I like any album that can make me think twice about where the band is coming from. Even though I wasn't a total stranger to Huge Spacebird, there was something I liked right away about the opening of the first cut, "On File." A grungy riff asserts itself before a trio of voices let loose with an "Aaaaah!" I swear, it sounds like the unholy union between Pearl Jam and Trip Shakespeare. It doesn't last long, though; Huge Spacebird came to rock.

Yeah, rock. It's a dirty word but somebody's gotta play it. Huge Spacebird is made up from the remains of a two Seattle bands, The Purdins and Stumpy Joe. While both of those bands looked back at punk rock with tears in their eyes, Huge Spacebird is looking for a groovy patch of shag carpet one may sit upon to get close to the stereo and dig the King Biscuit Flower Hour.

The grunge antics of "On File" are a red herring. The songs on this disc would make Humble Pie, Three Dog Night, and maybe even early Aerosmith proud. Vocal duties are handled by guitarist Mark Hoyt (he sings the manly stuff) and bassist Jeff Taylor (who gives the album its more tender, succulent moments). Sizzlin' cuts like "Electric Boogaloo" and "Walkin'" strut out of the speakers with a bravado that is missed these days, while the straight-up pop songs "Radiation" and "Lemonade" (the latter featuring a neat vocal turn by drummer Peter Lansdowne) tickle the ears with a feather of nice.

It ain't earth shattering, but what is?

-Jason Josephes