The extended play record has become somewhat of a lost art in music. In earlier decades, the EP was much more common, but most EPs released now consist simply of singles and a couple of other songs thrown onto a disc.
However, in April one alternative band from Boston broke through that wall. Guster’s Satellite has proven to be one of the best EPs of the year.
Preceding the group’s latest album, Ganging Up on the Sun, the eight-track EP is a compilation of singles from the album, remixes and two cover songs. The star of the show, though, is without a doubt the title track.
The song features a melody during the chorus that sounds as though it was taken straight from an Austin Powers movie, but the words of the undeniably catchy chorus, sung by Ryan Miller, are the best part of the song: "You’re my satellite / You’re riding with me tonight / Passenger side, lighting the sky / Always the first star that I find / You’re my satellite."
Miller also poses memorable questions in the verses, such as "Are you what I think you are?" and ultimately comes to the conclusion in the last verse: "Maybe you will always be / Just a little out of reach."
The guitar melody on Satellite definitely sounds good, but the "Astronauts Mix," which does away with live instruments and adds a futuristic beat, could be better than the radio-friendly original. The song’s great lyrics, melody and tempo don’t change; it just depends on your mood and what you feel like listening to: the traditional-sounding original or the spacey remix.
Not only are listeners treated to a great single and a great remix, the EP has other gems as well: four outtakes from the recording sessions of Ganging Up on the Sun and two live recordings. One of those outtakes is the political "G Major." Though the message is subtle, listeners who read (or should I say listen?) between the lines will notice the political message. "Timothy Leary" has the same theme as well.
The two live performances that end the EP vary in their style and inspirations. The first of them is "Two of Us," a cover of The Beatles’ 1969 song of the same name. This song was performed live at the Santa Monica College radio station KRCW. Guster changes the sound of the song, and while the group obviously isn’t on the level of music legends like The Beatles, they do a good job and add a unique twist to it.
The last song on the EP is "Total Eclipse of the Heart" another cover, this time of a 1983 Bonnie Tyler song, performed live at the State Theater in Portland, Maine. The intro is comical: Miller’s joking around at the beginning after an instrument messes up is reminiscent of the late, great Kurt Cobain doing the same after a performance of a live cover of "The Man Who Sold the World" during Nirvana’s 1994 MTV Unplugged performance. This cover by Guster is also notable because it features a rare vocal performance by drummer Brian Rosenworcel, who usually sticks to drums and hardly plays the role of lead singer.
The song rounds out a great EP that holds not only a hit song, but plenty of other good listens that should hold over fans until the band’s next album is released.
