REVIEW: Star People, Genius (Hyperspace)
- Dan Birchall
Star People garnered some attention two years ago with their debut, Star People... Are Coming. Presenting themselves as a group of extra-terrestrials drawn to Earth not by a gold compact disc in a deep-space probe but by broadcasts of Las Vegas lounge acts, clad in tuxedos with bow-ties, they served up a peculiar blend of rock, funk, spoken-word and of course lounge music.
The wild ride continues on Genius, Star People's sophomore release. Sinatra-esque lounge music segues into otherworldly progressive and funk solos. Lyrically, the album is equally far-ranging, from love songs like "I Love You Stargirl" to songs like "Scientific Prey," about alien autopsies in Roswell, New Mexico.
While much of the lyrical content is more or less what one would expect from a group of aliens, the creative, funky music sets this band apart from all the other alien groups out there. If you enjoyed the band's first album, this should obviously be on your shopping list. If, like many earthlings, you haven't heard the Star People already, this album should fit nicely amidst your existing collection of The Bobs, Echolyn, Platypus, Henry Rollins, Sinatra and P-Funk albums. For further information, check out the site at http://www.starpeople.net .
