Customer Reviews

Spaceship Zero

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is the Thickets' best cd to date. They just keep getting more and more polished with each release. The songs have real feeling, no pop pablum here. The sound effects accompanying the music are awe-inspiring. Buy this cd. Cthulhu wants you to. Then whine for a rerelease of "Cthulhu Strikes Back" and "Great Old Ones", if you don't have them. Still THE most unique band in music today.

Like most long time Thickets fans, I've been waiting for this album for quite a while and personally I was worried that it might be a bit disappointing. But not only did the Thickets prove me wrong, they exceed all of my expectations and delivered their best album yet. It's just plain fantastic, with Frogstar, The Chosen One, and The Math song among my favorites. There is a nice mix of the old Thickets sound, found on albums like The Great Old Ones and Cthulhu Strikes Back. But at the same time there is enough that is fresh to keep it interesting. As for "A 12-year old music fan", I am curious as to which album he's actually reviewing. It certainly isn't the Spaceship Zero that I own. Like most soundtracks there is an eclectic mix of songs, vocals and instrumentals, guitars and techo. The last thing that could describe this CD is 15 songs that sound the same.

I'm a newcomer to The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets and after a lot of searching, was able to get my copy of this CD. I've listened to it several times and have yet to grow tired of a single song.

The songs are all very catchy and the Thickets show great promise as they quickly hone their skills with their instruments. The singer, Toren MacBin, and the bassist, Bob Fugger, particularly shine in songs like The Innsmouth Look and 20 Minutes of Oxygen, two of my favorite songs.

The Math Song is also an oddly charming little number that I find myself whistling to unconsciously. The theme of old school sci-fi and Lovecraftian literature is definately a pleasant switch from so many mainstream bands which, in my opinion, are mostly either insipidly vapid pop groups that sound like they came out of cloning vats, or doom and gloom angry white male bands who also sound as if they came out of cloning vats.

The creative ensemble of this group really is a pleasant switch. If you're looking for something different with a catchy punk-ish edge, I recommend The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets.

For fans of a little band named The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, Spaceship Zero is yet another fun album. But for anyone who hasn't heard of the band, this could be the introduction to a talented group of Canadian guys. Highlight songs are "20 Minutes of Oxygen" (nice slow build-up and a good introduction to the album as a whole), The Innsmouth Look (catchy even if you don't know anything about Lovecraft's stories; love the bass, Bob!), The Math Song (this is a song that just HAD to be written: love that chorus) and The Chosen One (extremely addictive lyrics: I can't get this one out of my head). All in all, definitely worth the price of admission. Kudos!

I used to live in Vancouver, part of the hunting range of these excellent young men. The music they make is wonderous indeed, but this album might be considered their magnus opus. I love putting it on the car stereo and really cranking it so people who hear it either fall in love with the eldritch sounds or faint in dispair over the coming of the Old Ones. Either way, I win. Buy this album now so you have something to show when The Stars Are Right.

o.k. I'll freely admit that I picked up this CD cause I am a big fan of Lovecraft and I knew that this band was just as into the old gentleman from Providence. I must say that even without the obvious Lovecraft refrences this cd would be well worth the money. Each track has an infectious surf-punk energy all of its own. Since this was the soundtrack for a never (?) released B sci-fi flick the irrevrence that the band carries is very welcome considering the inspiration for a good chunk of the songs on this disc. Personal faves on this would be "20 Minutes of Oxygen," "The Innsmouth Look (he made love to the fishies)," and "The Math Song." So if you are a fan of the whole Lovecraft/Cthulhu Mythos thing, this CD is well worth picking up. If you like songs that are fun, carefree and a little funny, take a listen to the downloads to make your decision.

For fans of a little band named The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets, Spaceship Zero is yet another fun album. But for anyone who hasn't heard of the band, this could be the introduction to a talented group of Canadian guys. Highlight songs are "20 Minutes of Oxygen" (nice slow build-up and a good introduction to the album as a whole), "The Innsmouth Look" (catchy even if you don't know anything about Lovecraft's stories; love the bass, Bob!), "The Math Song" (this is a song that just HAD to be written: love that chorus) and "The Chosen One" (extremely addictive lyrics: I can't get this one out of my head). All in all, definitely worth the price of admission. Kudos!

Simply put, TDotHT rules. My musical taste is eclectic, but these guys fit right in with every corner of my personal preferences. They are a bunch of zany, creative guys, their songs are always amusing, their music is not only soundly professional but of professional sound. I've been following the band since I was introduced to them in about 1997, through someone who is HIGHLY qualified to recommend them - the band's webmaster, who is also a friend to the band members. I had the good fortune to see them play once at a gaming convention, and these guys blew the top off of the place...a couple friends who I was there with who had never heard of the band at the time became instant Thickets fans.

I'd suggest TDotHT to any fans of bands with amusing lyrics and a clean guitar sound, especially people who know and enjoy They Might Be Giants, The Promise Ring, and many other collegerock and emo bands. As well, TDotHT sometimes edges into the same stylistic zone as Iron Maiden and the older Megadeth releases with tracks from their earlier albums like 'Big Robot Dinosaur'. I know that these guys keep me laughing and singing along, even when the other people in the car want me to turn on NPR or turn it off altogether...although that's usually because I sing out of tune and play music too loudly.

These guys deserve a break and some limelight, as they have the instrumental skill and the witty lyrics to make it, so try them, and if you like them...tell a friend or fifty.

Spaceship Zero is an awesome new album from the Thickets featuring some of their strongest singles to date. '20 Minutes of Oxygen' and 'The Innsmouth Look' really stand out on a CD full of solid music. The multimedia presentation included on the CD really fleshes out the story surrounding Spaceship Zero and brings the songs & characters to life.

Some of the Thickets best work yet and well worth picking up.

P.S. If you EVER get a chance to see them live GO! The Thickets put on the best show I've ever seen, one that should not be missed.

I got into Darkest of the Hillside thickets with the album 'Cthulhu Strikes Back'. Like that album, Spaceship Zero has it's Lovecraftian tracks, like 'Innsmouth Look' (Which tells of an encounter between a man and a woman with the infamous innsmouth look), but on the whole this one seems to have a more general sci-fi theme to it, though that's not a bad thing.
Clips and odd sound effects pepper the album, making it feel like an old movie. Track number five, 'BTL Drive' makes me think of being in space, computer systems crashing and alarms sounding to no-doubt disastrous consequence. Prior to the wonderful 'Math Song', a harsh voice shouts "Your facts! Your figures! What are they worth now, huh? Are they worth the lives of seven billion people?!" At the end of the very last track, a conversation is shared between an unidentified man and a barely-perceptible, ominous voice apparently named 'Pondar'.
Having thoroughly enjoyed not only the music but the very flavor and atmosphere of this album, I can safely say that I plan to buy even more music from this band!