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Erin McKeown — Aspera
Album: We Will Become Like Birds
Avg rating:
6.1

Your rating:
Total ratings: 428









Released: 2006
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Comments (126)add comment
I heard Erin play live a few years back.  A wonderful artist.  
Posted 12 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
 rp1125 wrote:
not only does she sound like him, this could easily be a yes song
 
My thoughts as well.  Took a minute to figure out it's not.  And bump on the 'Yessongs' comment!
Posted 13 years ago by drictor    [ Reply ]
aspera ad astra ad nauseam
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
"Through hardships to the stars"...well, why didn't you just say so. Now this song makes sense.
Posted 13 years ago by scraig    [ Reply ]
 More_Cowbell wrote:
Per aspera ad astra is a latin phrase that means - to the stars through difficulties.
 

bump
Posted 13 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
 amoreena wrote:
And you and I climb over the sea to the valley........
  Oh! You ruined it!
The "over the sea to the valley" bit that is.
I don't know if I can forgive you for this.


Posted 13 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
is it wrong I keep hearing aspergers?
Posted 13 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
8 -> 9!
Posted 13 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
And you and I climb over the sea to the valley........
Posted 13 years ago by amoreena    [ Reply ]
 mrdak wrote:

This dude's a chick.............. Bubba!
So just Go on and go figure!

 
Uhm... he's referring to himself, not the singer.

Posted 13 years ago by GT66    [ Reply ]
Per aspera ad astra sees a lot of use.
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 MojoJojo wrote:
This dude does not abide.  At least not with this song.  Good on ya if ya like it.  
 
This dude's a chick.............. Bubba!
So just Go on and go figure!

Posted 13 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
This dude can abide... nice.
Posted 13 years ago by Dude    [ Reply ]
who´s erin mckeown? but i like the song! good music{#Laughing}
Posted 13 years ago by muepy    [ Reply ]
This dude does not abide.  At least not with this song.  Good on ya if ya like it.  
Posted 14 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 trekhead wrote:

...Does she say, " Olestra" in there , somewhere?

7 just the same.


 
I keep hearing her say something about eating truffles. 

Posted 14 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
 rp1125 wrote:
not only does she sound like him, this could easily be a yes song
 
It's too organized, coherent and short to be a Yes song.
Posted 14 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
 
Yes, my first thoughts, now Yessongs anyone?

Posted 14 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Well, I like it a lot.
Posted 14 years ago by kdogg73    [ Reply ]
Aspirin  .  .  .  Aspirin
Posted 14 years ago by twitterpated    [ Reply ]
not only does she sound like him, this could easily be a yes song
Posted 14 years ago by rp1125    [ Reply ]
Superb segue Bill! {#Clap} or should I say Eximius segue Bill!

Posted 14 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
Her Latin accent is really bad, but I'm digging this anyway.
Posted 14 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
 

Not Jon Anderson's voice so much but I can hear a definite Yes influence in the tune.



Posted 14 years ago by xtalman    [ Reply ]
Sad excuse of a song!
TERRIBLE!!!!
Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
 

Me, too.
Posted 14 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
 Randomax wrote:
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
 
I do now.

Posted 14 years ago by Antigone    [ Reply ]
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
Posted 14 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:

MUTE! Not only can I not stand this song, but it gets stuck in my head too.

 

Now I really like it...
Posted 14 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
I like this—-I've been hearing it for a while (had heard of her, also, for a while.)
 I thought it was the guy from Silversun Pickups whom I'm also really beginning to like.
Like that there's a woman with that sound; once I looked up the lyrics—-fantastic!
I'll have to check out her other stuff.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
This song makes me feel good. I generally like her voice and signing skill, and her song writing, which can be sweet and pop while still having subtlety and depth. Her new album "Hundreds of Lions" has several good songs. Her earlier song, "Better Wife," is beautiful, literary, and cautionary to men.

Posted 14 years ago by CPWAlaska    [ Reply ]
 trekhead wrote:

...Does she say, " Olestra" in there , somewhere?

7 just the same.


 
Sounds like it, but I reckon it's 'ad astra'.  To the stars, trekhead...

Posted 14 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
This song grates on me so, that even the title makes me grip my teeth
 
MUTE! Not only can I not stand this song, but it gets stuck in my head too.

Posted 14 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
Kind of mannered, but actually really, really nice anyway. I like assonance of the lyrics, especially. 8
Posted 14 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
Very spiritual. One of my favorite tunes of recent.
Posted 14 years ago by rbigelo    [ Reply ]
I like the spiritual theme of the song.
Posted 14 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
i really like the way she sings—-she stood out from the rest of the set.
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]

...Does she say, " Olestra" in there , somewhere?

7 just the same.


Posted 14 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
mediocre

Posted 14 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
realsleep wrote:
Rush meet the Sundays?!

Actually I'm hearing YES.

Posted 14 years ago by Walrus_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
This song grates on me so, that even the title makes me grip my teeth
 
{#Roflol}  I only grit my teeth when I hear it but if I didn't have a mute button, I'd probably be pulling my teeth out too!!!

Posted 14 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 More_Cowbell wrote:
Per aspera ad astra is a latin phrase that means - to the stars through difficulties.
 
and it's nice n' true also!

Posted 14 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
Per aspera ad astra is a latin phrase that means - to the stars through difficulties.
Posted 14 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
 alanthecowboy wrote:

I think she's pretty good at singing.  She's in tune and she remembered all the words.  She also has an interesting voice, which has to count for something.

You probably think Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen should hire someone as well...
 
There are plenty of rock singers who sing a bit flat.  Some more than others.  I guess it depends on how much you like that persons voice and the song being sung.
I've heard this song several times on RP now and have resisted commenting as I don't like to post anything negative.  I do have to say though Ms. McKeown sings very obviously off-key and flat. 
Posted 15 years ago by panlad    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:



 

No one knows the truffles I've seen...
Posted 15 years ago by evansdad    [ Reply ]
This song grates on me so, that even the title makes me grip my teeth
Posted 15 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
What an (positively) overwhelming song!
Posted 15 years ago by Felix_The_Cat    [ Reply ]
 smehan55 wrote:

The ASPERA-4 (Analyser of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms) instrument is made up of two components:

  • Main Unit, comprising the mechanical scanner, digital processing unit (DPU), Neutral Particle Imager (NPI), Neutral Particle Detector (NPD) and Electron Spectrometer (ELS)
  • Ion Mass Analyser (IMA), mounted separately

  She plays this instrument well!


Posted 15 years ago by More_Cowbell    [ Reply ]
 alux wrote:
Time for Latin lessons again!
 
Through hardship, to the stars.

Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]

I am really glad Bill has kept this in the rotation.  I love this.  To quote romeotuma - This is so good for the ears.



Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
BrickTop is just aroud the blockRun.../
Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
More like spector and The ChainSaw.
Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
 kalkin84 wrote:

She has the guitar down, but she needs to hire someone that can sing because she isn't very good at it.


 
I think she's pretty good at singing.  She's in tune and she remembered all the words.  She also has an interesting voice, which has to count for something.

You probably think Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen should hire someone as well...

Posted 15 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
Not a bad song; cool cover art. 
Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]

She has the guitar down, but she needs to hire someone that can sing because she isn't very good at it.


Posted 15 years ago by kalkin84    [ Reply ]
Time for Latin lessons again!  Great song, love Erin's guitar work.

Posted 15 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
Love this song so much.
Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
 Mandible wrote:


 

^^ this
Posted 15 years ago by kalkin84    [ Reply ]


Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
Erin McKeown - Aspera
Jefferson Airplane - The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil

a momentary lapse of taste?
Posted 15 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]

ASPERA-4: Analyser of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms

The ASPERA-4 (Analyser of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms) instrument is made up of two components:

  • Main Unit, comprising the mechanical scanner, digital processing unit (DPU), Neutral Particle Imager (NPI), Neutral Particle Detector (NPD) and Electron Spectrometer (ELS)
  • Ion Mass Analyser (IMA), mounted separately

Posted 15 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
 Stefen wrote:
What are these truffles she's singing about?

 


Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
What are these truffles she's singing about?

Posted 15 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 Ntropy wrote:
Ouch my ears! Stop the pain! Too many out of tune instruments, not to mention the guy singing...that voice....hurrrrrts
 

Guy?
Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 hippiechick wrote:
Not only do I dislike this song, but it gets stuck in my head and drives me nuts long after it's over!

{#Arghhh}
 

Earworm Alert!!! {#Lol}

I still like it.

Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Love Erin McKeown, but I think this is her weakest album, and a weak track at that.  Monday Morning Cold was great, Distillation was amazing, and Grand was a more polished, produced effort that I wound up loving, but this album is kind of a let down for me.  {#Sad}
Posted 15 years ago by sporkster    [ Reply ]
Not only do I dislike this song, but it gets stuck in my head and drives me nuts long after it's over!

{#Arghhh}
Posted 15 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
 MsJudi wrote:
Oh, awful. {#Stop}
 

this
Posted 15 years ago by kalkin84    [ Reply ]
i saw erin mckeown live at an ani difranco concert.  good show!
Posted 15 years ago by dmdurney    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}

Great song. This is why I listen to RP!!
Posted 15 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Oh, awful. {#Stop}
Posted 15 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Panama_Floyd wrote:
Am I the only one hearing a lil' Jon Anderson here?

This is not a flame...I like it (gave it a 7).

No you're not... that was my first thought. "Is this a new Yes song?"

Posted 15 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
...great news - the new perodua kelisa is coming to the UK!..
Posted 15 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
 Ntropy wrote:
Ouch my ears! Stop the pain! Too many out of tune instruments, not to mention the guy singing...that voice....hurrrrrts
 
He's right. Not all, but one of those guitars is way out of tune. Spend 20 bucks on a tuner Dude!!

Posted 16 years ago by HarrO    [ Reply ]

Try singing new lyrics to the same melody, and I daresay you'll find them oh so appropriate: "this song is sooooo bor-ing, makes me want tooooooo holl-ar, oh when will it come to annnnnnnn end-ing." {#Frustrated}


Posted 16 years ago by PeaceInIraq    [ Reply ]
Ouch my ears! Stop the pain! Too many out of tune instruments, not to mention the guy singing...that voice....hurrrrrts
Posted 16 years ago by Ntropy    [ Reply ]
 realsleep wrote:
Rush meet the Sundays?!
 
Maybe that's why I noticed it. Not anywhere near as good, but I can hear what you are saying.

Posted 16 years ago by wferrier    [ Reply ]
I have to admit that "Aspera" makes me want to sing "Aspertain, Per Aspertain..."

LOL sorry.{#Lol}
Posted 16 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
 alux wrote:
I'm liking this song more and more as I hear it here.
 
funny I like it less and less
Posted 16 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
realsleep wrote:
Rush meet the Sundays?!
I thought Rush to.   I like it.


Posted 16 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
I like this. =) Could totally hear it again and sing it aloud in my car. {#Dance}
Posted 16 years ago by Kittee    [ Reply ]
Excellent artist, horrible song.
Posted 16 years ago by Excelsior    [ Reply ]
We are all birds - if we want!!!
Posted 16 years ago by moonajohannes    [ Reply ]
I'm liking this song more and more as I hear it here.
Posted 16 years ago by alux    [ Reply ]
Am I the only one hearing a lil' Jon Anderson here?

This is not a flame...I like it (gave it a 7).
Posted 16 years ago by Panama_Floyd    [ Reply ]
mandolin wrote:
...before she began singing, i was thinking jay farrar, and that's a good thing...

Funny you said that. That's what first drew me to this song. Love the guitar work here.

Posted 16 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
 realsleep wrote:

Rush meet the Sundays?!


 

Oh yes—-I can definately hear that.

Posted 16 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
I like it, but my name is Erin too! ;)
Posted 16 years ago by esweazey73    [ Reply ]
Rush meet the Sundays?!
Posted 16 years ago by realsleep    [ Reply ]
Aspirin! My aspirin!
Posted 16 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
Not as A critic as would be..I talk about what it is I like and DON"T talk about the stuff that are not on my list of talent/and/or entertainment capable. droney but I like! that's just me!
Posted 16 years ago by cattail321    [ Reply ]
If you ever saw Erin play, you'd realize there's not an ounce of pretension in her. Dave_Mack wrote:
I like the sound of this song, and it did inspire a certain amount of research, but it strikes me as pretentious to sing in Latin. But that's me.
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear a female singer over Neil Young-ish melody--typically the realm of male singers.
Posted 16 years ago by FlamingLotus    [ Reply ]
Was once a 7 now starting to iritate
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
venus_df wrote:
aspirin, dear aspirin, olajuwon... olestra! :| XD
I like the sound of this song, and it did inspire a certain amount of research, but it strikes me as pretentious to sing in Latin. But that's me.
Posted 16 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
sounds like heidi phillips from the old kansas city band FROGPOND....which is a good thing
Posted 16 years ago by kspengel    [ Reply ]
alph wrote:
Allow me to re-phrase my earlier statement: In my opinion, she sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
Not sure that changes the refrain any.
Posted 16 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
sqqqrly wrote:
hole
Allow me to re-phrase my earlier statement: In my opinion, she sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
Posted 16 years ago by alph    [ Reply ]
alph wrote:
She sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
hole
Posted 16 years ago by sqqqrly    [ Reply ]
alph wrote:
She sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
ass
Posted 16 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
Saw her last fall. Really liked what I heard.
Posted 16 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
She sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
Posted 16 years ago by alph    [ Reply ]
...before she began singing, i was thinking jay farrar, and that's a good thing...
Posted 16 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Somewhat reminiscent of Edie Brickell. Sadly, that's not a good thing...
Posted 16 years ago by 300BaudAcoustic    [ Reply ]
Yarf! Channel changer!
Posted 16 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
xkolibuul wrote:
Caught Erin live last month in a tiny local bar. She didn't play this tune, but what a show! A big talent not to be missed.
We saw her last September. Great show.
Posted 16 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
Caught Erin live last month in a tiny local bar. She didn't play this tune, but what a show! A big talent not to be missed.
Posted 16 years ago by xkolibuul    [ Reply ]
This one caught me napping, really surprised me. I didn't realize this was Erin Mckeown's sound. Got right to me, with that rhythm and guitar sound. Absolutely love her voice too....now where's that 'to buy' list...
Posted 16 years ago by Moak    [ Reply ]
Me 3 ... squidish wrote:
Me, too!
Posted 16 years ago by psg    [ Reply ]
AlienRelic wrote:
Interesting. "Ad astera per aspera" is the motto of the National Space Society, an organization dedicated to the furtherance of space exploration and development. Translated it means "To the stars through hard work" more or less. Judging by some of the other song titles on this disc, it fits.
Per ardua ad astra is the motto of the UK Royal Air Force. Not that that's got anything to do with the price of fish... Not a bad number - 6 from the Nottingham jury.
Posted 16 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Very nice!
Posted 16 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Speaking of Erin McKeown, I'd like to hear Slung-Lo (from Grand) for old times' sake.
Posted 17 years ago by Carl    [ Reply ]
She's singing in Latin!?! I'm not sure if I should giggle or be impressed. Maybe both.
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
AlienRelic wrote:
Interesting. "Ad astera per aspera" is the motto of the National Space Society, an organization dedicated to the furtherance of space exploration and development. Translated it means "To the stars through hard work" more or less. Judging by some of the other song titles on this disc, it fits.
Someone may have beat me to it, but Its also the the Kansas state motto. "Ad astra per aspera" - To the stars through difficulties.
Posted 17 years ago by briandel    [ Reply ]
Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
I don't care what everybody says, I like it.
Me, too!
Posted 17 years ago by squidish    [ Reply ]
I don't care what everybody says, I like it.
Posted 17 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Gribnif wrote:
The refrain is Latin, "aspera! per aspera! per ardua! ad astra!" which one online service translates roughly as "violent very violent! very lofty! to (the) star!".
AlienRelic wrote:
Interesting. "Ad astera per aspera" is the motto of the National Space Society, an organization dedicated to the furtherance of space exploration and development. Translated it means "To the stars through hard work" more or less. Judging by some of the other song titles on this disc, it fits.
Check out (click here) for more comprehensive usage information.
Posted 17 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
The refrain is Latin, "aspera! per aspera! per ardua! ad astra!" which one online service translates roughly as "violent very violent! very lofty! to (the) star!".
Posted 17 years ago by Gribnif    [ Reply ]
Interesting. "Ad astera per aspera" is the motto of the National Space Society, an organization dedicated to the furtherance of space exploration and development. Translated it means "To the stars through hard work" more or less. Judging by some of the other song titles on this disc, it fits.
Posted 17 years ago by AlienRelic    [ Reply ]