Search - The Billy Nayer Show :: The American Astronaut

A great soundtrack to a great film

Huey Molnar | San Francisco, California USA | 12/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The American Astronaut is one of the most imaginative, hilarious, disturbing and beautiful films to come out of the independent cinema in a long time. Essentially a children's story/allegorical tale of sons and fathers disguised as a space noir musical, it has a truly surreal, absurd sense of humor, great production design and spectacular B&W cinematography that demonstrates how much can be done with an extremely small budget, plus great music and lyrics by The Billy Nayer Show that twist, torque and tear apart all kinds of musical genres: rock, punk, country, sci-fi movie cliches, ballads and show tunes. So far the movie has only received a limited release and it's so different I don't think you'll be seeing it at the cineplex anytime soon, so buy this soundtrack now and hear for yourself what a weirdly great or greatly weird movie this is. My one petty criticism of the soundtrack is that it doesn't include the Rio Yeti song or the Hertz Donut routine (how about a cd single?). Six out of five stars."

The Soundtrack to a Musical Space Western, & O So Much More!

Anna Watkins | Seattle, WA | 12/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is a fine line between madness and genius. Cory McAbee not only toes this line, but becomes an inspired dervish upon it. His band, Billy Nayer Show provides not only an accompaniment, but also a driving force to his vocalized dance.American Astronaut is the consummate Billy Nayer Show album, demonstrating both the maturity of a band over a decade in the making, and the consistantly unorthodox musical vision that has made them a growing cult favorite in Manhattan, San Francisco, and abroad. Although their music defies conventional explanation (Often the simplest way to do so for my friends is to apply to the ears directly), perhaps this formula will suffice:Imagine a pop-tune's sticks-to-the-grey-matter type ditty playing in the background, whilst a melodious could've-been-a-bluesman's deep voice (in the case of McAbee) belts out rhythmically rhyming lines, the lyrics of which would make Frank Zappa proud (or blush). This is a glimpse into "The Girl With the V...", only one of the spirited numbers on the album.If you are searching for something new, something to shake you at your music-loving foundations, something to renew your faith in the music scene, you have found your album. If you enjoy the album, you might also be entertained by the Sundance award-winning film- find out where it is playing, and see it. Better yet, see Billy Nayer Show play in person. (...)I write these words with much reverence and affection for this band, and I hope I have done their music justice."

Still available on BillyNeyer.com!

Collin M. David | Putnam Valley, NY USA | 01/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'd just like to chime in and say that this is an incredible film and album, and both are still available on billynayer.com - don't pay the crazy scalper prices here!"