Rob’s Album Of The Week: 123 Astronaut

Due to there being so much room for error, a power trio can exude special tones and structures if it’s all done right. The classic set up of a guitarist, drummer and bassist doesn’t have a safety net of another instrument covering up any mistakes. When the music roars like a lion out of a cage with each part reaching its full potential, it can be an amazing thing to witness. Coming out of Providence, Rhode Island, alternative rock act 123 Astronaut possesses all of this and more with their debut and final self-titled LP that’s being released on September 20. It’s an excellent display of sonic riffs and rhythms accented by numerous intricacies.

The band is a bit of a supergroup due to guitarist and vocalist Jeff Robbins leading the Boston indie rock staple Orbit during the ’90s and early 2000s. Bassist Keith Benjamin was in the Providence band Mona and drummer Eric Hastings has played in a ton of musical entities over the years. Each of them meld their talents to create driving rock music. It’s intense but in unique ways, the melodies especially give off a poignant effect. Robbins guitar riffs also have an interesting quality with their sheer rawness.

I personally love rock & roll when it’s unapologetic. When each song has a “what you hear is what you get mentality”, it’s liberating for the senses. The art of not trying to hard can go a long way. 123…