The 90s Weren't All That Bad #31- Space
Aug. 5th, 2014 08:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bedsitter23English rock band Space were one of the many Britpop bands to hit it big in the 90s.
Twenty years later, while everyone remembers Oasis and Blur (and Suede and Pulp), you may not think much of Space these days any more than you do of Gene, Supergrass, Ash, Sleeper, Ocean Colour Scene or Shed 7.
Space's moment in the sun was better than some. They showed up in the Austin Powers end credits with "Female of the Species". "Species" is an instant classic, and the band put out two other songs that rival that - "Ballad of Tom Jones (with Cerys Matthews) and "Neighborhood".
Space had much the same touchpoints as everyone else, but had a bit of an electronic, hip hop/synthpop vibe which made them stand out. Clever lyrics put them on the map with their singles. That said, as one hit wonders tend to go, Space's album Spiders is a surprisingly good listen. Much more of an achievement than you will find from many of their rivals.
Which isn't to say Space has aged well. I still love their songs, but they are as close to the 90s and far away from today as say the Spice Girls are to One Direction.
If you didn't know, Space's drummer (Andy Parle)died in 2009. They had put the band to bed by then, but a couple of years after Parle's used that as incentive to get the band back together.
They have released a new album Attack of the 50 Ft Kebab. I have to admit it isn't something I would normally seek out, but as far as expectations go, what I have heard is quite fun.
Always a party band, they seem to be intent on playing up the ska edge of the band along with the usual pop and punk influences they already had, with a bit of garage rock, spy and surf thrown in (in the American sense of garage, not the British). It's not a bad move, as it seems like the obvious next step. It actually reminds me a bit of the Dickies in the juvenile, playful aspect. It is also a lot better than probably has the right to be.
Some classics and some new stuff
Twenty years later, while everyone remembers Oasis and Blur (and Suede and Pulp), you may not think much of Space these days any more than you do of Gene, Supergrass, Ash, Sleeper, Ocean Colour Scene or Shed 7.
Space's moment in the sun was better than some. They showed up in the Austin Powers end credits with "Female of the Species". "Species" is an instant classic, and the band put out two other songs that rival that - "Ballad of Tom Jones (with Cerys Matthews) and "Neighborhood".
Space had much the same touchpoints as everyone else, but had a bit of an electronic, hip hop/synthpop vibe which made them stand out. Clever lyrics put them on the map with their singles. That said, as one hit wonders tend to go, Space's album Spiders is a surprisingly good listen. Much more of an achievement than you will find from many of their rivals.
Which isn't to say Space has aged well. I still love their songs, but they are as close to the 90s and far away from today as say the Spice Girls are to One Direction.
If you didn't know, Space's drummer (Andy Parle)died in 2009. They had put the band to bed by then, but a couple of years after Parle's used that as incentive to get the band back together.
They have released a new album Attack of the 50 Ft Kebab. I have to admit it isn't something I would normally seek out, but as far as expectations go, what I have heard is quite fun.
Always a party band, they seem to be intent on playing up the ska edge of the band along with the usual pop and punk influences they already had, with a bit of garage rock, spy and surf thrown in (in the American sense of garage, not the British). It's not a bad move, as it seems like the obvious next step. It actually reminds me a bit of the Dickies in the juvenile, playful aspect. It is also a lot better than probably has the right to be.
Some classics and some new stuff
