Space Monkeys The Daddy Of Them All (Factory/Chington/Interscope) By: [email protected] One thing this world does not need are any more brit pop bands trying to become the next Oasis. Bands like Cast, Ocean Color Scene, Shed Seven and Manic Street Preachers can all retire because there's only enough room in the pop world for one Beatles rip-off. This is why the Space Monkeys are such a nice surprise. The Space Monkeys actually have their own sound. Actually they have resurrected the baggy jeans dance slop-rock groove that everyone thought died in the 80's when The Happy Mondays called it quits. And these four wee lads from Manchester re-create the sound with an amazing amount of talent and spirit.
The best songs are the ones where lead Monkey Richard McNevin-Duff tears his vocal chords to shreds. McNevin-Duff has the most poetic scream in rock'n'roll since Paul McCartney. "Acid House Killed Rock and Roll", "We Are the Supercool" and especially "Blowing Down the Stylus" are hard candy for the ears. The alternating ballads are not as effective, save the empty but nonetheless catchy "Inside My Soul". The album's first single, "Sugar Cane" shows off McNevin-Duff's rapping skills. Interesting idea with amusing results but I hope they don't ever try it again.
The bottom line is the Space Monkeys whip up some worthy beats and their ballads and chants deserve to be heard. Any band who's eclectic enough to have pictures of John Lennon and Bob Dylan on the inside of the album and sample from the likes of Public Enemy and the Wu-Tang Clan at least deserve a listen. Grade: B+.
