Customer Reviews

Resident Alien

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I first learned about Spacehog through the news. The singer, Royston Langdon (aka "The Luckiest Man Alive") married Liv "Arwen Evenstar" Tyler in 2001. This made headlines at the time, as it was incontrovertible proof that even the homeliest of guys can hit the jackpot every now and then.

Three things strike me about this album:

First, is it quirky? Yep. Off the beaten path? Definitely. But underneath this somewhat bizarre album is a collection of strong and well crafted songs written by people who are quite talented songsmiths.

Secondly, they're very well produced. They have a great sound, and whoever the producer is deserves an award. The band's strengths are played up. The mix is just right. The sound they get out of their instruments is simply phenomenal. It's perfect for their style of music.

Thirdly, the singer, Royston Langdon, has a strangly intriguing voice. I'm not sure it would carry well in a more traditional band, but it's perfect for what Spacehog does.

When you are a freshman in high school you learn to keep out of the rough kids' ways, but one afternoon I was faced with no escape--alone in a room with one of our school's biggest hoodlums. He sat across the art room from me and when he walked in I had already settled in for a few hours of solitude in the room... so an unexpected guest was a bit odd, and especially one like him. I had already plopped my Spacehog cd into the player at the front of the room, and when he walked into the room he looked at me weird and then begun nodding his head. I sighed with relief and sat back and relaxed... a half hour later after the album started winding to a stop the boy with chains and spikes and dyed hair spoke, "What is this a new David Bowie release?" And for the first time since I had purchased the cd I figured out why the vocals were so soothing and comforting.... duh, because they sound like Mr. Bowie himself. I giggled and said "No it's Spacehog."... and he laughed too, more than likely for different reasons than my own. I have owned this album for quite some time and I still hold a few of the songs near and dear to my heart. Spacehog is another one of those artists that just didn't get enough recognition for their aparent talent. I am going to go out on the limb and say that this is one of the quirkiest albums I own... reasons: (1) The vocalist could be mistaken for Bowie by Bowie himself. (2) I don't own any Dismemberment Plan, so they didn't win. (3) "Space is the place where I will go when I am all alone. When nobody calls me on the phone, all alone." They actually believe they are from outer space... or I want to believe this because it would make it a bit more fun. (4) They have numerous quirky songs on this album and they sing them with such conviction. Talent they have, they didn't have to prove that. And I have a feeling they knew they would be passed over because of their quirky nature so they just had fun with this one... and for those who actually went out on the limb and bought this after hearing "In the Meantime" well they either (A) loved it because I do. or (B) tried to sell it to a used cd store because I seem to find a lot of them out there. This album deserves four stars because it is fun, it has lasting power, and these boys sing about space in the majority of their songs. This album deserves four stars because of one song alone... "Zero, zero, zero." That song shows their vigor, their strength, and their song-writing skills in a way none of the other tracks do. And they play it off as if they are trying to do some Monster Ballad.... ringing in at the beginning of the song with such heart-felt and truthful lyrics: "Please excuse me, I meant no harm in being born." I don't think you have to worry about Spacehog going unrecognized... if they had wished to have found fame then they would have produced completely different songs in the first place.. I think they have fun and this is beneficial to die-hard fans in the long run.

spacehog is one of the worlds few great bands. their first album is not to be missed, every song fantastic on it's own, and all of them superbly belended into this brilliant album. definately buy it. p.s. - their concerts rule too.

I've had this cd since it first came out and ever since then i have listened to them more and more and now they are my favorite band, i think its because not a lot of people have heard of them so i'm not constantly hearing about them. When the Chinese album came out i had to get it and sure enough it was just as good as resident alien, but for the most part i think that anyone who doesn't like even a little of their music is insane, well that's all i can say right now, except try to like their music even if u don't like it at first give it a few more chances, a band like this doesn't come every day u know.

First of all, this album rocks. The style is defined, calm yet crazy, etc etc. I could go on. Most of this album follows a pattern, but it's so great it don't matta. Much more than a bunch of wild songs (most are better than anything), this is a true Album. I'm amazed that Chinese Album wasn't as big for the band. oh well.

I probably can think of about 30 albums that are great from start to finish in my 35 or so years seriously listening to music. This is one of them.

I bought it for In The Meantime, but found that I really enjoyed playing the entire album more than just listening to that song on replay. The songs tell a story and fit together so well.

Some favs
The Last Dictator
Candyman
Space is the Place
Only a Few
Never Coming Down (part II)

Spacehog had their hit "In The Meantime" in 1995. That's one of the 13 undescribably awsome songs on their first album "Resident Alien" . This band is so far ahead of all of those puny little bands who are known as "one hit wonders". They represent David Bowie with a 90's swirl to the sound. Zeroes is definitely my favorite song.

Spacehog is one of those bands where only a few people have heard of them, and those of us who have are so pissed that everyone else doesn't love them as much as we do! They must be the most underated rock band of the century! I'm a little to young for David Bowie, but this album still rocks...if you like "In the Meantime" then you'll have to love the enire thing! Richard Steel, Johnny Cragg, Royston and Antony Langdon form the perfect mix! Their sound is so unique! BUY THIS CD AND CALL YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATION TO REQUEST THEIR SONGS! You'll love it!

This is the best CD of the decade. The music is a unique blend of pop and rock in a style that has been likened to David Bowie's. A must buy.

It's fortuitous that I purchased this title when it first came out - I had only heard the track "In the Meantime" which I immediately loved. "Meantime", however, does nothing to illustrate the diversity of talent this band has. Although they have a certain individual tasty style - they aren't defined by it. Their slow dittys are sweet and solid and they rock with such perfect artistry and strength that it's indeed hard to imagine why more people don't know who they are. Oh well, more beauty for me to wallow in. Buy this if you love music.