S.P.O.C.K 2001: A S.P.O.C.K ODYSSEY ALBUM SSC, PLAYGROUND RELEASE: FEBRUARY 5, 2001 REVIEW: JANUARY 30, 2001

As much as I enjoyed the latest S.P.O.C.K single "Where Rockets Fly", I can't say I'm totally convinced by "2001: a S.P.O.C.K Odyssey". It's a rollercoaster ride with a vast vertical difference, making what is good spectacular and what's bad quite uninteresting.
Following the short intro is "Reactivated". This is a piece very similar to the sound on the latest Heaven 17 album, "Bigger Than America" and also one of the highlights on the disc. Good vocals by Alexander Hofman and a rather contagious chorus. The forthcoming single "Queen of Space", however, represents a side of S.P.O.C.K I'm having a hard time enjoying, with a rockish, wheezy feeling to it. A feeling that unfortunately suffocates a few of the other tracks as well.
Disregarding the above mentioned, "2001: a S.P.O.C.K Odyssey" is indeed a great album. It's peaking in the fabulous "Back on Mars", one of the band's best tracks ever, and the equally laid-back and smooth "End of the Universe". Both tracks have outstanding choruses, and a cool set of sounds. More uptempo songs like "Next in Line" and "Every Single Day" aren't far behind. Both have the same refrains, sticking to your mind whether you like it or not, and an instant club appeal.
On the whole, S.P.O.C.K have developed everything, like production, vocals and, to a certain extent, their song writing skills. I'm not sure though, if the fans will embrace the "spock'n'roll" styled tracks. I sure didn't. On the other hand, if "2001: a S.P.O.C.K Odyssey" would have been cut down to an EP, the grade had risen by at least one unit, possibly two.
S.P.O.C.K may or may not please you, but they are still roaming the sparse elite corridors of the synthpop bands, and with an extra vocalist in Johan Malmgren (singing the coolest track on the album, "Mr. Jones") they might progress even further.

NIKLAS FORSBERG