(*)Destroy All Astromen CD Version (Estrus)
More great sci-fi surf tunes. Includes a great cover of The Mystery Science Theatre 3000 Love Theme with -gasp!- vocals. (Hmmm... #1)

(*)Experiment Zero CD Version (Touch & Go)
This is the latest full-length release from MOA? on their new label, Touch & Go. This is the first disk from them that I haven't been 100% ga-ga over. First of all, the artwork is a bit too mainstream for my taste. I much prefer the type of artwork they used for Destroy All Astroman, or even their Deluxe Men In Space 7" on Touch & Go. Also, there are a few songs that sound like MOA? is just sleepwalking through the recording session. Having said this, most of the album's material is equal to or better than their previous work. Maybe it will take a few more listenings for this to grow on my. I guess after the brilliance of their last 7" I had high expectations for this disk. My favorites on this CD are "Television Fission", "Maximum Radiation Level", and "Evil Plans of Planet Spectra." (Hmmm... #7)

(*) Inside The Head Of John Peel - 2 x 7" Single (Astro-fonic)
At first I was disappointed to find out that this set contained only one Peel Session, figuring that each record would have 3-4 songs. This 4-song session was recorded in London on March 20th, 1995. It's housed in an extremely cool gatefold sleeve with jukebox strips for each single. The set includes: Sferic Waves, ---- (Classified), Inside the Head of John Peel, and Max Q. I'm still not sure if this is a bootleg or not, but in any case it is a great addition to my ever growing Man Or Astroman? collection. (Continental #4)

(*)Inside The Head Of Mr. Atom 7" (Estrus)
You can never go wrong with a Man Or Astroman? release. This single is on pretty purple marbled vinyl. This one was recorded last November in Chicago with Steve Albini. I can't say this is too different from other Man Or Astroman? releases, but with this band that's a good thing. (Hmmm... #2) (This single is available from Continental Mail-Order.)

Made From Technetium CD (Touch & Go)
I've listened to this new disc over and over hoping it would grow on me, but it just hasn't (yet). The packaging is pretty interesting, with lots of hi-tech photos of rockets and electronic gadgets. The panel underneath the CD tray is reflective. I still like their old artwork better, such as the sleeves designed by Art Chantry for their Estrus releases. On to the music. I really couldn't get into this as a whole. There are some good tracks on here, but there is twice as much filler. My faves were The Sound Waves Reversing (which was on their Drug Racer 7"), Static Cling (Theme From), Weightless At Zero Return, and Lo Batt. Other than that it just sounds like faceless alterna-rock with a bunch of sci-fi samples added. Man Or Astroman? is one of my favorite groups EVER, and they are the band that got me into surf music, but this just didn't do much for me. A bunch of fuss has been made over their new sound (more vocals, less surf influence). I don't think that's what's wrong here. I loved their 1000X CD-single, which is stylistically similar to Made From Technetium, because the tunes and the sounds used were cool. This CD just seems flat to me. (Continental #4)

(*)The Sounds Of Tomorrow 7" Colored Vinyl (Estrus) Now this is more like it! On this little lab of gold MOA? go for the classic sound that's been missing from their recent releases (recent being 1996 to this point!). I gotta tell you, this thing hasn't left my turntable for days! They start things off with "The Evil Sounds Of Planet Spectra", which is classic MOA? brimming with samples galore. "The Wayward Meteor" finishes off side one in style, highlighted by some melodic lead guitar picking. Turn that puppy over and you're face to face with a little bit of "Green-Blooded Love", then a quick essay done Astro-style called "The Powerful Fully-Transistorized Dick Tracy Two-Way Wrist Radio." (Hmmm... #7) (This single is available through Continental Mail-Order.)

(*)What Remains Inside A Black Hole CD Compilation (Au Go-Go)
I had a tough time finding this one. This is another compilation of B-sides, live cuts, and outtakes, most of which I already have. It's cool to have these on CD though. There are also a few outtakes that sound way different from songs on their regular LP's. Especially cool are the dark and echoey versions of "Transmissions From Venus" and "Reverb 1000". This isn't an essential purchase, especially since it was so hard to find and relatively expensive ($17.99). Yet if you are a big MOA? fan you will definitely want this in your collection. (Hmmm... #7)

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