Many Thanks to Austin Sound!!

It's a shame that Aster has not received the full attention they deserve. This is likely partly due to the duo of Tim Husmann and Bryan Ellis being split between Austin and Denver, making their local shows following 2006's Suitcase Sessions EP sadly few and far between. But it also makes their uniting across the border that much more impressive on Some Things Seldom Heard Of. From a local perspective, their sound is comparable to that of Fiction or The Soldier Thread. But unlike these other relative newcomers, Aster have already developed in their music an organic element, carving out a niche for themselves right between Grandaddy and Denton's Midlake. Although there are obvious pop influences, the band strays from any definite structure and keep things original. And we like original, especially when it's done this well.

"Run Away From The Suits" serves as both introduction and warning to the album. At 7 minutes long, it takes a real commitment to follow the track to its conclusion. Most bands nestle their "long song" in the middle, or slate it as the caboose, but Aster seem to want the listener to prove himself worthy to listen to the rest of the album (or at least hit 'skip' - thank you technology). That's not to say "Run Away" is boring, though - quite the opposite. It might be the opening track on their first full-length album, but Aster have already mastered the manipulation of layers, piling sound upon sound to add depth not often found in a home recording. The sound is a good preview of the rest of the album, which follows the same smooth layering of the opening track. But, as I said, it's definitely a warning: traditional pop music these songs are not. Look away KISS FM, look away.

Let's take a moment to congratulate ourselves for listening to 7 plus minutes right off the bat (In all honesty, it's not that long. My roommate has a Mahler box-set. Listen to that and then we'll talk long.) and then proceed to the rest of the album. From here out, it's mostly bite-sized piano and drum driven rhythms on which the band builds layers of other instruments, ranging from ambient drones in "Solitary Life" to Grandaddy-esque synthesizer lines (though less obviously cheesy) in "We Won't Remember" and "Attempting To Multiply." Often the songs rely on the drums and piano for rhythms alone, but these instruments are also given their chance to shine. Husmann, who contributes both drums and keys, can do no wrong with the drums on the album; they're never overbearing in the mix but never fail to drive the songs, or to add a little variety as in "Stop The Parade," which also features more prominently the melodic qualities of the piano in the intro.

Bryan Ellis has a voice that seems to fill any of the gaps left in the music. There's a juvenile innocence found in the smoothness of his voice that's eerily welcoming, especially in the latter half of "Attempting to Multiply" when it's supplemented by vocal effects and other background vocal parts. Aster's not afraid to drop the vocals though; the instrumental track "Silence and Summer" serves as a perfect segue between "Attempting to Multiply" and "Solitary Life."

 For the full review by John Michael Cassetta follow this link:  http://www.austinsound.net/?q=SomeThingsSeldomHeardOfRev2-21-08