“Look Alive” is the best Guster album in a very long time. In fact, there is something about this album that makes it feel like an effective reboot of sorts for the beloved Boston band. They just sound reinvigorated, from the beautiful, opening title-track, to the pop-radio-ready “Hard Times.” “Terrified” is among one of their strongest songs to date, as is the bold, slowly building, “Not for Nothing.” The best moment comes, though, on playfully bizarre “Overexcited,” where a tweak-y, strange synth-line is paired with vocals sung in a fake British accent about being nervous about a crush. It sounds weird on paper but it is a bit of a joyous revelation.
This is a really impressive set of songs.
Guster’s new album Look Alive is out now on Nettwerk Music Group & Ocho Mule Records.
The Boston rock veterans of Guster are back after a four-year break with a new album titled Look Alive. The band appears to have been restless in the interim, as this new album incorporates everything from grand, arena-style pop hooks to the whimsical balladry of ‘60s groups like the Kinks.
In case you quit the internet last week, our new album Look Alive comes out on January 18th and you can head on over to www.guster.com this very second to hear a whole third of our new record, check out the full track listing, and pre-order or pre-save how you see fit. The bands 8th studio album is out today. Look Alive is an inspired and fulfilling place to have arrived after 27 years of creativity.
Now, also feast your eyes on the album cover! It was embroidered by a fabulous artist named Nikki Virbitsky.
“Overexcited” is from Guster’s new album, Look Alive, out now on Nettwerk Music Group & Ocho Mule Records.
Their new album is called “Look Alive” and it comes out January 18th on Nettwerk Records. We’ve shared a couple of tracks and a few little snippets of information so far, but now we’re ready to get serious. We have a new song called “Look Alive” which is track 1 on the album Look Alive, The cover art for Look Alive was embroidered by a fabulous artist named Nikki Virbitsky.
Given their fondness for populist precepts, Guster ought to find plenty of inspiration for their upcoming album, and given its prescient title Look Alive, one would imagine that the band’s in a generally upbeat mood. Word is that it was recorded in a vintage keyboard museum in Calgary, Alberta, and that despite the chilly temperatures, the mood was quite merry. It remains to be seen—and heard—how being set free in a building filled with archaic keyboards might have had a lingering impact on their new music, but given Guster’s generally upbeat antics, we’re guessing that they made the most of the opportunity. Perky piano and sizzling synth ought to temper the tableau.
Look Alive is available for pre-order now, Standard Black Vinyl, and a Deluxe Clear Vinyl variant. The deluxe comes with a special fabric-wrapped hardcover book, exclusive embossed cover, and a 10 page layout with printed sleeve & band portraits. We’ve included a bonus track, “When You Go Quiet,” on physical copies to entice people to actually order them — but we need not harp on this. Guster fans have supported our music, shared our music, and encouraged our creativity from the beginning. It is an honor to present Look Alive to you guys. After 27 years, it’s an album that will be a major part of our legacy.
The Fat Angel Sings 