Space Kitchen - What's Cookin' EP

 

Toronto's Space Kitchen offer up their second EP and it is splendid 70s Pop Rock. All the relevant nods are here and I'm reminded of John Miles in particular due to the mixture of Guitar Riffs mixed with both Piano Pop and keyboard runs.

The best example of this is Believer Deceiver which marries all of this with hints of the likes of 10CC and Alan Parsons Project to name just two. The song even flirts with Modern Prog and Symphonic Rock It is the centrepiece of this EP.

Life At Sea is even nearer Prog with its Space Rock keyboards married to Riffs that are not unlike the chiming six stringing offerings from fellow Cannuck, Alex Lifeson's early 80s. My Love To You crosses genres too. A bit like Jethro Tull does late 50s Rock and Roll at times.

The 50s I love you vibe turns into a 70s keyboard run and then on to Classic Pop Rock. Look Out for the killer riff though. Lovin' 9 To 5 is a little more 80s arrangement wise. There is a lot to like here from the duo, I just wish there was more.

You can listen to and buy the EP here.

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Space Kitchen - Space Kitchen

 

If you search Google for Space Kitchen, you'll soon know how to achieve lots of room for your cooking, but you may also be fortunate enough to discover Cambridge Ontario's Rob Howell and Robbie Carvalho. This duo are Space Kitchen and they have offered a fine debut that has nothing to do with space or kitchens.

I was first turned on them earlier this year when hearing the excellent Zoo Keeper, which is present here. The song is a fine example of Pop Rock that is reminiscent of those great UK bands of the 70s, but it is more than that. 

There is a riff running through Zoo Keeper that hooks you, it is simple, a little like a light version of something Alex Lifeson would play in those early 80s Rush albums and then there is a keyboard run that is nearer Modern Prog or even Space Rock. I felt that there was more to the band than meets the eye and so there is.

Those first three songs are great Pop, a little Bubblegum, a little Soft Rock, an edge towards Pop Punk, but then everything changes. Moving Pictures is 6 minutes of space age Prog, keyboard led with big runs yet including a driving bassline and a splendid Guitar break. Again part of the song reminds you of Modern Prog, but than enough takes you back to the keyboard wizzards of the 70s and part of the vocal even sounds like Russell Mael.

The Squig even gets all Jazz Rock and Sun Tower starts a little Telstar, but then gets all Science Fiction whilst also employing a chorus that is really catchy and at the same time a little prime time Yes, that's the proper Yes not the nonsense projected as such over the past two or three decades.

Pain Goblin is a bit like The Alan Parsons Project have been locked in the keyboard cupboard until it gets very Mew. I'm not trying to convert the world to Prog, this is the best of both worlds. Great Guitar Melodic Pop mixed with catchy Modern Prog. What a great way to spend a half hour!

You can listen to and buy the album here.

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