Stratosphere (Duster album)

Stratosphere is the debut studio album by American slowcore band Duster. The album was released February 24, 1998, on the Up Records label in the United States.

Stratosphere
Studio album by
Duster
ReleasedFebruary 24, 1998 (1998-02-24)
StudioAvast! Recording Company (Seattle, Washington)
Mountain (San Jose, California)
Low Earth Orbit (San Jose, California)
Genre
Length
  • 53:52 (CD)
  • 49:20 (LP)
LabelUp
ProducerDuster, Phil Ek
Duster chronology
Stratosphere
(1998)		 Contemporary Movement
(2000)

The album was primarily written and recorded by members Clay Parton and Canaan Dove Amber, with Jason Albertini contributing drums to three tracks. The band subsequently released the Contemporary Movement album in 2000, and Stratosphere was reissued as part of the Capsule Losing Contact box set in March 2019.

Cover

The album's cover is a photograph taken from a November 1970 issue of Life magazine taken by Sam Ehrlich in Alberta, Canada.[3]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Pitchfork8.6/10[5]

The album was mostly unnoticed upon release. Though Pitchfork wrote a favorable review comparing the band to Galaxie 500 and My Bloody Valentine,[5] no other pieces about the record from the time have been found.[6] AllMusic initially gave the album 3 stars but later changed their rating to a 5.[6][7][4] Their review compares the band to Pavement, Seely, and Sonic Youth, and calls "Echo, Bravo" the "highlight of the record".[4]

In the years following its release, Stratosphere developed a cult following among online message boards.[8] The album has since been cited as an influence on artists and bands such as Ricky Eat Acid, Peaer, Girlpool, Hovvdy, Ovlov, and Alex G.[6] In 2019, the album was reissued by The Numero Group as part of the box-set Capsule Losing Contact.[8]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Clay Parton and Dove Amber

No.TitleLength
1."Moon Age"1:06
2."Heading for the Door"3:08
3."Gold Dust"2:06
4."Topical Solution"5:01
5."Docking the Pod"1:51
6."The Landing"2:43
7."Echo, Bravo" (Excluded on LP pressings)4:32
8."Constellations"3:43
9."The Queen of Hearts"4:20
10."Two Way Radio"0:19
11."Inside Out"2:21
12."Stratosphere"6:58
13."Reed to Hillsborough"4:01
14."Shadows of Planes"1:50
15."Earth Moon Transit"4:24
16."The Twins / Romantica"3:43
17."Sideria"1:48
Total length:53:52

Personnel

Duster

  • Dove Amber (credited as C. Amber)– performance, production, mixing
  • Clay Parton (credited as E. Parton)– performance, production, mixing
  • Jason Albertini – drums (tracks 2, 8, 12)

Technical

  • Phil Ek – production (tracks 2, 8, 12, 14)
  • Kip Beelman – assistant production (track 3)
  • Chris – assistant production (track 3)
  • Jeff Pinn – recording (tracks 4, 13)

References
  1. Rosean, Samuel (January 31, 2019). "The Beginner's Guide To: Slowcore". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  2. Huguenor, Mike (January 23, 2019). "San Jose Legends Duster Play the Ritz". Metroactive. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  3. "LIFE". November 13, 1970.
  4. Tim, Sendra. "Stratosphere – Duster". AllMusic. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  5. Richard-San, Mark. "Duster: Stratosphere". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on February 16, 2001. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  6. "The Low-Key Legacy Of Duster, Your Favorite Indie Band's Favorite Indie Band". Stereogum. February 23, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
  7. "Stratosphere - Duster : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. November 14, 2012. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  8. Richardson, Mark (February 22, 2019). "Back to the Stratosphere: How the Rarest Music in the World Comes Back". The Ringer. Retrieved June 10, 2023.

Further reading
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