Interactive Poll: Outta This World

JD: Classix Nouveaux “Nasty Little Green Men”  Begins with a repetitive keyboard and percussion, then guitars, and vocals enter with a sense of urgency.  80’s ish sound, with a classic verses/chorus structure.  Guitars are a little wangly and there are some fun whirlies on the keys.  Klaus Nomi “Total Eclipse”  Singer’s look is a mix of other-worldly and mime, with an operatic delivery, must be 80’s as well, I’m guessing from the rest of the band and the sound of the piece.  Fascinating to watch and listen, as it combines styles musically and is very campy/theatrical. 

Logan:  Tubeway Army “Praying To The Aliens”  Electronic whaaas and deedlees with a robotic type voice (80’s again?).  Music is very angular, going with the general robotic sort of delivery.  Oh I see it is Gary Numan, I almost said reminds me of him, lol.  Didn’t know where he came from (space, lol?).   Mica Levi “Alien Loop”  Begins with space whirlies, I like the more free-form start of this to the previous one.  An ambient piece of music, it is more aligned to how I feel about space than the rigidity of the first piece. 

Cristi:  Hail Spirit Noir “Alien Lip Reading”  ‘Eavy metal, here, mixed with a bit of psych.  Vocals are a bit different than one would expect with such a heavy, swirly outfit.  Theremin swirls drift through.  The vocals remind me more of late 60’s, in that the vocals are effected more than one would hear would later metal.  Warlord “Aliens”  Right on in to heavy guitars and drums after a short swirl entry.  This is a driving metal song, with some really high falsetto notes occasionally from the lead singer.  Comes to a dead stop in the middle, then picks right up and goes into an quasi-Middle Eastern sort of riff, then the driving guitars start up again. Air “Space Maker” Echo-y percussive beat, guitar strum, bass and piano.  This one has a more ominous sound to it.  Electronic keys shimmeringly join in, helping to create a more complex and sophisticated sound than the previous two.  UFO “Space Child”  This one I do remember from the past.  A bluesy sound to the vocals, in a slow ballad sort of piece.  Scorching guitar lead. 

Shadowyzard:  Keldian “Starchildren”  Plinky angular keyboards and steady guitars and drums get this off to a steady start.  Doubled up and harmonizing vocals kick in.  Another driving metal piece, this has a nice break in the middle with strings (probably done on keys?) and a second break with plinkies, adding interest to the piece.  Bruce Dickinson “Starchildren”  Wastes no time in getting heavy with driving drums and a strident vocal.  These are not light little starchildren, dancing airily about, they are the dark side of potential alien invasion.  Hope they don’t make it here soon, lol.  Celestial Asylum “Sumeria, Realm of the Gods”  Begins with a Renaissance-styled guitar.  Vocals come in, very like a group of minstrels, male and female both.  Very courtly in feel, as perhaps ancient Sumeria would indeed likely be.    Very pretty and rustic. 

George:  The Firm “Star Trekkin’”  I loved Dr Demento!  I don’t remember this, though, it is quite fun, as expected.  A light take on matters celestial, a novelty romp and cleverly done.  The video is like a Pee Wee’s Playhouse Claymation, but of course all based on Star Trek.  The Tubes “Space Baby”  I remember when they were all the rage in SF clubs, never did get a chance to see them live, though.  There is a sense of tongue-in-cheekiness to the piece.  Not at all in the same style, but reminds me of Zappa in the sense of it’s commentary and theatrical feel.  All competent musicianship here, there are some really fun vocal harmonies near the conclusion.  Styx’s “Come Sail Away,” as done by Eric Cartman. As expected, quite the sendup of the original, done in Cartman’s voice.  The piano playing is quite well done, joined with full band as the piece slowly builds.   Everything is quite straight-forward except for the vocal.  The center section is quite woogly for a moment or two, before going back to the arena rock style of band behind the vocal.  Well done!