Blasting on to the New York music scene in early 2003, astronaut, with its wistful melodies, strong vocals, and complementary rhythms, is making its mark locally and nationally with a growing fan base and critical acclaim for its songs. Since astronaut sold out the ultra-hip Pianos back in March, they continue to pack houses, performing at such NYC landmarks as the Knitting Factory, CB's Gallery, Galapagos and Northsix, where they opened for Head of Femur. 　　With their songs likened to "Radiohead... without the bends" (Village Voice), on November 19, astronaut released a six-track EP, Evolve, and performed before a stellar sell-out crowd at Lit, a happening new venue in the East Village. Two songs currently available on the band's website -- www.thisisastronaut.com -- were posted this summer on www.garageband.com, and showered with high praise. The site's extensive community of members and reviewers even voted the band's Negative Re-evaluate Track of the Day! One reviewer said: "...you can't pick out what it is about it that you like, but you just sit there and listen to it, and you're like, 'Damn, this is a cool song.'" Another commented that: "I can hear a Radiohead, Catherine Wheel, Ocean Color Scene influence." 　　The band's second song, Cryin' Out Loud, evoked equally strong reactions, with one fan, an aspiring pugilist, commenting, "I could fight to this song... Vocals, melody and sound are all good. I like the drums and beat. Makes me want to fight." Others noted 1960s rock influences, with comparisons to the Beatles and calling the group a mix of the Kinks and Zappa - "The rhythm section... do a good job serving as the 'glue' and holding everything together. Vocals were strong and 'in the pocket'", and "The overall sound is big and biting." 　　Beginning in late September, XM Radio Unsigned, the only, national audio platform dedicated to unsigned, independent and emerging artists, featured these tunes. As a result, the band was listed among the top 10 in the Futures section of XM's R>A>D>A>R Report for several weeks. Negative Re-evaluate also made the R>A>D>A>R Report's top 20 Most Played songs list as well. 　　The astronaut crew is comprised of Jeff Merrill (vocals/guitar), Uri Djemal (guitar), Ethan Goldman (drums), Bob Troia (bass), and Clay Jackson (keyboards). These spacemen grew up all over the world, and their equally wide-ranging musical backgrounds and interests have enabled them to create a sound that is of the New York scene, yet shaped by several others. As Gregg Schaufeld, Editorial Coordinator from Nonesuch Records, puts it: "astronaut fuses the sounds of their alt/post-grunge/punk predecessors, pushing sweet-but-fierce vocals to soar with fast-and-furious, 70s-infused guitar licks and a rhythm section that will give you a run for your money."