music review

::: Astral Taxi ::: "morph 4 U"

electro-cyber-rock

From Manly, Astral Taxi combine a wide diversity of influences. These include dance-rock, ala Depeche Mode, Prince and Pseudo Echoe, through to electronica and industrial-dance such as Nine Inch Nails and Def FX. There's even a bit of 70s disco funk and bluesy-grunge rock too. While many tracks have strong vocal hooks and dance-pop-rock accessibility, I find myself listening to this more as a demo-potential of what could be rather than as a finished album. This is largely in regard to the occasionally awkward cohesion between programmed electronics and live instruments. It seems that the incorporation of synths is a relatively new move for the band. I expect time and experience will lead to a smoother overall integration.

For me, Astral Taxi shine at their best with the live drums-and-guitar-driven "Hallowed be thy name". It's hidden away as the last track on the disc. Here, they master a very professional bluesy rock ballad reminiscent of groups like Live and Silverchair; a stark contrast with the electro-tunes. If the band could market this in a more cohesive context, I can envisage this track receiving extensive commercial radio airplay. If Astral Taxi can keep slogging it out, refining what they do, I expect they could become quite well known. Their main challenge, as with all cross-over groups, is to win over fans from such a wide diversity of genres.

The CD available for $20 from PO Box 791 Manly NSW 1655. E-mail: [email protected] Web: http://www.astraltaxi.com