILLED THAT THESE WERE REISSUED ON CD'S. I PLAY SURF MUSIC AND I JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE 2 FENDER JAGUARS AND IN MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION YOU CANT MAKE GOOD SURF MUSIC WITHOUT ONE. I THINK THE ASTRONAUTS WERE UNDERRATED IN THEIR TIME. I THINK IF YOU LIKE SURF MUSIC YOU REALLY LIKE THE ASTRONAUTS. WHO SAYS YOU HAVE TO BE FROM CALIFORNIA TO MAKE GOOD SURFIN TUNES.

How great to hear the music of my youth. The sounds are great & what wonderful memories. The fact that it won't wear out like the albums did is even better.

Well, the countdown to buying this CD took a few years as I bought all the pre Pet Sounds Beach Boys CDs, Jan & Dean stuff, Pet Sounds, Dick Dale, Space Cossacks, some other surf stuff, and finally wore all that stuff out and in a continuing search for new surf rock ordered a CD by The Austronauts.

Well, it isn't as polished as the Beach Boys, and The Austronauts seem more like a cover band than anything else, but I must say that the sheer authenticity of this band makes it great fun to listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed this CD and look forward to another orbit with The Austronauts.

no, these dudes were not from Cali, but few if any have captured the surf guitar sound like the Astronauts. Baja is one of the greatest surf songs ever. The album is worth it just for that one track. You seriously need to get this if you love 60's rock and surf music.

Yes The Astronauts were a fantastic surf guitar band, but the real gem of these 2 albums is Everything Is AOK. Fantastic live performance!!!!! Thank you to my dad for turning me on to them. I hope I convince someone to buy this album because it is great!!!!

As a guy who danced to this group, and who saw them play live on tour with the Beach Boys,as an intro act, there is no question as to which was the better live band. These guys were awesome and their music is timeless.