Astronautalis - Pomegranate

[Julia Conny]

Astronautalis - Pomegranate
Release Date: September 23rd, 2008
Record Label: Eyeball Records


It might be the scratchy lounge sway of Andy Bothwell, the mind behind Astronautalis that makes Pomegranate. Or it might be the dramatic and dark pop working itself into majestic layers and transitions. It could even be the glorious verses of tragic philosophical interpretation and historical story telling. So, it's a lot of things, really. That's the immediate beauty of the Eyeball Records full-length: that nothing on Pomegranate can be taken at face value. The lyrics should be combed through with a delicate, open-minded comb. The sound level should be appreciated at the perfect volume of loud. Intricate details should be internalized and analyzed. That's how Pomegranate gets gritty and graceful, but only if you let it.

Heavy percussion matched with hard-hitting piano keys makes songs like "Secrets of the Undersea Bell" powerful and something Tom Waits would toast a bourbon to, maybe even create himself if he could freestyle like Bothwell does on "Two Years Before The Mast". Bothwell's modern edge (like the rapping, the fresh elements and experimentation) is more than a gimmick, and even if it was, he owns it. Other songs like "Mr. Blessington's Imperialist" and "The Story of My Life" spin quick words too, a gonzo journalist sculpting and exposing truths with occasional hallucinogenic qualities. Between the cuts of layering instrumentals and Astro's way with words, Pomegranate comes easy even though it's a complex piece.

Bothwell brings in guests, like the female vocalist Sarah Jaffe on "17 Summers" and "Two Years Before The Mast" or the stylings of MC P.O.S. on "The Story of My Life". Both artists shine just as much as Bothwell. Guess he knows how to pick 'em. These duets give the album a vocal variety and small break from Bothwell's weighty timbre. "The Most Important Track on the Album", which is nearly three minutes of pure silence, does the same but pointlessly.

Many of Pomegranates textures are visual - the bird chirps on "An Episode of Sparrows", the electrified bass on "Trouble Hunters", or the rough strut of closer "The Story of My Life". Organized randomness of bands like Modest Mouse don't fall too far from Astronautalis' tree, but there is a swagger of his own that Bothwell perfects. By the time the album comes to a close, the twists and turns have fallen into place, the themes and morals have made their point, grander plans have revealed themselves, and a listener - in this case: me - are convinced. Convinced of Bothwell, who is rip with emotion but fleshing his tough skin. Convinced of its tumbling, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas groove and production. Convinced of its pounding keys, punctuating questions and exclamation marks into gorgeous lines of romantic defeat. Lines that, as a writer, I swoon over.

This man is a musician of high regard, but he's also an outstanding lyricist. In the space between Pomegranate and me, Andy Bothwell used his timbre to doctor all the good words in the room. Everyone else may be a harder nut to crack, but I'm crumbled.

Tom Waits, The Streets, Atmosphere, The New Yorker, Modest Mouse, Tom Wolfe"Trouble Hunters", "The Story of My Life"AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/astronautalis) | Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/astronautalis) | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Astronautalis/32280295707) | Purchase (http://www.insound.com/Astronautalis_Pomegranate__PRE-ORDER_CD/productmain/p/INS49127/)

[bitterhalo]

love this album, great review

[Julia Conny]

This album is in my top five albums of 2008, easily ... hence the high score. I've been reviewing a lot of things I really like recently, but this album is just so good. I don't think that it's the kind of thing that can be universally liked, or even appreciated, but for those that are into it, I think they'll really love it.

[bitterhalo]

have you heard his last album The Mighty Ocean and Nine Dark Theaters? I think pomegranate is overall a better album, but that one was pretty phenomenal as well!

[Julia Conny]

have you heard his last album The Mighty Ocean and Nine Dark Theaters? I think pomegranate is overall a better album, but that one was pretty phenomenal as well!

No! I've been so wrapped up in this one, I haven't even thought about it yet. I would have listened to that one first, but I had all these words I had to get down, so I guess it couldn't wait.

[Shakriel]

Good review, I've been meaning to check out this album.

[Jeremy Aaron]

This is a great album, but the inclusion of "The Most Important Track on the Album" really turned me off. Why put a track on the album that demands to be skipped over?

[ddb43]

Great review! I haven't heard this, but I really want to now.

[galen]

No! I've been so wrapped up in this one, I haven't even thought about it yet. I would have listened to that one first, but I had all these words I had to get down, so I guess it couldn't wait.


the mighty ocean will knock you on your ass.
perfect soundtrack to modern americana.

[Dunn.Nope]

I looooove this album, which is weird because this isn't something I'd usually listen to

[jasoneyeball]

wow!

[Scudder104]

I think the final track, be it a bonus track or what, is the best one on the album. When I first heard it, it kinda sounded like BN's Jesus Christ if it had been remixed.

[Heart-A-Tact]

This album is so good. Great review.

[sasalukac]

I think the final track, be it a bonus track or what, is the best one on the album. When I first heard it, it kinda sounded like BN's Jesus Christ if it had been remixed.

you're not talking about "the story of my life", are you?

[Julia Conny]

wow!

I'm sure you guys don't need tellin', and you know how much I adore Eyeball, but I think this is my favorite thing of yours that you put out.

[Julia Conny]

This is a great album, but the inclusion of "The Most Important Track on the Album" really turned me off. Why put a track on the album that demands to be skipped over?

I have no clue, but maybe that was the idea.

[Scudder104]

you're not talking about "the story of my life", are you?

Oh wow, I guess I am talking about "The Story of My Life". I didn't know the last two tracks even had names. They were unlisted in the liner notes.

[IamNogreatMan]

Andy is the most talented person I have heard/seen preform during my 24 years on this earth.

I was however bummed I had to pick up the album through iTunes, I couldn't find this cd anywhere up here in northwest Arkansas.

[S9Dallasoz]

Really enjoy this album, not something I'm usually into either. "Two Years Before the mast" is just awesome.

Reminds me a bit of a guy who didn't exactly hit it big a few years back, but I thought had some great songs. Chris Glover.

Gsfyk0_1LFQ

[astronautalis]

i think that is a wonderful review.
i am so pleased that my strange take is hitting people in their homes.
a funny side note:
"the most important track on the album" was kind of included as a joke...if you buy the physical copy of the album you will see that "story of my life" will not be listed in the tracks...thus...making it a secret song (oooooooh!). It was an idea that POS and I came up with one night, he and I are working on a record together and we decided to include a little sneak peak on both of our solo records (his comes out on rhymesayers early next year). I wanted to space out "the story of my life" from the rest of the record as i felt it was a very different feel from the record. Since most folks who have the record don't have a physical copy right now...they have seen it as some sort of John Cage rip off. totally an unintended consiquence...but what a good one! I am just glad that hasn't taken away from people's appreciation of the record...uh oh...maybe my spilling the beans WILL? aww crap. i don't want to have to start selling plasma again!!!

[Chris Fallon]

This album is in my top five albums of 2008, easily ... hence the high score. I've been reviewing a lot of things I really like recently, but this album is just so good. I don't think that it's the kind of thing that can be universally liked, or even appreciated, but for those that are into it, I think they'll really love it.
You and me both, sister! Lots of great, melodic, musically-heightening stuff coming out lately.

Fantastic review - I need to check this out since I haven't already. With so much praise, how can I not? :-d

[Jake's got woe]

Remember when Tate said this record sounded like Explosions in the Sky + Tom Waits? I think it was in the Gym Class Heroes thread in the forums, but it was hilarious.

Great album, though. Trouble Hunters is off the hook.

[bitterhalo]

i think that is a wonderful review.
i am so pleased that my strange take is hitting people in their homes.
a funny side note:
"the most important track on the album" was kind of included as a joke...if you buy the physical copy of the album you will see that "story of my life" will not be listed in the tracks...thus...making it a secret song (oooooooh!). It was an idea that POS and I came up with one night, he and I are working on a record together and we decided to include a little sneak peak on both of our solo records (his comes out on rhymesayers early next year). I wanted to space out "the story of my life" from the rest of the record as i felt it was a very different feel from the record. Since most folks who have the record don't have a physical copy right now...they have seen it as some sort of John Cage rip off. totally an unintended consiquence...but what a good one! I am just glad that hasn't taken away from people's appreciation of the record...uh oh...maybe my spilling the beans WILL? aww crap. i don't want to have to start selling plasma again!!!



holy shit, you and pos doing a record together! That's going to be epic!!! any idea as to whne it might be released???

[Sic Transit Zeb]

I'm checking this out just because your review was so good

[saysmydoctor]

i think that is a wonderful review.
i am so pleased that my strange take is hitting people in their homes.
a funny side note:
"the most important track on the album" was kind of included as a joke...if you buy the physical copy of the album you will see that "story of my life" will not be listed in the tracks...thus...making it a secret song (oooooooh!). It was an idea that POS and I came up with one night, he and I are working on a record together and we decided to include a little sneak peak on both of our solo records (his comes out on rhymesayers early next year). I wanted to space out "the story of my life" from the rest of the record as i felt it was a very different feel from the record. Since most folks who have the record don't have a physical copy right now...they have seen it as some sort of John Cage rip off. totally an unintended consiquence...but what a good one! I am just glad that hasn't taken away from people's appreciation of the record...uh oh...maybe my spilling the beans WILL? aww crap. i don't want to have to start selling plasma again!!!
You can do whatever you want if it is as good as this album.

[TheHeretic]

Never bothered to check this guy out because the genre demarcation probably set me off, but after reading this review I just had to check his Myspace and holy fucking shit is it good. This is really, really, really good. Need to listen to the album in its entirety soon, I guess. Great review as well, Julia.

[Julia Conny]

I'm checking this out just because your review was so good

My job is complete.

[Klatzke]

This is my AOTY, easily.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

My job is complete.

haha, well you do a great, great job. I've only listened to it all about once in full but I'm very interested to hear more. Good stuff so far.

[astronautalis]

it took my 3 solid minutes to figure out what AOTY meant...boy was i excited when i cracked that divinci code!
thanks for the vote of confidence!

as for the record i am working on with pos, that is still a very long way off...the song on my album is one of 3 songs we had done that were originally slated to be on our joint project. expect another song of ours to come out with POS's new solo album (which is going to be AMAZING!) that will have decidedly more POS feel to it. i am so excited about that project...we work so well together. it should be cool as hell...whenever it comes out.

My job is complete.
damn right! look how many people you converted! you are aces in my book!

[Klatzke]

it took my 3 solid minutes to figure out what AOTY meant...boy was i excited when i cracked that divinci code!
thanks for the vote of confidence!

as for the record i am working on with pos, that is still a very long way off...the song on my album is one of 3 songs we had done that were originally slated to be on our joint project. expect another song of ours to come out with POS's new solo album (which is going to be AMAZING!) that will have decidedly more POS feel to it. i am so excited about that project...we work so well together. it should be cool as hell...whenever it comes out.


damn right! look how many people you converted! you are aces in my book!
haha, my interest in your album is well documented. I had no idea what AOTY meant for like a week once i joined the site, so you're faring better than me.

[Julia Conny]

it took my 3 solid minutes to figure out what AOTY meant...boy was i excited when i cracked that divinci code!
thanks for the vote of confidence!

as for the record i am working on with pos, that is still a very long way off...the song on my album is one of 3 songs we had done that were originally slated to be on our joint project. expect another song of ours to come out with POS's new solo album (which is going to be AMAZING!) that will have decidedly more POS feel to it. i am so excited about that project...we work so well together. it should be cool as hell...whenever it comes out.


damn right! look how many people you converted! you are aces in my book!

This is all very exciting. Please keep me updated.

[Dagless]

Just now finishing this album for the second time. I really like it. Great review also.

[liar23]

I just listened to this. wow, I seriously love it

[abandonship]

just bought this today, i love it

[benjaminnewton]

this is definitely up there with the best of 2008.
i bought this on itunes (in australia) (i love itunes) as i couldn't find it in any record stores and i can't help but recommend this album to my friends

[sammyboy516]

just bought this. i only glanced at the review, but fom what i saw, it seems to be very well written.

[mycuban]

i just bought this, and WOW, it's fucking AMAZING! job well done.

[what_ever]

Andy, this album was first I heard of you but it's really great stuff. I have to say I'm partial to the gritty swagger of some of the faster tracks ("Wondersmith", "Two Years Before the Mast", "Mr. Blessington") and I love the historical feel and imagery.

I will be eagerly keeping up with Astronautalis from now on.