Guster's 2006 album Ganging Up on the Sun was a high point in the underrated career of a fine band. "Satellite" is one of the better songs from the album, and to keep fans satisfied while waiting for the next record, it was released with seven more examples of what makes
Guster so solid. Non-LP songs "G Major," "Rise & Shine," "Timothy Leary," and "I'm Through" blend classic songcraft, simple but rich instrumentation and production, everyman vocals, and a unique lyrical bent into a very pleasant and fulfilling listening experience. Each of these songs could have been slotted into the album with no drop in quality; "I'm Through" would have actually been a highlight. As for the rest of the tracks, they are for devoted fans only, with the remix of "Satellite" adding nothing beyond a slick electronic beat and some corny synths, and the covers of
the Beatles' "Two of Us" (nice and breezy) and
Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (live and tuneless) being throwaways. Ignore these three tracks and you have more proof that
Guster is one of the best guitar pop bands around. ~ Tim Sendra