Another band straight from the Andy Farrar school of rock, otherwise known as the Manchester indie-rock factory which is seemingly pumping out great bands on a regular basis. Andy's work with The Maple State is something everyone reading this should be familiar with and Astro Boy are the latest band to be handled by his silky production skills. The youngest band he's helped so far, Astro Boy have huge potential but I just feel this EP, as good as it is, isn't reflective of where this band will eventually be at, should they push ahead with their musical careers.
For the blind, dumb, deaf and lazy, Astro Boy are a baby version of The Maple State. Indie-influenced with lo-fi American acts as peers, Astro Boy look the part. And after the twinklings of 'Ballo, Ballo' they certainly sound the part. But there's something missing. Maybe a swagger and a little self-belief. Maybe this is actually a little over-produced (although not in a bad way at all), although without seeing them live I couldn't say for sure. 'We're Not Stars' sounds a little like The Get Up Kids - hell, the vocals could almost be Matt Pryor - and you know you're onto a good thing when you're hearing those comparisons.
This gets a 3-star review because I think the band can find their own niche even more. There's no doubt there's some talent there (I've had certain north-western friends of mine crow about these guys for weeks and months), but I'm not quite as turned on to them as I was with a certain other Andy Farrar-produced act when I first heard them. Talent's there, the only question is how much do they want it? If they make a go of it, the second recording could be something really good indeed...
www.astro-boy.co.uk
Paul
