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The Rebel Astronauts, "Windmills vs. Shrapnel"
A delicate and mesmerising 6-song mini-album (at just over 35 minutes),"Windmills vs. Shrapnel" is the latest exquisite offering from thisotherwise obscure Australian quartet.
Comprising mostly of rockinstrumentals, the songs on the album set about carefully creating amelancholic yet uplifting atmosphere, which in some cases, is shot topieces by the songs' conclusion ("Slow Meeting', "Eraser End'). And so,in this regard they seem to share a similar attribute to that of Mogwaiand Sonic Youth, as these bands display a deft understanding of musicaldynamics which extend beyond the simplistic "quiet andjust-when-they're-not-expecting-it loud" strategy. On songs such as"Baxter Moon' and "Like Green Waves', Bree van Reyk's expertise at thedrum kit really shines and provides an inspiring backdrop for thehaunting interplay between Matt McBeath (guitar/vocals), Tom Roberts(guitar) and Emma Hoy (bass). Personally, I find it's these intimatemoments which make The Rebel Astronauts a sheer delight to listen to.Whilst there is no denying that aspects of their music may bereminiscent of various post-rock luminaries such as Tortoise, GodspeedYou Black Emperor, Mice Parade and Mogwai etc., the Rebel Astronauts —who are a relatively young band with only an EP and a couple ofsplit-singles to their name — have certainly proved with thismini-album that they're more than capable of forging their own pathswithin the genre. Just exactly how far they manage to venture out intothe vast unknown on their album proper, is a matter of time and space.In the meantime, I'd strongly urge you to go to their sitewww.therebelastronauts.com, take advantage of the dismal Australiancurrency and get a hold of this record quick lickety-split.
Comprising mostly of rockinstrumentals, the songs on the album set about carefully creating amelancholic yet uplifting atmosphere, which in some cases, is shot topieces by the songs' conclusion ("Slow Meeting', "Eraser End'). And so,in this regard they seem to share a similar attribute to that of Mogwaiand Sonic Youth, as these bands display a deft understanding of musicaldynamics which extend beyond the simplistic "quiet andjust-when-they're-not-expecting-it loud" strategy. On songs such as"Baxter Moon' and "Like Green Waves', Bree van Reyk's expertise at thedrum kit really shines and provides an inspiring backdrop for thehaunting interplay between Matt McBeath (guitar/vocals), Tom Roberts(guitar) and Emma Hoy (bass). Personally, I find it's these intimatemoments which make The Rebel Astronauts a sheer delight to listen to.Whilst there is no denying that aspects of their music may bereminiscent of various post-rock luminaries such as Tortoise, GodspeedYou Black Emperor, Mice Parade and Mogwai etc., the Rebel Astronauts —who are a relatively young band with only an EP and a couple ofsplit-singles to their name — have certainly proved with thismini-album that they're more than capable of forging their own pathswithin the genre. Just exactly how far they manage to venture out intothe vast unknown on their album proper, is a matter of time and space.In the meantime, I'd strongly urge you to go to their sitewww.therebelastronauts.com, take advantage of the dismal Australiancurrency and get a hold of this record quick lickety-split.
