N.A.S.A.

Add Date: February 17

Artist: N.A.S.A.

Album: The Spirit of Apollo

Label: Anti-

Genre: Hip hop, electronic

Comments: Without a doubt, this album from the duo N.A.S.A. has one of the most impressive guest lists ever assembled. A partial survey reveals David Byrne, Chuck D, Method Man, RZA, KRS-One, Karen O, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Tom Waits, Kool Keith, Kanye West, Santogold, Lykke Li, Lovefoxxx (CSS), George Clinton, Spank Rock, Del Tha Funky Homosapien, the Cool Kids, Ghostface Killah, and Scarface. At first glance, that's simply jaw-dropping. But then it begs the question: How do ALL of those guests fit into one album? The answer, unfortunately, is that they don't. Why, for instance, does it many ANY sense for Tom Waits and Kool Keith to share a track? What about Byrne, Chuck D, Ras Congo, Seu Jorge and Z-Trip on the SAME song? Lykke Li becomes the backup singer for Santogold, Seu Jorge for Byrne. What's the point?

Pitchfork panned the record, giving it a 1.6 of 10 and declaring, "[I]t would be nice if The Spirit of Apollo had a compelling reason to exist beyond just showing off these guys' Buddy Lists. Because this album is a mess. And worse than that, it's a directionless, vaguely condescending mess that wastes the talents of some people who really should've had better things to do." The review goes on to declare that the beats of Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon "are total washed-out dorm-room funk." Ouch.

It's really hard to contradict any of that, but I will say that there's simply too much musical acumen on this record for it to be truly terrible. Misguided, yes. A big-time clusterf*$#, yes. Worth your time? That's your decision.