Space Cretins – Direct From the Superfreak Highway

Take one glance at either the band name or album title and you’re sure to realise that this may not be the most serious of releases. Indeed it’s safe to say there’s a lot of childishness about the Space Cretins, from a cosmos spanning persona to a heap of corny rock ‘n’ roll song titles. But don’t be fooled, there’s more to it than that.

The clearest thing about ‘Direct From the Superfreak Highway’ is that the Seattle based trio is having fun with what it’s doing, but also paying homage to its heroes and influences. For every moment of curb-crawling rock (think G N’ R) there’s a twang of electro-cum-glam deviance (Ziggy Stardust). For every moment of hair-metal (Kiss) there’s a pang or 70/80’s punk-rock (Bad Religion/The Misfits). It’s a mixed bag that has no remorse.

Designed as an alternative to the ‘Seattle scene’ the liveliness of this record betrays the sometime languid feelings of grunge, injecting a sense of two minute urgency. “Master Blaster” has the feel of The Bronx; “Plastic” and “Hypnotized” both hint more than a little at first album Foo Fighters; “Future Hoppin’” is a Ramones-esque punk burst, which just happens to put you in mind of “Future Sailors” from The Mighty Boosh. I told you it wasn’t that serious.

Each track is 0-60 in a cosmic second. It’s fast-paced and unrelenting in its intention to amuse. The musical equivalent of a quick fumble in a dark alleyway, if you will.

Let’s leave it to the band to define the sound: “high-octane punk/glam/rock”. Such a description is far from lunar-cy (see what I did there?), pretty much summing up what is essentially a fun if not universe-shattering 25 minutes. It’s music to play Space Invaders to, or the soundtrack to a backcomb and hair starch.

Alex

‘Direct From The Superfreak Highway’ is available now through Killing Pig Records