Album Review: You'd Prefer An Astronaut by Hum

You’d Prefer An Astronaut by Hum album cover. (Credit: Pinterest)

You’d Prefer An Astronaut by Hum is an immaculate album.

It takes everything that made early ‘90s music so memorable and pushes it to the next level.

Bands like Deftones have cited Hum as “a huge influence” and personally, this album is their masterpiece.

The four-piece alt-rock band from Illinois has three songs on the record that I believe are flawless: “Stars,” “I Hate It Too” and “Why I Like the Robins.”

These three songs perfectly encapsulate this album and what makes it my second-favorite album of all time.

“Stars” is the song that put Hum on the map.

This is a consistent and easily liked song that lives up to its popularity. It begins with an intro that lasts over a minute, alongside a gentle guitar, followed by the most recognizable lyrics of any Hum song: “She thinks she missed the train to Mars, she's out back counting stars.”

Lead singer Matt Talbot repeats this same line before we hear a loud crash that zaps you awake. All band members are firing on all cylinders and come together to make a wall of sound that persists for the rest of the song.

“Stars” is a song that you can't stop listening to and once the sound erupts, it somehow manages to be gritty and heavenly at the same time. I will always remember my first time listening to this song and how I instantly fell in love with it.   

“I Hate It Too” is like if “Stars” fell into a deep depression.

The song follows an extremely similar structure, but it somehow becomes even more impactful. 

We go through that same long, slow build and once this song erupts, it elicits every emotion in the book. Unlike “Stars,” this build does not feel abrupt and exciting, but rather as if the band is trying to prepare you for life-changing news.

Talbot sings, “If we break off gently in slow motion, spinning outward into space.” The booming drums make it feel even more powerful, as if you're front row at a show with every listen.

“Stars” is the song that people would buy the album for at the record store, but “I Hate It Too” is the one you truly fall in love with. The band knows exactly what sound this album is going for and they execute it flawlessly.

Why I Like the Robins is a beautiful song. Everything from the guitar riff to the hat lifts is clean and ethereal. The vocals come in, flowing effortlessly, like a light summer breeze.  

The song slowly builds up until it reaches the chorus, which is relatively heavy compared to the rest of the song. The reason why Hum is a transcendent band is because they can go from shoe gazey riffs to far heavier ones without giving you whiplash.

Then, they elegantly put the heavier parts away and fall right back into the same groove they started in. You’re being jumbled like you’re locked in a loud washing machine, but through it all, it remains orderly and beautiful.

The vocals come in and he sings, “She's got colors to spare and I don't care what they choose.” A masterful ending to an uplifting yet somber song.

It is no surprise this album has had the influence it has. The unparalleled guitar sound is one that still rings throughout music to this day.

I believe everyone should listen to this album regardless of whether you are into this style of music or not.

I do not mean this in an obnoxious, music-snob way; it is just truly transcendent.