Happy Halloween maniacs! I hope this here spookiest day of the year has been treating you well thus far. I’m sure you’re expecting us to honor the occasion by reviewing the scariest, darkest, most evil metal release we could scrape up this side of the underworld. Well, if there’s one thing you should know about us by now, it’s to expect the unexpected, because in the words of Monty Python, “And now for something completely different.” I guess the closest Halloween reference we can make in regards to this here release is that a black cat has crossed your path, although even that wouldn’t be the case because these felines defy gravity.
Cats in Space are one of those newer bands I’ve heard widely revered amongst those in classic rock circles, particularly those in Europe. Yes, I’m well aware that the AOR revival phenomenon is largely a European one to begin with, but even bands like The Night Flight Orchestra and H.E.A.T get love stateside. Cats in Space is virtually unknown outside of the most diehard of diehards. After hearing their name mentioned for the better part of a half decade, I figured I’d finally give these nostalgic Brits a listen with their latest outing, Time Machine.
True to its title, Time Machine is a musical time warp, sounding straight out of the late ’70s. From its emphasis on singalong choruses and infectious hooks, to its layered vocal harmonies and unabashedly retro production, these cats (pun fully intended) keep it old school from start to finish. One can hear shades of titans like ELO, Boston, and Magnum on highlights like the opening title track, “Run for Your Life”, and “Yesterday’s Sensation”. To say pop rockers like these would fit right in on a Casey Kasem Top 40 countdown circa 1978 would be an understatement.
As enjoyable as Time Machine is, the album is not without its weaknesses. For every punchy, upbeat, feelgood rocker, there’s a sleeper ballad. Admittedly, the hauntingly simple “Forever & Ever” and hypnotic “This Velvet Rush” hit the spot, but others like “Crashing Down” and “When Love Collides” weigh down the ship, the latter sounding a little too similar to Alice Cooper’s “Only Women Bleed” for my liking. Furthermore, does an album of this nature have to be 14 songs long? Mind you, that’s not including the “Ghost Mix” (whatever that means) of “This Velvet Rush”, which brings us to 15.
If a musical butcher, or in this case a producer, talked Cats in Space to trimming the fat off Time Machine, bringing it down to 10 or 11 songs, it would be a rock solid, classic AOR affair from top to bottom. Yet even in its current finished state, Time Machine is no slouch. If nothing more, I have to hand it to Cats in Space for tackling the John Miles deep cut, “Music”, and absolutely nailing it, pomp at all. That cover alone is worth the price of admission for what is truly a nostalgic ride.
6 out of 10
Label: Cherry Red Records
Genre: AOR
For fans of: The Night Flight Orchestra, Magnum, Boston