This is the first solo album for the Sacramento-based drummer.
LABEL:
Ipecac
RELEASE DATE:
12 August 2008
DISCS:
1 disc
GENRE(S):
Rock, Indie, Experimental
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88
The Phoenix
Although some may find the noisy rambunctiousness and jarring bursts offputting, Hill imbues Straits with an irresistible playfulness, and his talents as a drummer (and a frontman) will leave listeners dumbstruck.
80
Alternative Press
Hill's first solo outing is a 450 bpm bonanza with 13 tracks of slasher-jazz that are surprisingly catchy and cohesive. [Sep 2008, p.162]
69
Pitchfork
At its best, Astrological Straits is a mashup of Liars tribalism, Boredoms bombast, Smell-scene art-punk, Lightning Bolt repeti-grooves, and Frank Zappa prog-overload. All this sonic hyperactivity can be exhausting, and Hill's fondness for effects, especially in his Vocoder-ish vocals, makes some tracks robotic, more like exercises than songs.
40
Sputnikmusic
Zach Hill is a talented drummer, with some great ideas, but certain elements of the album just tarnish all of the positives. This album is even unlistenable at moments.
The average user rating for this album is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.