Space Raiders? Aren’t they those weirdly shaped crisps from the 80s that contain nothing but additives? Well, yes. But they are also three blokes from Middlesborough who are rather adept at creating distinctive electronic dance music.
Their second album, Hot Cakes, from back in the millennial day 2000, is energetic, engaging and enlivening. Space Raiders bear all the hallmarks of the typical British feel-good dance band. Whether it’s ska, Primal Scream’s Screamadelica, Stone Roses’ basslines, or Bentley Rhythm Ace, a variety of legacies are obvious here. The retro sensibilities of French bands like Air and Daft Punk, the use of fashionable vocoders, and the presence of laid-back jazz guitars are also notable imports. But the outcome breaks away from pure derivation. By blending in compulsive electronic nuances, a truly uplifting concoction is created.
The album brims with an eclectic energy. Every track sounds different, despite many repeated components. Laying It Down is a nifty breakbeat opener with a complimentary bassline and programmed vocals. The title track is a melange of vocal samples, scrunchy piano and distorted guitar. Next up is the bass-heavy, frenetic joyride Middlesboogie (U Gimme Hot Love) – with disassociated lyrics about Jackie Chan giving it some wheel-spin. Elsewhere, titles like Space Trucking and Papa Chops will get feet tapping with their insistent rhythms. Slower and sweeter kicks come from the guitar and rotary organ that lead Beautiful Crazy, still maintaining the optimistic mood. Other standout tracks Soft Touch (Hard Candy), a rewarding foray into mollifying acid jazz, and country sounds like one of The Beta Band’s gentler experiments.
Hot Cakes will gratify those who crave raucous beats and bass and, in a more understated way, mellow moments. This is an album that melts in the mouth, yet you can munch along to it as well. Hmm. I dig the cosmic and crunchy stuff. D.Rose
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