Quirky and often highly clever,
Space
had one of the most appealing alternative rock releases of 1996 in
Spiders
-- which grossed some listeners out with a cover depicting tarantulas. This eccentric, risk-taking band (not to be confused with the late-'70s disco group
) doesn't take itself too seriously, and brings an enjoyably twisted sense of humor to such goofy numbers as
"Female of the Species"
(an ode to a lover who practices witchcraft),
"Mr. Psycho,"
and
"Voodoo Roller."
's inspirations range from hip-hop to brooding East European folk, which is incorporated with inspired results on
"Money"
"Lovechild of the Queen."
To be sure, the rockers can be overly self-indulgent, but like
Frank Zappa
George Clinton
, generally use their eccentricity advantageously. ~ Alex Henderson