More Mixing from Illegal Art

Oh Astro enters the sampling party with a solid effort.

Oh Astro

Champions of Wonder

Released on Nov 30, -0001

3

Sample-based groups are often hit or miss, even for die-hard fans of the genre. This said, it's exciting to realize that talent may very well be on the rise. Married musicians Jane Dowe and Hank Hofler are deep-seated experimentalists, and their first full-length album as Oh Astro reflects a willingness to do something different. The rhythms of club music are mixed with splinters of rock and pop, while the use of children's songs put joy into the album.

While a few tracks scream for the repeat button ("Hello Fuji Boy" and "Xanadu"), it takes more than a few times through to start picking out why you already feel connected with a voice here and a melody line there. With sampled bits from such varied acts as Lily Allen, Bing Crosby and Xiu Xiu, the album unpredictably pulses through, taking time out with a few calm, almost hypnotizing tracks.

Oh Astro has done an amazing job with obscuring samples to the point where they're almost unrecognizable, without compromising rhythm and blending. While a posted list reveals the use of up to six or more various artists within a track, several have only one source. The transformation that they've undergone is noteworthy - I felt almost shamed at the amount of time it took me to realize that the only source for "Quiet Mouth" is Sufjan Stevens' "John Wayne Gacy, Jr."

The album is sure to be remembered for its unique use of filtered voices, especially in songs featuring Dowe and Hofler's daughters - "Lucy Sees The Moon" is particularly beautiful and intriguing.

The broad variety adds to the charm and appeal of Oh Astro, but it may also pull the listeners' attention in and out. While the wonder is definitely there, the album needs more connectivity to hold a perfect score. A great addition for those looking to a new edge of electronica, Oh Astro debuts with lots of ideas and potential for the future.

High Point

Low Point

Posted by Leen Morrissey on Feb 07, 2008 @ 12:00 am