Quick Hits (And Misses) Final Edition

• Published in: Edmonton journal
• Main Author: Sandra Sperounes, Edmonton Journal, Nicole Pensiero and Dan DeLuca, Philadelphia Inquirer, T'Cha Dunlevy and Bernard Perusse, Montreal Gazette
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Edmonton, Alta Postmedia Network Inc 01.10.2005
• Subjects: Gray, David; McMahon, Andrew; Raitt, Bonnie
• ISSN: 0839-296X

Photo: Journal Stock / (CD cover: In Space by Big Star.) ; Photo: Journal Stock / (CD cover: Life in Slow Motion by [David Gray].) ; Photo: Journal Stock / (CD cover: The City by FemBots.) ; Photo: Journal Stock / (CD cover: Souls Alike by [Bonnie Raitt].) ; Photo: Journal Stock / (CD cover: Everything In Transit by Jack's Mannequin.) ; Review: As far as reunions go, Big Star beats 'em all. It's been more than 30 years since the Memphis power-popsters, led by Alex Chilton, recorded their last album, Third/Sister Lovers. Like the Pixies, Big Star is one of those bands that cultivated a bigger following after they broke up. Unlike the Pixies, Chilton and his pals have a new album to peddle. In Space blasts off without a hitch -- the first four cuts, including Dony and Lady Sweet, are jangly, autumnal gems. (If you're a fan of The Grapes of Wrath, you'll finally understand where their inspirations came from.) "We just can't wait anymore," sings Chilton on Best Chance We've Ever Had. Or maybe not. In Space starts to wobble by the fifth track, Love Revolution, a flat funk jam with horns and corny lyrics. "Get up and grooooooove, y'alllll / Oooooh, shake that funky thing," an earnest, slightly hesitant Chilton warbles. Mine Exclusively, is snappy, yet his words sound horribly outdated. A Whole New Thing and Do You Wanna Make It, inspired by Chuck Berry and The Beatles, suffer from the same problem -- they're solid sonically, but the lyrics will make you wanna cringe.