When an astronaut prepares to launch a space shuttle into the outer space, a series of necessary tasks must be completed. With nothing but utmost precision and careful attention to the most minute details, an astronaut must complete each task in perfection or run the risk of peril.

Though music is not as dramatic or held to the same overall safety standards as say launching a space shuttle, the production of good music relies heavily upon trained individuals perfecting each little piece of their job. The same way that an astronaut might check and recheck a control panel, a musician might perfectly tune their instrument to ensure the sound that they are hoping for.

And while it might be an astronaut that exhibits perfection as it relates to launching a space shuttle, it is The Weisstronauts that use the same style of accuracy and precision as it relates to music.

Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, The Weisstronauts are an instrumental rock group that prides themselves on creating an amazingly strong musical sound that is not just well performed but is also fun to listen to. With an emphasis to detail placed upon each and every song, this band has recognized that setting themselves apart from the rest can really come in one easy way: keep doing what they are doing in terms of banging out nothing but the best music.

With the release of their fourth full length album Instro-Tainment , The Weisstronauts have once again put forth a dynamite release that is worthy of being listened to over and over again. One of the best things about this new album is that it is an album that can come in handy for any occasion, serving well as music at the office desk, in the car for the long ride home or simply while lounging around outside at a good summer cookout.

The Weisstronauts are comprised of Pete Weiss, Ken Lafler, George Hall, Kevin Quinn, Nathan Logus, Jeff Norcross and Jeff Berlin.

It does not take the listener very long to fall for the music of the band once they turn on the very first track, Fisticuffs . With a dynamic electric guitar sound rocking the listener into the album, the music gives way to a very diverse instrumental sound welcoming in the sounds of a tambourine, a piano and a synthesizer to name a few. It is almost as if this relatively short track is meant to hit the listener over the head with the possibilities of what The Weisstronauts might be willing to offer on the rest of the album.

Not many bands will actually list in their album jacket that the use of a beer bottle may have somehow worked its way into a track. But again, The Weisstronauts are not every other band. On Caixa Dos Moluscos there is a very different sound to the music with a romantic Latin beat finding its way onto the album. With the necessary shakers sound holding together a nice pace for the track, Caixa Dos Moluscos could be either an ideal coffee shop background sound or a track to play while salsa dancing around in the buff before your loved one.

Jet Pack is one of the best tracks on the album with a very real rock and roll sound emphasized on this track. While some of the other tracks showcase the instrumental ability of the band, this track is testament to the fact that while instrumental in nature, The Weisstronauts are still a rock band. There need not be any lyrics or vocals associated with this track because the music is simply that good. There is a forceful guitar that dominates the track and is about as rock sounding as one can get.

Track listing:

1. Fisticuffs
2. Seven X's
3. Caixa dos Moluscos
4. Truck Drivin'
5. Chicky
6. Get it Together
7. Modsavasana
8. What Goes On?
9. Banana Suit
10. Jet Pack
11. Pleasant Valley Sunday
12. Surf's Down
13. Sir Wacky
14. Back Porch

Certainly there is no shortage of bands that seek to call themselves an instrumental rock band but often times we find ourselves with more of the same old same old. Thankfully there are bands like The Weisstronauts doing what they do and keep banging out some of the best instrumental rock there is.

Instro-Tainment is proof positive that in order to be quality rock band a group need not have some big name lead singer leading the band. Rather, when quality musicians seek to put out nothing but the best instrumental music that is produced in a high quality fashion, the instrumental rock genre takes a giant step forward.

Thanks to The Weisstronauts and their album Instro-Tainment , this is, “...one small step for music and one giant leap for The Weisstronauts.”

Instro-Tainment is on the Dren Records and Sool Recordings label. The album was produced by Pete Weiss and the Weisstronauts.

For more information about Weisstronauts, check out their website at www.weisstronauts.com.




Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: At Work