Give it a chance
Linda A. Hull | Orlando, FL United States | 03/16/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A while ago I was entranced by "Female of the Species" and bought Space's first two albums, "Spiders" and "Tin Planet." Both albums have very different feeling, and that is just what Space is all about. Many of their songs shift style several times before they end. That is what made me like Space.Suburban Rock n Roll took a bit of getting used to, like a friend who shows up unexpectedly with a radical new haircut. I was really surprised at how different their style has become. Getting over the surprise, I really like the new style. It was inevitable for Space to change -- we all do as we get older. This album is much more mature and put together than the first two. Not as much of a wicked sense of humor as Spiders, and not as much silly fun as Tin Planet. Just as the guys have said in interviews, they are getting their "rock" back. Only one lead singer this time around: Tommy Scott who's voice improves with each album.
The title track, "Suburban Rock n Roll" is great. It makes a terrific opening song as it is as close to their old style as anything gets. At first I thought my CD was defective with the audio switching from left to right so much at the start. The album version is much better than the single version.
"Zombies" takes me back to the techno 80's. Love all the synth stuff, and if I am not mistaken, this is the first time Space has tried to harmonize. Good idea.
"Hitchhiking" is catchy. Like the rock feel to it, it is a bit dark but keeps a sense of fun going throughout.
"Punk Rock Funeral" -- one of the weird ones. Took a couple of run throughs to like it but I do. Love the breathy/whispery stuff.
"Hell's Barbeque"... loved it from the start. Again, more of the whispery voice--very spooky and atmospheric. (Space say they don't do drugs... very trippy even so.) Love the "Once a month.." bits near the end. Lost in translation American thing: A friend wanted to know why the "parrots" were taking over.
"Paranoid 6Teen"... loved it from the first note. Back to the cute popish Herman's Hermits stuff that showed up on the earlier albums. Tommy sounds a lot like Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats in this.
"The English Language"... another great one. This one could make it as a single as well. Love the harmonies, very catchy.
"Pretty Suicide" ... Made me think of INXS. Very atmospheric again, very different from anything Space has done before--much more mature. Completly rock style.. moody and terrific.
"20 Million Miles from Earth" ... absolutly brilliant--best on the album. As great a song as Female of the Species. I will listen to this song forever. It will make a great single--extremely catchy tune.
"Quiet Beach" ... One that put me to sleep. Not such a bad thing I guess, it is very mellow. Like the breathyness again, and the background gypsyish stuff. Too slow and moody for a single, but nice as part of an album.
"The Goodbye Song" Not the best to end an album with. I know the theme is appropriate but the song is too low key and the album just trails off instead of ending memorably. It's a good song-- one to drink yourself into oblivion after a break up. I like the distortion effects on the vocals brought back from the older albums.
Overall, much of SRnR takes a couple of listens to get under your skin, but once it does it will stay. A great progression from the first two albums and well worth the wait. The guys were growing and changing for those years and for the better. Space have a wonderful variety of styles and that is what makes them so good and also what bites them on the ass in today's music business. There is no category to stick them in and they get lost among all of the formulatic music out there today. Space are cursed/blessed to have a smallish group of rabid fans that will stick with them as long as they crank out their variegated albums. Space has something for anyone to love if only they had the chance to hear it. I pity anyone who misses out."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1