An interesting, if somewhat failed experience, Per Aspera Ad Astra was an attempt to join sight with sound, color and music. Joined here by New York painter Jon McCafferty, the texan duo used field recordings of the visual artist working in his studio while he himself would inspire his painting by listening to earlier Stars Of The Lid albums. I wish I could hear it, but even with headphones on, I can not hear any particular background noises from the studio. I was expecting to hear the shuffling of the artist's feet, or the freshly soaked hairs of a paint brush stroking the canvas, but all I could make out was what sounds like a garbage truck outside the studio and the occasional gust of wind. The music itself is quite beautiful and ever closer to duo's breakthrough orchestral sound. Except for the first part of Anchor States (which is exclusively string arrangements), Per Aspera Ad Astra is an inspired exercise in sparseness and minimalist innovation.