[engl] The hallmark of a great band is its ability to progress, to change from record to record. Even a brilliant debut cannot sustain a group throughout their entire career. Thankfully for music fans, Space Raft has that ability in spades. Hints of the best of '60's and '70's rock are combined with the dynamism and immediacy of modern post-punk to produce an ever-shifting backdrop of melodic innovation that moves forward several leagues from their self-titled debut.Their new album "Rubicon" (out April 15 on Dusty Medical Records in the USA and Bachelor Records in Europe) takes the positive attributes of their self-titled debut and expands on every aspect of their sound; from pop-rock hooks (opener "Borrowed Time," standalone single "Paper Airplanes") to drifting melodies ("Vacation") to euphoric instrumental passages ("Disconnection Notice," "Red Arrow").This can be attributed in part to Space Raft's consistent membership; after working together for years Jordan Davis (guitar, vocals), TJay Christenson (keyboards), Jon Heibler (bass) and Tyler Chicorel (drums) have a second sense about what will and will not combine fluidly; this interplay is crucial to their multi-faceted sound. Also integral to their sound is the one-two punch of recording with Shane Hochstetler at Howl Street Studios in Milwaukee, and the mastering skills of Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering.

[engl] Whatever image that the name "Space Raft" might conjure up for you, just forget it. They are not specifically a psych band, or a retro-glam outfit, or a blatant '70's throwback. They are, instead, a classically brilliant pop-rock combo which incorporates elements of all the above while working by their own rules, beholden to no genre. Space Raft, their debut album, is proof positive of this. Formed in 2012 by ex-Mystery Girls guitarist Jordan Davis, former Temper Temper keyboardist TJay Christenson, Father Phoenix drummer Tyler Chicorel (who currently handles bass duties for the equally awesome Call Me Lightning) and Goodnight Loving bassist Colin Swinney, the band currently includes bassist Srini Radhakrishna (Circles, Football, France Has The Bomb), following Swinney's departure to California. The camaraderie amongst Space Raft's members is obvious upon listening to their music; there is a definite interplay between all of them that contributes to a fully-formed vision. Healthy helpings of melody, rhythmic diversity, and intriguing instrumentation make their self-titled debut LP a constantly shifting, magical entity. There's an almost science-fiction element to many of their songs, such as "Jupiter Calling" and "Anything is Possible" which is completely in line with the effects-laden guitar lines and washes of keyboard. However, Space Raft can abruptly shift gears into songs such as "We Are Not Alone" or "Rescue Mission" which are pop at its finest. Diversity is the key to Space Raft, a quality which, unfortunately, is sadly lacking in many modern bands.