In 2015, it's easy to take for granted how important and far-reaching the space race was. But imagine yourself in 1957: News breaks that there's something in the sky — in space — and if you tune your shortwave radio to an especially high frequency, you can hear its signal chirping back to you as it circles the Earth. It's called Sputnik, the first man-made satellite launched into orbit. The Soviet Union's groundbreaking success ushered in a new era, and nothing has been the same since.

Five years later, John F. Kennedy's "We choose to go to the moon" speech persuaded the American public that space was a frontier beckoning to be pioneered. Ascending to the stars would be the next step in mankind's evolution. To many, that idea of space and the awe of discovery permeated practically every aspect of American culture with a sense of possibility and excitement — but also deeply felt dread as we pondered life's meaning in the cosmos.

These themes lie at the core of Public Service Broadcasting's new album, The Race For Space, a song cycle that retells the American and Soviet tentpole events between 1957 and 1972 — roughly from Sputnik to Apollo 17 — and lets us hear that historical arc the way many experienced it at the time.

Recorded at The Pool Studios and Abbey Road in London and working with exclusive archive footage from the British Film Institute, the new record tells the story of the American and Soviet space race from 1957 to 1972 via the duo's eccentric mix of guitar-driven electronica, propulsive drumming and spoken word samples culled from this uniquely rich period of modern history. The Race For Space follows "Inform Educate Entertain", Public Service Broadcasting's debut album which reached #21 in the UK album charts and was nominated for 'Best Independent Album' at the AIM Awards 2013, as well as being The Guardian's Album of the Week and one of BBC 6Music's Top 10 albums of 2013.

Fantastic stuff and well worth a listen. "Go" and "Farside" are my personal favorites covering the Apollo 11 and 8 missions. I picked up my copy on iTunes, but it is also on YouTube.

This video for 'Go!' features some cracking MOCR clips:

Public Service Broadcasting to Perform Two Shows at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum July 15 and 16, 2016

Concerts Beneath Space Shuttle Enterprise Are Part of Intrepid Museum's Annual Space & Science Festival

Public Service Broadcasting will perform two very special shows in New York City at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum's annual Space & Science Festival on July 15 and 16 at 9:30pm.

The show will take place in the Museum’s Space Shuttle Pavilion, underneath the Space Shuttle Enterprise, the original NASA orbiter. Public Service Broadcasting will be the first band to stage a concert beneath the iconic spacecraft.

Tickets are $30 for general admission and $25 for Intrepid Museum members, and will go on sale Monday, May 9. Show is for ages 21 and up.

Please visit the Intrepid's website for more information and to purchase tickets.

Public Service Broadcasting to Perform at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum September 20, 2018

Concert Celebrates NASA's 60th Anniversary During the Museum's Annual Space & Science Festival

London-based rock group Public Service Broadcasting will perform a very special show at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum's annual Space & Science Festival on September 20, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate NASA's 60th anniversary.

Public Service Broadcasting's unique audiovisual extravaganza highlights the glory days of the space race — from Sputnik and Gagarin to Armstrong's boots on the moon — through the band's eccentric mix of guitar-driven electronica, propulsive drumming and spoken-word samples culled from this rich period of modern history. The band will perform songs from its album "The Race for Space" in the Museum's Space Shuttle Pavilion, underneath the space shuttle Enterprise, the original NASA orbiter.

Tickets are $25 for general admission and $20 for Intrepid Museum members. Show starts at 8:00 p.m. Alcoholic beverages will be available for those 21+. Valid ID required. Credit card only.

It's a great album that uses original newsreel commentary and mission control dialogue to music. I saw them perform the album at Manchester Science Festival a few years ago it was so atmospheric. There's a few videos on YouTube, e.g.: