Boston Spaceships: Zero To 99

Boston Spaceships
Zero To 99
GBV, Inc. Records [2009]







Fire Note Says: Save the best for last (at least this year)!

Album Review:
We told you back in February that Robert Pollard's Boston Spaceships were not just another moniker for him, but a real full touring band consisting of Chris Slusarenko (Takeovers, GBV) and John Moen (Decemberists). The groups new release, Zero To 99, will back that statement up even more, as it is their third full length and second LP released this year, plus it turns out to be the perfect companion to The Planets Are Blasted [2009].

It basically picks up where Planets left off and starts with, what could easily have been an intermission track, "Pluto The Skate", which features an intro spoken word lyric that flows right into its noisy rock refrain and minute length. The second track "How Wrong You Are" really gets the rock show going as it contains one of the groups best sing-a-long choruses - complete with falsetto harmonies. What is clearly evident throughout Zero To 99 is that Pollard is having fun without trying. The two minute song is his specialty, but giving it punch takes a band. Boston Spaceships is that band. From the pogo punk of "Found Obstruction Rock N' Rolls" to the propulsive and distorted "Trashed Aircraft Baby" and on the bouncy and memorable "Mr. Ghost Town", the Boston Spaceships bring a swagger and attitude that is hard to match or find in the indie scene today.

It is also important to note that like Planets, Zero To 99 has some special musical guests, which includes Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Sam Coomes (Quasi), Tommy Keene, Scott McCaughey (Minus 5, Young Fresh Fellows, R.E.M.) and Kaitlyn Ni Donovan. This additional help only adds to the high quality and tight song structures found here. Comparing the 2009 releases is actually tough because I really liked The Planets Are Blasted, but for me Zero To 99 has a slightly better flow, rocks slightly harder and captures the band completely trusting each other. This all translates into another solid release in an ever building catalog for the Boston Spaceships and another sixteen songs that should work extremely well live!

Key Tracks: "How Wrong You Are", "Let It Rest For A Little While", "Mr. Ghost Town"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Times New Viking
The Who
Wire

Boston Spaceships: The Planets Are Blasted [Fire Note Review 2/13/09]
Boston Spaceships: Headache Revolution 7" [Fire Note Review 1/12/09]
Boston Spaceships: Brown Submarine [Fire Note Review 9/16/08]

Official Boston Spaceships Website
Boston Spaceships MySpace
Boston Spaceships Info [Allmusic]
Official Robert Pollard Website

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony