Think Fast!, the debut EP from Charlottesville based indie outfit, Astronomers, realizes a musically intelligent group mature enough to step to the forefront of independent rock. Influenced by bands like The Strokes and Phoenix, Think Fast! delivers six top-notch indie tracks that span the spectrum from pop to progressive leaving your insatiable palette wanting more.

 "Stratagem" and "Perpetual Emotion" kick off the EP with a pop-rock vibe that complements Nate Bolling's superb vocal range. The tracks are guitar-dominant and the pristine production of the package is established.

"The Singularity" arrives splendidly as Alexandra Angelich's bass picks up the pieces and glues the composition together. Bolling's vocals impress again, this time sounding a bit like the late Michael Hutchence, ensuring us that, "Nuthin' in the universe stands still." Oh, you would say that, you astronomer, you...

"My Hologram" is a beautiful piece that acts perfectly as the bridge transitioning the earlier pop-rock phase of the EP to a more progressive ending. The guitar relaxes and the piano hypnotizes a slower momentum that builds to the haunting ambience of background vocals that chant, "Will you run from me?"

Rounding out the disc are "Or Maybe It's Nothing" and "Vis Major." Both bring the pace back up to speed, but in a more graduated sense. Each progressively moves forward with more creativity and additional ambience. "Or Maybe It's Nothing" exhibits a polished maturity and if you are familiar with Richmond's indie scene at all, you might draw comparisons to the band, Caulit Anything, except with more production and less fusion. "Vis Major" begins soft and low and builds up to an instrumental wave jam-packed with passion and purpose-a grand finale, nonetheless.

Think Fast! proves stellar from beginning to end. And with such production value, this band is able to sound just how they want to sound. With their contemplative arrangements and progressive ambition, they set themselves apart from the cookie cutter that molds most local indie rock bands. Check out Astronomers and you, yourself, can see why they are out of this world.

Links:

Astronomers.Bandcamp.com/

Astronomers on Facebook

Astronomers on MySpace

MySpace.com/LanceBrennerMusic

 

By Author and VP: Ben Cokeley

Ben was born in Pittsburgh during the summer of 1983 (the year Roxy Music disbanded). He has since inhabited Chicago, New York, and several Virginian cities including Richmond, where he prefers to spend the majority of his time. His interest in music sparked at age three when he began taking piano lessons. A passion for theatre and film would soon follow; he was known for acting in high school and college productions while focusing on the independent film scene in Richmond. Nowadays, you’re likely to catch him at a bar in the Fan or commuting to Fredericksburg where he works as a high school teacher/behavior specialist. Ben enjoys a variety of music, some long-time favorite musicians/bands include: Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, The Doors, The Isley Brothers, Buddy Guy, Tom Petty, David Bowie, and George Clinton.

 

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