With this, their second release, these Scouse Britpoppers have again produced an album that wilfully defies categorisation, crammed as it is with a selection of punchy, narrative songs that bear no discernible connection to the others on the album.

On their first album 'Spiders', vocalist and songwriter, Tommy Scott weaved his skills to create a patchwork of influences, styles and a strong pop sensibility, The single off that album, 'Female Of The Species' managed to out-Burt Mr Bacharach himself. On 'Tin Planet' the Space-men have pumped out 14 songs that prove that 'Spiders' was no fluke. There's obviously a lot more interesting songs in their notebooks and the British music press, who are notoriously critical of this middle of the road Britpop, have begun to take notice of this band's quality pop.

The first two singles off 'Tin Planet' appear early in the album. 'Avenging Angels' is a lush and harmonic, '70s Sparks-ish pastiche and 'The Ballad Of Tom Jones' (who is definitely a large influence) is a soaring call and response duet with Cerys, the (appropriately) Welsh vocalist for Catatonia. Other highlights include the grungy 'Piggies', the punky 'Disco Dolly' and 'A Liddle Bitty Help From Elvis' the skittering tribute to "the King" (or 'Great Cheeseburger', depending on how you see it).

I'm not sure what artificial stimulants Space are using but whatever it is, it has helped them to continue churning out their own special brand of Blur/Madness vaudeville pop. They should be called Spaced!

Stephen "Sugar" Segerman

others in the REVIEWS

Any thoughts, requests, problems, complaints, praise or interesting and relevant SA music news, please email it immediately to: sugar@cd.co.za