Stargazing in 35mm - Space Bass

Stargazing in 35mm

Space Bass
self-released; 2016

​3.4 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Em Tyson, Hakan Saray, Shawn Arko and Elden Fisher are Stargazing in 35mm. Their album Space Bass sounds like it should accompanied by a comic book or could be adapted into a play.

Apparently Space Bass is a concept album featuring two interweaving story arcs. I really have no idea what these arcs are about after listening to the album a couple of times. Sometimes it was simply because I couldn't make out the lyrics.

The album starts off with “Little Blue Planet” which is a highlight. Some of the band’s strongest moments happen in the first half of the song. The guitar playing is great and the vocals are also well delivered. About half way through the song starts to sound as if it was written for a play. Some of it works like the vocals harmonies but I wasn't huge fan of the vocal parts that veered towards talking.

Next up is “Stuck In The Star’s Gloom” which is another song with inspired moments and some things that could use improvement. Sometimes the singing is off-key which is more noticeable due to the vocals being on top of the mix. The song feels quirky and playful. A solid song that could have been improved with better production and tweaking.

The band is starting to develop a sound on this album. Sometimes they sound like their music could be in a motivational Disney cartoon for kids. Take for instance “Trans - Lunar Vibes.” This one could definitely be in a play. 

“Cosmominiums” is maybe an intermission of sorts. It reminded me of the video game Bioshock. “The Valley of Eternal Sun” sounds more like a mythical chant to bring back the dead while “Home is Where The Hydrogen Is” is a melancholy closer that ends the album on a whimper.

​Stargazing in 35mm is on to something with their sound but it doesn’t feel like it has fully come into fruition yet. I think with a little more tweaking and digging into what they want to do they will get there. One thing is for certain is that their music is theatrical and is food for thought when it comes to their live shows and what other ways they can present their music.

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