Way down is described as the best N.A.S.A. track by many reviewers.
Lauren Murphy of Entertainment.ie has written a very positive review of N.A.S.A’s The Spirit Of Apollo and named Way Down one of two best tracks on the album.
Puzzling, then, that the two best tracks are contrary in their design. ‘Way Down”s loose, chilled-out ambience could be attributed to John Frusciante’s droopy guitar work, but its ’70s spy movie theme is bolstered by incisive rhymes by RZA and vocals by little-known singer Barbie Hatch. ‘Gifted’, meanwhile, is an immediately likeable fresh ‘n’ funky offering – unsurprising, considering that charismatic duo Kanye West and Santogold are behind it. Overall, there’s a sneaking suspicion that ‘The Spirit of Apollo’ may be a vanity project on a grand scale for N.A.S.A., but its mix of old skool hip-hop and unlikely participants keep it just interesting enough to merit your attention.
You can read the whole review here.
Avinas Chak of Yale Daily News shares ms. Murphy’s opinion and you can read his review here, while the excerpt about Way Down follows:
The best song on the album, “Way Down,†features the RZA of The Wu-Tang Clan, John Frusciante of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Barbie Hatch. Frusciante’s distorted guitar work establishes a haunting soundscape. The RZA’s verse is solid as the Wu producer’s rapping goes, but it sounds unnecessary next to Barbie Hatch’s vocals. Google Barbie Hatch and you’ll find nothing but her guest spot on this and on one Swollen Members track. That the girl doesn’t have any public exposure is a travesty. Her smooth voice floats beautifully around Frusciante’s guitar licks, channeling Aimee Mann or even Grace Slick. Hatch’s singing is so captivating, you spend the remaining 14 tracks wondering when her solo debut’s coming out.
Scott Kara of NZHerald agrees in his review:
The stand out is the slinky haze of Way Down, with Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante offering up psychedelic noodlings as the breathy Barbie Hatch faces off against ruff neck Wu Tang rapper RZA.
Three more reviews:
Orange County Music
Gigwise
University Chronicle
Don’t forget to check this post for more information about the album and useful links.
Also, how did you like Way Down and the whole album?
