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“It’s Eerie and It’s Awesome”
Last night I got schooled. Not only did a friend of mine think I was absolutely ridiculous for having never seen It’s A Wonderful Life (true story, never seen it), but he was also completely astonished by the fact that I’d never heard Hum’s You’d Prefer An Astronaut in it’s entirety.
Apparently, I have completely failed as a human being.
So we drove through the rainy city and listened to the Hum record. He played air drums; I stared out the window trying to figure out exactly what the guitars were doing to get that whooshing noise on “Little Dipper.” Then we stopped at Tower Records (everything’s 30-60% off!), and I bought my own copy for eight bucks. I’ve been listening to it practically non-stop since, including the hours I slept with it playing on my stereo.
I’ve loved “Stars” (track three) since I was a teenager—it appeared on many a mix tape I was given, and it was the band’s big hit when Astronaut was released in 1995. But for whatever reason, despite it being one of my favorite songs at the time, I never bought a copy of the album. Eleven years later, I’m finally catching on—it’s a great, great record from start to finish. There’s spacey and layered guitar, tons of well-placed feedback, moody vocals, and some pretty wicked drumming (see “The Pod” for proof). And “Stars” is still an amazing song. I feel so lame for not realizing it sooner.
So incase some of you out there are in the same boat, and also have yet to experience You’d Prefer An Astronaut, consider this your invitation to do so. Maybe I’ll stop listening to it long enough to watch It’s a Wonderful Life sometime soon, too. Then I’ll really be cool.
Comments
Don't forget to check out Hum's "Downward is Heavenward" while you're at it. I'd have a hard time choosing between those two albums, even though "Downward..." doesn't have an obvious single like "Stars."
Andrew - I LOVE Jawbreaker, one of my favorite bands… but I'm still undecided as far as Unfun goes. It's fine, but it's certainly not as good as Bivouac, 24 Hour Revenge Therapy, or Dear You, so when I listen to ‘em, I generally go for one of the latter three (though lately, it’s been Bivouac—“Chesterfield King” is so good!). Unfun is sorta the lost Jawbreaker record. Maybe it's time to give it some attention again.
And which Far record should I start with? I love the band, and I'm a fan of Jonah, but I've never actually owned an album of theirs. Another dumb move on my part. Suggestions?
And Downward is Heavenward is now on my list. Thanks for the tip, Dylan! I was so enthralled with Astronaut I hadn't even considered other Hum records. Glad to hear there’s more worth hearing.
Megan, get Far's "Water & Solutions." It was their last record before they broke up, and there is a newer version out now that comes with a DVD. If you like Hum, you'll really dig this record.
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in any case, check out electra 2000 to round out your discography. it's rawer and more straightforward than their later material, but it's still interesting to hear where they came from.
also, check out centaur (album title: in streams). it's matt's post-hum project. far more contemplative and a bit softer, but you can definitely feel the hum lineage. great for the weather as well.
not sure what happened in that first line. it's supposed to read "i [less than three to indicate a heart] you for this post"
"Downard" is my favorite of the Hum albums...but they all kick ass. I say Hum at the good ol' RockCandy (yes i know thats not how its spelled) in 97 or 98 i think...a pre-famous Harvey Danger opened for them. It was awesome...the drumming alone was worth the price of admission. The songs need to be heard live to truly appreciate...especially the "Downward" songs. Great stuff, a vastly underrated band.
24 Hour Revenge Therapy is a masterpiece. If you're feeling like kickin it with Blake i also loves me some Jets to Brazil "Orange Rhyming Dictionary"
Far's "Tin Cans with Strings to You" is one of my favorites. In fact, its been ahwile..i think ill go put that on now...
Oh, it's so nice to hear people still talking about how fabulous a song "Chesterfield King" is... and in that case, I have to reccommend Tilt's Till it Kills, 'cause at the end of "Berkeley Pier," someone's playing "Chesterfield King" on the piano.
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I love that record! It goes really well with a long bus ride. Megan, try following it up with a Far record or two. Or, Jawbreaker- Unfun.