Public Service Broadcasting – The Race for Space

Many wondered where Public Service Broadcasting could go from their debut; could such a unique concept ever be more than just clips from the British Film Institute? Well, one sure difference is the subject matter – America versus Russia and the battle for the moon. Musically, however, PSB are in similar territory, if not a little more electro. Their latest documents the main historical events from Sputnik going into orbit, to the Apollo 1 fire tragedy, and of course EVA (or walking on the moon as Sting called it).

It feels like the space race backed by the Drive soundtrack, occasionally with mournful arpeggiated guitars for those moments with real gravity (yes, pun intended).  Apologies to the US, but the most human and alive this records sounds is on Gagarin, a groove-laden, Michael Jackson-esque thriller for the Russians. The Race for Space is a paradox; compositionally the same, but with a greater sense of occasion and urgency, and for that reason, it feels like a progression, but only a slight one at that.