Outer Spaces
A Shedding Snake
Don Giovanni
2016
Rating: 7.5 moving bags out of 10
I've been thinking and thinking of what I want to say about this Outer Spaces record, and not a lot is coming to me...it's just a really damn pleasant pop record - no frills, no fuss, no muss, just solid, catchy songs. Singer Cara Beth Satacino has a great, warm voice that sounds instantly familiar, and is very comforting. With her voice and the way the songs are structured, this almost feels like an alt-country record minus all the twang. That probably doesn't make any damn sense but it's something that keeps popping into my head while I listen. This just doesn't move me to many words, but I'll be damned if I don't really like it. Also: excellent live.
Outer Spaces
Garbage Beach EP
Salinas
2014
Rating: 8 blue bags out of 10
I came across Outer Spaces, both the band and this record, when I caught them on tour with a band I love, Lace Curtains. They closed the night and had just intended to see a couple of songs to hear what they sounded like - I ended up staying for the whole set and rushing to the merch table to buy the record. With six songs at a little over 20 minutes long, I've found myself listening to this over and over and over since my first listen, mesmerized by Cara Beth Satalino's voice. Musically the closest comparison I would make might be our very own Mount Moriah, with a little less twang. There's also the occasional sheen of pop here, like on the Best Coast-ish "Rust." Not a bad song in the bunch, and I really couldn't recommend this more highly. Really looking forward to future recordings and future shows by this group.
