Richer Than Astronauts
Self-released ****
Most bands take weeks, months, sometimes even years to record an album, but Richer Than Astronauts like to do things a little differently. The five-piece, with members drawn from a variety of defunct Irish indie bands, tracked their debut album live over just four hours in their rehearsal space. Theres an undeniably tattered feel to it, but it’s tempered by the scuffled warmth of the songs. As well as the psychedelic organ wig-outs spread generously throughout, British and American indie plays a big role in RTA’s make-up: Orange Juice and The Fall play as much of a role as Pavement and The Lemonheads. It may not make them their forecasted riches, but as far as atmosphere goes, this affable album is out of this world. See myspace.com/richerthanastronauts
Download tracks: Stay Low, Love Has No Face