God is an Astronaut
June 24, 2008 3:17 PM Subscribe
God is an Astronaut is an instrumental post-rock trio hailing from Ireland. Formed in 2002, they started their own record label, Revive Records, to release their debut album The End of the Beginning. With heavily layered melodies, their music is beautiful and dynamic. They've released three videos Fragile, The End of the Beginning, and From Dust to the Beyond. My personal favorites include Forever Lost and Frozen Twilight. More of their songs can be heard on their Last.fm and Myspace pages. Link to their official website here.
Wow, I like this. I usually don't like anything. (Sad, but true.)
posted by Nattie at 3:37 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by Nattie at 3:37 PM on June 24, 2008
Many people who don't like anything also like Mogwai.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 3:48 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by kuujjuarapik at 3:48 PM on June 24, 2008
They're quite good. I stumbled upon them recently. Sure, they're not Mogwai, nor are they Tortoise, Explosions in the Sky, Maserati, or the Saxon Shore. That doesn't mean that they don't need some exposure.
posted by Ufez Jones at 3:59 PM on June 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Ufez Jones at 3:59 PM on June 24, 2008 [1 favorite]
Many people who don't like anything also like Mogwai.
Well, damn. Wow. Two in a day! Thank you!
posted by Nattie at 4:00 PM on June 24, 2008
Well, damn. Wow. Two in a day! Thank you!
posted by Nattie at 4:00 PM on June 24, 2008
Sure, they're not Mogwai, nor are they Tortoise, Explosions in the Sky, Maserati, or the Saxon Shore. That doesn't mean that they don't need some exposure.
Well, they've joined a club, then. The "not being Tortoise, Explosions in the Sky, Maserati, or the Saxon Shore"-club. Which makes them members of another club, the "why the fuck should I then give a damn, club".
Seriously, I love post-rock, avant-rock and whatever-rock. But then, all participants who belong to the genre should FUCKING STEP UP THEIR GAME. This is weak. WEAK. It's been SO done before it's not even funny.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:32 PM on June 24, 2008
Well, they've joined a club, then. The "not being Tortoise, Explosions in the Sky, Maserati, or the Saxon Shore"-club. Which makes them members of another club, the "why the fuck should I then give a damn, club".
Seriously, I love post-rock, avant-rock and whatever-rock. But then, all participants who belong to the genre should FUCKING STEP UP THEIR GAME. This is weak. WEAK. It's been SO done before it's not even funny.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:32 PM on June 24, 2008
And speaking of Temporary Residence type crap, that label ruined post-rock forever. Before they came along and EITS formed and fuck off post-rock meant something. Post-rock meant the Simon Reynolds' definition, rock bands using the conventional "band structure playing not very rock like song strucutures". But then damn it it all became EBBflowEBBflow, a formula which goes against all things that post-rock was supposed to be, ie a break from the shitty ROCK thing that prevailed.
So fuck God Is An Astronaut. They've set back the vlock a decade.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:42 PM on June 24, 2008
So fuck God Is An Astronaut. They've set back the vlock a decade.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:42 PM on June 24, 2008
clock
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:43 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by soundofsuburbia at 4:43 PM on June 24, 2008
Well, I quite like them and I had not heard them before. So, thanks.
posted by mkim at 4:56 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by mkim at 4:56 PM on June 24, 2008
Pepsi Post-Rock
posted by Saxon Kane at 5:22 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by Saxon Kane at 5:22 PM on June 24, 2008
From their Wiki page: The band's live performances make use of projected, self-edited footage along with impressive lighting arrangements to form what the band calls, a "full audio visual show".
Wow. You mean, a FULL audio visual SHOW? That's amazing, dudes! In other words... SHUT UP AND PLAY YER GUITAR!
Okay, I'm gonna go and listen to these guys now, MaryDellamorte. Even if they have set the vlock back a decade. Hell if I had a vlock, I'd set it back several decades.
But what I really wanna hear is some post-post-post-post-post-post-rock. Rock so far past the post that it's forgotten what the goddamn post looked like. Rock that's not reacting to any goddamn rock, period.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:22 PM on June 24, 2008
Wow. You mean, a FULL audio visual SHOW? That's amazing, dudes! In other words... SHUT UP AND PLAY YER GUITAR!
Okay, I'm gonna go and listen to these guys now, MaryDellamorte. Even if they have set the vlock back a decade. Hell if I had a vlock, I'd set it back several decades.
But what I really wanna hear is some post-post-post-post-post-post-rock. Rock so far past the post that it's forgotten what the goddamn post looked like. Rock that's not reacting to any goddamn rock, period.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:22 PM on June 24, 2008
If you like post-rock, Disc 2 of Sigur Ros's Heima DVD set is breathtakingly beautiful music. Hvarf is also quite wonderful.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:38 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by KokuRyu at 5:38 PM on June 24, 2008
Good stuff.
I've heard of them, but never actually heard them before. Thanks for the links.
posted by BartonFink at 6:56 PM on June 24, 2008
I've heard of them, but never actually heard them before. Thanks for the links.
posted by BartonFink at 6:56 PM on June 24, 2008
No love for Godspeed You! Black Emperor?
posted by mattholomew at 7:19 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by mattholomew at 7:19 PM on June 24, 2008
Sure, they're not Mogwai, nor are they Tortoise, Explosions in the Sky, Maserati, or the Saxon Shore.
And if we're playing the name game, neither are they Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion, Do Make Say Think or any other side project from that incestuous group of musicians.
The point is that this has already been done, by better musicians, at least 15 years ago. I'm not saying these guys suck; they sound like they really love what they do. But that doesn't make them special. When was the last time you were surprised when you listened to a new "post rock" band?
posted by not_the_water at 7:40 PM on June 24, 2008
And if we're playing the name game, neither are they Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion, Do Make Say Think or any other side project from that incestuous group of musicians.
The point is that this has already been done, by better musicians, at least 15 years ago. I'm not saying these guys suck; they sound like they really love what they do. But that doesn't make them special. When was the last time you were surprised when you listened to a new "post rock" band?
posted by not_the_water at 7:40 PM on June 24, 2008
We were all giving the love to Godspeed at the same time.
posted by not_the_water at 7:41 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by not_the_water at 7:41 PM on June 24, 2008
Wow...
Some of you need to listen to some Post Get-The-Fuck-Over-Yourselves...
Soundofsurburbia, not_the_water et al., take a chill pill...
Mephisto
posted by Mephisto at 7:53 PM on June 24, 2008
Some of you need to listen to some Post Get-The-Fuck-Over-Yourselves...
Soundofsurburbia, not_the_water et al., take a chill pill...
Mephisto
posted by Mephisto at 7:53 PM on June 24, 2008
How odd. I'm watching Nightbreed right now, and someone just said, "God's an astronaut."
posted by adipocere at 7:58 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by adipocere at 7:58 PM on June 24, 2008
Well, I reckon Mephisto just showed you *opinion-holders*, huh? He really slayed you there. From now on I'm betting you'll just keep those opinions to yourselves, amirite?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:09 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:09 PM on June 24, 2008
I do find it amusing that, viewing this thread while not logged in, I was met with and ad at the bottom for Shania Twain ringtones.
posted by spock at 8:13 PM on June 24, 2008
posted by spock at 8:13 PM on June 24, 2008
flapjax,
I think you misunderstood the point of my post.
:)
Oh well...
Mephisto
posted by Mephisto at 8:40 PM on June 24, 2008
I think you misunderstood the point of my post.
:)
Oh well...
Mephisto
posted by Mephisto at 8:40 PM on June 24, 2008
neither are they Godspeed You! Black Emperor, A Silver Mt. Zion, Do Make Say Think or any other side project from that incestuous group of musicians.
Hate to be a stickler but Do Make isn't a GYBE side project. They just share a label. However, Justin from Do Make is also in Lullabye Arkestra and Someone is Flying. They're both worth checking out.
posted by dobbs at 8:43 PM on June 24, 2008
Hate to be a stickler but Do Make isn't a GYBE side project. They just share a label. However, Justin from Do Make is also in Lullabye Arkestra and Someone is Flying. They're both worth checking out.
posted by dobbs at 8:43 PM on June 24, 2008
Hate to be a stickler but Do Make isn't a GYBE side project. They just share a label.
*stands corrected*
(I really should have known that.)
posted by not_the_water at 9:06 PM on June 24, 2008
*stands corrected*
(I really should have known that.)
posted by not_the_water at 9:06 PM on June 24, 2008
not_the_water writes: When was the last time you were surprised when you listened to a new "post rock" band?
There's lots of innovative music getting produced all the time. Even if "post-rock" as a term has been diluted somewhat, the genre is still very much alive and kicking, and evolving. Here's an eclectic selection just from what's currently in my playlist:
Maybeshewill - Not For Want Of Trying (2008)
Gregor Samsa - Abutting, Dismantling (2008)
pg.lost - Yes I Am (2007)
posted by anifinder at 9:30 PM on June 24, 2008
There's lots of innovative music getting produced all the time. Even if "post-rock" as a term has been diluted somewhat, the genre is still very much alive and kicking, and evolving. Here's an eclectic selection just from what's currently in my playlist:
Maybeshewill - Not For Want Of Trying (2008)
Gregor Samsa - Abutting, Dismantling (2008)
pg.lost - Yes I Am (2007)
posted by anifinder at 9:30 PM on June 24, 2008
Oh, and whilst reading this thread, I just happened upon a new band that strikingly resembles GIAA in style that I had to blog about: link
And not_the_water, you should definitely check out Lis Er Stille, Gardenbox, and (upon preview) echoing all of anifinder's mentions (save pg.lost, who are now making pretty mundane music).
posted by Christ, what an asshole at 10:14 PM on June 24, 2008
And not_the_water, you should definitely check out Lis Er Stille, Gardenbox, and (upon preview) echoing all of anifinder's mentions (save pg.lost, who are now making pretty mundane music).
posted by Christ, what an asshole at 10:14 PM on June 24, 2008
Well, I'm not having the pg.lost argument with you again, but I will say that while "Yes I Am" could be considered a bit derivative, they've got a new album coming out (called It's Not Me, It's You!) which I have enjoyed thoroughly.
I'm off to go check out your new blog post. Thanks for being the soundtrack to my life for the past three years!
posted by anifinder at 10:34 PM on June 24, 2008
I'm off to go check out your new blog post. Thanks for being the soundtrack to my life for the past three years!
posted by anifinder at 10:34 PM on June 24, 2008
Ha, I will just say that Yes I Am is indeed derivative, but its sheer force of melody obliterates any misgivings. I have it ranked within the top 100 of my all-time favorite songs.
And their new album is taking me quite awhile to get wrapped up in. The beauty of their EP was in succinct songs that took your breath away. I think their new album is actually pretty good, but on the sum of expectations, it's a huge let-down. They abandoned their more unique style and made a record with several 10min+ oeuvres that take much too long to key in on the payoff.
posted by Christ, what an asshole at 10:50 PM on June 24, 2008
And their new album is taking me quite awhile to get wrapped up in. The beauty of their EP was in succinct songs that took your breath away. I think their new album is actually pretty good, but on the sum of expectations, it's a huge let-down. They abandoned their more unique style and made a record with several 10min+ oeuvres that take much too long to key in on the payoff.
posted by Christ, what an asshole at 10:50 PM on June 24, 2008
then damn it it all became EBBflowEBBflow
Oh god, anything but EBBflow, those hacks! Why don't they try something original like EBBebbEBBeBbEbB? Geez...
The problem with this thread isn't so much people offering opinions, but the same old elitist bullshit where someone gets into a genre early, and then feels the need to trash latecomer musicians and denigrate the tastes of the people who listen to them. Your name dropping doesn't impress anyone, and frankly it makes you look like a bit of a jackass.
Wow, you've heard of Mogwai? Godspeed You! Black Emperor? Explosions in the Sky? SIGUR ROS? Underground, man, real hardcore.
I've heard of them too, and I still think God is an Astronaut is worth listening to, and dare I say, better than some of them. I'm wondering if any of you critics even bothered to listen to more than one song, because while Forever Lost is a bit derivative, and definitely reminiscent of some of the above, From The Dust to the Beyond, and especially The End is the Beginning are excellent.
They may not be doing anything groundbreaking, but that doesn't mean it isn't good music.
Thanks for the post, MaryDellamorte.
posted by paradoxflow at 2:43 AM on June 25, 2008 [2 favorites]
Oh god, anything but EBBflow, those hacks! Why don't they try something original like EBBebbEBBeBbEbB? Geez...
The problem with this thread isn't so much people offering opinions, but the same old elitist bullshit where someone gets into a genre early, and then feels the need to trash latecomer musicians and denigrate the tastes of the people who listen to them. Your name dropping doesn't impress anyone, and frankly it makes you look like a bit of a jackass.
Wow, you've heard of Mogwai? Godspeed You! Black Emperor? Explosions in the Sky? SIGUR ROS? Underground, man, real hardcore.
I've heard of them too, and I still think God is an Astronaut is worth listening to, and dare I say, better than some of them. I'm wondering if any of you critics even bothered to listen to more than one song, because while Forever Lost is a bit derivative, and definitely reminiscent of some of the above, From The Dust to the Beyond, and especially The End is the Beginning are excellent.
They may not be doing anything groundbreaking, but that doesn't mean it isn't good music.
Thanks for the post, MaryDellamorte.
posted by paradoxflow at 2:43 AM on June 25, 2008 [2 favorites]
MetaFilter: a bit derivative.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:19 AM on June 25, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:19 AM on June 25, 2008
And speaking of Temporary Residence type crap, that label ruined post-rock forever. Before they came along and EITS formed and fuck off post-rock meant something. Post-rock meant the Simon Reynolds' definition, rock bands using the conventional "band structure playing not very rock like song strucutures". But then damn it it all became EBBflowEBBflow, a formula which goes against all things that post-rock was supposed to be, ie a break from the shitty ROCK thing that prevailed.
So fuck God Is An Astronaut. They've set back the vlock a decade.
Jesus, man. I mean, I'm sorry if all these fuckers came over to your house, punched your cat, shat on your rug, ate all the Yoo-Hoo, and replaced your old Slint 7"s with Hannah Montana albums, but calm down a tick. If you don't like 'em, don't listen. Not everything requires 25 thorough listens and a masters' thesis.
posted by Ufez Jones at 6:50 AM on June 25, 2008
So fuck God Is An Astronaut. They've set back the vlock a decade.
Jesus, man. I mean, I'm sorry if all these fuckers came over to your house, punched your cat, shat on your rug, ate all the Yoo-Hoo, and replaced your old Slint 7"s with Hannah Montana albums, but calm down a tick. If you don't like 'em, don't listen. Not everything requires 25 thorough listens and a masters' thesis.
posted by Ufez Jones at 6:50 AM on June 25, 2008
Well, like my pappy used to say, I'd rather have a box of Reeses' Pieces' than a post-rock record and a masters' thesis'. ''''''
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:18 AM on June 25, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:18 AM on June 25, 2008
Oh, and I love GiaA and think a lot of people will enjoy them, so thanks for the post! I've always thought of them as the most accessible of the post-rock bands that I like, so they're a good starting point for someone interested in the genre (even if they are derivative hacks or whatever you people are complaining about now).
posted by Who_Am_I at 9:08 AM on June 25, 2008
posted by Who_Am_I at 9:08 AM on June 25, 2008
It's all about Isis. The rest of you guys can go to heck!
posted by aftermarketradio at 11:42 AM on June 25, 2008
posted by aftermarketradio at 11:42 AM on June 25, 2008
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