Early Thoughts: Abandon Kansas - Ad Astra Per Aspera

It's been two years since Abandon Kansas released their EP We're All Going Somewhere, and since then, I've been eagerly anticipating a full length from the band. Well, the band is slated to release the awaited full length, named Ad Astra Per Aspera on March 8th.

On early listen, the album certainly fulfilled my expectations, with their grooving indie rock, infused with some pop rock elements. While upbeat at times, such as found on songs like the album's single "Heaven Come My Way" and "Liar," the latter featuring some guest vocals from Tim Skipper of House of Heroes, there are also more recollective and chilled out songs as well that fit well with the pondering lyrics and vocalist Jeremy Spring's unique, distinguished voice. Ad Astra Per Aspera will be an album that will be sure to carry the band with momentum into the rest of 2011.