Red Hot Shame: My Satellite

Billed as something of a Northern California supergroup - I haven’t heard of any of Xeff Scolari on vocals and acoustic guitar, Ryan Wilson on electric guitar, Spencer Kennedy on bass, keys and percussion, Steven Pitsenbarger on backing vocal, horns and percussion, James Terris on keys and bass or Rick Fugate on drums, but then I’m not from Northern California! - Red Hot Shame look set to whisk us on a ride into space. The cover of the CD (yes, I know, never judge and all that…) immediately conjures up pictures of a space rock extravaganza, what with the convoluted space vehicle it depicts looking like it has a section made out of a big yellow budgie, but in actuality there’s more of a loose indie-rock vibe going down.

For my own personal tastes that definitely was a turn I wouldn’t have usually taken, but it has to be said that the suitable vintage vibe that runs deep into “The Only Star� brings a dowdy 60s pop shimmer that I don’t mind at all. It is, for me, a high point though and while the song-writing is tight and the use of some sound clips that add to the space theme bring colour and shape, the deeper we head into the inky black, the less there is to truly get a firm fix on. “My Solitude� tries hard to bring a Bowie like swagger without making it obvious that’s where it’s headed, which is rather cool, while “Come On, Rocket� almost, but not quite, reminds of Neil Young in its ramshackle tightness, before adding a Beatles like surge. But in truth, for me, these little bright spots are specks of interest amongst a main body of forgettable fare. Maybe if the likes of Super Furry Animals is more your thing than it is mine you’ll find something here to get your teeth into, but for me this whole experience is all too forgettable.

Track Listing
1. Liftoff
2. X.exe
3. My Satellite
4. The Only Star
5. Solitude
6. My Shuttle
7. Stranded
8. Synchronizing
9. Eject
10. Come On, Rocket
11. Little Moon

Added: August 18th 2022
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Red Hot Shame @ bandcamp
Hits: 492
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]