Escape Velocity

2014 album from the San Francisco-based Indie rockers. ESCAPE VELOCITY is the speed needed to break free from the gravitational attraction of a massive body, such as the Earth. The Phenomenauts felt it was a fitting title for an album that encourages people to break free of their own limitations, taking off on a boundless journey fueled by their unstoppable rhythms, inventive melodies and nimble lyrics. Songs were inspired by the arcane rhythms of intergalactic space and a wide variety of Earth music. 'Theme for Oakland' is an anthem in honor of Earth's Capital, Oakland, California, driven by a big, glittering British backbeat and a simple exuberant chorus of 'Hey Hey Heys.' Angel Nova and special guest, Kepi Ghoulie trade vocals on 'When Greed Nearly Destroyed the World,' a sci-fi narrative that presents a vision of utopia, and what it cost to get there, in little more than three minutes. Chugging guitars, staccato power chords, electronic drum flourishes, new wave synthesizers and a soaring chorus present a hopeful scenario that looks compassionately back on our tortured past.