Product Review

Countless instrumental records later, Man or Astroman? have seemingly chosen "Astroman" as their modus operandi. The skewered Ventures surf-rock riffs are still lurking in the mix, but the emphasis these days is on space travel. The song titles themselves grow in length and absurdity ("Obligatory Part 2 Song In Which There Is No Presently Existing Part 1, Nor the Plans to Make One" is a personal fave), but the sonic jousting is focused on a propulsive bull's-eye that ensures these tunes rock, no matter how much they meander. They are, perhaps, the only band to incorporate a Pink Floyd influence without turning their music into ambient environmental music for superior plant growth. Instead, with the help of gurgling synthesizers, hyperelectrified lap-steel guitars, and short-wave radio interference, Man or Astroman? continue their search for life beyond standard three-chord rock, and they find it. --Rob O'Connor