After achieving notoriety with their self-titled album in 1995, the duo known as
the Moog Cookbook decided to follow it up with a set of classic rock hits. And the results on Ye Olde Space Bande are just as good as their humorous debut. It's hard to imagine a synthesized makeover of songs by such hard rock/heavy metal artists as
Kiss,
Van Halen, and
Ted Nugent, but the duo somehow finds a way of transcribing these favorites. A unique host of special guest rockers, both old and new, are present (Devo's
Mark Mothersbaugh, the MC5's
Wayne Kramer, the Go-Go's'
Charlotte Caffey, and
the Eels' 'E', among others), who help add to the inspired, party-like atmosphere. All ten tracks are great, but the best are a space-age funk version of
Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" (with the middle breakdown section containing snippets of
the Who,
Pink Floyd, and others) and a patriotic version of Kiss' "Rock and Roll All Nite." Also included is a techno makeover of Boston's "More Than a Feeling" and a roboticized take on Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love." Highly recommended. ~ Greg Prato