Erin McKeown — Aspera
Album: We Will Become Like BirdsAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 428
Length: 4:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I heard Erin play live a few years back. A wonderful artist.
rp1125 wrote:
My thoughts as well. Took a minute to figure out it's not. And bump on the 'Yessongs' comment!
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!
aspera ad astra ad nauseam
"Through hardships to the stars"...well, why didn't you just say so. Now this song makes sense.
More_Cowbell wrote:
bump
Per aspera ad astra is a latin phrase that means - to the stars through difficulties.
bump
amoreena wrote:
The "over the sea to the valley" bit that is.
I don't know if I can forgive you for this.
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.
is it wrong I keep hearing aspergers?
8 -> 9!
And you and I climb over the sea to the valley........
mrdak wrote:
This dude's a chick.............. Bubba!
So just Go on and go figure!
Uhm... he's referring to himself, not the singer.
This dude's a chick.............. Bubba!
So just Go on and go figure!
Uhm... he's referring to himself, not the singer.
Per aspera ad astra sees a lot of use.
MojoJojo wrote:
This dude's a chick.............. Bubba!
So just Go on and go figure!
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!
This dude can abide... nice.
who´s erin mckeown? but i like the song! good music
This dude does not abide. At least not with this song. Good on ya if ya like it.
trekhead wrote:
I keep hearing her say something about eating truffles.
...Does she say, " Olestra" in there , somewhere?
7 just the same.
I keep hearing her say something about eating truffles.
rp1125 wrote:
It's too organized, coherent and short to be a Yes song.
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.
Randomax wrote:
Yes, my first thoughts, now Yessongs anyone?
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
Yes, my first thoughts, now Yessongs anyone?
Well, I like it a lot.
Aspirin . . . Aspirin
not only does she sound like him, this could easily be a yes song
Superb segue Bill! 
or should I say Eximius segue Bill!
or should I say Eximius segue Bill!Her Latin accent is really bad, but I'm digging this anyway.
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.
Sad excuse of a song!
TERRIBLE!!!!
TERRIBLE!!!!
Randomax wrote:
Me, too.
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
Me, too.
Randomax wrote:
I do now.
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
I do now.
I hear the lead singer of YES - anyone else hear that?
hippiechick wrote:
MUTE! Not only can I not stand this song, but it gets stuck in my head too.
Now I really like it...
MUTE! Not only can I not stand this song, but it gets stuck in my head too.
Now I really like it...
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.
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.
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.
trekhead wrote:
Sounds like it, but I reckon it's 'ad astra'. To the stars, trekhead...
...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...
hippiechick wrote:
MUTE! Not only can I not stand this song, but it gets stuck in my head too.
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.
Kind of mannered, but actually really, really nice anyway. I like assonance of the lyrics, especially. 8
Very spiritual. One of my favorite tunes of recent.
I like the spiritual theme of the song.
i really like the way she sings—-she stood out from the rest of the set.
...Does she say, " Olestra" in there , somewhere?
7 just the same.
mediocre
realsleep wrote:
Actually I'm hearing YES.
Rush meet the Sundays?!
Actually I'm hearing YES.
hippiechick wrote:
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!!!
This song grates on me so, that even the title makes me grip my teeth
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!!! More_Cowbell wrote:
and it's nice n' true also!
Per aspera ad astra is a latin phrase that means - to the stars through difficulties.
and it's nice n' true also!
Per aspera ad astra is a latin phrase that means - to the stars through difficulties.
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.
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.
rdo wrote:
No one knows the truffles I've seen...
No one knows the truffles I've seen...
This song grates on me so, that even the title makes me grip my teeth
What an (positively) overwhelming song!
smehan55 wrote:
She plays this instrument well!
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
alux wrote:
Through hardship, to the stars.
Time for Latin lessons again!
Through hardship, to the stars.
I am really glad Bill has kept this in the rotation. I love this. To quote romeotuma - This is so good for the ears.
BrickTop is just aroud the blockRun.../
More like spector and The ChainSaw.
kalkin84 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...
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...
Not a bad song; cool cover art.
She has the guitar down, but she needs to hire someone that can sing because she isn't very good at it.
Time for Latin lessons again! Great song, love Erin's guitar work.
Love this song so much.
Mandible wrote:
^^ this
^^ this
Erin McKeown - Aspera
Jefferson Airplane - The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil
a momentary lapse of taste?
Jefferson Airplane - The Ballad Of You & Me & Pooneil
a momentary lapse of taste?
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
Stefen wrote:
What are these truffles she's singing about?
What are these truffles she's singing about?
Ntropy wrote:
Guy?
Ouch my ears! Stop the pain! Too many out of tune instruments, not to mention the guy singing...that voice....hurrrrrts
Guy?
hippiechick wrote:
Earworm Alert!!!
I still like it.
Not only do I dislike this song, but it gets stuck in my head and drives me nuts long after it's over!
Earworm Alert!!!
I still like it.
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. 
Not only do I dislike this song, but it gets stuck in my head and drives me nuts long after it's over!
MsJudi wrote:
this
Oh, awful. 
this
i saw erin mckeown live at an ani difranco concert. good show!
Great song. This is why I listen to RP!!
Oh, awful.
Panama_Floyd wrote:
No you're not... that was my first thought. "Is this a new Yes song?"
Am I the only one hearing a lil' Jon Anderson here?
This is not a flame...I like it (gave it a 7).
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?"
...great news - the new perodua kelisa is coming to the UK!..
Ntropy wrote:
He's right. Not all, but one of those guitars is way out of tune. Spend 20 bucks on a tuner Dude!!
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!!
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." 
Ouch my ears! Stop the pain! Too many out of tune instruments, not to mention the guy singing...that voice....hurrrrrts
realsleep wrote:
Maybe that's why I noticed it. Not anywhere near as good, but I can hear what you are saying.
Rush meet the Sundays?!
Maybe that's why I noticed it. Not anywhere near as good, but I can hear what you are saying.
I have to admit that "Aspera" makes me want to sing "Aspertain, Per Aspertain..."
LOL sorry.
LOL sorry.
alux wrote:
funny I like it less and less
I'm liking this song more and more as I hear it here.
funny I like it less and less
realsleep wrote:
Rush meet the Sundays?!
I thought Rush to. I like it.I like this. =) Could totally hear it again and sing it aloud in my car. 
Excellent artist, horrible song.
We are all birds - if we want!!!
I'm liking this song more and more as I hear it here.
Am I the only one hearing a lil' Jon Anderson here?
This is not a flame...I like it (gave it a 7).
This is not a flame...I like it (gave it a 7).
mandolin wrote:
Funny you said that. That's what first drew me to this song. Love the guitar work here.
...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.
realsleep wrote:
Oh yes—-I can definately hear that.
Rush meet the Sundays?!
Oh yes—-I can definately hear that.
I like it, but my name is Erin too! ;)
Rush meet the Sundays?!
Aspirin! My aspirin! 
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!
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.
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.Nice to hear a female singer over Neil Young-ish melody--typically the realm of male singers.
Was once a 7 now starting to iritate
venus_df 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.
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.
sounds like heidi phillips from the old kansas city band FROGPOND....which is a good thing
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.
sqqqrly wrote:
hole
Allow me to re-phrase my earlier statement:
In my opinion, she sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
alph wrote:
She sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
hole
alph wrote:
She sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
ass
Saw her last fall. Really liked what I heard.
She sounds a lot hotter than she actually is.
...before she began singing, i was thinking jay farrar, and that's a good thing...
Somewhat reminiscent of Edie Brickell. Sadly, that's not a good thing...
Yarf! Channel changer!
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.
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.
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...
Me 3 ...
squidish wrote:
Me, too!
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.
Very nice!
Speaking of Erin McKeown, I'd like to hear Slung-Lo (from Grand) for old times' sake.
She's singing in Latin!?! I'm not sure if I should giggle or be impressed. Maybe both.
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.
Kurt_from_La_Qui wrote:
I don't care what everybody says, I like it.
Me, too!
I don't care what everybody says, I like it.
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.
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!".
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.