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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2008 > February > 19 > Entry
CD review: Ghostland Observatory - ‘Robotique Majestique’
‘Robotique Majestique’
(Trashy Moped)
For its first album after becoming overnight sensations at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in 2006, the band has jettisoned the last remaining vestiges of that most indestructible of rock tropes, the electric guitar. This is electronic music made without computers; analog synths, banging drum machines and Aaron Behrens’ voice, getting stronger and more Freddie Mercury-esque by the minute.
But they’re still writing songs that work better while Behrens is hurling himself around the stage, laser lights flashing, braids jumping, Thomas Turner and his cape hitting buttons, flipping switches, setting sequencers to run out their patterns.
After a soundtrack-like, lead-off track, ‘Heavy Heart’ is the clear single, some of the most ‘digital’-sounding music Thomas has recorded, a snare thump steady under clipped, bouncing synth flickers and Behrens’ bazooka bray, so reminiscent in spots of the Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala. (Note: This is not a knock.)
‘Dancing on My Grave’ demands just such an act, while on the blipping title track, straight out of 1982 in feel, Behrens, all id, confronts machine-life and demands it dance with him (which is sort of the story of this band). ‘The Band Marches On’ is track seven out of 10, but with its light pop melody and slamming beat, might be the album’s best structured track. ‘Holy Ghost White Noise’ is both an instrumental and the album’s funkiest moment. ‘HFM’ is almost late ’80s industrial, while the ‘Club Soda’ is proggy in its epic, instrumental feel.
Not too bad, but I can’t wait for the show.
- SoundCheck: Listen to Ghostland Observatory
- Photos: The rise of Ghostland Observatory
- The A-List: Ghostland Observatory at Emo’s, 06.20.07
- Ghostland: population 2
- Synth duos: Two against the world
(Pictured: Ghostland Observatory at ACL Fest 2007. Photo by Brian K. Diggs AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment Categories: Reviews
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By jp
February 19, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
lol…the most overhyped crappy band austin has ever produced…and i love electronic music…
By jp
February 20, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this
G.O. is the most over rated, over hyped crap this town has ever produced…and i love electronic music…come on “heavy heart”? what weak uninspired music i hear.
By Jeffery
February 21, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
LOL yourself, jp…you’re such a stellar wit that the second time you posted it was even more informative. GLO’s music won’t win any songwriting awards anytime soon, I’m sure, but there’s no denying how insanely catchy, hook-filled and danceworthy they are. Don’t be jealous of their success, be glad they’re giving Austin yet another genre of music to be known for.
By BartholomewBustBalls
February 21, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
JP, tell us where we can download your ace tracks at???? Can you do any better? Or is this your deal, to get on the internet and do the hate parade? My bet is just the hate parade because you did your 2 cents last night at 10:44, but I guess your true genius kicked in 2 hours later and you thought you’d go all part two on it. Get a life buddy, these guys are the dope.
By Johnson
February 24, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Seems like jp is a bit jeolous. GLO is all about having fun and turning up the volume a few levels for others to dance. Can’t wait for the new cd, and another exceptional show!
By bigblurr
February 26, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait to go home and put this album on my itunes and play it until my ears bleed and my brain melts. I heard a few tracks from a friend that got an advance copy from Aaron, and what I heard was rad. JP- Please, for the sake of Austin… move to Houston or Dallas, you’re attitude is much better suited there. Haters get hated, so stop hating.