Short takes

Champaign, Ill.’s Hum saw their Siamese Dreams briefly materialize in 1995 with the space-pop nugget “Stars,” but the fantasy eventually gave way to major label apathy. Two years later, singer/guitarist Matt Talbot has launched a new project. Centaur takes the blistering, astral riffs of Hum and mixes them with psychedelic flourishes of acoustic guitar and harmonized vocals. Even when the keyboards seem forced, Talbot is able to ride a deep tenor and waves of distortion. He’s on a train to Mars. HHHH

– Andrew M. Gaerig