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Tracklisting
1. Let the Sunshine In
2. The Breakup Song (ft. Priscilla Ahn)
3. Save Me (ft. Alex Ebert)
4. (Walking On) Landmines
5. China
6.Mark IV (ft. Joshua Radin)
7. Rosa (ft. Priscilla Ahn)
8. Gravity (ft. Z Berg)
9. Requiem For Love
10. Hello
11. Salvation
12. That’s How it Is (ft. Har Mar Superstar)
13. Blister of the Spotlight (ft. Rachael Yamagata)
14. All the Stars in Heaven (ft. Priscilla Ahn)
15. Don’t Destroy Us
16. Holding Out For Love
American Sunshine, Ashtar Command’s debut album, evolved organically, a labor of love from veteran musicians Chris Holmes and Brian Liesegang, American Sunshine is an expansive and coherent album that defies being reduced to a single genre. It is a FANTASTIC album. I knew the band’s name had sounded familiar and once I heard “China” I knew for sure that I’ve heard these guys before. In fact, I heard “China” years ago, so it must have taken a while for the duo to perfect their debut. American Sunshine includes songs of exquisite beauty and ones that unabashedly rock.
The project features a remarkable group of guest artists. Working in identical studios in Los Angeles and Chicago respectively, the duo sent songs back and forth thereby growing fleeting ideas into full-fledged songs. The group enlisted musicians that seemed to suit the individual songs – people they had worked with or been friends with for years.
They were joined by guest vocalists Joshua Radin on “Mark IV,” Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (“Save Me”), Har Mar Superstar (“That’s How It Is”) and Rachel Yamagata (“Blister of the Spotlight”). The dreamy “Rosa,” already in heavy rotation at Los Angeles’ KCRW, is one of two tracks featuring Priscilla Ahn, while Z Berg’s crystal clear vocals provide a stunning counterpoint to the throbbing groove on “Gravity.”
Other guest artists include: Matt Walker (Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins) on drums, Solomon Walker (Morrissey) on bass, Mike Garson (David Bowie) playing piano, drummer Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.), Oliver Kraus (Beth Orton) on cello, Stewart Cole (Edward Sharpe) on horns.
Musically Amusing 