4 out of 5

Produced by: ?

Label: Au-Go-Go Records

After listening to any given Man or Astroman? album and emerging somewhat underwhelmed, I often question: what can be done to whip this potentially awesome formula of amped up sci-fi surf-rock into something that can sustain a full album?  What Remains suggests that the answer to this is to not approach their sets as albums: this singles collection, a compilation of EP / 7″ tracks, is a riot.

The group’s chops are undeniable but seem to come across understated when recorded; solution 1: some live tracks, which sound crystal clear and up the pummeling factor considerably (helped along by motivational shouts from the group).  Solution 2: don’t so rigorously adhere to the sci-fi shtick, which happens naturally when you’re doing one-off tracks, giving us some fantastic covers (Ventures’ War of the Satellites) and some super humorous samples that are more cheeky than mad scientist-y (Adios Johnny Bravo; Surf Terror).  And solution 3: rock out!  Surf riffs abound, of course, but man, so do some awesome grooves that lean more into straight riffage.

Being an odds and sods set, a couple dull spots happen (the opening tracks are pretty standard, for example), but they’re quickly backed up by a new gold standard, woop woop.