Los Angeles – Debut record Mind Out Wandering from Astronauts etc. captures a heavenly soundscape in the course of ten commendable tracks. The man behind this moniker is Anthony Ferraro (touring keyboardist for Toro Y Moi). The culmination of Astronauts, etc. didn’t just happen by accident or overnight. While studying music at the University of California, Berkeley, Ferraro’s arthritis began to affect his hands. Unable to perform etudes or concertos at the level that was deemed necessary, he dropped out of school and began to seek new avenues. It wasn’t too long afterward when he started recording music in his bedroom under the name Astronauts etc. He broke out in 2012 with singles, “Mystery Colors” and “Coldboy,” and now the road has led him to his first full-length record on Hit City U.S.A. Ferraro was able to record his debut with jazz musicians Scott Brown (bass), Derek Barber (guitar), Aaron Gold (drums), and Doug Stuart (keys/back-up vocals) at San Francisco’s prominent Tiny Telephone. The album gracefully embodies 70s soft rock as well as echoes with modern day indie rock. Mind Out Wandering features crisp and laid back beats, but the dominant presence of Ferraro’s work on the piano as well his powerful falsetto are on full display.
“If I Run” strikingly introduces Mind Out Wandering. It opens with a soft piano as it leads into a soulful 70s sound. There’s a very earthy quality going on here too. After listening to the first song, the title of the album makes perfect sense. The melodies and vibes have a strange way of pacifying one’s mind. In doing so, your mind runs wild with thoughts and imagery. “No Justice” is a dreamy track balancing between the likes of melancholy and optimism. The way Ferraro’s songs are constructed seem as if there is an exact science to them. Every echo, beat, and pulse is perfect. The smooth work conquers the soul with sentimental lyrics and beautifully arranged melodies. “I Know” follows suit with wondrous guitars and effective vocals. “Eye To Eye” speeds up the tempo when compared to the tracks before it. The R&B tinged tune is dance-ready from the beginning. With sultry vocals and marvelously crafted beats, it’s a standout track amongst an already praiseworthy collection. “Eye To Eye” marks the halfway point of the record, but after just 5 tracks, you’re already on full escape mode.
“Shake It Loose” is a superbly produced melodic-pop song. As clichéd as it is to say, this song (let alone the band itself) is a real breath of fresh air. Both invigorating and endearing, this upbeat endeavor puts you in a tremendous mood. “Control” is driven steady by the piano and Ferraro’s tender vocals. The meditative effort picks up half way through, but still packs an emotional punch. As the song rises louder and louder toward the last fifteen seconds or so, it cuts off abruptly at the very end. “See You” flows smoothly as you follow along with Ferraro’s lyrics that capture the spirit of falling in love and keeping your mind steady in the process. The finale for Mind Out Wandering is “Upward Swing.” The warm beats and jazzy arrangements shine over the duration of the track. The record is cohesively stitched together as every track feels united, but at the same token, each song can stand firmly on its own. Farraro and his band have developed something that’s both refreshing and exceptional here for Mind Out Wandering. It’s a special record that may give a nod to another era, while finding its own originality in the process. The album sounds great from start to finish as it soars with imagination and beauty. Astronauts, etc. have carved their own path amidst the already well traveled roads followed by others.
Check out Astronauts etc. on Facebook for more info on tour dates.
Sean Kayden
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