Electrophonic Tonic

I can't say I disagree with your review of the Spirit of Apollo. The album is a mess and there is a lot, and in some cases too much, going on all at once. In the end, I think the difference in how you rate the album will come down to what your level of expectation is when seeing all those features and collaborations. Or, if you're a bleeding heart like me, whether you give points for even trying something like this. It's NASA's debut and only album, and I can't say either of those facts surprise me when I hear this album/collection of songs.

While I will not fight anyone who says this album is a mess, I do disagree with Pitchfork's view that the album is a disaster. This album needs some proofreading and editing, not a page 1 re-write. Cut out a few songs and maybe tighten up some of the individual tracks and I think you'd have something pretty solid.

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N.A.S.A. - The Spirit of Apollo (2009) (Hip Hop, Alternative Dance, Funk)

I just can't get into this. It's too preachy and tries too hard. That said, occasionally it has moments of promise. Songs like strange enough & Way down have a beat that works perfectly for the singer. Overall, these beats feel simple and don't bring much to the table.

The music doesn't do much for me, it's not something I will ever seek out, it's both boring and fascinating in its lunacy... neither I find to be good qualities.

☆☆

Trollheart

I think I'd agree the first words that come to you about this album are “busy” and “confused”. Perhaps seeking to be all things to all men? I found it a little hard to get through it more than once; it is a very long album, but that said, I did mostly enjoy it. Don't know most of these guys, but nice to see there's something for even staid old rockers like me, with Waits and Frusciante

1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
Interesting use of the audio effects, wasn't crazy about the first song though.

2. What did you think of the opening track?
Kinda funky but not really my thing

3. What did you think of the next track?
This was better. Fun, I guess.

4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?*(see note 1)
There are so many, this question is redundant for this album

5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?*(see note 2)
Kind of, yeah.

6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
Better I think though it really dipped badly towards the end. Kind of almost recovered with the closer but not quite.

7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
Didn't really pay much attention

8. Did you like the instrumental parts?*(see note 3)
Oh yeah

9. What did you think of the production?
Meh

10. Did you know of this artiste prior to listening to the album, and if so, did that foreknowledge colour your perception of this album?
That's a negatory good buddy. On both.

11. Is this, generally, the kind of music you listen to or not?
Hip-hop? No.

12. Assuming you listened to the album more than once, on repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
Listening to it on its own I might be more impressed, but as a project as it were, it was too long and I only managed three listens. Each time it more or less stayed the same and my comments don't change.

13. What would you class as your favourite track(s), if you have any?
“Way down”, “Hip hop”, “Strange enough”, “Spacious thoughts”, “Gifted”

14. And the one(s) you liked least?
“A volta”, “O pato”, “Samba soul”, “The Mayor”

15. If the album in question is a debut, did that fact allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?*(see note 4)
It is, but no.

16. Are you now looking forward to hearing more from this artiste, if you have not heard any of their other material?
N/a

17. Were you surprised by your reaction - positive or negative - to the album?
Kind of. I don't generally do hip-hop but this was sort of all right.

18. Did the album end well?
Yeah. The theme at the end was good. **** the hidden track though; I ain't listening to, or fast-forwarding through ten plus minutes of silence to get to that. Album's too long as it is.

19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
As others have said, lose a few tracks and maybe make it shorter overall

20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
I really have no idea. I suppose I'd have to have been paying attention to the lyrics, and, well, question (7)...

Score: 6/10 maybe. It didn't change my mind about margarine, as such, but I did consider revisiting my brand of butter. (Old Irish joke, you probably won't get it, in which case **** you )

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