Resident Alien - Spacehog

...singles releases.

Resident Alien is their first album and, so I've heard it said, is less comercial than their later offerings, whether or not that's a good thing I'll leave up to you. I actually prefer the second album "The Chinese Album", although that may be solely because I listened to that before I ever heard Resident Alien, so there's could be an element of sentimentality in my thinking. In trying to think of a band ...
...of is Supergrass. That should tell you that they're a bit more alternative rock than rock/pop. If that's your bag I'd definitely recommend them!

I was a touch miffed, as I frequently am when I buy albums, that they didn't include the song lyrics in the album sleeve as I like to be able to sing along... badly, although I guess you could probably find them on the net ( haven't tried, so I can't be sure). Also, there is a limited amount ... more

Spacehog are a band from Leeds who, for reasons I can't fathom, remain virtually unheard of in the UK, although apparently they've done fairly well for themselves on the other side of the pond. In fact, I remember hearing that one of them (Royston Langdon, if memory serves) had got engaged to Liv Tyler - if that's not success I don't know what is!

I first heard of them on the music review segment of some Saturday morning kids show, probably Live & Kicking and I instantly liked their rocky style and unusual vocals (a little hard to describe... or mimic!). I didn't instantly rush out and buy their album, but when I was later introduced to them properly by a university buddy, I made up for lost time. I now own three albums, which I'm pretty sure represents their entire back catalogue, apart from the b-sides on their few singles releases.

Resident Alien is their first album and, so I've heard it said, is less comercial than their later offerings, whether or not that's a good thing I'll leave up to you. I actually prefer the second album "The Chinese Album", although that may be solely because I listened to that before I ever heard Resident Alien, so there's could be an element of sentimentality in my thinking. In trying to think of a band to compare them to, the best comparison I can think of is Supergrass. That should tell you that they're a bit more alternative rock than rock/pop. If that's your bag I'd definitely recommend them!

I was a touch miffed, as I frequently am when I buy albums, that they didn't include the song lyrics in the album sleeve as I like to be able to sing along... badly, although I guess you could probably find them on the net ( haven't tried, so I can't be sure). Also, there is a limited amount of bad language, especially in "Space is the Place", but I didn't find it too offensive, certainly not in comparison with just about anything you'd hear from Eminem, or any other rapper for that matter.

In summary, I wouldn't say this is a great album, but it's at least solidly good and it's something a bit different than the norm. There's plenty to get your nodding your head and tapping your foot, plus the odd touch of genious - like, as bizarre as this may sound, using the tune from the old BT advert as the intro to "In the Meantime" (you'll know the tune instantly if you hear it, even if you don't remember it now) and I know of one person who bought "In the Meantime" as a single for no other reason than that!
 

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